Selene-chan is not in class today.

This is the first time she's been absent from school.

If it were the flu season, I might have understood.

Maybe seasonal allergies?

But she literally wears flowers.

When it's Lunch time, I call her on my phone, but she doesn't pick up. It goes to voicemail every time. That's even stranger because normally she's not the kind of person to put her phone on silent. I send a text instead, to which I don't receive a response either. And when school ends for the day, I'm more concerned. She typically responds to my messages and calls within an hour.

Should I go to her home and see if everything is okay? Did her father do something to her?

If it weren't for that last thought, I would dismiss the idea, assuming that she's probably busy. I don't want to talk to him, but it is a small price to pay to get answers. After getting off the train, I use my phone GPS to locate her home. I ring the doorbell, and a maid opens the door. She guides me to a waiting area, the same one from the first time I came here, and instructs me to wait for Selene-chan's father. He comes downstairs after a long time. With slightly unkempt hair and a loose tie, it seems like he was anxious about something and hastily tried to collect himself before presenting himself. For the first time, I see a flicker of emotion in his devoid eyes.

"Good evening, Sir. Your daughter didn't come to school today. I was worried, and I brought her homework and a copy of my notes for her. May I see her?"

He stares at me cynically. "So she wasn't at school, either. Then where the hell did she go?"

Confused, I inquire further. "Sir, what do you mean?"

"My daughter has been missing since last night. When the servants entered her room to wake her up, her bed was empty. It was as if she was abducted while she was asleep."

Missing! Abducted! "How is that possible? No one noticed her disappearance until the morning? Weren't there signs of a struggle? Have you informed the police?"

"SILENCE!" her father shouts. I jolt instinctively. He breathes long and hard and says more calmly, "I did inform the police. They told me that policy mandated that at least 24 hours were required after disappearance to officially file a missing person's report. They briefly observed her room, but did not find any signs of a struggle." That is not relieving in the slightest.

"Was her cane found at the scene?"

"Unfortunately, no. That is what makes the police doubt that she was kidnapped. Any kidnapper abducting a cripple will not take the items that said cripple requires in order to move. The weaker the victim is, the better for them. And so far, no ransom call has been made."

Okay. That is a logical deduction. "But Sir, do you think she could have snuck out? Why would she do that?"

"That girl needs no reason to defy me," he whispers harshly. Again, I'm stunned. It's like he was maintaining a facade in front of me, and just now his reality slipped in. Instantly, he resumes to his former polite self. "I do not know why she would have snuck out. She is brazen at times, sure, but never reckless." He sighs and rubs a hand across his tired face. "You said you brought her homework and class notes? If - when - she returns, I'll be sure to give them to her. Is there anything else you would like?"

I have to fight the fear threatening to control my voice. "No, Sir. Thank you for your time. My family must be waiting for me. Have a pleasant evening." I bow hastily and exit the mansion quickly.

I scheduled a meeting with Mom at the hospital today. In all honesty, I am excited to see her, but right now a different type of excitement persists in my mind. As I make my way to the hospital, I agonize over Selene-chan. This isn't like her to vanish without a warning. Even at the school parties, she gave signs that she needed to escape. And she seemed completely fine yesterday. Reserved, observant, and mysterious like usual.

The police ruled out abduction, but she isn't the type to disappear for fun either. I cannot help but keep thinking that someone did snatch her from her bed. With her cane, for whatever goddamn reason. If she really was kidnapped, that bastard is going to find himself being roasted over a bonfire. I don't realize I'm so lost in thought until my mom shakes my arm. Startled, I glance up.

"I called your name so many times, and you didn't answer. What's wrong, Shouto?"

"Sorry. It's nothing serious."

It's a flimsy excuse, and she knows it. "Shouto, I'm your mother. I can read you like an open book. That face is one of concentration. Something is on your mind. Please tell me." It's pointless to argue. I've already told Mom how we met, our jokes and arguments, and the visit to her home. So I tell her all my fears. Once I finish, Mom touches my hands tentatively. "Your friend seems like a strong girl. I'm sure she's all right. She will be found."

"I hope so," I mumble, trying to take comfort from my mom's touch. Brooding over this won't make a difference. I change the subject. "So, how are you doing? Any handsome doctors recruited? Did the nurse share any juicy gossip?"

She smiles, knowing what I'm trying to do, but plays along.

I feel a little better talking to her.

But as I lie in my bed, my thoughts return to Selene-chan.

I pull out the drawings, the flower book, and the lapis lazuli pendant from my nightstand drawer.

Clutching all of them close to me, I whisper a mantra.

Please be alive.

Please be safe.

Please come back.

That night, I dream of shadowy hands pulling my Selene-chan into the darkness, and I chase after her, unable to catch her.