Hidden Paradise

18

“KIRA” they all exclaimed which made the girl a bit confused and surprised “Hey” she awkwardly approached them when Elena suddenly hugged her “Where’s Diana? Have you seen Oliver? Where are the others?” Alex immediately flooded her with questions.

Kira looked scared and confused, taking a step back each time. “The others are fine and OH! I also saw Oliver’s boat along with them yesterday” She excitingly announced. They let out a sigh of relief, the news sounded like music to their ears.

“But…where’s Athena?” She looks around them but couldn’t find her. “Oh, don’t worry she stayed on the boat” Kira’s yellow eyes lit up with joy “Come on, let’s go fetch her. I’m sure the others would be delighted to hear about this”

“ATHENA” Kira opened her arms and ran towards her. Athena lets out a sigh of relief as the two hugged each other. A stench came but it was probably because none of hem had proper hygiene for the past few days. “I’m so glad you’re okay” She smiled at her.

Athena tried to reciprocate as she saw Amaris. Kira’s smile had something mixed in it other than happiness and she was sure about it. “The others are probably waiting, let’s go” they happily nod their head, forgetting the fact that they argued not too long ago.

“You know, I was a bit surprised when I saw Oliver looking lost.” She laughs a bit “He looked so worried but it’s fine him and the rest had a great time together” Athena became interested.

“Really? Where did you guys stay?”

“Oh, at a near by village we saw. Nothing special much” they walked along side the rived, encountering a few trees whose branches became twirly and tangled with each other.

The louder river filled the silence as they were too busy talking towards each other.

Athena couldn’t move on on how weird Kira has been acting. It must have been my lack of sleep. Was her first excuse. She didn’t have enough evidence about her claim. I mean, we’ve only met each other a few days back…of course I didn’t know her well. SO how can I judge her?

Athena shakes it off as they made their way. They had to cross the river a few times to get going. It seemed endless.

“Kira, let’s take a break” Elena pants while she finds a rock to sit sat, careful enough not to slip.

“Oh…okay” Kira stopped on her tracks “We’re almost here though” she mumbles, approaching them. “Oh yeah, how did you guys end up here?” Alex sent a glare towards Elena. Fortunately, she wasn’t able to catch it.

“Well, after we couldn’t see you guys, we got lost for a while and uh…we somehow found this island” She tries to avoid their eye contact, distracted by the nature. “Good thing you guys are safe though” Kira slowly nods her head “Yeah…good thing” her eyes again diverts back to the tall trees that stood before them.

Something is definitely off…deja vu? Perhaps… Athena looked around

Finally, They felt relived as they saw the familiar faces they thought they lost. “Half of them aren’t here though” Kira saddened her voice, referring to the ones that Lady Bituin probably held captive.

“DIANA” Athena rejoiced. Diana turned around and ran towards them, giving them a big hug once more. “I miss you guys so much”

“we missed you too” Amaris smiles

Athena slowly turns her head to Alex, who happen to have to find them suspicious too. Warmth.

That was missing when Diana hugged them. She also repeated the same words when they arrived at school. But…this time, warmth was missing and a stench took over her too.

She observes them…SOMETHING is going on…right? Athena could feel it in her guts “hey, how are you” She looks up to see Oliver “Been fine. I worried a bit” She smiles, sincerely at him. “Just a bit?” he teases, pouring her a drink of water.

“No…a lot actually. But I’m glad you guys are back, yeah” A fang shaped tooth stood out as Oliver smiles a bit at her confession. She smirks a bit, knowing TOO well it couldn’t be Oliver.

“Aren’t you thirsty?” He motions to her untouched cup of water “oh…not really”

‘Both Oliver and Alex had perfectly straight teeth…they wore braces for almost 5 years’ Athena took a mental note. Her senses seemed to be more sensitive than usual.

“How were you and the others though?” She raises her eyebrow “Well…it was kind of scary at first but then-“

Athena continued to nod her head, acting like she was interested. She was never the type to memorize someone’s habit but her face slowly fell expressionless as she stared at him.

Whenever I would ask a question, I’d raise my eyebrows and he’d do the same if he answers; Oliver never rattles when telling risky adventures or experiences, he always start it with a light laugh

Out of the corner of his eye was Jason. His hand created gestures as he talks…which never happens whenever he talks to them. She took every single thing her friends had done that she’d never seen before.

“So yeah…it was like that” Oliver finished telling his story and proceeded to take a drink “Hm…how did you and Diana find each other?” She asked question after question. She needed him to keep talking

“Oh hey by the way” She interrupts him in the middle of his story telling “Have you seen Haruki?” Oliver’s eyes widen, unaware what to say “No…not really”

“You wouldn’t mind If I go and try to find him, right?” Athena stood up while Oliver avoids her gaze and nods his head. “Bye” and with that, she left.

“I need Amaris…right now” Athena finds her best friend happily talking with Kira. Wait. She stops and thought of another solution. I need to remind Elena first as of why we’re here…

“Captain” She clears her throat “We should erm..try to FINISH our mission, don’t you think so?” she eyed her as Elena excuses herself “Look kid, I saw some on my friends that I haven’t met after a long decade. Now don’t worry about the mission. We already found your friends so don’t worry about it” Elena pats on her shoulder and went back.

“HEY! I HAVE AN IDEA” Kira announced way too loud for their liking “Since you guys found us, and we found you too… How about we throw a small fiesta for the night?!” The crowd cheers along with her.

Kira shyly smiled at them, acting as if she didn’t know that everyone would hear it

“Don’t you think it’s too much…I mean, we still have a mission after all” She whispers next to Alex, who was too busy playing with the chocolate fountain with Amaris.

“Well I think that we should wait a bit more time. Plus, it’s a break and we should be happy Specially you, since I’m pretty sure you’ve lack sleep for a few days now” Alex lets out a light chuckle.

“Don’t you think it would be so fun?” She could hear Diana getting all excited about it