The Elusive Prince

Chapter 21: Back to School

Merideth

After that press conference, the Military Police of Kaia, extensively tried to figure out the motive behind the attack. Although for now they were unsuccessful, they did manage to capture a lot of their members so it's only a matter of time before one of them cracks.

Meanwhile, I was recuperating in the hospital, with some visits from my family and classmates. Some of them, who were just mentally scarred and not physically, were already back to school, while me, Reagan, and Cassian was still in the hospital.

Sir Hexford had to stay in for a few days too, since he did have broken limb from when he fought one of the attackers, but overall he was fine.

Tuesday rolled around quite fast and it was already our last day in the hospital. I know we didn't really suffer that much damage physically, maybe except Reagan that suffered from an asthma attack, but they had to really make sure we were alright before letting us back into school. Also given the fact, especially in my case, if the media even managed to catch a glimpse of me I'd probably be swarmed with questions because it seems that info broke out that I had a close encounter with the criminals.

Yander did damage control when it did break out but the media still wanted my statement and insights with the event. Thankfully, the Council stepped in and managed to dissuade them from bothering me, as well as the other victims and their family member, with threats of imprisonment if they managed to catch them on the act. This stopped them alright and now I have less worries about the whole thing.

Really, can they be any more inconsiderate? I mean we just got back from a terrorist attack and the memory is still fresh in our minds and they want me to retell it again? What if it brings up trauma? (not really in my case but still) Tsk...the media doesn't really think that much.

Currently, Mother was hugging me and fussing over me as I was about to head back to school again. Father was talking to the guards that he hired for me. I told them it was not necessary, but they just countered it with, "You could've seriously gotten hurt Mori. At least give us a little reassurance that someone can protect you while you're away from us. Also they won't be following you around all the time. They'll be in your shadow when you're away from Irini so you won't even know they were there."

I almost spat out that there was someone protecting me from the shadows already without me noticing but remembered that they didn't have a slightest clue about Cloud's involvement with this or with me, so I just kept my mouth shut and begrudgingly accepted the "extra protection".

Currently I was waiting for Reagan, who I would be going back with. Cassian and Sir Hexford already went ahead yesterday because Cassian only got grazed with a bullet and Sir Hexford insisted that he go back to school already before Luna breaks something and he ends up with more problems. Personally I just think he was bored sitting all day in the hospital bed and misses the chaos of our class. He was a big softie, he just doesn't want to admit it.

When Reagan did arrive, with his attendant Tobias in tow, I kissed Mother and Father on the cheek one last time before reassuring them that I would look after myself and let the guards do their job.

Hailey also had one last conversation with Mother and Father with hushed whispers, as if scared I'll hear. I'm sure it was Hailey telling them that she will do her job properly this time (not like she didn't already. She was more than amazing in her job but I know she was still blaming herself with what happened to me somehow). They parted though with Mother giving her a fond smile and Father ruffling her hair a little bit which made Hailey relax a bit. I'm sure they just told her that it wasn't her fault and they know she will do her best.

I got in the car that already has Reagan on it, who already said goodbye to his parents yesterday when they came to visit him. I just smiled at him and he did the same as we waited for Hailey to get in.

When she did though, the engine started revving to life indicating the start of our drive back . I gave my worried parents one last flying kiss before the car started moving and beginning our journey back to Irini.

We spent the remaining minutes of our drive in silence as we all busy ourselves with different stuff. I had my earphone on as I look into the greenery that we pass on the way back to school. Just looking at the passing blur of trees is oddly calming for me and was making me drowsy so I decided to rest my eyes a bit.

I spent the rest of the ride with eyes closed until Hailey shook my shoulders gently as I take in the big gate of Irini Alliance opening for us. I straightened up and stopped listening to music as we enter.

The school was empty, save for a few staff going around. We decided to head back a few minutes before curfew so we wouldn't have to deal with the onslaught of many concerned schoolmates if we went a little earlier than this. As much as we didn't suffer from trauma (I hope so), it was still tiring to be surrounded by so many people at once trying to check if we really are okay. Thankfully it was agreed that we head back late in order to avoid that.

We started walking to our dorm again, this time I striked a conversation with Reagan. Reagan was very shy in nature and doesn't talk that much but he was still fun to talk to so the walk back was rather fun, well as fun as hushed conversations can get.

When we did arrive back, as expected the living room was already empty, save for Sir Hexford clearly waiting for us. He let us log in and just gave the both of us one run through before saying goodbye and telling us to go sleep.

I said goodbye to Reagan, who only gave me a timid smile, as he and Tobias go their side of the dorm. Me and Hailey did the same too and walked as quietly as possible to our joint room.

When we did arrive, I asked Hailey to prepare my bath. I wanted to soak in the bathtub for a few minutes to ease of the tension of just lying in bed for days. She complied and ran my bath. After making sure the bath was to my satisfaction, she left me in the tub to relax while she excused herself to her room to take her bath too. I just waved her off with a smile and sunk further into the warm bubbled water.

I laid there for a few minutes, just letting myself forget about everything other than the sweet scent of the roses filtering my nose and the warm feeling of the water soaking my skin as it eases the tension from my body away.

I didn't know how long I just laid there but after a few minutes or so, Hailey came back into the room, carrying my robe and setting it down into the side. She then offered to wash my hair and seeing as I was too comfortable to move, I let her.

She calmly massaged my hair, which was very nice, and rinsed it. After that, I decided that it's best to get to bed already so I waved her off again and told her to go back to her own room so I can rinse in the shower. She just bowed and went out the bathroom with a curt goodnight and headed back into her own room. I rinsed and put on the robe as go dry my hair. I then changed into my pajamas and got into bed and just laid there, waiting for sleep to come get me.

While waiting for myself to fall into deep sleep, I couldn't help but wonder how Kazimer was doing. He did get his shoulders shot, so I wonder what happened to him after he decided to knock me out cold.

Hmmm...I guess I'll ask him when we meet again because I was certain that we will, soon...

And with that one final thought I fell asleep.