Restless

Chapter 8

-XXX-

Stern

-XXX-

THUD.

The door slammed shut.

“Be gentle with the damn door.” Kair’s voice echoed from the next room.

“I know.”

Well, that went terribly.

I was back in the flowershop.

I’d probably dropped the groceries somewhere when I came to get Laurel.

A palm dragged across my face.

Who knows how she’ll deal with that entire thing.

I fell on the couch, head-first.

Sleep sounded nice.

For the past week I’d been going out every night to search for Eyara Feigns.

A groan left my lips.

Didn’t even know if that was her real name.

And on top of that, I’d have to find Loulin too.

That nauseating island.

I slammed a fist into the cushions.

Damn it.

I lifted my head up.

The clock struck seven.

Usually I’d start searching at ten.

My eyes drifted.

I really should just sleep.

…

And waste my time…

That was idiotic.

I pushed myself off the couch, rubbing my face.

How could I rest when my damn murderer is still out there? Roaming freely on Earth.

We had the day off anyway.

I’ll just start searching now.

Everywhere but the marketplace. Laurel can deal with that.

The floorboards creaked as I made my way to the door.

My fingers wrapped around the handle.

Click.

A cold wind tore past.

I should take my jacket.

My head turned.

“Leaving already?”

Kair.

“Oh, just you.” My voice came out flat. “And yes, I am.”

He walked past me, fingers grazing the wood of the door.

“Thought it’d have a crack by now,” he muttered.

I scoffed, “I’m not that strong.”

“Yeah, but the quality of wood here ain’t the best.”

“Then use a different material.” My hand reached for the jacket hanging on the stand.

I slipped it on myself.

Turned around, one last time.

My foot was halfway out of the door.

“You should really take a break sometimes.” The man called out from behind.

I stopped. The cold breeze blew into my hair.

My mouth opened.

“I’ll listen when I get my extra.”

My legs picked up the pace, my eyes not even sparing a glance.

I had better things to do.

-XXX-

Clink.

The coins hit the table.

“It’s been so long since I’ve eaten meat!” Laurel squealed, throwing both her hands into the air.

Ashlynn wiped her face with a tissue. “A month?”

“Still a long time.”

The musician rolled her eyes, a small smile on her lips.

She pushed the door open, heading out of the restaurant.

Laurel hurried after her too.

The door shut behind them.

“So, the flower shop?” The blonde’s head turned.

“Yep!” She nodded. “It’s really cozy. And the shop owner’s nice too!”

Ashlynn let out a quiet sigh, slipping a hand into her bag.

She pulled out a hat and settled it onto her head. Almost covering her blonde hair.

“Then I’m looking forward to meeting him.”

-XXX-

“Do you know anyone by the name of Eyara Feigns?” I kept my hands in my pockets.

The local shook his head.

“Purple hair?”

“Sorry, ma’am, not a clue.” He walked off.

Another dead end.

Damn it.

Who the hell was this lady?

-XXX-

CRUNCH! CRUNCH!

“Down this way!”

Laurel ran through the street, further ahead.

“Yes, yes, I’m following.” Ashlynn followed after her at a slower pace.

“Ooh, also can you teach me how to play that bamboo flute?” the med student called from ahead.

The musician paused.

After a beat, she lifted a hand in a thumbs-up.

“We can start tomorrow.” She smiled, tilting her head.

-XXX-

Another dead end.

This was the fifth one tonight.

My jaw clenched.

THUD.

Shit.

I punched a damn wall.

I shook my hand, wincing.

My eyes drifted to the dent.

...

I blinked.

Kair wasn’t kidding.

The wood's quality really sucks.

I could see straight through the wall.

-XXX-

“And there’s the pretty sign I made!” Laurel pointed towards the wooden board hung at the entrance.

Ashlynn’s eyes traced the letters on the sign. “Kair’s flowers?”

A finger tapped against the med student’s cheek.

“This place didn’t have a name.” Her eyes lit up. “So I thought to spazz it up!”

Her black hair swayed in the wind as she climbed up the steps, before stopping at the door.

“It’s where I worked my first job.” Her hand grazed the handle.

“What about part-times, back on Earth?” Ashlynn asked, leaning on the railings.

“Yeah, but those were just part-times.” Laurel chuckled.

-XXX-

I still have to eat dinner.

Screw it.

I’ll just come back to search in an hour.

Those guards will probably be gone too, then I can go to the marketplace.

Gravel scattered beneath my shoes as I finally reached the flower shop.

My eyes landed on the entrance.

There were 2 people.

One at the doorstep. The other one wore a hat and was leaning on the railing.

I squinted.

“Laurel?”

She turned her head.

“Scarlett? I thought you were already inside.”

The other figure also turned around.

“So, that’s Scarlett?” The lady spoke.

I squinted further.

A stray blonde strand slipped free from beneath her hat.

My eyes widened.

Laurel actually got her?

-XXX-

RIIING.

Forgot the door did that. The last two times I opened it, the sound didn’t play.

Laurel let go of the handle and ran inside.

“And here it is!” She spun across the entire room.

My hand came to my chin.

Perhaps it didn’t play ‘cause of the way I slammed the door.

“You’re right, it does look cozy,” said Ashlynn, walking inside.

Laurel turned around.

“Mind waiting? I sorta need to tell the shop owner I brought a guest.”

“Not at all.” The musician shook her head.

The med student ran up the staircase, the sound fading away.

Ashlynn sat on the couch.

I let out a sigh.

Laurel ended up being a lot more competent than I thought.

“Here.”

I glanced towards the musician.

She placed a brown package on the table.

“What’s this?” I asked.

“Roasted pork, Laurel got it for you.”

Right. Dinner. “Oh.”

I cleared my throat. “Anyway, do you—”

“Yes, I do know we’re all from Earth.”

So Laurel told her that much.

I stepped closer, stopping at the couch across hers.

“I suppose, you’d like to know more about me.” The blonde murmured, leaning closer.

“That much is true.” My weight shifted towards the edge of the couch.

She pressed a hand against her chin.

A beat passed.

The room went silent.

My eyes scanned her face for anything worth noting.

Finally, her mouth opened.

…

“A fan?”

…

“No.”

…

“Oh.”

…

Silence fell over the room again.

Even the air seemed still.

I blinked.

Was that really the first thing to ask?

Maybe staying here for too long makes you go crazy.

I sighed, dragging a palm down my face until it covered my mouth.

Then—

A quiet chuckle escaped my lips.

I couldn’t get a single lead on Eyara.

That can wait.

After all, I’ve got another one from Earth.

Right in front of me.

That’s more than enough.

“Let’s make this one thing clear.”

Enough wasting time.

My fingers rhythmically tapped against the cushioning of the couch.

“You’ve seen that thing too.”

The words left my mouth, clear and stern.

Her eyes narrowed as her cheek rested against a hand.

“Seriously, you really are no nonsense.” A smirk crept up her lips.

About time.

A step closer to that damn murderer.

~Restless~

Characters:

Scarlett Ernest (MC, and the POV)

Laurel Ains (The fake med student)

Kair Nuvas (The flowershop guy)

Ashlynn Woods (The ex-musician)

Official site for this series :D --> https://sites.google.com/view/seas-the-site