It was nearing the end of the school day and Akail was starting to worry. Kyira had been absent from every single class they shared, and seeing as it was their first day this really freaked her out.
The clock seemed to inch along, second at a time, dragging each moment out as long as physically possible. Akail was nearly convinced that the clocks at the Academy were programmed to run slower than your average clock.
Come on! she begged the second hand, which was nearing the minute at which class would end. Please…Just this once if not ever again! But her bargaining with the inanimate object did not cause it to move any faster.
Just as the teacher finished explaining the assignment, all of which Akail had been to busy glancing at the clock to remember, the bell finally rung.
At last! Akail called silently to no one in particular. Grabbing her books, she sprinted out of the class room, leaving behind shouts of "Hey!" and "Watch it!"
After several moments of racking her brain, which was numb from all the boring 'Welcome to this class. I'm your teacher. Isn't this going to be a great year?' speeches. Akail remembered the sudden end to their breakfast conversation.
She said she'd be right back… her mind whimpered, almost feeling like Kyira had ditched her. She's better than that. I know it. Akail rationalized, and started towards the beach, which was where Kyira had run off towards that morning.
Taking another twenty minutes to find a path to the sand, instead of crashing through the brush, Akail finally made it to the sand, dark brown eyes drinking in the breathtaking scenery. A simple beach, and yet it was clean and empty, which held a magic of its own. It was as if you had stepped into a world where you were the only one that existed.
She didn't spend long debating over which way to go, as a nagging sense of urgency was pulling at Akail's mind. Turning left, which was 'down' the beach for her, Akail hoped her whole search wouldn't be in vain.
After a while she pulled off her shoes and started walking with her toes squishing into the wet sand closer to the waves. A feeling of calmness had almost settled over her when she saw something just up ahead on the sand. Wha…? her thoughts questioned, wondering what it might be.
Taking larger steps now, Akail was quickly closing the distance between herself and the 'thing' on the beach. With each step her heart beat faster, as what she was looking at came into view.
A scream tore from her throat unbidden. Kyira lay sprawled out on the golden grains that had seemed so lovely just moments before. Hastily, Akail dropped to her knees and pushed Kyira onto her side, and then her back.
"K…Ky-y-yira?" she stammered, scared out of her mind. What in the world had happened!
"Ky-Kyira, w-wake up!" Akail pleaded, shaking Kyira's shoulder lightly, but to no avail.
"Help! Somebody, help!" Akail shouted, eyes darting around for sign of any other human being, but finding none. Tears crept into the corners of her eyes no matter how hard Akail tried to push them away.
Knowing full well that she couldn't carry Kyira, Akail dragged her up towards the trees, way past the tide line, which wasn't that far away to start with, but you could never be too careful.
Her heart beats seemed to slam against her chest with the shock of it all. Taking off at the fastest sprint Akail had ever done in her life she crashed through the brush, not caring that some of the twigs ripped at her skin, leaving small cuts, a few of them deep enough to bleed ever so slightly.
Wide eyed and somewhat bloody she must have appeared quite a sight to the poor Slifer boy she slammed into when she wasn't looking.
"Professor Banner!" he screamed very loudly and took off running away from Akail, who was panting on the ground now, too tired to get up.
Have to…tell them…about Kyira…she thought, recovering some of her energy. Nearing the point of 'completely spent', Akail picked herself up and started walking very slowly towards the few people she saw coming her way.
"You have to help Kyira! She's unconscious on the beach!" Akail blurted out before they could say anything about how awful she looked.
"You're not in much better shape yourself," the man Akail took to be Professor Banner stated.
"Down to the sand, that way,"--Akail pointed--"and then to your left. Please hurry!" she continued, ignoring her arms, which were now starting to sting just the slightest bit.
"You and you; help this girl inside and call the office. Now!" Professor Banner instructed two of the closest boys, his normally level headed nature momentarily escaping him.
By this time all Akail could do was let the Slifers help her inside, her arms throbbing agonizingly now. Akail's wide, dark chocolate brown eyes watched helplessly as people ran this way and that, caring out Professor Banner's instructions.
Sinking onto the nearest mattress, not noticing how uncomfortable it was, Akail closed her eyes and drifted into a light resting state, hoping her heart would slow down sometime before she turned twenty seven.
Kyira… she thought as sleep began to claim her. It was only a word, but Akail knew it meant so much more than that.