A Lumen Ripple | An Elemental Story

Chapter 27 - Without You

She held on with fire in her eyes, unwilling to let go, for her dewdrop had wronged her. Ember stood in the middle of the footpath, throttling Wade's arm with all her might. He tugged at it in hopes to free himself, but his Ember was no quitter.

"Ember! Agh-- let go!" Wade cried.

"Wade... Ripple." she seethed.

Vicious spit slithered down her mouth as she emanated seethed anger. Wade looked in her eyes, fear running rampant. Grounded like a statue, Ember held tight as Wade scrambled in his spot, tugging rapidly.

"Ember, please relax. I didn't mean--" he pleaded.

"Who were they?" she scowled.

Wade returned her a blank look like a child, not knowing what he was in trouble for exactly.

"What--" he muttered.

"They knew me somehow..." she deciphered.

She stomped a foot on the ground in emphasis, flashing purple.

"Who were they?" she reiterated.

Wade drew back a step, a look of confusion on his face.

"I-- I don't know what you're talking about--" he stammered.

"The three that followed me, Wade! Who were they?!" she barked.

Wade's eyes darted around like he hadn't a clue what she was on about.

"Three rock guys?" he queried.

"The three rock guys!" Ember confirmed forcefully.

Coming to the realization of just who those three were, Wade looked down, taking a big breath in trying to lay it out to her as gently as possible.

"I... see them around work-- but that's it!" he assured.

Ember let out another scowl, approaching him with fists clenched. He stumbled backwards away from her.

"Ember, please-- I didn't--" he panicked.

"Oh-- I'm not finished with you." she scowled.

Wade fell to the ground, giving her ample chance to stand over him.

"You... have been playing with my emotions all day with your ghosting." she barked with a sharp point of a finger.

Wade raised an eyelid, slowly getting onto his knees.

"Wha--" he sounded.

"I was worried sick, Wade! The Sea-Nears were worried sick! My flame, I couldn't think straight because I didn't know where you were!" she exclaimed.

Wade shot her a blank look, unable to understand. He tried his best to, gradually grasping at what was going on. He peacefully moved toward her, stretching his fingers.

"Ember-- I kept you in the loop all day." he asserted.

A tense silence followed as Ember tried to understand the tripe coming out of his mouth. She raised an eyebrow, almost to the point of feeling offended.

"What?" she barked.

"You didn't text me back. I was worried!" he told her.

"Text you back-- you didn't send me anything!" she escalated.

Ember held an arm up as her escalation came hurtling at him. He gently held it by his side, gaining composure and straightening his posture.

"I... kept you updated every step of the way," he told her confidently.