The Night We Met

Part I: Chapter X

Note: This chapter has hints of sensitive parts in the story. Please skip the timeskips if you do not like those parts.

    "Good morning, everyone!"

Miss Jericho turned on the lights, revealing everyone sleeping on either the long, lounge seats or the floor. Everyone was rubbing their eyes, they tried to focus their attention on Miss Jericho. But she noticed someone was missing.

"Meliodas, Ban, King, Escanor, Gowther, Elaine, Diane and Merlin... who's left?" Miss Jericho counted.

"Where's Liz?" Diane asked.

"Oh, she's running errands with one of the other maidens," Miss Jericho answered.

"Hmm..." Everyone thought about who's missing...

"ELIZABETH!" Meliodas shouted in shock.

A face of shock, worry, suprise, confusion and anxiety was shown on Miss Jericho's face. Why would she be wondering the orphanage now? Or even earlier in the morning? Did she find about the notes and the letter from Bartra?

    She couldn't have. It was closed in my drawers... hopefully I locked it with the code, 7-4-19.

    "Well... I think we can find her if we search the orphanage together," Elaine suggested.

    Everyone began searching for Elizabeth. They searched the dorms, the rooms, the kitchen and even the main lounge. She was nowhere to be seen.

    Miss Jericho mumbled and grumbled under her breath. Meliodas swore that he saw some hesitating movements from her, that looked like she is hiding something. Hiding something so dangerous... so secretive. But; out of everything they've been through... what would it be?

    "Looks like she's nowhere to be found," Miss Jericho nervously laughs, "you children can go to the dining for your breakfast. I'm sure the chef has made some delicious pancakes today."

    The children walked to the dining room, where the chef pulled out the food. The food was bacon and eggs — not what they usually have on Sundays.

    "Chef? Why do we have bacon and eggs? Miss Jericho said you have made pancakes," Ban complained.

    "W-Well... I thought it would be nice to change up things once in a while, eh?" Chef replied.

    Meliodas realised something. Miss Jericho lied to them. She never lies... or at least they thought. What else had she been lying about? Is she the reason why Elizabeth is missing?

    After breakfast, Meliodas called everyone to his bedroom with Elizabeth. He was going to explain his theory with Elizabeth... if only one of the maidens weren't with them.

    "Hello, children. Miss Jericho has tasked me with supervising you until further notice," the maiden said.

    Meliodas grunted. If he can't tell his friends his theory, than how can they find the truth? Meliodas had to think of a plan — and fast — or else they would have no chance of getting Elizabeth back and find the truth about the orphanage.

•••

Underground, it's so cold in here. I can't seem to find my way out. Where am I? There's so many cobwebs and rocks in here. There's one source of light, and that's through my earrings. Its reflection apparently brings the light out to the world.

    I hear nothing but the bees buzzing and the birds bawling on the surface. I roll myself into a ball, like a hedgehog, trying to hide from the world. The cement beneath me crumbled with every breath I take. Sharp cracks of rocks bleed throughout the little basement.