Vlalan spent the morning going through Elle's drawers and clothes looking for the memento pendant. At abount noon he gave up with just searching the kid's room and obvious hiding spots and started to look everywhere.

Elle spent his classes like always. Listened to the teachers, took notes, did his work and homework in class and was completely anti-social.

When it was finally time to head home, Elle stood at the base of the cement stairs to his high school, looking over at the gate. He looked up the sky and watched some of his peers as they ran home or left with umbrellas and raincoats.

At three Elle's literature teacher stopped at the top of the stairs when he saw Elle sitting at the base of them, lightly soaked from the rain, still looking at the gate.

"As I do recall it, rain means you leave with a raincoat or umbrella and get to work on time, mister Doki." the teacher said as he came down the stairs.

Elle looked over to him. "What if you're waiting for someone?"

The teacher raised a brow, surprised Elle replied. "Who would you be waiting for? I heard your father died recently. And none of your siblings live nearby." Elle looked back to the gate. "How long do you plan to wait for someone?"

"Until dark," Elle answered.

The teacher nodded and began to walk into the parking lot, "Don't get a flu from the rain."

Elle watched his teacher get into his car and drive off in silence.

Who am I waiting for? I know he won't come. He didn't say he would. And in a few hours it'll be too late to do any shopping and with this rain I can't get much done in my garden anyways.

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Vlalan drove into town at one and started buying fruits and vegetables and other things he was somewhat sure Elle would eat. He returned to the small house at three and looked around. After putting away the groceries he looked over the entire house.

"He's still not back?" he asked himself aloud.

Vlalan looked to a grandfather clock in the front hallway. Three-thirty PM.

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Elle sighed and stood up, starting to notice the sky darkening. He checked his watch. Three-fourty-five PM. He began his walk across the empty parking lot. Quickly he walked onto a patch of higher cement with a cherry tree under it as he heard a car's engine. A red 1996 Jaguar pulled into the empty school parking lot and drove around to the steps.

Elle watched the car, interested in who might be there when the school's last class for the day ended at one and the evening classes didn't start until six. The car turned and drove over to Elle, the passanger window rolling down.

"Hey," called a familier low voice. Elle bent back with a brow raised and looked into the cabin of the jaguar.