Chapter 14: Cross Road 2
729 Words
The afternoon sun streamed through the bedroom window, casting long shadows across the polished wooden floor.
Xavier stood beside the window in silence.
His father's words echoed endlessly in his mind.
"You're going abroad."
It was supposed to be exciting.
Any other child would have celebrated.
But all Xavier could think about was one person.
Amara.
He hadn't apologized.
He hadn't thanked her.
He couldn't leave Eldeheim without doing both.
He walked to his study desk and slowly opened the bottom drawer.
Inside lay a small package wrapped neatly in brown paper.
It wasn't expensive.
Just a simple notebook with a blue ribbon tied around it. Tucked inside its first page was a handwritten note he had rewritten several times before finally settling on the words.
He stared at it for a long moment before carefully placing it inside his shoulder bag.
"I'll find you."
He whispered to himself.
"But I'm running out of time".
He listened carefully.
The hallway outside was quiet.
Slowly, he opened the bedroom door.
No one.
He stepped into the corridor, his heartbeat growing louder with every careful step.
Downstairs, the mansion was unusually peaceful.
Most of the servants were busy with their afternoon duties.
The opportunity couldn't have been better.
Keeping close to the walls, Xavier quietly made his way through the back corridor leading to the gardens.
The fresh breeze greeted him as he stepped outside.
He looked around.
No guards.
No Uncle Mark.
No Emilia.
He hurried across the lawn and reached the narrow service gate used by the gardeners.
He pushed it open just enough to slip through.
The metal gate clicked softly behind him.
He smiled.
He was free.
Without wasting another second, Xavier disappeared into the streets of Eldeheim.
Nearly an hour later...
Emilia climbed the staircase carrying a tray with a bowl of freshly prepared soup.
She stopped outside Xavier's bedroom.
"Xavier?"
She knocked gently.
There was no reply.
Thinking he had fallen asleep, she smiled to herself and slowly pushed the door open.
The smile disappeared instantly.
The room was empty.
The bed hadn't been slept in.
The window was open.
The curtains swayed gently in the afternoon wind.
Her heart skipped.
"Xavier?"
She searched the bathroom.
Nothing.
She checked the balcony.
Nothing.
The wardrobe.
Nothing.
The tray nearly slipped from her hands.
She rushed into the hallway.
"Uncle Mark!"
Her voice echoed through the mansion.
Uncle Mark emerged from the study almost immediately.
"What happened?"
"I... I can't find Xavier."
His expression changed.
"What do you mean?" He asked
"He's gone."
Without another word, Uncle Mark hurried upstairs.
He searched every corner of the bedroom himself.
Then the adjoining rooms.
Nothing.
He walked to the open window before noticing something else.
The side gate.
It could be seen clearly from the bedroom.
His heart sank.
He hurried downstairs.
"Search the estate!"
The once peaceful Cole residence exploded into motion.
Servants abandoned their work.
Gardeners dropped their tools.
Security guards spread across the compound.
Every room was searched.
The library.
The dining hall.
The guest rooms.
The gardens.
The storage buildings.
Nothing.
A security guard came running toward Uncle Mark.
"Sir!"
"The service gate..."
"It's open."
Silence fell.
Uncle Mark slowly closed his eyes.
"He's left the estate."
At that exact moment, the sound of a car stopping echoed through the front courtyard.
Sebastian Cole had returned.
He stepped inside the mansion and immediately sensed the tension.
His eyes swept across the frightened servants gathered in the entrance hall.
"What's going on?"
No one answered.
His voice became sharper.
"Where is Xavier?"
Uncle Mark stepped forward.
"We believe Young Master Xavier left the estate about an hour ago."
Sebastian's face darkened.
"For what reason?"
"We don't know, sir."
A heavy silence followed.
Then Sebastian gave his orders.
"Lock every gate."
"No one leaves this estate."
He turned to Uncle Mark.
"Take every available vehicle."
"I want every street in Eldeheim searched."
"The school."
"The market."
"The playground."
"Anywhere children gather."
"I don't care where."
"Find my son."
"Immediately."
"Yes, sir."
Within moments, engines roared to life.
Cars sped out of the Cole residence in every direction.
Meanwhile, completely unaware of the panic he had caused...
Xavier wandered through the streets of Eldeheim, clutching the strap of his bag.
He smiled to himself.
He had only one mission.
Find Amara.
Apologize.
Say thank you.
Then go home.
- Writer
