Katera

Chapter 9: One After the Next

Two weeks had passed since Adari last saw Maria, but despite that, no matter what he did he couldn't get her off his mind. He wanted to forget her, and continue life the it was before he met her. "These thoughts, are making it nearly impossible to accomplish anything." He thought to himself. "Maybe I'm stressing myself to much." He continued.

Suri came along and saw the prince in an irritated state. "Your majesty, you seem as if you're under some grating duress. Is there something wrong?" she asked

"It's nothing you'd be able to fix." He responded passively.

"I've noticed over the past week, you've been straining yourself a lot and pushing yourself to the limit." She said in a confined manner.

"Like I said it's nothing you can fix."

"Maybe you need a break, to relax and clear your head." Suri advised

"You're probably right." He sighed. "Maybe I do just need some time to clear my mind." With that being said, Adari walk off towards the palace. He entered the structure, and into his room. He then change into something less formal than what he was wearing. He then went out of Katera and began walking around aimlessly.

Back in Tessera, Maria was in Alinn Park waiting to meet up with some friends. After waiting a while, her friends Drake and Andi showed up at the park at about 8:30 pm. Then they all sat down on one of the benches at the park.

At that time Maria began to talk. "I'm glad you both could make here tonight." she said politely.

"I glad we could make it." Drake said in response

"Me too." Andi replied. "So what is it you wanted to talk about?" she asked

"It's been awhile since us three talked." Maria began. "So for the past week and a half, I've been feeling this 'empty' feeling. Like I'm missing or forgetting something."

"Like a void?" Andi asked

"I guess you could call it that." Maria replied

"Maybe it has something to do with what happened between you and Rachel, when you two got into a fight." Drake suggested

"Maybe, but I don't know. I saw and talked to Rachel a few times this week, she didn't seem fond of talking to me. She is probably still mad at me. Despite that, this void feeling is still there."

"So if it's not because of Rachel, then what is it?" Andi asked with a confused yet concerned look on her face.

"That's what I'm trying to figure out." Maria replied while looking downwards

"Maybe you need to socialize more?" Andi suggested

"I don't think that's it. I work at a job where I'm literally talking to people all day." Maria replied while still not looking at Drake and Andi.

"I meant socialize with your friends or people you know more."

"I still don't think it's that." Maria sighed "I must be something else."

"Well, if it isn't that then maybe it is Rachel." Drake inferred "Maybe you just don't know it." he continued

"I guess, it may be possible, since nothing else seems to make sense. I should try talking to her again, and tell her what she has the right to know. Thanks for your help guys."

"You're welcome." They both said.

After that, Maria left Alinn Park and walked to Rachel's apartment complex since it wasn't very far from the park. She walked up to the door of Rachel's apartment and knocked.

When Rachel answered the door, she spoke in a low voice. "Come in." After Maria entered, Rachel continued to speak in the same tone of voice. "Why are you here Maria?"

Maria took a deep breath then spoke "I here to talk to you about..about Jessie."

"What about Jessie?" Rachel asked

"I here tell you the truth about what really happened to her. Granted, you probably won't believe me, but it is true. About three and half weeks ago, when Jessie came over to my apartment to get the 'Myths and Legends' book, I realised I didn't have it with me as I thought I did, and had left it elsewhere. So when I had went go back to that place to retrieve it, I didn't realise Jessie was already at the apartment complex nor did I notice her following me. So when got the place, I went to talk to someone about the book. By then she must've lost track of where I was, because after about 5 minutes I found her and she had gotten herself trouble with someone, and because of that, the person in charge, who happened to be the person I was talking to, had her locked up for week. After that she had a trial. But unfortunately, she lost the trial and since the person in charge found her guilty, she was executed. The reason I didn't tell you sooner is because I just couldn't, I didn't know how. I know you two were close friends, and I didn't want to hurt your feelings."

After Maria had finished speaking Rachel had a condescending look on her face. "Is that really what happened, or is that just another story of yours?" She asked "Honestly Maria, I don't believe you. What kind of person would have her executed for just a little trouble? Or did Jessie try to commit a serial killing in the third degree?"

"Well, these people were also vampires." Maria responded

"Vampires? Seriously Maria? Vampires don't exist. You've even said so yourself. I can't believe you'd make something up like that."

"I didn't make it up. It's the truth."

"Just stop Maria, I'm tired of the lies. When will you tell the truth?" Rachel responded in anger.

"But I'm not lying Rachel."

"You know what, just stop! Get out now!" Rachel said as she opened the door for Maria. After Maria went back outside continued on. "I don't ever want to see you again." With that being said Rachel slammed the door in Maria's face.  

Maria walked away from the apartment complex and went to head back to her car, which was by the park, so she could drive back home. As she walked, she began to talk to herself. "Well, that didn't help at all. I tried to tell her the truth and she didn't believe me. Now she hates me." She said with her head down. "I guess Drake and Andi were wrong after all, cause I still feel this voidish feeling. Everything I do seemingly just causes me more problems." She then continued on in silence. She kept walking until she noticed that she was nowhere near where she thought she was. She took a good look at her surrounds, she was in an alleyway about 2 miles away from the park. "Great now I'm here. What is with all this bad luck? I wish this would all just go away."

Then a deep cunning voice came from behind her. "Be careful what you wish for."