Above

26

Estelle
"Wrenton it's fine." I say, pushing him off.
"Let's go back to mine." Titanios says. "This is urgent."
I nod. "Let's go."
***
Titanios sits me at the table, a piece of paper in front of me.
"This was drawn today." He says, flipping the paper.
Drawn on it was my sister, hair still choppy and close to her head. Maverick Ziveri was wrote close to her head.
"Oh my god." I breathe. "Where is she?"
"I haven't looked yet, that seems like something you'd want to do." Titanios says.
Mareena sets the needed supplies in front of me. "Go ahead."
With shaky hands, I write my sister's name on the paper and draw the usual rune. I look up at the two, who look at me expectantly.
"I kinda want to do this alone." I say. "Y'know because it's my sister."
"Nobody's tried to contact their sibling through this method, it's only safe for us to stay." Mareena explains.
I nod, grabbing the matchbox and shakily flick it against the side of the box, it doesn't light on the first try, so I flick it a few times.
Titanios sighs annoyedly when I can't light the match.
"I guess I'm a little nervous." I murmur.
"Take your time." Mareena says, leaning against the counter.
Finally, a tiny flame ignites which made everyone sigh in relief.
I hold in under the paper and slip out of consciousness.
***
Maverick's work boots echo off a marble floor, she looks forward, determination in her grey eyes.
"Maverick!" Someone says from behind her.
She doesn't falter, and continues forward.
Heels click on the marble behind her. "Maverick!"
She turns to face the woman.
It was the president, awkwardly running after her.
"I cannot tell you how happy I am to have you on our team!" The president says.
Maverick blinks.
"I completely forgot you're still undergoing English training." The president says, laughing awkwardly.
Maverick stays quiet.
"Anyway, I know that your on your way to physical, so maybe I can walk you?"
Maverick resumes walking, the president walking beside her.
"Y'know, it's kinda weird, you don't need to talk and I know exactly what you're saying." The president starts. "I snuck out of my office to see you, because I had yet to meet you."
Maverick just glances her way.
The president sighs. "I'm glad I did."
***
My eyes fly open, shock etched on my face.
Titanios stands next to me, a napkin pressed to my nose. "Where is she?"
"They have her." I stand. "You should have told me earlier."
"You were in Chicago, then I forgot." Titanios says. "I'm sorry."
I clench my fist. "They're probably making her fight against us."
"Estelle, calm down." Mareena says.
"Mareena, you won't ever understand." I say lowly. "Neither will you, Titanios."
"Help me understand, Estelle, because in my opinion, you're blowing up over nothing." Titanios says, taking the napkin away from my face.
"It's my sister, Titanios, she's family." I say.
He shakes his head. "You said goodbye to your family the moment you came up."
"You wouldn't get it." I say, shaking my head. "You won't ever get it."
I turn around and walk out, trying to control my shaky hands.
***
"Are you coming back to the reception?" September asks from the door.
I shake my head, continuing to write tactics.
"What are you doing?" He asks.
I push a hand through my hair. "Writing tactics."
"Why?" He asks, grabbing a paper. "What do they say?"
"They're in Pangaean, we write them in Pangaean so no Americans can read them." I explain shakily.
He grabs my arm. "You're shaking."
"I am?" I look at my hands, which, in fact, were trembling.
"You look like you're gonna have a panic attack."
I look up at him. "I'm fine."
"What's wrong?" He asks, sitting next to me.
"I don't want to trouble you." I murmur. "Just go back to the reception."
"No, I'm not going back." September says. "Not until you tell me what's wrong."
Isuu glance down at my lap. "It's my sister."
"What about her?"
"The government has her." I murmur. "I don't know what to do."
"You have a sister?" September asks. "What's she like?"
"She and I are twins, she's the brawn, I'm the brain." I start shakily. "We lived in a labor-dominated area so she was always the favorite, but I never had an issue with that."
"What does she act like?" He smiles crookedly.
"She's selfless and oblivious. She was a big factor in my upbringing as she was the only one I played with, because she was outgoing and I was terribly shy." I say, looking up at him. "She and Luca are alike, it's probably why I get along with him."
"Go on." September prods.
"This whole ordeal, her being captured, it's making me anxious, because just like Luca, she doesn't deserve this."
September grabs my forearm. "You're not shaking anymore."
I smile softly. "You're a genius."
"Anyway, I'll do everything I can to help you get her back, I know what it's like losing a sibling."
I nod. "Thank you."
"Not an issue." September says. "Just how I roll."
I roll my eyes. "Sure, because laidback September isn't alarming at all." I say, sarcasm leaking out of every word.
"It isn't!" September argues. "I can totally be laidback."
"Yeah sure, once every blue moon." I nod.
Now, he rolls his eyes. "Whatever."
I half-smile. "You can go back to the reception now."
"Good, because Annaliesee told me that I must take pictures, and I could totally be missing people doing keg stands."
"Last I remember, there wasn't a keg at the party."
He laughs. "Never underestimate Annaliesee."
"All right, have fun, don't drink." I say, patting his shoulder.
"Alright, I will but I also won't." He stands. "Are you gonna come with?"
I shake my head. "I look messy, and I dunno."
"Yeah, it's whatever." September says. "I'll send someone back for you."
"Preferably not Wrenton." I suggest.
He wrinkles his brow. "I'm not stupid."
"Alright, stay safe." I say.
He rolls his eyes. "Okay mom."
I smile as he walks away. "I'm serious!"