Obliterate

seven

SOPHIE FOLLOWED ELI through the halls of the Academy, her gaze focused on his downcast expression. He was uncharacteristically quiet, trapped within the depths of his own mind. His eyes remained focused in front of them and his hand tensely held hers.

The sight made her stomach twist into even tighter knots.

She didn't know how to help him. When she originally lost her mother, Sophie had been so mad and distant that she'd decided that she didn't care. Of course she did, deep down, but her anger had clouded those feelings. It just wasn't the same as this. Especially since there was a good chance that she had something to do with his death.

A small sigh escaped her. When they approached the dining hall, she noticed that the massive doors had been propped open. A mixture of teachers and other staff members poured into the room, seated around the abundance of tables. Eli lead her toward the nearest table. She sunk down into a chair beside him and looked around. Aelia stood on the slightly raised platform, which was now devoid of any tables. Her arms were folded across her chest and her expression remained stoic. When her gaze found Sophie and Eli, her expression softened.

Eli didn't seem to notice her. His fingers remained interlaced with Sophie's under the table and he squeezed gently as she looked over. "I feel so bad for his parents," he murmured under his breath, so that only she could hear.

Her expression twisted with a mixture of pain and guilt.

Aelia cleared her throat. The chatter that had filled the dining hall fell quiet as the doors were closed. Heads turned toward the platform, tainted with worried expressions. A second ticked by as Aelia surveyed her audience. Her expression twisted into something gentle, and almost mother-like. Then she started her speech.

"Thank you all," she said quietly. Her gaze dropped toward the ground and she let out a soft sigh. "I desperately wish that we were all gathered here under better circumstances. But unfortunately, that won't be the case. Some of you may already have heard the news; most of the students have been discussing it amongst themselves, and you know how rumors fly."

Eli's jaw clenched. Sophie squeezed his hand and tried to ignore the twisting in her stomach. Aelia continued, "We lost a student last night. His name is Robby Wallace. His roommates reported him missing earlier this morning and I, personally, have been working with the police all morning to find out more information. There really isn't much to go on."

"Which is exactly why I have gathered you here today. Our mission, as a high end academy, is to keep our students as safe as possible. His parents trusted us with the wellbeing of their child, and we failed them. What kind of school can we claim to be if we can't even protect one of our own?"

Sophie chewed on her lower lip. The images of all that blood covering her hands flashed across her mind's eye and she felt like she was going to be sick.

Aelia seemed to stare right through her. "I want to ask you to help me find Robby Wallace. I believe that we, as guardians of this academy, owe his parents that in the least. We will form three groups. Those of you who are not as well rested will be allowed to rest. Those of you who are not tired will be split into two smaller groups. One will remain here and stand guard, protecting the students. The other will search for Robby Wallace –whether that means roaming the inside of this castle or the forest outside. Go as far as you need to go. Do what needs to be done. All that I ask is that you participate in our efforts to find Robby."

Applause erupted throughout the dining hall. Eli immediately released Sophie's hand to clap with them, his gaze narrowed with determination. Sophie managed to get her hands to move, her claps echoing distantly within her ears.

A relieved smile flashed across Aelia's face. She lifted her hand and everyone fell silent once more. "As I mentioned earlier, I have spent all day with the police. There really isn't any evidence to go on, at all. I examined the crime scene myself. It's as if Robby Wallace never existed. His scent is completely gone –even the old clothes in his closet hold no trace of it. There are no skin particles or hairs beneath the bed or embedded within his sheets. There aren't even any fingerprints. The only sign of his existence is the memories of other students and the small decorations strewn about his bedroom."

Shocked whispers floated around the dining hall. No trace of Robby Wallace –not even the small particles that couldn't be erased. Sophie's eyes widened. She glanced over at Eli. He stared right back, his own eyes wider than a pair of paper plates.

"I know it won't be easy," Aelia said. The whispers died out and she continued, "But look around you. Everyone in this room is very skilled in their own supernatural abilities. We are a collection of the very best vampires, werewolves, witches, and ogres. If anybody can find him, I firmly believe it will be us."

Aelia coughed. Once again the room fell silent. She said, "If you feel rested enough to join the search party, please meet us in here within the next hour. Those of you who prefer to stand guard, please gather in the library. Further instructions will be given from there. You are dismissed."

The crowd of faculty stood. Sophie remained seated and was somewhat afraid to move. The mere idea of standing made her stomach lurch violently. Eli stayed seated as well. His gaze turned toward Sophie, assessing her expression. "Are you okay?" he asked quietly.

Sophie looked at him. "I'm just peachy. Have you decided which group you plan to join?"

He arched an eyebrow at her. "Do you really have to ask?"

No, she really didn't. She cracked a thin smile and nodded. "I figured as much. I guess I'll need my sneakers then. We should probably change into something more comfortable as well."

Aelia approached them as Sophie and Eli neared the door. Her expression was filled with chagrin. Sophie and Eli shared a look as she gestured for them to move closer, away from the crowd. They followed her toward the kitchen doors.

"Look," she told them quietly, "I know that you both are planning to join the search party. I love you both and want to see you safe, which is why I am telling you this."

Sophie's hand found Eli's again. He squeezed it tight. Aelia looked around and then continued to speak, her voice even lower. "I have a strong suspicion that Robby's disappearance is a result of foul play. The cleanup is too perfect. There literally is not a trace of his existence left behind. Just be on the lookout tonight and stay together. Please don't tell anybody else about this. I don't want to cause a stir."

"And I'm counting on you to protect my daughter," Aelia added, more sternly, her gaze focused on Eli. "Don't you dare let anything happen to her."

"I would never," Eli said. "I would die for her. You know that."

Sophie's heart clenched tight. The memory of Eli's "death" flashed through her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut and angled her head down. Her stomach rolled violently.

She refused to let Eli die again.