Secrets of the Starrs

Chapter 6

The next morning, Master Konrad hurried up to me as I strolled distractedly towards the workshop, holding Sam's rusty sword to clean. I was a lot better at it than he was.
"Max, Max!"said Master Konrad in a panicked tone. "Max, have you seen your sister?"
My stomach clenched uncomfortably. "Not since last night at the promotion sir."
"She's not been seen since,"he said. "Can you spare ten minutes to search?"
"Yes of course!"I replied. "I'll go now."
Master Konrad smiled despite everything. "Good. See you later on."

I dashed towards the girls barrack as fast as I could and let myself into the room Elody shared with Amie Louise. All of her belongings were still there, meaning she hadn't run away. Breathing slightly more easily, I checked the dining room. No one was there.
Then I remembered the training ground. This was the place where us warriors practised killing daemons. It was a private space, not visible from anywhere in the enchanted forest. When I got there, I saw someone.
A small, black haired someone.
"Elody!"I called, running towards her. She seemed to be holding something and she had her arm outstretched. "Elody!"
She seemed to panic slightly and tried to hide whatever she was holding. "Hi Max,"she said in a quiet squeaky voice.
"What are you holding?"I asked her, more forceful than intended.
She took out a tiny but sharp hunting knife.
"Not practice, I take it?"I said to her, feeling funny now.
She held out her arm and I gripped her hand. On the inside of her wrist, there were several long scratch marks, blood blossoming out of them.
My heart skipped a beat painfully. I gripped her in a fierce hug. "Elody, what are you doing and why?"
She wiped away a tear surreptitiously. "I..."
"Don't bother,"I said gently. "I'm going to get you some help."