Elysia had wandered outside the room that had been converted into a studio for her and onto the patio. Over the past four weeks she had been able to manage her worry and fear for Edward. She tried not to let it consume her and she put all her energy and focus on her drawings and the painting of the Fuhrer. The Fuhrer did nothing to help relieve her worries, though she knew he could if he wanted to, Elysia had thought. She still did not hear anything from Edward and whenever she could sneak to Edward's office at headquarters she only got bits of information. The last thing she heard was he had made it safely to Eastern Headquarters but his return to Central had not been finalized. Elysia looked out in the direction of Edward's townhouse. Seeing a black car pull up in front of it Elysia watched in shock and relief as Edward hopped out of the car and walk into his house. Without a second thought Elysia rushed in, pulled off the paint spattered smock, grabbed her sweater and left the room. As she approached the stairs she stopped and listened. She could hear voices downstairs. Her mother was greeting someone. She strained to hear the voice of the other person then cursed under her breath when she recognized Jol's voice. Of all the times to invite him, Elysia said to herself angrily. She picks the night of Edward's return.
Not wanting to be stopped by either of them from seeing Edward, Elysia, slipping of her shoes, turned around and headed for the other flight of stairs that went down into the kitchen where she could leave through the back way. Once in the kitchen she put her shoes on and ran out the back door. She made her way through the garden, past the garage and out into the back alleyway. She turned left and went past two other garages then entered the garden that led to the back of Edward's townhouse. Rushing through the garden she hoped she wouldn't scare anyone when she knocked on the back door. As she approached the kitchen door, she paused to catch her breath then reached up to knock. She waited but there was no answer. She knocked again and still no answer. Elysia wondered if the maid or cook were just too busy seeing to Edward's return. She tried two more times and finally gave up. She turned back and ran back through the garden, thinking she would just go up to the front. Elysia ran the length of the alleyway and made her way out onto the sidewalk of the street around the corner from her and Edward's townhouse. Elysia wanted to run back around but knew that in such a neighborhood running like mad down the streets wouldn't be appreciated. Walking quickly up the street Elysia saw a familiar figure walking ahead of her a block away.
Elysia stopped watching Edward. Even from her distance she could tell something wasn't right about him. He was walking quickly like he was determined to get somewhere and nobody could stop him. She continued watching as he lit a cigarette and kept walking swaying a bit every now and then. She wanted to shout out to him but something held her back so instead she kept her distance and followed him.
She followed until he stopped in front of a lit building with a lot of noise and officers coming in and out. The officers saluted Edward as he made his way in. Elysia stopped, wondering if she should go ahead. She knew it was a tavern Edward had gone into and an uneasy feeling settled in the pit of her stomach and a cold chill ran up her spine. Why did he come here? She wondered. He's free to do as he wants, but why here? Why didn't he come see me? She was suddenly horror struck that Edward probably saw Jol at her house. No!He knows I have no interest in Jol...but then again I never got a letter from him while he was away...maybe he really didn't have any feelings for me... Elysia wondered her heart wrenching in fear. Slowly, she unconsciously made her way to the tavern.
As Edward entered the tavern he received more salutes and some shouts of "Welcome Back, General!" that he ignored. Heading straight for the bar he asked for a bottle of whiskey. The bar keeper slapped a bottle onto the bar along with a glass. Edward just took the bottle and made his way toward the back of the room taking a swig from it. He found his favorite spot and found a couple of officers about to start a game. They stood and saluted as he sat to join them. As he did so, he lit another cigarette and the bar maid Darla walked by.
"Oh Edward!" She exclaimed and came to his side of the table. "I haven't seen you in so long!"
"Missed me?" He asked with a devilish grin on his face.
"Of course," Darla said giving him a flirty smile and bent down to whisper in his ear. "I've been lonely without you," she added as she nipped his ear playfully with her teeth. Edward smiled getting the hint then looked at the other officers.
"Sorry, gentleman," he said getting up and grabbing his bottle of whiskey. "I must postpone the loss of my money to you. I'll be back down later. Perhaps Havoc will be here then to provide a real game."
The officers around the table watched jealously as Edward put his arm around Darla and made his way upstairs.
Elysia stood outside the tavern shaking. She debated going in, wondering exactly what she would say and do. But no matter what she did she knew she would only embarrass herself and Edward. But she had to see him, had to know what was wrong with him, so holding her head high she went in.
It was a sea of officers and cigarette smoke. Elysia had to put her hand over her nose to keep from being choked by the smell. Several officers looked at her and tried to get her attention but she ignored them as she searched the room for Edward. When she didn't see him she turned around in embarrassment and tried to leave but bumped into an officer who was just entering.
"Elysia, what are you doing here?!" A familiar voice said surprised.
Elysia looked up and sighed in relief when she saw that it was Colonel Havoc. He looked a little stressed but Elysia figured he must be tired having just returned from the East with Edward. Elysia tried to mutter an excuse to Havoc's question when a voice rose out of the crowd.
"Hey General, wait up! Colonel Havoc has just arrived!"
"Wait! Elysia don't..."
Elysia turned despite Havoc's protest as he tried to pull her away but it was too late. Her eyes zeroed in on Edward immediately and she felt like someone had just punched her in the stomach. Edward was walking upstairs with his arm around another woman who had been giggling over something he had just whispered in her ear.
Edward seemed to sense something and turned. He sobered up quickly when his eyes fell upon Elysia standing in front of Havoc. Not realizing what he was doing till he had already done it, he had pushed Darla away and went running down the stairs.
Elysia feeling hatred she had never felt before pushed Havoc out of her way and rushed out of the tavern. How could I have been so stupid? She thought as she ran down the street not knowing which way she should go. I should have known when I didn't receive a response to my letters. I shouldn't be surprised by this. I heard the rumors. Hatred for Edward burned through her as hot tears of betrayal coursed down her cheeks.
Edward flew past Havoc fully intent on catching up with Elysia. Havoc didn't have a chance to say anything and only caught a brief glimpse at the General's face as he rushed past him. In that brief instant, Havoc could see the self loathing in Edward's face. He felt bad for Edward and even worse for Elysia. He didn't know what Edward was thinking to hurt Elysia like that. He knew something had gotten Edward riled up but he didn't think Edward could stoop so low. Havoc wanted to follow them but knew this was something they had to work out themselves. Making his way to the bar, Havoc ordered a drink and sat wondering if what he had just witnessed had been his imagination. He had been sure that Edward cared for Elysia. He had seen to it that the General's letters were sent off safely. But once they left his hands he knew there was no telling where they would end up or in whose hands they would make there way to. Wondering if he should follow and tell them his suspicions Havoc thought he heard two faint gun shots. Just as he was about to dismiss the sound as some kids setting of firecrackers the buzzing in the tavern seemed to diminish.
"Was that gunfire?" Havoc heard an officer question out loud. A wave of panic and fear swept over Havoc. He jumped off his seat, knocking over his drink and ran out of the tavern. Other officers seeing Havoc leave sensed that something was wrong and followed him out the door.