When You Disappeared in the Light

2: If Only You Knew

Zoe entered her office room and saw two guys tied up in rope. "What are they doing here?", Zoe asked. "I saw them in the beach this morning. They're fishing", Elliot answered. "Huh? Then they have to pay for it. It's the town's property as well", Zoe sat down next to her table. "We knew you are knowledgeable about akuma. We are looking for innocence", Allen informed. Zoe showed a small transmitter which Allen put at Seth. "And you expect me to trust you", Zoe sighed.

"Madame, am I going to throw them off the cliff now?", Elliot asked. "Go ahead", Zoe nodded and started reading some of the townspeople petition. "Rose festival. That seems nice but we don't have such wide plantation", Zoe commented while reading.

Elliot dragged the two and led them towards the highest cliff. "Can we just talk about it? We'll soon leave", Lavi negotiated. "It took how many years for Madame Saphire to stabilize peace this place. You're bring misfortune", Elliot slowly pushes them. Layla also came with a cart. "Layla. Good thing you're here. Save us", Allen and Lavi whined. "Sorry. My hands are also full", Layla smiled and removed the covering of the cart revealing Krory. "We can't leave empty handed", Allen used his innocence. Layla and Elliot stepped back. "Why? Why do you want this innocence so bad?", Elliot asked. "Just before we came here, our home was destroyed. Akuma killed tons of our comrades. Innocence are the only ones that can destroy akuma. Sadly, there were only few of Accommodators left. We're searching for them", Allen narrated. "Tons died?", Layla asked. "Aren't they just part of your organization? They can always be replaced", Elliot interrupted. "No. They're irreplaceable. Tap and the others. They are family to us", Allen clenched his fist. "Family who I wasn't able to protect", Allen bit his lips.

They heard explosion from the hospital. "No way! That's where Madame was", Layla looked back. Allen's eyes reacted. He ran towards the place. Akuma also surrounded Lavi and the others. "We're dead if we use it without Madame's instruction", Elliot sighed. "Innocence, activate", Elliot draws a whip from his bracelet. It's releasing a glow. He used it to destroy the akumas around. "Innocence, activate", Layla had her pendant turn into a large sword. "Woah", Lavi was startled. "There's no time for us watch", Krory stood up.

Allen finally ended at the hospital. "That hurts, you know", Zoe looked at the level 4 in front of her. Beside her was a young girl. "Madame, grandma will be safe, right?", the little girl asked. "Yes, she will", Zoe smiled but suddenly saw virus on the girl's neck. The little girl turned into dust. The level 4 laughed so hard. "Oh, you are the town's mayor. You can't even save a young girl?", the level 4 mocked her. Seth came to carry her in his arms. "I've evacuated the rest", Seth informed.

Seth's eyeglasses reacted and saw the soul inside of the level 4. "Pitiful. Your soul is screaming in pain", Seth commented. Allen was startled. "You can also see them?", Allen asked. The level 4 saw Allen. "Exorcist?", level 4 pointed his attack on Allen. "Innocence, activate", Allen used crown clown to protect himself. The fight continued. "Aren't we going to help him?", Seth asked.

Lavi and Krory gave the finishing blow at the akuma. "That was amazing", Krory was amazed at the two. "We're heading to Seth and Madame", Elliot and Layla left.

Back at the hospital, Zoe sighed. "Hold that ugly guy for me", Zoe instructed. Zoe cut her left wrist and blood gushed out. Zoe sat in Seth's shoulder. The blood solidified anf turned to a while bow and arrow. "Shot a 9 o'clock", Seth instructed. Zoe closed her eyes and released the bow. The arrow was shot straight on the level 4's forehead. "Bull's eye", Zoe went down of Seth's shoulder. The level 4 turned to white feathers. "That was beautiful", Zoe commented and cracked her neck. "You, there. Tell the order to pay for my hospital", Zoe crossed her arms. Layla and the rest arrived as well.

The townspeople started fixing the remains of the hospital. Allen watched Zoe approached an old woman who was crying. "Sorry. I wasn't able to save Lily", Zoe vowed her head. The old woman hugged Zoe's head. "You've done a great job, Madame", the old woman patted her back. "The reason why Akumas are going here is because of your presence. If this continues, we don't know what will happen in the future", Lavi explained. "Shut up", Zoe grabbed on her coat and left the hospital.

Layla leaned on the walls. "You need to work for the hospital. You were partly responsible", Elliot said irritatingly.

After few days...

The hospital was rebuilt. "Your mayor is young", Allen opened. "Madame Saphire and us arrived 3 years ago. This place have been in riot and doesn't have enough food for everyone. Madame restored this place. At first, she used dictatorship and scared the people but then her heart seems to have a change and changed the way she handled things. Last year, she was voted to be the town's mayor. Also, we fought tons of Akuma as well", Layla smiled while remembering the past. "We have to go back as well. The order needs us. It's a must for accomodators to be an exorcist. We can't do anything about it", Allen explained while resting under the tree. Layla sat with him. "About your headquarter, I feel sorry for that. For your comrades, I also feel sorry. But then... we can't leave without Madame Saphire's instruction", Layla looked at Allen. "Why did you become an exorcist?", Seth suddenly joined the conversation. "I promised someone that I will keep on walking. I want to save... both akuma and humans. I want to protect people who are dear to me", Allen informed. "Sounds generic", Elliot commented. "Do you have someone you want to protect with all your might?", Allen asked. The three nodded. "Then that's enough to be a reason for you to be one", Allen smiled.

Zoe happened to pass by and saw Allen having conversation with the three.

Zoe's office.

There were bags all around. "Go follow what you want to do", Zoe crossed her arms while sitting on her chair. "Aren't you coming with us?", Layla asked. "I have to stay here. There won't be a mayor if I join you", Zoe shrugged. "But... we don't want to...", Layla's word was stopped when Zoe stood up. "You've been following me for these years. It's time for you to do what you decide for yourselves. I'm not your Mom. Stop acting as if you owe me something. Your life is yours alone. Don't let anyone dictate what you should do", Zoe smiled and went near the three. "Is there any way for us to change your mind?", Layla asked. "We might meet each other. I won't be staying here long", Zoe informed.

The Next Day...

Allen, Lavi, and Krory are waiting for Layla and the rest. Only the three of them came. "Where is the mayor?", Lavi asked. "She's holding a votation", Layla answered. "So she's coming with us?", Allen asked excitingly. Seth shook his head. "She's taking a different route", Seth answered and dropped something on Allen's hand. It was an innocence. "She removed it from her hand just this morning", Elliot clicked his tongue. "So that you won't force her to go back to Order. We're not entering the order to be dogs. We're doing it with our own volition", Elliot added.

Zoe watched the three walk away from the hospital watch tower. "It was fun being with you guys", Zoe smiled. "The new mayor was elected", one townspeople informed. "I'll pack my things. Prepare a carriage for me", Zoe instructed.

Chapter End.