Gone

Chapter 26

Lottie and Ellie were sat in the hospital ward, Ellie doing a confusing sodoku Binah had given her. Lottie silently stared at Jamie, furiously fighting back tears. In her first year, she hadn't known who he was. He never gave anything away. He was strong. Until that one night. That one night when he was weak. She couldn't sake the memory from her mind. She stood up.

"Where are you going?" Ellie asked, looking up.

"Walk."

"I'll come!"

"No, I kind of way to be alone for a bit."

Suddenly Ellie's expression softened and she nodded. Lottie opened the door and walked out, heading outside into the fresh summer air. We walked slowly towards conch side. When she arrived, she's at on the ground, staring out across the pool. *DisneyCrafter_11 nehuhuh you better get some tissues.* She remembered being so scared that night, but for Jamie, not herself. Lottie stood up, heading back to the hospital ward until suddenly Ellie ran up to her. And she burst into tears.

"Ellie!" Lottie ran towards her, hugging her close.

"Lottie, there's no time left!" She cried.

"What? "

"I don't have a choice anymore!"

"Ellie..."

"I DON'T WANT TO BE A PRINCESS, BUT I CAN'T LET MY PARENTS DOWN! I CAN'T LET MY COUNTRY DOWN!"

"Ellie it's ok! I..." Lottie didn't need to think about what to say, "Ellie, don't think about your parents, don't think about Maradova, just tell me what YOU want."

"I... I want you to be the Princess." Ellie stuttered.

"Ellie... We both know that isn't possible."

"But i- I'm sorry..."

"Let's go back now."

They walked back, hand in hand.

"Thank you, Lottie." Ellie smiled. Lottie could tell she was wearing her happy mask, that sad, forgotten teenager still hidden underneath.

When they arrived back at the hospital ward, Ellie gasped.

"Lottie. I'll be right back, ok?"

"Ok?"

Lottie sat back down next to Jamie, and her face lit up.

"You're awake! Oh my god, Jamie, are you ok?" She gave him a buyer smile and then blushed.

He smiled back at her. His face was slightly wrong. He was also pretending. It seemed other her friends were nervous and sad leaving rosewood.

"Where's Ellie?" He asked.

"I think she went to get something? I don't know, she didn't really say."

He rolled his eyes.

"Guys!" Ellie rushed through he door.

"What?" They both asked.

"I found this...." She handed them a small envelope. It was sealed with a red was symbol. A symbol they all new very well...

Princess Wolfson,

I am delighted I could meet you, and I'm sure you may be surprised if you knew who I really am. My name is Claude. Claude Wolfson. ' Rebel boy from Maradova.'. ' immature, selfish brat.".  You may want to know why I'm sending you a letter. Well, Leviathan will win. We will conquer.

-Claude

Lottie felt sick. She clung to the side of the bed, willing her mind to cooperate. She heard the distant voices from her friends, but she couldn't move. She fell of her stool, sitting on the ground and staring. She couldn't speak. She struggled to keep her tears back. Suddenly, she felt two warm bodies sit beside her, pulling her close.

"Oh, Lottie!" Ellie frowned, "what does it say?"

Lottie shook her head and gave her the letter. Ellie's eyes darted across the page and she suddenly let out a furious cry. She handed it to Jamie and he also quickly read it. Suddenly, the nurse came out, seeing them all on the floor.

"Mr. Volk please-" Nurse Sani started before Jamie cut her off.

"I'm fine."

"You are dismissed, just be careful."

"Thank you."

They left the ward in silence, all thinking that the world might come to an end.