[Automatic] (An Aarmau AU)

[Chapter 22] She's Gone

She was gone.

At least, that's what they told me.

After I heard nothing from Aphmau for over a week, I sent the guard to her house. They reported back saying that everything was still in place, but the other residents of the apartment hadn't seen her since before the break in. After doing a thorough investigation of the house, all they found was a screw driver which was coated in something they assumed was oil.

People were sent to O'kasis and Phoenix Drop to look, but I had a strange feeling they weren't going to find her. I knew Aphmau and she wouldn't just disappear like that, not without at least saying goodbye. The guard continually told me she probably just left, but if she did why is all her stuff still at her house. They found the bag she had brought to the castle still unpacked, and lying on her freshly made bed.

They tried to convince me that she maybe went off to live with some relatives, and ignored me when I told them she didn't have any family. Never in my life had I been ignored by the guard, so I could only assume my dad had something to do with this. He still believed she was a distraction, and would jeopardize the marriage treaty.

I couldn't directly say anything about it to him, no, I had to show I wasn't playing any of his games. I decided to call off the marriage treaty, until Aphmau was found and brought home safely. If my father really was behind this, then he would hesitate a moment to bring her home.

I walked into Katelyn's work shop, where she was furiously banging at a piece of metal. "Sit", she told me, not even looking up. I complied and took a seat at one of the many stools that lined the counter. We sat in silences for almost a minute, her still beating the hell out of that metal.

"She's gone", she finally said, putting her hammer down.

Her sudden words shocked me. It was something I already knew, but the tone of her voice caught me off guard. I'd never seen Katelyn sad, let alone cry, but my blue haired friend was now close to tears.

"She didn't even say goodbye", was all Katelyn could say before bursting into tears. I wasn't sure what to do, so I just walked over and carefully wrapped my arms around her.

"She's my best friend", Katelyn cried. "She can't be gone, not for real"

"She's not dead Katelyn"

I dropped my arms, and Katelyn crossed hers. "She didn't even bring any of her stuff", she whispered. "We sent her off alone to a house we knew wasn't safe and now she's gone"

***

Soft soft melody

Why must war and hate control the world. Why can't we all just listen to the calming melody of the void.

I knew I had to wake up soon, but the song was to pretty to worry about that yet. I wanted to listen to more, it was so much more pretty then the world.

"Momma momma", I called out. "One more song, pleaseee"

My mothers beautiful laugh echoed all around. "Ok Mija, but then you need to go to sleep"

The memory was wrong, now I needed to wake up, but the songs just kept calling me back. I could tell whatever I was lying on was not soft, and my arms still felt heavy. No, I didn't want to wake up yet.

Pretty pretty pretty

I was hungry though, very hungry. The last time I ate was before everything went to hell. The following day I didn't have much of an appetite.

Oh so lovely

Maybe one more hour of sleep wouldn't hurt

***

My eyes opened heavily, and I was happy to find the room I was in was very dark. The first thing I noticed was that it was very cold. I felt myself shivering within minutes of waking up. The next thing I noticed was that the whole room was red, everything from the walls to the floors.

I tried to stand up but found my arms were chained to the wall, it was then when I realized how much trouble I was in. The memories came flooding back, Aaron, going home, the shadows...

I heard foot steps, and they were coming towards me. I rested my head back on the ground and closed my eyes. I heard the figure approaching, and stop right above me.

"SASHA", and the figure called, very angry.

"What", a female voice called back.

"She's still asleep", his voice boomed around the room. My ears were still sensitive and I tried not to wince at the volume of his voice.

"And that's my fault why?", Sasha asked. "Honestly you probably killed her by accident while getting her out of that house"

The image of the dark shadow came back to mind. It didn't look like the figure of a man, but I didn't even know if what was talking was a man.

"I didn't kill her", he said defensively. "If anything she hurt me more then I hurt her. Can't believe she managed to pierce my armor with a screwdriver"

I heard Sasha laughing, and was happy to know I was able to do a little damage. I heard foot steps walk out of the room, and assumed Sasha had left. The other figure still loomed above me, and I could tell his eyes were fixated on me.

"You better wake up soon", his chilling voice whispered. "Or else the boss will be very very angry"

I felt his presence slowly move away from me, then his loud footsteps echoed down the stone hall. I released a breath I didn't even realize I was holding. I slowly sat up, looking around to make sure no one else was in the room.

I was alone.

Bam new chapter

Enjoy

- Lizzy C.