The Flame

CHAPTER 28

It's s been a week since I was brought to Xenopia by Olivia, with a piece of distressful news. Every day I hoped for some flying letter from Olivia with some updates about the search for Katy, but not one did I receive yet.

I refused to leave my room. It was Merlin who brought me my meals every day. Alicia and Clarke visited me quite often intending on cheering me up. I would feel a little lighter at heart when they were around. But once they departed, I got back to being depressed, and gloomy.

On the ninth day from my arrival, Merlin said: "Rose, I'm not going to get your meal up for you today. You will come down with us, and have dinner with us together", she said. I immediately refused against it, but somehow after a lot of convincing, I finally gave in.

The walk to the dining hall from the podium was quite silent. The loud buzz was increasing as we walked towards it. As soon as I entered I noticed some curious looks towards me.

"Why are people looking at me?" I elbowed Clarke, who was the one walking closest to me.

"Your sudden appearance had sparked many rumors about Kat's disappearance Rose", she replied back.

"Don't worry about them Rose", whispered Merlin.

"It's not them I'm worried about", I sighed.

We took our seats and silently finished our dinner. I couldn't stop noticing the looks which followed me wherever I walked but did my best to avoid them. While walking back to the podium, I ran into Adrian. It was the first time I saw him since my arrival here, and he looked as charming as ever.

He abruptly came into a stop looking at me.

"Hey, Rose, I heard that you were back, but couldn't meet you," he said, glaring at my friends who were behind me, they started walking ahead immediately after giving him a fleeting look.

"Yeah, I didn't feel like socializing much," I told him, forcing a smile.

"I'm sorry, for what happened to Catherine," he said. "I think they must've already started their interrogation from Sonya", he observed, looking thoughtful. His mention of Sonya's name puzzled me.

"Why would they start it from her?", I asked perplexed.

"Because Catherine was with her the last time I saw her, they both were headed towards the school gate I presume", he informed me, confused by my lack of knowledge on this.

"Why doesn't anyone know about it?" I asked him, wide-eyed.

"Hey, I thought everyone already knew about it", he said throwing his hands up. I didn't know what to think of it, but I was sure Olivia would have something to say. Sonya was always antagonist towards me, but I never thought of her showing the same feelings towards Katy, who unlike me she believed was a true silver-blood. I immediately grasped Adrian's hands and hurried towards the nearest podium.

When Alicia, Clarke, and Merlin saw me running towards them with Adrian, they stopped me to ask a dozen questions about my urgency, but I made no answer, but simply directed them to follow me. They quietly followed me to reach Olivia's office. As usual, I gently placed my hand on the doorknob, intending to open it, but it wouldn't. It usually wouldn't open when she was already engaged with some important business. Adrenaline was at its peak and I was walking up and down anxiously, constantly telling myself to calm down. Finally, after a few seconds, a small bald man came out of the office. Without any further notice, I immediately set in.

Olivia didn't expect me there, but still encouraged me to have a seat with a smile, but when I wouldn't, she kept giving my friends and me curious looks.

"Ma'am Adrian has something to say," I said pushing him forward. He didn't hesitate and with confidence repeated what he told me. The new information brought mixed feelings amongst the group. Merlin was the most stunned one; she kept saying that she just couldn't believe Sonya would do such a thing. Clarke and Alicia didn't give it a second thought and readily agreed that she was capable of doing such a thing, though she couldn't think of any motive. Olivia was in deep thought; she was assessing the information from every possible angle. I was restless, to know what she had to say, so when she finally spoke I almost jumped.

"I will have to talk to her," she said I will send her a notice. Thank you for your information", she directed at Adrian "Now you may leave" she announced. Without any further notice, we swiftly walked out. I thanked Adrian again until he changed his path.

We walked back to the dorm, in the hope of meeting Sonya there, but couldn't find her in, which gave me a satisfaction that we might be just a step ahead towards finding Katy. We talked about all the possible motives; she might have, in her absence. It was Merlin's continuous refusal to accept the truth that was irritating me.

"What makes you think so?", I snapped at her. She stared at me for a few seconds wide-eyed and then ignoring my abrupt change of attitude, she continued.

"Because, soon after you left she relaxed, and started behaving normally after that. So much so that Catherine indeed started spending much time with her than with me or rather us" she said, and Clarke and Alicia nodded agreeing to her.

"Oh, no" I snapped my hand on my head "Why would she do that", I thought.

"That is why," said Merlin "It's hard for me to believe".

"But I don't believe that Adrian might achieve anything, by lying to us", I told them.

"Yes, but it still doesn't prove that Sonya was the one who kidnapped her. It could be Serena indeed, who has been waiting for her to step outside the school's protection", Merlin replied back.

"Oh really? Then tell me one thing, why didn't she report it to the Headmistress right away? Hell! no one even knew that she was involved too, until now", I fired back, which rendered her speechless.

"What if she helped Serena to kidnap her? They could be working together, plotting against her for a long time", observed Clarke.

"How did they both even know each other but?", questioned Alicia.

"Don't know", I sighed.

We anxiously waited for Sonya's interrogation to get over, the minutes dragged by hours and finally, Sonya entered the room, looking self-satisfied over something. But before running back to her room, she stopped to give me one long cold look and throw a smirk at the others.

A letter all of sudden appeared out of thin air, which remained hung mid-air, I hastily reached for it, tearing open the envelope to read its contents.

Rose,

I have just now finished interrogating Miss Olleza. I would like to pass on the information I learned in person.

P.S- You could bring your friends along with you if you wish.

It read.

As soon as I read the contents, I produced it to the others, who in turn read it.

"Come on, let's go", Merlin hurried.

In the hallway, leading to her office, we found Adrian who like us, got a letter from her too.

"So, you got the letter too?" I asked him, not halting.

"Yup" he replied back. "Looks like I'm also included in your small group now", he smiled.

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