Shadow of Noir

Chapter 1- Gone without a trace

A week had passed since Adrien Agreste was last seen. Reports on the missing teen often conflicted. Some stated he had last been seen walking outside Françoise Dupont High school, where he attended Miss Bustier's class. Whereas other reporters, such as the renowned Nadjia Chamack on TVi stated Adrien had been home in his room when he vanished. The truth was... NO ONE had any idea of where the teenage model had gone. 

Marinette Dupain-Cheng slumped into the classroom, late as usual. Although the reason for her tardiness was different to the typical secret superhero life. It was personal. Without Adrien or the comfort of knowing where he is; Marinette was severely lost. The guy of her dreams was missing and gone without a trace. Getting up in the mornings and making her way to school became an emotional rollercoaster. It was probably for the best she had her best friend Alya and Adrien's best friend Nino by her side. They would come to the bakery in the morning and walk Marinette to school. A sweet gesture, but one that was rather fruitless as the bakery was just over the road from the school. 

Once they arrived within the confines of the school courtyard, Marinette would insist they go on ahead and leave her to sort out her locker before class. Both Alya and Nino knew what she was doing. Since Adrian's disappearance, Marinette kept a photo of her and Adrien together in her locker. The pair of them dawn a red beret and the same striped top. The photo had been taken when the two of them modelled Marinette's fashion designs. Cuddled up close to one another- they looked inseparable in this snippet of time. But now he was gone. Marinette took the photo out of the locker and held it close to her chest. Droplets pounded against the small, laminated paper as the tears trickled down her face like water running of the edge of a cliff forming a miraculous waterfall. 

"Don't cry Marinette," whispered Tikki from inside Marinette's handbag. "I'm sure Adrien is fine, Ladybug can find him!" she said with a wink. It's here one should note that Tikki is what one should call a kwami. These small sentient beings are creatures that give certain power to people with a Miraculous- transforming them into an animal-themed super being. Tikki belonged to the ladybug miraculous- a set of ladybug earrings the miraculous holder would wear discreetly like any other piece of attire. 

"I'm sorry Tikki, lets just get to class," and with that Marinette left the locker room and climbed the stairs towards Miss Bustier's classroom. 

As Marinette went to take her seat next to Alya (and behind the absent Adrien) Chloe Bourgeois glanced over her shoulder and locked eyes with the bakers daughter. For once, possibly for the first time ever, Chloe and Marinette could sympathise over each other's pain. Chloe had known Adrien since they were kids and, other than Sabrina (who followed her around like a lost puppy trying to find a home and answering all of Chloe's requests like a slave rather than a friend),  Adrien had been one of her only friends. 

Once class was over, Chloe made her way over to were Marinette and Alya were seated. Upon her slim figure was the same buttercup yellow blazer, black and white striped blouse and white jeans she always wore. "I'm sorry about Adrikin... ummm... Adrien" said Chloe with a sincere tone in her voice. Marinette lifted her head to analyse the person standing before her. Lost for words, Marinette leapt out of her seat and hugged Chloe. She honestly couldn't tell if she did it to punish Chloe (knowing she hated close physical contact) or if it was due to genuine compassion. Regardless, much to Marinette's surprise, Chloe hugged her back. Together, the girls released their grief in one single action. In one single hug the feeling of doubt and blame changed to hope and promise.

"Thank you Chloe" Marinette sniffed.

"Ok.. ok.. don't reel too much into it" barked Chloe. The moment had obviously gone but it made Marinette laugh for the first time since Adrien's disappearance. It was the first time everything seemed normal... like nothing was wrong. Chloe being her cruel self was the most normal thing Marinette could have asked for. However, no matter what happened or how much it distracted her, she would always remember the harsh truth:

Adrien was missing