Chapter 6: Sadness
I combed the streets left and right, trying to find even the smallest clue as to where the kidnapper went. As I passed the seventh corner, I began to have very disturbing images of Kairi… or what was left of her. I shook my head, clearing my thoughts of such images, and scolded myself to think like that. Kairi's safe, I thought to myself.
Then why was she taken from me?
After an hour of searching, I slowly trudged to a bench in the nearby park and slumped down, tears streaming down my cheeks. I continued to tell myself that she was safe, that she wasn't dead. But the more I tried to calm myself, the clearer the disturbing images were.
My mind split and argued with itself. She was kidnapped, one side said. She would've been taken by surprise. She would not have a chance to fight back before the kidnapper took her. If she screamed, I couldn't hear it.
Then what were all those thumping noises in the kitchen? the other side argued. If she didn't have a chance to strike back, why would the kidnapper make such careless noises like that? She may have been able to fight back, but…
I continued to listen to my mind for what seemed like several minutes, trying to deduct what happened to my dear Kairi. Taking a quick glance at the night sky, I could tell it had been about two hours since I left. I guess I lost track of time, listening to my mind for an hour instead of a few minutes…
The light from the moonlight on the ground was disrupted by a large shadow. Not even looking up to see who it was, I muttered, "What?"
"You're a mess, pretty boy."
My head jerked upwards. When I saw who it was, I smiled, wiping the tears from my eyes. "I thought your voice sounded familiar."
Saphera returned the smile and sat beside me. "Seriously, you're a mess." She tilted my head up by my chin with her right hand, checking my condition. "Tell me what happened."
That's exactly what I did. I started the story when I entered the house smelling the fish (dinnertime, remember?), how I heard thumping noises while I was in the shower (she seemed to blush, but it was a little hard to see in the night), and how I rushed outside and combed the streets to find her. I took out the good-luck charm. "I found this on the kitchen floor," I informed her, tears swelling back into my eyes. "I… it's so hard to believe… she was…"
Saphera pouted and gripped my shoulders. "Get a grip, Rayth," she shot back, staring straight into my eyes. It felt very weird, looking back into her glare. I felt both naked and exposed; a very scary combination that could make a muscleman tinkle in his pants. "Just because you found this doesn't mean she's dead, all right?"
She glanced away, sighing softly. "Look, if you want to find her, you'll need some help." Her head tilted further away from me. "If… if you want… I'll help…"
The stammer in her voice made me smile. "You're a sweetheart, Saphera," I replied softly. I placed a hand on her shoulder. She glanced back at me, a slight blush in her cheeks. "I could use all the help I can get."
Saphera returned the smile very softly. "I know just the person that could help us," she told me. "You remember Gunnar, right?" I nodded. "Well, one of his older friends… he may not look like much, but he's definitely someone you want on your side."
I nodded, knowing exactly what she was talking about. My mentor, Seth, I always considered a friend. He probably considered me one, too. Always helping me during my times of need... What happened, Seth? Why aren't you helping me now?
My memories were interrupted when she held out her hand. She was already standing up, the other hand on her hip. "Don't make me ask you again," she muttered, a slight edge in her voice.
Even though I don't remember her asking me something, I knew what she wanted. I took her hand, and she pulled me up. I chuckled softly, noting that she was several inches shorter than me, and I had to look down upon her. She craned her head up and smiled.
At that moment, I felt my heart skip a beat.
