"That is not what that says. He's crazy and your more crazy if you believe him." She left no room for argument.
"I never said I believed it. They wouldn't write something so outrageous for laughs." The girl still paced her anxious pattern, back and forth across the room. Four steps each way. Sighing, he tried again.
"Lavi is our friend. We know him better than that. Will you please sit, we can figure this out." He was frustrated, but not with the other. The situation wasn't perferred by far. There was reason for everything the boy did and said. The red head was crazy, but Lavi wasn't cruel.
"What does that even mean, gone? People don't disappear."
"Lenalee. Sit." Kanda pulled the girl down beside him on the bed as she passed him for what had to be the hundredth time.
"Ok. I'm sitting." Lenalee gave in. She was tired, more mentally than physically. She couldn't understand let alone wrap her mind around everything. Taking a deeper breath, she asked once more.
"Can you read it again?" Kanda didn't want to, but he wouldn't deny his friend who was barley keeping a brave face already. He picked up the parchment Timcanpy had delivered an unfortunate hour or so ago.
"Yu, Lenalee. It's been awhile since I've found the time to write. I wish time was something I had a surplus of. It's not something we have enough of if you ask me. Anyway, I've been the same. I can't say the same about Allen. I'm going to be honest, he isn't doing so well. I'm not entirely sure we have a lot of time left. I wish you guys could be here. The situation isn't realistic, I know. I didn't realize how much I wish I could change things. All my training all those years taught me you can't change history. I don't understand how you keep from wanting to. Allen is gone. I did everything I could think of to help him. Mother was there for him. He wasn't alone. I can at least promise that much. I don't think it's over but I don't know for sure. I'm sorry. This isn't making a lot of sense anymore. I'm sorry-"
The last two words were sprawled, the handwriting messier than the rest of the letter. Looking at the beginning, Lavi was clearly composed and calm. Thinking. The middle is where it started to change. The ink became less smooth and looked to be written quickly. Lavi wasn't known for his rambling. He could talk a marathon, but he was aware of what he was saying. There was an end goal, a point to be made. Here in his letter, Kanda could hear the frantic and uncaged thoughts of the red head. He seemed to be venting in the only way he seemed to know how, and to the only people who might understand.
"What does that mean?" Lenalee had listened to Kanda's smooth voice read Lavi's writing again, leaning into the samurai's shoulder at some point.
"I'm not one hundred percent positive. 'Gone' is an interesting choice of wording. Lavi's not the kind to skirt around something. However he isn't thinking clearly by the sound of it either. I also think we both have an idea."
"I know." She didn't want to think it anymore than Kanda wanted to say it. "I'm not naive. He's probably dead." She stopped trying to keep a brave face. Who was she kidding? Kanda had also begun to silently cry. Lenalee didn't look up at her friend. She wouldn't make him feel silly. He knew it was nothing to be ashamed of. Still, crying wasn't something Kanda had allowed himself until now. He warped an arm around Lenalee's small back, holding her close.
"Do we tell anyone? Link, my brother?" Lenalee asked. Kanda answered a soft no.
"I think it best if we leave everyone knowing what they know. There's no need to stir anything else up. Routine is good right now," he said. Timcanpy floated to meet Kanda eye level. It opened its mouth wide, flashing its white teeth in the process. Using its tail, Timcanpy nudged the parchment in Kanda's hand still.
"Do you have to take it?" Lenalee asked. She knew it was for the best. It was better not to leave evidence than to accidentally slip up and let it fall into the wrong hands. Kanda nodded in understanding, handing the paper to the golem, which grasped it with its mouth. Eating the message in seconds, the golem swallowed.
Lenalee decided now was a good time.
"Timcanpy. Go back to Lavi. Keep him out of trouble, ok?" Lenalee held her hand out, palm up. The golden golem perched here. It nodded, using its body to do so. "Keep him safe," she added. Lenalee stood, crossing the room to the window. She pushed it open. The rain had started. It was a mere drizzle now, but not for long. Timcanpy lifted himself, the girl's hands empty. It flew out the window and was gone.
"Lets go get something to eat." Kanda stood and grabbed her hand. She tried to smile.
"Yeah, lets go," She tried to sound a little more happy. They would pretend that nothing was wrong, for the others anyway.
(Line Break)
The room had been packed and looked like no one had lived there.
"Are you leaving then?" Mary Denton was standing in the doorway. Lavi nodded, giving the woman a half of his usual grin.
"I am," he answered. If he was to catch his train, he would have to leave soon. "Thank you, again. You'll tell Vivian and Elizabeth good bye for me?" Lavi asked. Mary smiled.
"Of course. I wish you could say it yourself though. They would love to see you one more time, before you leave." Lavi laughed, small and under his breath nervously.
"I do too. I just don't know how I would explain, you know." She did know. "It's just me and all, and I don't think I can do that."
"I understand son. Travel safely. And again, thank you for all your hard work around here. It won't be the same, but I know you have places to go. I understand you're staying in England?"
"I am," Lavi replied. "I'm leaving London and heading a bit aways away from here. I doubt many people know the place." She hadn't pressed for the name of the boy's destination. He didn't seem too eager to go.
"Safe travels Lavi." Mary caught him in the door way with a small hug, letting him go.
"Thanks Mary." He left with a single suitcase. Passing Lacie Street, the book store, and many more familiar places, Lavi reached the train station in no time. He noticed a few glances his way as he waited with his ticket bought and with nothing left to do but wait for the train to arrive now.
'I forgot how much we stick out in these uniforms,' the red head thought. He pulled his scarf tighter around his neck. His previous clothes had been warmer. The train sounded in the distance.
'It now or never. I wander if they'll remember me.' Finding his own thought idiotic, a grin came naturally. "Of course they will."
The train came to a stop in front of the station. Taking a quick glance at his wrist, he saw the red ribbon still tied to his wrist. He was ready to board the train.