Prateorium Museum

"Avoidance."

"Skyler!" I called, running forward to where she was.
"Hey Al!" she yelled back using the nickname that I hated. "I'll be with you in a sec, okay?" she looked stressed. "I've got my hands full with this group!"
"It's urgent." I pleaded.
"What is it?"
"Where is Dr. Namsith?"
"Now is not the time for this Alex." she said, and I crossed my arms.
"Go get cleaned up, and I'll catch up with you later." Skyler finished.
"Okay, Bye." I said, and sulked off. If I was going tube dismissed for the day, I mind as well go home and get cleaned up. I was covered in sweat, dirt, and grime.
•••
There really is nothing like a nice, hot shower. Especially when you're me, and you just came back from an adventure. Seriously, there's something about the steam that just alleviates all the stress. Skyler better be at the cafe. I thought as I shut the door of my apartment building behind me. I didn't wait all day for nothing! I set off at a walk, admiring the city of Kerria. My last adventure had taken a long time, so I was happy to be back. Flocks of pigeons migrated from roof top to roof top, and the branches of the trees swayed in the breeze. I should go for walks more often. I thought as I passed the park. Five giant oak trees stood guard, their branches loaded down with children climbing the trees. An old woman had seated herself on a bench, and watched the children play while working frivolously on her knitting. Half of a brightly colored scarf was lain across her lap, one end attached to her knitting needles. A scarf would be handy here in Kerria, because once it turned to winter, all of Erantion froze, only to thaw out a couple of months later. It was getting to the end of summer, so a chilly breeze was expected now and then. I grabbed my hat to keep if from flying off my head as a group of women threw open the door of an apartment store, letting loose a big gust of cold air, which sent a few dead leaves skittering across the sidewalk. I soon spotted Nathaniel, who was walking back home from the museum.
"Nathan!" I called, he looked around in confusion, then finally spotted me and waved. He strode up to me, the buckles on his combat boots jingling with his every step, the heavy soles made pounding noises on the brick. He was much taller than me, and even though it was probably only six inches, everything seems bigger when your smaller than it.
"I know where Dr. Namsith is." He announced to me. I suddenly became extremely more interested and alert.
"Where?!?" I asked eagerly, every cell of my body filled with nervous anticipation.
"You have to promise not to freak out. I spent half an hour running around trying to find you." He said calmly.
"No promises." I replied, sarcastically.
"No one wants to break the news to you, so I guess it's up to me."
"Just tell me."
"Fine. Dr. Namsith is in the hospital."