Chapter 46

It took them a week to narrow down the exact location of Cross and when they found him a few days after, he was drinking with women inside a bar with debts slowly piling.

"Hey, have you found out how?"

"Talk to me later."

"Cross."

"Yeah, I did. Can't do it alone though so I need your help with it."

"I will so let's go."

"Later."

"Cross."

"You're getting annoying."

"Just hurry up, please. We'll wait by the entrance."

"Yeah. Just leave."

Cross finally arrives drunk. They rode in a carriage heading back with the order paying for it.

They encounter more akuma but with two generals, they were finished off quickly.

They arrived around a week's time due to akuma interrupting the journey.

They arrived seeing Cordelia in critical condition. They had everyone leave as the two set out all the things needed. He gave her what to chant and then the coffin where Maria was opened and beside her was Cordelia's body. It had been preserved. Cross did something and managed to heal it and remove the curse. It took an hour for them to finish.

The two girls lay asleep side by side.

Cross left and slept in his room to avoid further questioning from the higher ups he was avoiding while planning an escape. He didn't really plan going back for awhile but he had a debt to pay to the girl. He can be nice, that is if it's a girl he's making a deal with.

Alyce stayed and didn't let others enter yet. Lilia woke up first smiling and held on to Alyce.

"Good morning, Alyce."

"Good morning, Lilia."

She was very hungry and went to the cafeteria with Allen who visited early in the morning.

Alyce stayed behind to wait for Cordelia to wake up. She lies peacefully sleeping with the mark on her face clearly seen.

What is that mark for? It doesn't seem to be an injury or anything that can harm her.

Cordelia wakes up only the next day and she isn't looking fine, she looks scared. She was fine being with Alyce but didn't really feel like seeing other people. She begged Alyce not to let other people in. She seemed to be afraid for people to see the mark on her face.

Lavi knocks at the door but he was refused. He asks what's wrong and insisted he wants to see Cordelia. He comes in and stares for a long time. With her insecurities, Cordie looked away and hid her face almost in tears.

"Leave."

"Alyce, you look hungry. You should eat right now. It wouldn't be good if you get sick. I'll watch Cordie for you," his voice was playful like the usual but Alyce understood what he meant and left the room. She knows at least that she can trust her sister with him.

The general footsteps were no longer heard after the door was closed. Silence only lingered for a few seconds as the sound of the Bookman apprentice walking towards the girl sitting on the bed came.

Eyes near black stared unto a single emerald one, one had the look of seriousness while the other confusion. The girl wondered what happened and why the sudden change of personality from the red head. Her eyes questioned him but it took awhile before the other answered. The bookman apprentice had first sat down on the chair next to her then faced her with the same seriousness in his eyes.

"Was your eye like that ever since?"

Cordelia would have shouted at him just as her short temper told her to but she didn't. The one she is facing right now wasn't Lavi but rather junior. The look he gave too was inquisitive and no sign of disgust or other hurtful emotions so the girl was somehow calm.

"Ever since I was born, this curse mark has been with me ever since," her tongue uttered bitterly.

"You can consider it a curse if you'd like but it's something more."

"And that would be?"

"A mark similar to mine," said junior as he took his eye patch to show a closed eye with a similar mark to hers. It took a few seconds before the hidden eye opened to reveal the same vibrant color of emerald that the other held. "It's a mark of a possible Bookman apprentice." His voice was indifferent yet the words held a weight different.

"So you lived with that too," exclaimed the girl calmly. Fear of rejection form before disappeared after she saw that she is not alone.

"Seems so."

"Do I have to be an apprentice too?"

"No. It is merely up to you and if you meet one who'll take you up as an apprentice."

"If that's the case, I won't be one. I don't really want to end up like you."

"Is that an insult?" said Lavi in a hurt manner. His character somehow found its way back and so did Cordelia's.

"Are you that of an idiot to think that it might be a compliment?"

"Don't be mean, Cordie. And here I was trying to take care of you."

"You're the one that needs taking care of. That cut in your sleeve shows that you've just annoyed Kanda awhile ago."

"Hehe... It sure was funny. Too bad you didn't get to see it."

"Can you leave now? I'm not really in the mood to talk anymore," said the girl as she lied back on the bed.

"Hey, you need to eat you know. You'll starve."

"I'm not hungry."

"Let's go. I'll accompany you. I haven't eaten myself," said Lavi as he fixed the eye patch back.

The girl remained where she was ignoring him.

He pulled her out of the bed and dragged her to the door.

"Let go!"

"You need to eat."

"Let go!"

"Come one," said the red head as he opened the door. "It's just food. It won't eat you."

"Just leave me alone here."

"No. You don't really want to be alone."

"Get out."

"No way."

"Get out and get me something to eat instead. I'm not leaving the room."

"No. You'll come with me. They're really worried. Better show yourself so they'd know that you're alright."

"They won't recognize me anyway."

"You're character will tell them that it's you."

"I'm still not going."

"Going to stay locked up in here?"

"If I can help it."

"No. You're coming with me no matter what," said Lavi as he dragged her out of the room.

She finally complied although hesitant. Her long hair was pulled by her free hand to hide the other half. Lavi noticed this but didn't say anymore. He was doing the same thing anyway. What right does he have to criticize her on that?

He continued dragging her until she walked on her own. They arrived at the cafeteria with a few surprised faces since no one really recognized the girl. Only Alyce, Lilia and Allen were the only ones who has seen her yet before him and the others.

"Is that you, Cordie?" asked Lenalee who approached.

She was actually behind Lavi like a child except that she's just standing and merely keeping out of sight. The stares of people made her feel afraid and reminded her of the past. Her confidence from before was only in front of Lavi since he had the same situation but the others were different.

She was about to back away before they see her face until a little girl suddenly rushed to her.

"Cordie!" said the little girl as she held the older by the hand. "Let's go eat. We've been waiting for you."

"Okay," replied the older feeling calmer. She breathed in then sighed. Things will be fine. The past is different from now.

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(^.^) Kylie: I hope you like this chapter. And just to tell you, this fic is near ending. A few more chapters will come though. Thanks for reading. It will also probably go back to the main characters point of view.