Path to Starry Pool (MAJOR EDITING)

Chapter Eight: Back Again

Astoria bit her lip and waited outside the door. As she waited, Mari opened the door across the hall and walked up behind her. Astoria jumped a mile as Mari tapped her on the shoulder.

"Mari!" Astoria gasped, clutching her heart. "You gave me a heart attack."

"Cool," Mari replied, glancing sideways. "What are you even doing? Having low self-esteem to approach to Piper?"

Astoria's cheeks flushed pink. "N-No! Chin-Hae just wanted to talk to Sara for a few minutes. He was very... I probably shouldn't say."

"Then let's listen, " Mari stated, pressing an ear against the door.

Astoria crossed her arms. Darn, I seriously want to eavesdrop, Astoria thought fiercely. Actually, I don't see why not. Astoria's curiosity took over and she pressed her ear against the door as well. She could faintly hear Chin-Hae and Sara talking.

"My mother has nothing to do with anything!" Chin-Hae was saying.

"Obviously she does!" Sara argued. "Then explain this!"

There was a thump and creak on the floor. Astoria could hear the closet being opened, and something heavy being slid off the top shelf of it. The shadow of Sara's feet marched close to Chin-Hae's shadow.

"Mari," Astoria hissed under her breath. "I think this should be between them. This is getting too personal."

"Agreed, " Mari nodded and backed up from the door.

Inside the room, Sara had grabbed a box off the shelf and walked up close to Chin-Hae. Their noses were almost touching as Sara stood up to Chin-Hae. Chin-Hae gulped, a wave rippling over his throat.

"You know what this is, Chin-Hae, don't you?" said Sara, her voice shaking as she shoved the box into his arms. "Answer me!"

"Yes, I do, " Lee sighed, turning and setting the box on his bed.

Across the top of the box, in black marker, was the words 'Mom's Stuff.' Lee gulped and reached down slowly, lifting the lid off the box. Inside was a light blue blanket, the yarn in the corner coming undone. It was filled with many random items such as empty water bottles, tiny pieces of jewelry, hats, and so on. Sara frowned slightly, then walked to the closet and opened it. She pulled out the baseball cap Chin-Hae had been wearing and turned it upside-down.

"It says here," Sara started, squinting to read the faint cursive writing on the cap. "Ash Beaufort. Was that your mother, or one of your relatives?"

"Ash Beaufort?" Lee repeated with a curious tone. "No, I don't believe so. I do recognize the name, though."

"Really?" Sara inquired but paused as Lee stood up.

"Let's continue this later, shall we?" Lee replied. "After all, we have Astoria Beaufort to ask questions to."

***

Sara swung the door open. Astoria jumped in fright, her heart thudding. She drew in a shaky breath and stood up straight again. Lee followed Sara slowly out the door.

"So, Astoria," said Sara. "Do you know anything about this?"

Sara held up the baseball cap. Astoria bent down and her eyes immediately narrowed.

"No," She answered quickly. "That is Lee's hat, right?"

"Correct," Lee replied, then grabbed the cap and flipped it upside-down. "What do you think now?"

Astoria searched around the bottom until she caught sight of the faint marker print. She looked over the print swiftly and let out a gasp of surprise. Ash!? Astoria thought with a shocked expression. This is really his old hat!?