The Destined Queen

Chapter 23

*Emerson*

After I left Ashten and Winter at Rose's house, I came directly to the cemetery. I have come this far, might as well meet my mother, and then go back. For few seconds I tried to pretend being normal. That I am still alive, and have come so far to meet my mother's grave. " Hello mother. " I said, and sat down before her grave. I hope she is in good spirit realm. She was a Kind woman. And strong, too. Winter is so much like her. With that same light, that same kindness, and so strong. " Emerson! " I was hallucinating. I have been thinking about her so much, that now I am hearing her voice. I shook my head. " Emerson, Where are you? " I jerked up from my place. Winter is here! What is she doing here? I hurriedly patted the dust away from my pants. Wait. I am not human. I rolled my eyes, and walked out of the place. And there she was, panting hard. She was gasping for air. She ran here? I walked towards her but then she fainted. I wish I could hold her. I did hold her but with my magic. She was now floating in air. I brought her close to me and gently laid her on the ground. " Winter. " I called. She was unconscious. What will I do now? Should I transfer us back to her apartment? Yes. There I can wake her up with water. I took her up and transfer ourselves back to Reinshart. Her apartment. I laid her on the bed and brought some water. I sprinkled some water over her face. But she didn't wake up. I tried once more. But she was still unconscious. I paced around the room. I don't know what to do. I can't go to someone for help. But what was she doing in the cemetery? Did Something happen? Where is Ashten? Should I go to him? No. She will be left alone, then. What if she Wakes up, and gets scared or needs water? No. I can not leave her here, alone. So, I stayed. I flopped on the ground, and waited for her to wake up or someone to come.

*Ashten*

I searched for Rose for sometime. But then I got worried about Winter. I don't know why but I don't feel good. What if someone kidn*pped her? What if she fainted on the road? These thoughts made my legs sprint towards the direction she ran before. I ran and ran but I couldn't find her. She was nowhere to be found. And then I got a call from Gustin. He said he saw Rose and asked what he should do. I told him to bring her home and that I can't go now because Winter is missing. Thank Lord, Rose is fine. But Where is winter? Then it came to my mind. This is the way to the cemetery. Maybe she has gone there to find her. Maybe. Maybe she thought Rose wanted to see Maw. That's why she ran this way. Yes. It could be. So, I rushed towards the cemetery.

She wasn't there. I looked for her everywhere. I am also sure I heard a ghost whine about me disturbing his sleep. I flopped on the ground beside Maw's grave. " Where is she? " I whispered. I don't even know that she is in trouble. I should call her. Yes. Why didn't I think of that earlier? I took out my phone and dialled her number. I could hear the phone ring very clearly. It sounded.. Sounded like it's here. I turned and got up from my place. I walked to the sound. And almost near the bushes, I saw her phone flashing my name on it. Winter was here. I took the phone and tucked it in my pocket. I tugged at my hair. She was here. She was here. That means she is in trouble. Her phone is here and she isn't. She is in trouble. Why did I let her go alone? I groaned and pulled at my hair. Where will I find her? Then I got a call. Gustin again. I picked up the call. " She is in trouble. " I said, picking up the call. " Where are you now? " He asked. " I am at the cemetery. I picked up her phone from here. She was here, Gus. She was here. Her phone is here. But she isn't. " I said to my best friend. " Don't worry. We will find her. Maybe she went somewhere else to find Rose? " " I don't know, Man. I don't know. " " Ash, come back here. Take your car and then let's go find her. " He said. He has a point. My legs are going to be tired after sometime and I won't be able to search for her for long. " Okay. I am coming. " I walked back to Rose's house. What if some damned soul took her? Then I am never going to find her. Oh, Lord, Please let her be safe. Please protect her.

*Rose*

Oh no. Ashten said Winter's missing. I was in the car with Gustin. He said she and Ashten planned a surprise for me. And I ruined everything. I should have stayed home. But what can I do? Isaac begged me to come with him. I sneaked out from my room and I ran away. He was waiting in a car for me. He took me to the same Italian restaurant. Because I said that I loved the food there. And He brought beautiful Hydrangeas. But I like Orchids. Just like the ones Gustin has on his backseat. He said that the desserts and the flowers are for his friend. I wonder if that is his friend or girlfriend.Never mind. It's none of my business. And Winter is missing. I don't know where is she. Should I call her? I dialled her number quickly. But she didn't pick up. I tried again and again. But nothing. " Isn't she picking up? " Gustin asked. I shook my head no. " You should have stayed at home. " He sighed. I know. I know. Please, Winter, Be safe.

We arrived at my house and My parents rushed towards me. I saw my Mother's red eyes and I soon regretted more. Winter is missing and my mom cried. Because of me. All because of me. I am so stupid. My mother hugged me first and then asked me. " Where were you? " " I was.... I was..." I looked up at Gustin. " She was with her new boyfriend at a restaurant

." He said. I lowered my head. " Which restaurant

?" My father asked sternly. " At Reinshart." Gustin answered for me. Because I was no where near answering for myself. " Reinshart

?" My father barked. " Do you know how worried we were? How your mother cried for you? And you were with you boyfriend the whole time? " My father shouted at my face. I winced. " Uncle, Please. Now it is not the time. Winter is missing. " Gustin said. " What? " My father shouted. " She had gone to find Rose." My mother frowned. " Yes. But then she ran away from Ashten. In another way. And Now he can't find her. " Gustin said. My mother gasped. And My father groaned. " It's all your fault. Do you hear me? " He shouted. " Gerald, Stop. We need to find her. Call Ashten once more. Ask him if he did find her or not. " My mother said. Gustin nodded and dialled Ashten's number. Ash picked up after one ring. Ashten said something after picking up. And Gustin told Ashten to come back to take his car and then we will find her. That means He has not found her yet. Gustin hung up. " Ashten has got Winter's phone at the cemetery. But she is nowhere to be found. I told him to come back and take his car. " Gustin informed us. " Oh God. " My mother whispered. " Yes. Let's go, after Ashten comes here. Maybe she has lost her phone while searching for this wretched girl. " My father said. " Yes. Probably. I hope that's what has happened. " My mother said, nodding.

After a while, Ashten came back. He looked at me and frowned at my dress. I was still wearing that beautiful dress which Isaac had given me yesterday as a gift. " Where were you? " He asked. " Let's talk about that later. We need to find Winter. Take the car. And we will take mine and search for her. Let's spread out. Maybe she has lost her phone while searching for Rose. " Gustin said. " Maybe. " Ashten whispered, his voice seemed dry. " Let's go, Boys. " My father said. " I want to go. " I said quietly. Gustin turned to me and said, " You have done enough. " His words struck me at my heart. I backed away from them. My father didn't say anything as he followed Ashten outside. Gustin soon followed them. I couldn't control myself. Soon tears started pouring from my eyes. My mother held me and said soothing words. " Sshhh..She is okay. It's not you fault. " She whispered. " It is. She planned a surprise for me. And I just wasn't there. And now she could be in trouble. " I cried, hugging my mother. Winter, Please be safe. I am sorry.

* Gustin*

Goodness, We searched everywhere. Everywhere in this town. She was no where. This was supposed to be a great night. But it turned out horrible. It was no one's fault that Winter has gone missing. Not even Rose's. I shouldn't have told her those things. I shouldn't have snapped at her. I kept the desserts and the flowers at her house. It's hers, after all.

After a while of searching with Uncle Gerald, I got a call from Ashten. Winter is at her apartment. Oh for God's sake. These girls. She fainted at the cemetery and Emerson took her back. Winter called him and told him herself. " What is it? " Rose's father asked. " Winter is in hospital. She fainted while at the cemetery. And a guy was there. He took her to the hospital. " I said. I couldn't tell him about Emerson. The sensible thing was to say that someone took her to the hospital. " So, let's go there. " He said. " Ashten is going there. He told us to go back home. Winter is awake and fine. The doctors have discharged her. She herself called Ashten and told him to pick her up from the hospital. " I told him. " Okay. He is bringing her to our house, Right? She is in this town? " He asked. " No, Uncle. He is taking her back to her apartment." " Why? It's so far away. " Rose's father asked, frowning. " Yes. But she wants to go back to her apartment.She wants to rest. " I said. " Maybe she is angry with Rose. " " Trust me. Winter will never be angry with her. She is going to bite her head off.Yes.But mad at Rose? Nuh uh. " I said. Uncle Gerald chuckled. " You know them well. " " Yes. Of course. Maybe we weren't that good of friends. But Winter and Rose are Ashten's friends. Ashten always used to talk about his two epic best friends. I hoped to get best friends like Winter and Rose, though. " " You got Ashten. " He said. " Yes. I am lucky to have him. " And Rus. We three were so close. Until those evil damned souls came and tore him apart. I gripped the wheel tightly. " Okay. Let's go back. Listening to you, reminded me that Winter indeed can not be mad at Rose. And Ashten said she is fine and she wants to go back to her apartment

.So, We should go back. " He said. I nodded and turned the car around. I am glad Winter is safe. She is in her apartment. But why did she faint? Just because she was tired? We will get to know after she comes to us and tell us everything. Till then I have to lie to them. I have to inform Winter about this lie, too. Else if she tells another lie to them, They are going to be sceptical about it.

Sighing, I drove fast and as careful as I could. I still need to wish Rose happy birthday. And I will intentionally leave the desserts and the flowers there. She will think I forgot that. And then I will tell her to keep it. Good idea. I hope she likes what I baked for her and the flowers. She needn't know that I worked hard to give her the desserts. But I just wish that her birthday goes well. After all these disasters and people scolding her, I really wish that her rest of the day goes well.