Chapter Nine: The Disappearance.
Meanwhile, Bridge, Jack and Nick entered Rootcore, when they spotted Daggeron, on a stool, sleeping on the table. "Daggeron must've had a rough night." Bridge said.
"So would you if you had spent the whole night with Fireheart." Nick laughed.
"We should get him to bed." Jack replied. As they lifted Daggeron up, Bridge grunted, "Man, he's heavier than Cruger."
"Toughen up, Bridge." Jack replied, as they carried Daggeron to his room and gently placed on the bed. They panted, as they left the room. "Well, that's worn me out," Nick said, quietly. "I'm going to bed."
"Me too." Jack replied.
"Me three." Bridge said. They headed to their rooms, as they said good night to each other.
A few minutes later, Clare and Xander entered Rootcore. "Thanks again for tonight," Clare said. "I had a really nice time."
"Me too," Xander replied. "Well, um…good night."
"Good night." Clare moved closer to Xander, and kissed him. They both headed to their rooms, when Xander stopped at the door. Clare turned round, and asked, "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, it's just that…Daggeron's in there," Xander replied. "So I've got nowhere to sleep. Unless Fireheart's willing to have a roommate for tonight."
"Well…if you want to, you can stay in my room."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah." As Clare and Xander went inside her room, Xander started scratching his left arm. "Are you okay?" Clare asked.
"Yeah, I just feel a bit itchy." Xander replied.
"I've got some antidote for your arm."
"Thanks." Clare went up to her cupboard, and grabbed a purple bottled labelled 'Anti-itching Potion.' Then, she grabbed a bandage, poured the potion on the middle of the bandage, and wrapped it on the redness of Xander's left him. "Thanks," Xander said.
"You're welcome," Clare replied. As she had put the bottle back in the cupboard, Xander gently took hold of Clare's right hand. Clare turned round, as Xander, who suddenly became nervous, began to speak, "Clare, I know we've only been on one date, but we have been friends for a while…well I was wondering. Would you like to be my…girlfriend?" Without hesitation, Clare answered, "I would love to be your girlfriend." As they both smiled at each other, Xander wrapped his arms around Clare, and kissed her. As he moved away from her, Clare took hold of Xander's right hand, and walked with him towards her bed. They both sat down on the bed, and started kissing again. Clare placed her left hand on the back of Xander's neck, as she slid her tongue inside Xander's mouth, intertwining with his. Everything was going so well for Xander, that he didn't think that anything could wreck his moment with Clare. Not even his curse.
Later on in the evening, Clare, who was wearing Xander's green shirt, and Xander, who wore his pair of boxers, were both in bed, fast asleep, in each other's arms. Suddenly, Xander was woken up by the pain on his left arm. He slowly sat up, so he wouldn't wake up Clare, and he unwrapped the bandage. He saw something that petrified him. Yellowish bones were appearing before Xander's eyes. This can't be happening. Not now, he thought. I have to go into hiding, that way I can't harm anyone, especially Clare. So, Xander quietly stood up, crept over to Clare's chair to get his clothes and put them on. Then, he sat down at Clare's desk, and took out a pen and a piece of paper from the desk draws. Xander nearly broke down in tears, as he started writing something. A couple of minutes later, he had finished what he had written. He picked the piece of paper up, folded it in half, and placed it on the bed, next to Clare. Xander whispered, "I'm sorry," and kissed her forehead, holding back his tears. He grabbed his cloak and he crept out of the bedroom, and out of Rootcore.
Early next morning, Clare started stirring. She turned her head to her left side of her bed, where Xander was sleeping, finding that he wasn't there. Clare panicked, when she found the piece of paper that Xander left. She unfolded the paper and read it:
Clare,
I'm very sorry to do this, but I have to go into hiding. The curse is starting to worsen. I can't take the risk of putting everyone in danger, especially you. Please understand why I have to stay away. I hope you'll forgive me.
Love,
Xander.
Clare starting bursting into tears. She didn't care if she was going to be harmed; all she wanted was to have Xander back. As she wiped her tears away, she got out of bed, got changed into her clothes, and ran out of her room and down the stairs when suddenly, Jack came out of his room, he asked, "hey, where're you going in such a hurry?"
"Xander's ran away," Clare replied. "I have to find him."
"Clare, we're not sure if he has ran away." Suddenly, Bridge ran downstairs, "Jack," Bridge started to pant. "Xander…ran…away…must…find him."
"What?" Clare asked.
"I've picked up his energy, and I think I know where to find him." Bridge replied.
"We have to find him," Clare said, as tears ran down her face. "Please, I need your help." Bridge decided to help her, while Jack was still giving it some thought, when he answered, "okay, I'll help you find him too." Clare thanked them. Before they left, Clare wrote a note for Nick and Daggeron, explaining to them why they've left. Then, they exited Rootcore, gathered some equipment from the S.P.D ship, and began to search for Xander.