Ethan
Things around here have been quiet the last two days, since…well since the incident. Or maybe I've been the quiet one. I've been up in my room for countless hours, not even coming out for dinner. Dad brings me some stuff up every evening. And mom doesn't really complain. I guess she kind of understands where I'm coming from. Rochelle – so that there was no investigation into her death – had been declared missing to all who were unaware of the grand battle that took place. There was a large ceremony for her in Athens. Of course, not nearly as large as Lorian's, but that didn't really matter. Everyone who mattered was there, paying their respects to the girl that I…loved. I was in charge of the eulogy, though I barely remember what I said. All I remember was crying….
"Ethan?" There's a knock outside my door and I sit up, leaning against the headboard of my bed. It was dad who called out to me. I look at the clock and see that's it's only two in the afternoon – not a normal meal time. Something must be up. Dad wouldn't bother me for no reason.
"What is it?" I shout at the door, noticing my voice sounds hoarse and tired. I don't think I've slept much since that final battle.
"Isabel's here," Dad answers, "Can I send her in?" Oh yeah, I almost forgot about Isabel. She's been here a few times, to just sit with me. I'll admit that I enjoy her company. I don't feel so…lost when she's around.
"Sure dad," I mumble, hoping that my response was audible from outside the room. I guess it was, because moments later my door creaks open and Isabel comes in, closing the door behind her, and sitting at the foot of my bed. She looks exhausted; her eyes sunken and surrounded by dark circles. I sit up and give her a hug, which she returns in full force.
"How are you holding up?" she whispers into my shoulder. We break apart and I notice her eyes are full of tears. That always happens when she comes here. I know she blames herself for not being able to save Rochelle, but I don't blame her – not at all. I don't answer Isabel's question. Instead, I lay back down and she joins me. We do nothing by lay there for what seems like an eternity – lost in our own private thoughts. Finally, Isabel breaks the silence.
"Arkarian says hello," she tells me, "He says that he hope you'll come visit him soon." I nod. I don't really feel like leaving my room just yet, but when I do, Arkarian will be the first person I visit. We have quite a bit to talk about. Especially since there's this nagging feeling I haven't been able to shake for the past forty-eight hours. It's not necessarily a bad feeling. It's just…my instinct that something strange is going to happen. Maybe a little fresh air would do me some good.
"Want to go now?" I ask Isabel quietly. She turns her head around to look at me, a little bit of shock and disbelief etched onto her face. With her eyebrows slightly raised, she nods gently.
"Only if you're feeling up to it," she adds.
"I'll be fine," I say, getting slowly up from the bed and throwing on a jacket. I look around my room and suddenly feel a pink tinge creep onto my cheeks. It's a mess – a lot worse than usual. "I really have to clean this place up," I lightly try out some humour. Isabel smiles and gives a little chuckle.
When we get downstairs, both mom and dad stare at me with wide eyes. I guess they're pretty shocked to see me out of my musty little room.
"Where are you kids off to?" Mom asks carefully, as if anything she says could set me off in a second and send me crawling back to my room.
"Just for a walk with Isabel," I tell her, making eye contact with dad specifically. He gives a tiny, almost unnoticeable nod. He understands where I'm really going.
"Alright," Mom smiles, "Just be home before it gets dark." Isabel and I agree and then leave. We make the walk over to Arkarian's mountain and I notice that the feeling in my gut is growing stronger, almost to the point where I want to shout out. When we reach the hidden door, Isabel automatically moves to get in, but I grab her arm and pull her back. She looks at me with confusion.
"Is everything okay Ethan? Do you want to go back home?"
I shake my head and look her in the eyes.
"Isabel," I say slowly, "I just have a really weird feeling."
"About what?" she asks.
"I…I'm not sure."
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