Lara looked over the banister at her family. Alex West, a man she used to despise, had won her heart and found a way into her life, and Hillary and Bryce; her forever faithful companions. She couldn't be happier. The events of the previous year had had an effect on her, but not to the extent that she thought about it constantly. However, she did think about Kurtis. She wondered if he was safe or if he was in trouble or even worse, dead?
All those thoughts were pushed out of her mind when Alex spotted her and given her that half smirk that she loved. She gazed down at him lovingly and smiled. Lara turned away from the banister and made her way to her and Alex's bedroom. She flopped down onto the bed and found herself drifting to sleep...
Lara woke up with a start. Her heart was pounding in her chest and her hands were shaking viciously. She slipped herself off the bed and found herself unable to stand very long when her legs gave in. She placed a hand on her forehead and the other on her nightstand. Using her hand, Lara pulled herself up and staggered towards her bedroom door. She gripped the handle in order to keep herself standing and pulled open the door. Her eyes were immediately assaulted with the bright light of the chandelier.
Hillary was carrying his signature silver tray, set with mugs and a teapot when he saw Lara. At first, he didn't notice her staggered walk but at a second glance he saw her gripping the banister for support. Without a second thought he ran up the stairs to her side and began helping her down the stairs. Lara felt herself begin to pass out and tried to keep her eyes open. Her eyes closed and Hillary felt her lose her strength. He guided her to a sofa, not wanting her to have an accident.
As he felt her forehead to see if she had a temperature, Hillary noticed that she had a scratch running from her elbow to her wrist. He lifted her arm and saw the dried blood that had emerged from the cut. Knowing that it could get infected if left untreated, Hillary went and got the medical pack that was kept in the tech room and cleaned the wound. Even unconscious, Lara winced as the antiseptic was added. Hillary looked down upon his charge. 'Why does everything bad happen to her?' Hillary thought, reliving the events of last year.
Lara slowly came to. She opened her eyes and tried to get her eyes to focus. Disorientated, Lara sat up to see Hillary dozing in the chair opposite. The corners of her lips went up; forming a slight smile at her butler sleeping.
Lara began to think about Kurtis again. She couldn't help but worry whether her former lover was alright. Although knowing she shouldn't, Lara picked up her cell phone and dialled Kurtis' number. It rang until Lara knew he wasn't going to answer. In frustration, Lara threw her cell phone at the wall and watched as it smashed to pieces. Hearing this, Hillary awoke to a wound-up Lara.
"Are you alright Miss Croft?" Hillary asked politely.
"Yes, No, I don't know" Lara replied, the walls that held her emotions in beginning to crumble.
"Lara, what's wrong?" Hillary asked urgently upon seeing tears in Lara's eyes.
"Kurtis," Lara started. "Do you think he's okay?"
"I'm sure Mr Trent will be quite alright," Hillary said, giving her a reassuring smile. "The question is are you?"
"I'll be fine. Where's Alex?" Lara said, giving a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Mr West is running a few errands, he said he'd be back shortly" Hillary said with a smile.
"Thank you Hilly" Lara said walking to the grand front entrance.
Alex had just gotten back into his car when his cell phone rang. He looked at the caller ID; he picked it up when he saw the screen flash the name Hillary.
"Hey Hillary, what's up?" Alex said.
"Mr West, may I point out to you that Lady Croft is a bit out of sorts today." Hillary said worriedly.
"Why? What going on?" Alex asked; urgency in his tone.
"That's not my place to say, but may I ask that you come back to the manor" Hillary said calmly.
"I'll be there in five minutes." Alex said, closing his cell phone, clearly worried for the love of his life.
He drove straight to the manor. Upon arriving he got out and didn't even bother to lock his car and charged up the front steps. He opened the door and charged straight into Hillary.
"Where is she?" Alex asked. He knew by the look on Hillary's face that there was indeed something going on.
"That's my point, I have no idea. She didn't say anything; she just walked out the door" Hillary said quickly. Alex was barely able to understand what Hillary was saying.
Alex walked out the same way he had come in. He went out into the expansive grounds of Croft manor. But still no sign of Lara...