Elevate

Gone by Day

AT EVERDEEN’S RESIDENCE: BEFORE THE ATTACK

CARMILLA EVERDEEN’S POV

I ran flat to my Dad’s office. I didn’t mind to knock and opened the way swiftly. I was expecting that he was discussing something with Trench, but to my dismay, he was latched with his paper works. Holding his silver pen,e his thick lensed glasses fit him so well. He was reading something in his notes. And when I caught his radar, he slowly raised his head to eye me. A sneer was suddenly painted on his face.

“Hello, dear. It’s nice to notice you again here. How was your quest?” He attentively asked and positioned the pen on the side of his massive papers. He clamped both of his hands and waited for my reaction.

His hair had now turned into grey and someway he had attained weight the last time I saw him. Well, it took me almost three weeks for me to trace the one who has information about the flower. I knew that it was so important to him. It was history that he’s seeking and the more we excavate into it, the things are getting viler.

I glimmered back at Dad and countered, “It’s okay, Dad.”

“Did you find the person who has the flower?”

“Hmmm…Yes and no. I already have a link to where she is right now. And, I’m sure that the moment I’ll see her, I will be able to recognize her.” I said firmly.

He wiped his chin and thought for a while. “If that’s the case, then you should have come now with the flower.”

A whack was unexpectedly attended and the entrance had promptly embarked for us to observe Trench. Just like Dad, he had also gained loads but more to that, his body was getting fitter each and every day. He tapered his eyes to me and didn’t bother to take a greeting. He’s as cold as ever since then, we don’t click. Even that we’re able to fight with him before, there’s something off about Trench that I don’t even want to know.

He's the right hand of Dad currently, but somehow he doesn’t have any strength to protect my father. What’s so special about him anyway?

“Good morning, Sir. I have sent those messages to the Newsman. By this day, he’ll be able to given them to the top ground.”

“That’s good to hear, Trench. Thank you.”

“The joy is mine. Is there anything that you want to ask?”

“No. You may go.”

The man has precipitously bowed his head to him and headed directly outside the office without peering over me again. I took a puff as I heard Dad ridded his throat. “Do you have anything to say, dear?”

“If you’re going to have the flower, Dad…What are you going to do with it?”

“I’m leaving to put it in the right place…” He said, not bothering to look at me but rather on his sheets.

“Okay…I’ll continue to scour for it.”

“You should. If you can’t make it tonight, then I would have Trench to be the one to go for it. Do you understand?” His voice suddenly became staid.

I bit my nails and wriggled my hands. “Okay. I’ll make sure that I’ll do it today.”

“Sure.”

“I’ll go now, Dad.” I asked permission from him and he merely nodded.

I left his office and advanced to my cabin and enclosed it. I immediately changed my clothes and slumped myself on my mattress. I'm exhausted. Taking several blinks, I peered over the canopy and snatched some comfort before I go to offer back a thing to the old man.

___

I gazed at it on my palm, trying to figure out what’s inside the box. It's just been twenty minutes when I reached. I know that it’s not for me, but the curiosity had been crippling around like I was its cat. I took a gulp and tapped the opening of it. I aspired around, waiting for the Butcher to arrive. Cody didn’t report for this day, so I have to tell his other part-time assistant that I’m here. The lights flickered with the beat as those dancers were roaming on the platform, preparing every detail for their tonight’s show. Every minute, it felt like someone is going to enter the club to have some entertainment.

I sipped my glass of water. Not that I don’t want to drink heavy ones, but because I wanted to be alert. A man in his fifties suddenly entered. He was wearing his top hat twained with his snugged dusky blue sleeves and cords. He hovered in my site as his shoes made those dabbing sounds on the surface. His beard had grown lanky, in abled him to tie it as he wore those heavy accessories around his neck and ears. It looked like he’s an old client of the Butcher. He rang the bell and settled beside.

“What are you doing here, lady? It looks like your father is not so strict with you lately.” He asked with his low, raspy voice.

I glanced at him. “I have a mission to take now. You don’t have to give a comment about it.”

“I see. Well, cheers to your new quest and I hope you’ll be able to seek what you wanted to see.” He answered.

“Why don’t you come with me and join? It’s not bad.” I offered.

The man chuckled. “I’ve got no interest in fighting for someone’s group. It’s better to live like this.”

“So are you saying that you’re contented on how your life is going right now?”

He shook his head. “No one would ever want to stay in the same place for too long, dear. What’s unseen is juvenile in our own eyes and what’s unfolded already came into reality for us to realize that it was real. We should mind our own business now."

“But the city needs you…still.”

“Maybe my services are beneficial to the place, but as a person, do they really need me? I think the law is what they needed the most and I guessed your father is on it right now.”

“You seemed agitated with that thing. Do you really want to do this?”

“It’s my decision, Carmilla. You have to deal with it.” He uttered, finishing the last amount of his drink. He placed the empty glass on the counter and plopped his hat well. “It’s nice meeting you, again.” He glanced over the box that I was holding. “You should give that to the man. Let’s see each other soon when the time will let us.”

He bowed his head a bit and took his leave. I looked at him enacted the crowd in the dance floor.

“Leovander…” I whispered his name.

I turned my focus on the music box that the Era had given me. I needed to give it to Mr. Butch somehow. Dabbing my fingers once again, I decided to reveal what’s inside. Curiosity had killed me. There was a small girl in the middle. I tried to play it but I thought that it was broken. There was a sheet in it and I read half of the letter. It was intently for Mr. Butch from the Informant!

I thought that the music box was just an ordinary one, not until I tilted it to see its foundation. There was a small compartment attached to it. I slowly pulled it out and there was another paper for me to see with a small flat whistle. I slowly took it and immediately unfolded it and there I saw a message that’s not mostly intended to the Butcher.

Favia, you might be needing this somehow to calm your soul. I don’t get any chance to visit you now, so if ever, in the lightest amount of hope, I wish that this thing will be in your hands. Thank you for helping us during the time that we needed you the most to keep the flower.

Best regards,

Informant

I heard the kitchen’s door flung and witnessed the Butcher making his way out as both of his hands were holding a tray up in his head filled with steak and barbecues. I immediately folded it on its original form and put it back. He looked at me, but he didn’t see what I have done and moved to the first table where a group of five persons settled down and having their talk. I could hear my heart thumped so hard, and my breathing became shallow. I needed to compose myself. He placed the trays on top of their table and moved to the other one beside it and positioned the remaining one. He’s lively as ever and you can’t tell that he doesn’t enjoy his work. I was somehow grateful when Dad offered him a new spot and now it was clearly seen that he loved it.

He went back to accommodate me and moved to the stool.

“I didn’t expect you to come over here in this moment. I thought you’re in a journey.”

“No. I’m for good right now. Also, I brought you something that you wanted to see.”

I slowly placed the box on top of the counter. He was surprised when he grasp it's form, picking it. He turned the box to the side and unfastened. Taking the piece of paper, he scanned the letter that was from Mr. Elikai. I waited for him to finish and kept my silence.

I saw him shed a tear as soon as he put it back inside. He brushed his finger through the doll and offered a feeble smile. Mr. Butch intentionally gawked at me and chatted, “This is a gift that he wanted to give to my child…”

“I see...so, it was supposed to be for Trixie.”

“How did you get this thing?”

“Guilbert and the others visited his place and found it.”

“Oh, so they did succeeded with that.”

“I guessed so…” I scratched my head. “I just went here to give that to you.”

“Thank you…”

I wanted to ask him something, but I chose to keep it for myself. Even so that they knew who it was that got the flower right now, I do not want him to get involve with my quest. Instead, I inquired about his relationship with his Trixie.

“Did you get time to talk to her?” I asked.

“I wanted it too…I’m planning to go to your place this week again to settle things with her, will that be okay for you?”

I giggled at him and bounced. “Of course, as long as you will reconcile with your daughter and explain things to her. I know that Trixie will somehow understand why you needed to do that.”

“I hope so…”

I erected from my seat and patted my clothes. His place is now getting full with his devoted customers. “I needed to go now. I don’t want to get much attention with the people here.” I chuckled a bit.

“Yeah. Thank you for this.”

“No worries. I’ll get in touch with you these coming days. Take care, Mr. Butch.” I waved my hand to him and started to walk around the crowd.

“Likewise, Carmilla.”

When I took my leave, I saw him staring straight to the box and thinking of something. For sure, he wanted to give it too to Trixie in behalf of his old acquaintance. The Butcher and the Informant, clearly a representation of what true friendship is – that no matter what will happen, whether they're near or far or don’t see each other, they still looked for one another and don’t forget. What they have was truly a special thing to cherish. I respect them.

“I should get one too…well, maybe I already did…the Era.” I whispered to myself.

I went back to the ground floor to search. Time is running and I don't want to waste it. After all that I put much effort into tracting who it was, she was just so near that I didn’t even recognize her. I passed through the gate and didn’t bother to wipe my own sweat. It was getting dark to sunset. I have to hurry and uncover her. There are a lot of things that I wanted to ask Favia.

I wanted to know why they needed to keep it with her and why didn’t she tell us everything. Something is off. I was busy scuttling with my thoughts, when someone nudged me by the shoulder. He was wearing his shady brine, hooded suit that has a pin of an eagle’s eye on his right chest. He slowly rose his stare to repent, but I couldn’t see his face clearly. It was covered with his mask.

“I’m sorry.” He said almost in a whimper and he didn’t want to have an eye contact with me and immediately left without letting me give him a response. I watched him as he walked away and crossed the street, heading straight to the Long Range Fountain. I shrugged and just let it be.

Going to the market was just an easy task. I am now using my strength to keep myself invisible. It’s better to be like this than to attract others especially those who’re not acquaintances. I saw those stores lining up in lanes. Some were swamped with their conversation, others were just buying their goods to sustain themselves. There were two women clothed in their extensive lacy dress, walking in my direction. Their boots were swabbing the ground making a continuous sound. Their soft jitters were heard as they discussed about Embreal. They’re still talking about how the devious and dominant Penelope Hamington ended up in the forest and locked. No wonder that they couldn’t still believe because the woman had put so much heights on her name that anyone would hear it will take a step back.

They were somehow mocking her situation. When they completely passed me, I went straight to the last corner of it. It’s six in the evening and the road was now empty; the stores were closed. The owners left to rest in their houses. The only store that’s still open was the last one. The lights were on and I could see a shadow moving from the inside. I hurriedly went to it to see her, but as soon as I stepped in her mart, I was chilled from what I inferred. Cold air scrubbed me as my heart pounded. I rushed to her and my bases touched the fresh crimson blood slowly filling the surface. She was catching her own breath as she lied achingly on the floor. Her hand was clasping the wound on her chest. She just spitted blood.

“Favia!…” I shouted out her name.

She slowly opened her eyes and gawked me. I plopped her head on my lap. I didn’t care if my hands and clothes will be tainted by her blood. She held my hand and uttered something. I moved immediate to her and bent myself to hear it clearly. I called for support, hoping that anyone would hear me but the street was empty…it was empty that no one had come to help us…

“I-I remembered it a-all…I can now r-remembered who they are…B-Butch and E-Elikai….G-Go…to V-Vixen. She has the flower…” She coughed more blood and its rushing through her neck. I couldn’t help but to cry as I watched her.

My heart was clenched. “W-Why….W-Who did this to you?” I shakenly asked her.

She slowly moved her finger, dragging it on her own blood on the bottom and pointed something. My eyes traveled to it and there I saw the pin. I picked it up and when I tilted it to see it's face, I recognized the same image I perceived when the man poked me in the street.

I clenched my hand and bit my brim.

“T-Tell me…Who is it?”

I began to heal her using my other strength, but it wasn’t helping at all. Her wound isn’t healing. I cried more when desperation hit me hard. I can’t let her die. I just can’t!

I let it out using my strength. Her store was glowing immensely with my light. I closed my eyes and poured it all, but slowly I felt a cold, soft hand placed on mine. She slowly tapped it as she closed to tread. “I-It’s okay now, C-Carmilla…” Her voice was coarse.

“N-No it isn’t. You’re going to make it…I-I’ll help you. I’ll heal you. Just stay still and everything will be alright…I-It will be alright.” I said to her. Even though I’m trying to keep myself calm, my hands were shaking.

She gave me a hazy smile even though she’s suffering. “I-I’m…glad that you’re here…Y-You should go now. W-We…W-We know that it’s pointless…to save me.” She explained. Her eyes were now tired. “I-I’ll be okay. Y-You should go to V-Vixen...”

I cried so hard as I held her hand tight on my chest. She slowly heaved her head and cupped my cheek. “P-Please save the flower…”

She slowly sloped her sight and let herself rest…a nap that will take longer than before – forever…I hugged her tight. My light began to fade away until it stopped healing. I wiped off my eyes and gradually pulled from the hug. I rose and tried to reconcile myself by taking an intense drag. Everything is getting vast lately and I don’t even know how long I will be able to handle this. Deep inside my soul quivered…I’m scared.

I decided to carry her body and moved it inside her office. Even though I wanted to give her a proper burial, time is running out and there’s more important. This is hurting me. I temporarily placed Favia on her bed and covered her with the sheets. I promised her that I’ll be back by morning and that time, I’ll take the others with me. I put on the courage that I needed to brace myself. I looked at her once again. She’s sleeping soundlessly. I shed tears as I slowly closed to leave. Before I stepped outside, I made sure that I clench the pin that she got from the felon.

This time, I’ll hunt you down for good and I’ll make sure that you’ll rot beneath the grounds.

I paced down the alleys and went directly to Era with a heavy heart.