October 24, 2016
On Monday, Zach went to school early, eager to be there when Clair arrived. He waited for her in the hallway.
After more than half an hour, she still hadn't shown up. With only fifteen minutes left before classes began, he started to feel restless again. He wished several times for her to arrive soon. Checking his wristwatch, he saw that it was already six fifty-seven.
"Where are you, Clair?" he mumbled anxiously.
Lost in his thoughts, he noticed Per hurrying through the hallway in the next building. He quickly followed her, curious about where she was headed. Then, he saw her enter the faculty room. Bothered by her sudden appearance, he decided to wait outside, ignoring the fact that he was missing his first class.
After eighteen minutes, Per finally emerged. She immediately noticed him standing beside the door, looking very worried.
"Per, why are you here? Where's Clair? She's supposed to be back today," he asked, his voice tinged with worry.
She gently took his hand and guided him to a secluded area. "Zach... Clair won't be returning today," she said softly, her voice filled with hesitation.
"Why? Has something happened to her?" His concern was palpable, etched across his face.
"No, she's all right," she assured him, attempting to sound composed.
His relief was evident upon hearing that. "When can we expect her return?" he inquired.
Her expression faltered. "Unfortunately, Zach, we're uncertain. Filbur's message was brief, stating their mission's extension. I'm here to formally withdraw Clair and Roy from school," she disclosed.
"Does this mean she'll be away longer?" Zach's disappointment seeped into his voice.
With Per's silence, his fears were confirmed. In that moment, sadness washed over him, his heart constricting painfully.
She observed his dejected expression and recognized the need for action. Recalling Clair's trust in her, she spoke gently, "Hey, what matters most is knowing she's safe. Please, try not to feel too sad. Remember, she's missing you too. She'll return, as she always does for you. I've witnessed it countless times. Have faith in her." Pouring her heart into her words, she hoped they would provide solace to him.
To her relief, they did.
When Per arrived home, Ark was lounging on the couch. She sank into the cushions with a heavy sigh.
"Did you talk to him?" Ark inquired.
"Yeah. As expected, he was pretty down, but I managed to lift his spirits a bit," she responded.
He leaned back in his chair. "I've been thinking about the missing Fallens. Do you think Eifrit's disappearance could be tied to Clair?" he asked seriously.
"What makes you suspect that?" she asked, intrigued.
"We've had our suspicions long before we even encountered Frendil. What if there's another party out there keeping an eye on her?" Ark suggested.
"There have been other Fallens who disappeared without any apparent link to Clair. If this is all about her, why involve them too?" she questioned.
YOU ARE READING
Divine & Wicked: The Trapped Memories (Book2)
Fantasy(Fantasy•Romance) COMPLETED Zach woke up with an addled mind and empty heart a few days after his surgery. He seemed to feel that his life had begun again. As he continued with what he thought was his normal life, fragments of his lost past slowly b...
