Chapter Forty-Nine

49

The darkness seemed to grow only heavier, and Connar still had not returned. Norika had rushed her way to the Slifer Dorm with tear stained cheeks.

Someone...please...!

"Jaden!" She cried out as she burst into the door, startling everyone within.

"He's not here." said Chazz, "What's got into you?" he blinked, "And Where's Connar?" he asked, "I went to your room and neither one of you were home."

"She..." Norika collapsed to her knees panting.

"Hey!" Chazz called out and rushed over to her side," Are you okay? Norika!?"

"She...went into the Abandoned Dorm..." she panted, "And she hasn't come back yet!"

"You let her go in ALONE!?" Chazz stated.

"I tried to stop her!"

Chazz groaned and heaved a heavy sigh.

"Stubborn as always..." he muttered as he stood and held his hand out for Norika, "Come on!" he stated.

"Where are we going?" She asked as she took his hand and stood up again.

"Where do you think!?" Chazz huffed, "To save Connar of course!" he sighed, "The only way to beat stuborness is with stuborness..." he stated, "If she wants to be stubborn...I'll be even more stubborn!"
Norika blinked and narrowed her amber eyes and sighed.

"...The three of us...have a really strange friendship."

"Are you coming or not!?"

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Norika sighed.

XXXXX

"Connar!? Where the hell are you!?" Chazz shouted into the darkness and stumbled on his feet with the over grown grounds until he suddenly tripped over a large mass.

"Chazz!" Norika called out, "Are you all right!?"

"Yeah..." he groaned, "WHat gives-Huh!?" He blinked and gasped once he realized just what it was he tripped over, "It's Connar!" he called out.

"What!?" Norika gasped, "Is she okay!?"

"I'm not sure..." he stated as he picked her up and held her bridal style, "She's out cold." he stated, "Hurry...we should get her to the infirmary ASAP-"

But a shadowy figure rose behind Norika and Chazz's eyes widened.

"Norika..." he called out, "Look out!"

"What?" she blinked but soon found her mouth covered as she was yanked back into the shadows, her muffled screams echoing in the night.

XXXXX

Chazz burst into the corridor, startling the gathered key keeprs who had met up for a pow-wow, confused expressions on their faces.

"Chazz!?" Jaden blinked, "What's going on?"

"What happened to Connar?" asked Zane.

"I'm not sure!" said Chazz, Norika came bursting in the dorm earlier saying she disappeared inside of thre Abandoned Dorm so she and I went to go find her, and we found her like this." he stated.

"And where's Norika?" asked Jaden.

"She's gone." CHazz stated.

"What!?" the group gasped.

"What do you mean, gone!?" asked Jaden.

"I think it was one of those Shadow Riders..." said Chazz, "They just came out of the shadows and nabbed her!"

"And you just LET him get away!?" Jaden snapped.

"Gee-I'm sorry Jaden! I guess I was busy, because-you know, I had MY HANDS FULL!" Chazz snapped, "I'll go after her in a minute!" he said, "Right now, Connar needs to get to the Infirmary!"

"You guys should stay with Connar." said ALexis, "I'll go look for Norika."

"But Alexis!" said Jaden.

"You shouldn't go alone."" said Zane.

"Hey!" Alexis snapped, "I'm a key keeper too! Same as you!" she stated, "I'll be fine..." she blinked, "no doubt Connar went through something intense..." she stated, "She might need you guys when she wakes up." she sighed, "I promise..." she smiled, "I'll be back, as soon as I can."

Jaden stared her down in silence before heaving a heavy sigh.

"...All right." said Zane.

"We'll meet you as soon as we can."

"RIght." said ALexis, "Just make sure Connar is okay first before coming after me."

"Got it." said Jaden and Alexis nodded before taking off into the night.

To Be Continued