DETACHED

Chapter 15: Beyond Eldeheim

Uncle Mark lowered himself onto the bench beside Xavier and let out a quiet sigh.

"Why did you leave home, Xavier?"

* Your dad is angry" Xavier kept his eyes on the dusty road.

"I couldn't leave without seeing her."

"You were looking for Amara." Uncle Mark asked

Xavier nodded.

"I wanted to tell her I was sorry... and thank her." He continued

His fingers tightened around the small wrapped gift inside his backpack.

"But I couldn't find her. I don't even know where she lives."

Uncle Mark was silent for a moment before speaking.

"I don't think she believes you owe her anything."

Xavier turned to look at him.

"From what you've told me, she had every opportunity to expose you. But she didn't."

"If she wanted revenge, she had her chance." He paused, choosing his next words carefully.

"Whatever her reason was, I don't think she's waiting for an apology."

Xavier lowered his gaze.

"Maybe not."

"But I still owe her one." He stretched himself and said

"I took something that wasn't mine."

"I let her carry the blame."

"And she protected me anyway." He swallowed hard.

"I can't just walk away from that."

A gentle smile crossed Uncle Mark's face he was proud, Xavier grew up to be responsible.

"Then don't."

Xavier frowned, "I don't know whether she'll remember you."

"I don't know whether you'll ever meet again."

"But if life gives you that chance..." Uncle Mark retorted

"Make sure you're the kind of young man who keeps his word." He said finally

Xavier looked down at the gift in his backpack and slowly zipped it shut.

"I hope I get that chance."

"So do I," Uncle Mark replied as he stood.

He held out his hand.

"Come, Xavier"

"It's time to go home."

The morning arrived far too quickly.

Sunlight spilled through the tall bedroom windows of the Cole residence, but Xavier had been awake long before dawn. He sat quietly on the edge of his bed, his suitcase resting beside him. Everything had already been packed. His clothes, Emilia had neatly folded the night before.

There was only one thing he refused to place inside the suitcase.

He slowly opened the drawer of his study desk and took out the small brown package wrapped with a blue ribbon.

A faint smile crossed his lips.

He carefully slipped it into his backpack instead.

Somehow...

That felt safer.

A gentle knock came from the door.

Knock.

Knock.

"Xavier."

"It's time." Uncle Mark said his voice was as calm as ever.

Xavier closed the drawer one last time before picking up his backpack.

He looked around the room.

Every corner held a memory.

The desk where he had finished his homework.

The window where he had watched children play after school.

The bed where he had spent countless nights thinking about Amara after the incident in class.

He let out a slow breath.

"I'm coming."

The door opened.

Uncle Mark smiled gently.

"Ready?"

Xavier looked at his suitcase before nodding.

"I guess so."

Without another word, Uncle Mark picked up the suitcase. The two of them walked silently through the long hallway. Everything felt different. Even the house seemed quieter than usual. As they reached the front entrance, Emilia stood waiting.

Her eyes were already red.

She forced a smile.

"I packed your favourite biscuits."

She slipped a small paper bag into his hands.

"You'll probably get hungry." Xavier smiled weakly.

"Thank you."

Emilia suddenly pulled him into a hug.

"Study hard."

"And don't forget us."

His voice caught in his throat, "I won't."

She quickly wiped away a tear before stepping back.

"Go before I start crying properly." She urged him to go forward.

Uncle Mark opened the rear door of the car. Xavier climbed inside.The engine started.

Slowly...

The Cole residence disappeared behind them. Neither of them spoke for several minutes.The only sound inside the car was the steady hum of the engine.

Finally...

Uncle Mark broke the silence.

"You're wondering why your father didn't come." Xavier looked out of the window.

"He already said goodbye."

Uncle Mark nodded.

"Yes."

"He thought it would be easier this way."

Xavier managed a faint smile.

"It wasn't."

The car continued along the quiet roads leading out of Eldeheim. Children in school uniforms walked along the roadside. Shop owners lifted their shutters. Life carried on as though nothing had changed. Xavier rested his forehead against the window.

Uncle Mark glanced at him through the rear-view mirror.

The car fell silent.

Nearly an hour later, the airport came into view. Large glass windows reflected the morning sunlight as planes taxied across the runway. Uncle Mark parked the car and carried the suitcase inside. Passengers hurried in every direction.

Announcements echoed through the terminal.

Xavier had never seen so many people in one place. They checked in quietly before walking toward the departure gate.

"This is as far as I can go," Uncle Mark said softly.

Xavier nodded.

For a few seconds, neither of them moved. Then Uncle Mark placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"You'll do well". Uncle Mark patted him gently.

Xavier looked down at his backpack.

His fingers brushed against the small wrapped gift inside.

"I'll come back someday."

He whispered more to himself than anyone else.

"I'll find her."

"I'll say I'm sorry."

"And I'll finally say thank you."

The boarding announcement echoed through the terminal.

Passengers began lining up.

Xavier took one last look through the enormous glass windows.

Beyond them lay the roads leading back to Eldeheim.

He adjusted the straps of his backpack and slowly joined the boarding line. A few minutes later, the aircraft lifted from the runway and climbed steadily into the clouds. As Eldeheim disappeared beneath the morning sky... So did the last chance Xavier thought he had to find Amara.

The next morning, warm rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains of Amara's hospital room. She was already awake, sitting quietly on the bed as she watched nurses and visitors move about outside the window.

A gentle knock came at the door.

"Come in," Grandma Ruth called.

Grace Adebayo stepped inside carrying a brown file. She smiled warmly at Amara before taking a seat beside Grandma Ruth.

"I hope I'm not interrupting." Grace said

"Not at all," Grandma Ruth replied.

Grace placed the file on her lap. "I have good news. The doctors have officially discharged Amara. She's recovering well, although she'll still need regular checkups and plenty of rest."

Grandma Ruth smiled with relief. "Thank God."

Grace nodded before opening the file. "I also have an update regarding her case. Following yesterday's meeting with Chief Marcus and after reviewing the medical reports, Child Protection Services has decided that Amara will remain under protective care until the court concludes its investigation."

The smile on Grandma Ruth's face faded.

"Chief Marcus refused to cooperate with our investigation and denied responsibility for her condition. Because of that, we believe it would be unsafe for Amara to return to his custody."

Grace looked toward Amara before continuing. "We've also decided who should care for her during this period."

She closed the file and smiled.

"We'd like you to become Amara's temporary guardian."

Grandma Ruth blinked in surprise.

"Me?"

"You've cared for her from the moment she arrived at your doorstep," Grace replied. "You've cooperated fully with us, and most importantly, Amara feels safe with you."

Grandma Ruth turned to the little girl. Amara lowered her head shyly before giving a small nod.

That was all the answer Grandma Ruth needed.

She reached over and held Amara's hand. "If she'll have me, I'll gladly take care of her."

Grace slid several documents across the table.

"Then all I need is your signature."

Grandma Ruth carefully read each page before signing her name. Grace gathered the documents, stood, and smiled.

"Everything is in order. You're both free to go."

After Grace left, the room grew quiet again.

Grandma Ruth looked at Amara with a gentle smile.

"Well... I guess we're going home."

Amara hesitated.

"...Home?" Amara asked

Grandma Ruth shook her head.

"Not that home."

She began folding the few clothes they had brought to the hospital.

"We're leaving Eldeheim."

Amara looked up in surprise.

"Leaving?"

"I came here hoping for a quiet life," Grandma Ruth said with a soft smile. "Instead, I found you. Maybe that was God's plan all along." She zipped the travel bag closed.

"And I think it's time we both started over."

Amara didn't ask any more questions. She didn't know what waited for her though, but for the first time in years, tomorrow didn't frighten her.

An hour later, Grandma Ruth completed the discharge formalities, thanked the nurses, and took Amara's hand. Together, they walked out of Saint Jones Hospital. By late afternoon, two modest suitcases stood beside the front door of Grandma Ruth's little house. She locked the door, slipped the key into her handbag, and turned to Amara.

"Our bus won't wait forever."

Amara glanced back at the little house one last time before quietly following her.

As the evening bus rolled out of Eldeheim, she rested her head against the window and watched the town slowly disappear into the distance. She left behind a house filled with fear, a father who never knew how to love her, and a life she never wished to return to.

Far above the clouds, Xavier's plane carried him toward a future he had never chosen. Far below, Amara's bus carried her toward one she had never imagined.

Neither of them knew it, but on that same day, they both left Eldeheim behind.