Whitefield: Shattered Realms

Love And Loss

Chapter 14

~~ Love And Loss ~~

Ian was rushed to the hospital and immediately taken to a ward, where he was treated and his wounds were tended to.

The doctor and nurses were a bit stunned by the rate at which he recovered. While he was rolled into the hospital on a stretcher, he had deep wounds from big splinters. But just after cleaning them and giving him pain killers, the wounds had almost closed up. It mesmerized them.

The white haired lad soon sprung into consciousness, gasping and gasping for air as though he was being choked. But thanks to his mum, Chase and Chase's mum — who's a nurse, he was able to calm down and recollect his proper senses.

Chase's mum helped replace his drips and urged him to lie down. But the lad felt completely fine, he only obliged not to gainer any suspicion.

His mum tried her best to hold her tears but they kept flowing like subtle waterfalls. She felt really bitter for her son. This would be the second time he'd be attacked by the same assailant. Sure, the first one was kind of his fault. But this, this was just him living his causal life, only to almost get killed by a terrifying beast.

She could only kept muttering, “I'm sorry, I’m sorry...”

Chase was... Well, Chase. He wasn't too worried about Ian's state of health. He knew how effective his friend's recuperative capabilities were. He was only intrigued as to why the Mystic Wolf would just attack him like that. As usual, he had many reasons in mind but non sounded reasonable to him, not until when he remembered their first encounter, where the beast called Ian an Aeon or something.

This realization almost made him blurt, “You really are an Aeon? And he's going to kill you no matter what!?”

He'd have said that if his mum and Jocelyn weren't there.

He stylishly made eye contact with Ian, who just raised his brows in puzzlement. Ian, after understanding what Chase was trying to communicate, nodded that Chase was right.

Chase gasped.

Ian was discharged the next morning and stayed home. Confirming that he was really okay, his mum and Peter agreed for him to go to school the next day.

But not without an if.

~

Huntsville High...

A black jeep stopped at the school's entrance and the backdoor opened, Ian coming out of it.

He was clad in a big, long grey sweater, black cargo pants and white sneakers. He decided to feel free today. He hung his backpack on one shoulder and sighed, gazing far to the school's entrance door. He was about to proceed, when he heard a voice from behind.

“Ahem... Forgetting something?” a man with jet black hair said, his jawline outstanding. He was Peter's assistant and was assigned, with a few other men, to watch over Ian and Avery; that included driving them to school.

“What is it, Marc?” Ian asked as he turned.

The smiling Marc nudged his head to the back seat. The opened back door was further pushed out and Avery hopped down in her blue gown. She smiled at Ian.

“Seriously?” Ian rolled his eyes and grabbed her hand, walking her to her building, before trotting over to his. Not like he could refuse it anyways. And besides, they were very early to school today; something that had not happened to Ian in months. Avery was usually brought by Peter if Ian wasn't ready.

Ian had a mixed feeling about this. It felt... Odd. He was already used to the 'rushing and running late to class' routine. He stuck his tongue out with a slight frown.

He extended his arms, pushing the doors open, and he entered the building. Taking a few strides through the hallway, he reached his locker and met Chase opening his own.

“Hey,” Ian greeted, slightly tapping Chase on the shoulder.

“Hey...” Chase responded casually, before turning his head to see who it was that greeted him. His eyes dilated as he saw Ian next to him.

“What the?... Ian? What are you doing here?” Chase asked in shock.

Ian turned his head to look at Chase, then chuckled, “Why won't I be here? This is my school.”

Chase's mouth was opened as he froze for a second, before saying, “Oh right? Sorry...” he chuckled nervously. “I mean, what are you doing here so early? Being tardy is like your current personality.”

“Hehe... Very funny,” Ian laughed sarcastically. Then he shrugged, “I don't know, I just decided to be better.”

“Yeah...” Chase shook his head, closing his locker. “I'm not buying that.”

“Sigh... It's Peter. He ordered some guys to follow me around like bodyguards and they're in charge of taking me anywhere. I was woken this morning by four men dragging me into the bathroom,” Ian looked frustrated.

Chase laughed to mock his friend.

Ian scoffed, “Now I'm completely stuck with them. Or is it that their stuck with me?”

“So they're here, right now? Watching? Listening?” Chase asked in whispers, his eyes rolling like balls to scan the hallway for any suspicious activity.

“Yup,” Ian shrugged. He then spotted Kira by her locker, talking with Mia. He smiled.

She had called him yesterday to ask if he was okay, since he didn't come to school that day. He told her he had an accident with his bike and had to stay at home to tend to his injuries. She was shocked and saddened and even opted to go see him when he said he was alone. But he refused politely, saying he didn't want to be a burden; when in actual truth, he did want to see her but was afraid things could get awkward like what happened at her house.

He called her later that night and they discussed on casual topics. They felt more free with each other, almost making what transpired in her house an illusion.

Ian was now confident and decided to approach her, but Chase held him back.

“What?” Ian narrowed his eyes.

“Where are you going?” Chase asked, anxiousness evident in his voice.

Ian scoffed, “To talk to Kira... Ain't you the one that said--”

Chase cut in, “Yes, yes. I know what I said. But maybe not now, maybe after school or something.”

“Huh? Why?” Ian frowned a bit.

Chase let go of Ian's chest and sighed, “Mia would notice me--”

“Well that's a good thing,” Ian interrupted with a smile. “I mean, you guys are--”

Chase cut in again, “I know. But it's choking. She's been all over me now. Throughout yesterday. And she called over a hundred times even before I got home yesterday. Yes, I love her, but, it's just too much!”

Ian just frowned at his friend and shook his head, before walking away, “You're too dramatic.”

“Ian, no...” Chase whispered with a stretched arm. Then he rested his back on his locker and took a deep breath in. He soon let it out through his mouth.

Kira saw Ian coming from the corner of her eyes and joy filled her heart like a rush of wind. She didn't know when she shrieked with a thin pitch and ran to hug him.

“Whoa!” Ian accepted her into his arms, stunned. Never did he imagine this sort of reaction from her. She seemed to lay away her timidity when around him.

“You must have really missed me,” Ian added.

Kira slowly withdrew from the hug and stepped back with red cheeks, stroking her hair, her head dropped.

“Sorry about that,” she humbly said, her voice tender and low.

Ian smiled, “You don't have to be. I missed you too, and I'd have done the same.”

“Oh,” she raised her head up to look him in the eye and smiled. “How are you? How is--”

Ian cut in with a broad smile, “I'm perfectly fine, and you look good today.”

“Oh... T-Thank you,” Kira replied, avoiding eye contact.

“Hold on, you lovebirds. Where's my Chase? I've been dying to see him,” Mia asked with exhilaration.

‘Our locker is adjacent and just a few steps away. Are you saying you didn't notice us?’ Ian couldn't help but ponder. But due to Kira's reaction when she saw him, he felt they didn't see them.

“He's over there. At his locker,” Ian pointed his thumb over his shoulder.

“Okay,” Mia smiled and walked away. Chase saw her coming and almost ran away. She hugged him tightly and they locked lips.

“So... We should meet after class today. To start our project,” Ian broke the silence since Mia left.

“Okay. I've gotten the materials already,” Kira nodded and held his wrist. “Come on, let's get to class, I don't want to be the second you.”

Ian chuckled as they walked, “Did Chase talk about me being late all the time?”

“Yes,” Kira answered with a smile.

They entered the class and lectures began. They had a total of six periods for the day and school came to a close.

Mia and Chase left for her house to continue their project. To start actually. They've been so distracted with their newly sprouted love that the assignment almost skipped their mind.

Peter's assistant, Marc, drove Ian to Kira's house and waited for him very close by. Ian was slightly embarrassed by this. He knew other men were lurking around the house too.

He and Kira went over her idea and they began building.

“Wow. You really heal fast, don't you?” Kira asked, passing him a screwdriver.

Ian took it from her, “Huh? Yeah, I guess”

“'Cause Chase told me how badly injured you were. That you wouldn't be able to walk for days,” Kira said with narrowed and worried eyes.

Ian only scoffed and shook his head, “Chase told you that?”

She nodded like a little girl.

“How classic of him. Look, from me to you, and as his best friend, don't take all he says seriously, okay?” he withdrew from what he was building by the edge of the room and sauntered back, dropping on one of the reading chairs.

Kira chuckled and stood before him, “Noted.”

He looked into her eyes. He really couldn't see them though, as she had her head half-turned the other way. She looked a little nervous and had something to say, but was to shy say it. He smiled; her confidence had gotten better since the last time they were here. And the ambience wasn't as awkward as before.

“So, what brought you guys to Huntsville?” Ian asked, instigating a conversation.

Kira looked at him, then dipped her hands into the pockets of her black shorts, “Well, my parents just retired and decided to move away from the metropolis city. They wanted to live a peaceful retirement. And Huntsville had all they wanted...”

“Oh,” Ian said with no expression. “And you didn't mind? Won't you miss your friends and the big life over there? It must be tough, right?”

Kira scoffed wryly, “Nah. How does one miss what they didn't have?”

Ian's eyes dilated, “Are you saying?...”

Kira nodded, “Yes. You and Mia are my first and only true friends. And Chase too.”

Ian scoffed, “Wow. I guess you never found a good match until now.”

“Yeah, it just never worked out with the city girls. Always partying and doing crazy things. But you guys are just... Unique,” she smiled.

Ian couldn't hold back his blushing smile. He scratched the back of his neck, “Heh... So are you.”

“Do you always have to be so modest?” Kira blurted as Ian returned the complement.

Ian stood up and placed a hand on her shoulder, “It's like beholding an Angel drop from the sky. We'd marvel and praise what we see.”

He slightly tapped her shoulder and moved towards their project to continue it.

Kira's cheeks turned red. She turned, biting her lower lip with a smile, before joining him.

Ian did most of the work, while Kira helped him with the materials. They'd sometimes rest and have small casual talks, nothing more.

Three hours had passed and Ian left Kira's house. Marc drove him home.

~

Ian opened the door to his house and he froze at the entrance, seeing the disturbing expression on his mum's face.

“Mum? Is everything okay?” he asked, looking around the living room, then back to her.

She didn't answer. Her lips were quivering, beads of sweat on her forehead.

“Mum?” Ian walked briskly towards her and held her shoulders.

“Mum! Are you okay? What happened?” Ian asked, getting really scared.

“A-Avery... Avery is missing. She kidnapped her,” Jocelyn said almost inaudibly. He had to read her lips to understand.

“Avery is... Who kidnapped her?” Ian asked, almost shouting.

Jocelyn just slumped to the floor, but Ian managed to keep her head from hitting the floor. He sat her up.

“Mum...”

“Selene. She called herself, Selene,” Jocelyn muttered.

Ian was shocked.

“No way!

“Ms. Selene?”