CHAPTER 22

Larry was doing another lap around the museum, minding his own business, when he heard his phone beep. Retrieving it from his pocket, he noticed a new voicemail and text message. It was from Avery. Something happened at her prom and he needed to pick her up. She sounded like she was crying. Furrowing his brow in concern, he knew he needed to come to her aid. She wouldn't make requests like this over nothing.

He abandoned his tasks and went to find the two people he could trust in his absence. He made his way to the lobby and used the intercom to call them to him. It was better than walking through the museum. Soon both men arrived, concerned etched on their faces.

"Lawrence, my boy. What seems to be the matter?"

"I don't know. Avery called and left me a message asking if I could pick her up. She sounded like she was crying. Something bad must have happened. I'm gonna drive up there and bring her to the dorms. But I need you two to act in my place. Keep order and all that."

"Oh dear. But of course lad, we will maintain order in your stead."

What on earth could have happened to that poor child?

Ahkmenrah was immediately concerned.

Did something happen to Avery? Is she okay?

His mind was an endless void of troubling thoughts. But there wasn't much to do as Larry ran out the door. All they could do was wait.

Larry glanced at the address that Avery sent him as he started his car. He sent off a quick text to her that he was on his way. It would be around half an hour but in this weather and traffic, it may be even longer.

Avery was preoccupied with keeping herself warm by jogging in place and rubbing her hands together. Once again, she had found herself outside in the cold without mittens. The cold had numbed her feelings as well as her hands. She didn't know how long she had been out there already. She risked a glance at her phone to check the time and hoped the battery would hold out. To her relief she saw a text from Larry that he was on the way.

Time seemed to slow but eventually she heard the motor of an approaching car. Looking at the driver she saw that it was finally Larry. She fumbled with the door handle before he opened it for her. Grateful, she climbed in the car and was met with a wall of heat. She eagerly held her hands over the vent, soaking in the warmth.

Larry sat there for a few moments before driving away. He kept glancing at her as if waiting for her to tell him why she needed a ride. Finally after a few minutes he cleared his throat.

"So…are you gonna tell me why I had to pick you up?"

Avery froze and tensed in her seat. She lowered her head and crossed her arms over her chest in a protective manner.

"Oh…um… Yeah, I just got uncomfortable and didn't want to wait for the limo to come pick us up." It wasn't a complete lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either. She knew she was probably not convincing.

"I see. Well in that case, I'm glad you called me. Thankfully I had my phone on me. What…what would you have done had I not seen your message?" He was curious. He could have been busy. Heck, Dexter could have stolen his phone!

"Well I guess I would have started to walk back to the museum." She put it bluntly.

Larry was genuinely concerned about her safety and decision making at that point. Has she been drinking? This girl is crazy!

"Avery, it's like 30 degrees out here! You're in a dress! I'm in my night guard uniform and even I'm chilled. Hell, the city is crazy during the day, let alone at night! You could've been mugged or worse! That would have been a really stupid choice to make. Have you been drinking?" He didn't mean for his tone to sound as aggressive as it had, but clearly she wasn't thinking straight. Something more had happened at that dance, he was sure of it.

As soon as he dared ask if she was drinking, Avery felt a fresh wave of tears threaten to fall. She turned her face to the window to hide it.

"No! I wasn't drinking! Everyone else was but I wasn't. I…I don't drink. So can we drop it…please?" Her voice had cracked again and this time a few tears had escaped. She furiously swiped them away. Larry was stunned into silence. He didn't know what to say or do without making matters worse.

"Avery-"

"Larry, I appreciate the concern but can we just not talk about it. Just take me to the dorm please." She continued to swipe tears from her face. She didn't want to fully break down in front of Larry. So they traveled in uncomfortable silence.

As they reached the dorms, Avery thanked him for the ride and swiftly shut the door and headed straight for the showers. Jumping into a nice, hot shower, she felt her muscles begin to relax. Placing her face under the faucet, she finally allowed herself to cry.

Larry had returned to the museum a few minutes after dropping Avery off. He thankfully found the museum intact. He soon found Teddy and Ahk waiting in the lobby.

"Lawrence, what's the word, my boy?"

"Yes, is Avery alright? Is she here?"

Both men felt concerned when they saw Larry's grim looking face.

"No, I dropped her off at the dorms. And if she's alright? I highly doubt it. Something happened at that dance. She practically burst into tears when I asked her what happened. Thankfully I saw her message in time, otherwise she said she would have walked here by herself, in a dress, in the snow. She said there wasn't alcohol involved but she clearly wasn't thinking straight." Larry put all his concern in his voice. And he left the last bit open ended for the two men to come to their own conclusions.

"Oh dear. We must make sure she is alright next time she comes 'round." Teddy was deeply worried. His normally high spirits were low.

"It might be a while before she comes around, Teddy. She's going on winter break to her friend's house, so she won't be back for a few weeks"

Ahkmenrah was silent throughout this exchange. His face was impassive but his mind was ablaze with worry and anger. He was angry because someone had obviously hurt Avery, his friend. And he would not stand for it. He wished that Avery was there so he could give her a hug and lend her an ear. But unfortunately there was nothing he could do at that moment, so he slowly walked back to his exhibit. He prayed to all the gods he knew that she was alright.