Chapter 15
1182 Words
(Andy)
"Andy, they want you to go."
I was still confused but even more so, I was beginning to feel angry.
"Woah, woah, woah, Gus. You know I can't just do that. What about Yann? I am not just gonna leave Yann here!?"
My voice was getting shrill and I could feel my body begin to shake slightly. I don't know who they think they are, making that decision for me! I may run their damn medical school but I am first and foremost a mother. What were they thinking??
Magnus could feel me shaking so he rested a hand on my shoulder with his other hand still on my hip.
"Andy, I will leave you to it. I have a few things I need to see to now as well."
I looked up briefly into his face that was still super close to mine and he gave me a reassuring smile.
"I will see you tomorrow and we can talk then."
With that, he squeezed my shoulder, nodded to the other two and left.
I immediately missed his warm touch and heavenly smell but I wasn't finished being angry.
We walked back into my office and Gus took a seat in front of my desk, gesturing for me to sit as well.
I hesitated but obliged. I didn't want to be a spoiled brat, no matter how upset I was.
"Gus, I'm not leaving my boy," I said, shaking my head.
Calli stood behind me, arms crossed and staring at Gus. She seemed just as annoyed as I was.
"I told them you would say that. So they said to take Yann with you. You are the only one that can do this Andy - they don't want anyone else."
"Take Yann with me?"
The thought never even crossed my mind.
"But the trip there would be dangerous? And who would run the school while I'm gone?"
"You have the Archivio's elite with you, if you haven't noticed already. Your friend Magnus and his team are the best at what they do. The Vargul even seem to be afraid of them or so I've heard.
And to answer your other concern - it would be Calliope."
I turned to look at my friend and she seemed frozen in place with a strange look on her face. It almost looked as if she was afraid?
Calli? Afraid?
But it made sense. Calli knew everything I knew and would be perfect for the job as she basically looked after the recruits anyway.
But I knew my friend well. The only reason she would hesitate was because this was a big responsibility.
"Calli? Are you okay?"
She turned to look at me but her eyes didn't really see me until I called her again.
"Sorry, yeah yeah I'm okay. Um Gus, when does Andy have to get back to you by? And how long will they be away for?"
"You have until the end of the day to confirm your spot in the team then they leave in a few days. And they aim to be there for a month or two. I'm really sorry Andy, I should have found you earlier." Gus looked down at the floor and I immediately felt guilty.
It wasn't his fault and I was being so hard on him for it. My heart broke just thinking of how I treated him just now.
I let out a sigh and pulled Calli into my lap. She looked a little lost and I knew she needed some love too.
"Let me talk to Yann first. When we have discussed it, I will come by tonight with our answer.
And I'm sorry I yelled at you…" I said apologetically, looking down.
Gus looked back up and stood, coming around to give us a hug.
"That's okay, dear. I know how much of a curveball that was."
"Curve ball?"
"It's a term from a sport that was played pre-fall...oh nevermind, you get the idea," and he rolled his eyes once he saw us look even more confused.
We all settled back into some seats and Calli made sure to lock the door.
"Right before we forget, what did you ladies find out earlier today?"
Calli reached into her pocket and pulled out the small scrap of paper and held it out to Gus.
He took it, scanning the contents as his brow furrowed.
"I don't understand? You found this today? Amongst the mess?"
We both nodded, looking between us.
"Do you remember anything about my parents Gus that may provoke someone to do this? I've tried thinking back but to be honest, I can only just remember their faces," I said sadly.
He stayed silent, deep in thought, trying hard to remember something so I turned to Calli.
"Why would someone look in my office for something from my parents? I mean, like, they have been gone 12 years and who knows who used the office before me?"
Calli was walking around the room, trying to find a hidden compartment but came up empty. "Well, do we know who used it before you?"
"Yes. This was actually your... father's office back then." Gus spoke slowly and I could almost see the gears in his head whirring and clicking.
He seemed like he was talking more to himself rather than us and he stood abruptly.
"Wait wait wait. What if? No no, it can't be. Noone knows about it except me. But what if?"
Gus was rambling and was starting to freaking us out.
"Gus! Snap out of it! What are you talking about? Tell us!" Calli snapped.
He stopped and looked at us, wide eyed. Before we could stop him, he was out the door and scrambling down to his office. It was a couple of hallways over and as we ran, Gus kept looking around to see if anyone was following us.
This immediately put Calli and I into defence mode and I thanked the Lord that I took off those ridiculous skirt and heels.
We made it to his office and as Gus unlocked the door, Calli thought she saw someone turn the corner so she ran off to investigate.
Gus hurriedly crossed his office to the wooden waist-high cabinet behind his desk and pushed the giant encyclopaedias aside.
He slowly pushed the back wall of the cabinet to the left, revealing a neat little wooden door built into the wall.
Using his keys, he unlocked the door and swung it open. There inside were 3 old filing boxes.
He sighed with relief but as he pulled them out, confusion overtook his face.
The boxes were too light.
Just as Calli walked in empty handed and shut the door, Gus pulled the lids off to reveal empty boxes.
He sat there staring at them for a while, not moving.
"Gus? Are you okay? Can you please tell us what's going on?"
"It's gone. They've taken it," he said, his eyes as wide as saucers.
"What's gone Gus? What have they taken??"
"Your fathers research. They have taken everything."
- Writer
