Falter

"Hey Snow, how's the ocular going?" I asked.

"Its going great!" Snow said. "This is so exciting! AAAAAAAAA!" I watched her through the laptop screen as she started running around while screaming. A person passed Snow and she suddenly grabbed them and started screaming happily at them. She's too excited, I thought.

"Snow!" I said.

"Uhm, Snow," I heard Oceanna say. She appeared from the left of the screen and ran towards Snow.

"Snow, stop that," Oceanna said. "Don't scream at people." Snow let go of the person. The person fixed their clothes and walked away. Oceanna was bowing at them the whole time.

"Sorry!" Snow said. Oceanna put her hands on Snow's shoulders.

"Since you have so much energy," Oceanna said. "Can you go look for Asterion?"

"Sure thing!" Snow said. "AAAAAA! The event is getting so much closer!" Oceanna shook Snow.

" Yes it is," Oceanna said. "You've been saying that since this morning.

"I can't help it," Snow said.

"But I really need you to look for Asterion," Oceanna said.

"Right," Snow said. "Be right back!" Snow ran to the right and disappeared from the screen.

"Thanks Oceanna," I said. She sighed.

"That felt so weird," Oceanna said. "I don't like telling people what to do. I wish Virginia was here." She walked closer to the camera.

"Yeah," I said. "It was weird seeing you like that. You did good though."

"Thanks," Oceanna asked. "How is Virginia?"

"Her fever hasn't gone down since she passed out," I said. "It makes sense, she experienced something traumatic." I stretched my body and leaned on the sofa.

"Poor Flounder," Oceanna said.

"Yeah," I said.

"Who would want to kidnap a sweet person like them though?" Oceanna asked.

"I don't know," I said.

"You reported this to the police already right?" Oceanna asked.

"Yesterday morning," I said.

"Anything?" Oceanna said.

"Nothing," I said.

"Hope they're safe and that they find them soon," Oceanna said. I nodded.

"Found him!" I heard Snow's voice from off the screen. She appeared on the screen slowly, dragging Asterion.

"You can let go of me now," Asterion said.

"Hey," Oceanna said.

"Hey," I said and waved my hand.

"So what do you need me for?" Asterion asked while dusting himself. "Snow said it was important."

"Oh," Oceanna said. She looked at me. I shook my head.

"Hey guys!" I heard someone off screen say. I felt the hairs on my body stand. Snow, Oceanna, and Asterion looked to the left. Shit, I thought.

"Hi Maxine," Snow said.

"Hi Ms. Liu," Oceanna said.

"Hello Ms. Liu," Asterion said.

"What are you guys doing here?" I heard Maxine ask.

"We're double checking stuff with Dos," Oceanna said.

"Where?" I heard Maxine say. Oceanna pointed at me. She moved a bit to the right to make space. I sat up. Maxine's face appeared from the the left corner.

"Hi Dos!" Maxine said.

"Hi Maxine," I said. "Sorry again for not being there."

"Its fine," Maxine said. "I hope your friend is doing better."

"Not yet," I said. "But hopefully soon."

"By the way," Maxine said. "Where are your other friends?"

"We're not actually sure," Asterion said.

"There was an argument that split us and it seems they're still mad," Oceanna said. "We have been trying to contact them but they're not answering." She glanced at me. I shook my head.

"Awww," Maxine said. "I'm sorry to hear that. I hope they can come soon. We need all the man power we can get for this event."

"I'm sure they'll come around soon," Snow said. "They always do."

"Yup," I said. "They do." A phone vibrated.

"Sorry," Maxine said. "That's mine." She grabbed her phone from her pocket.

"I need to go," Maxine said. "Robert is looking for me and Asterion." What? I thought. Shit, fuck! Asterion can't be alone with Maxine.

"No!" I shouted. Everyone looked at me. I looked around the living room.

"Sorry," I said. "I got startled because I saw my cat fall from their tree. They're fine though."

"Okay," Maxine said. "I'm going to go now. Bye guys!"

"I'll be right back!" Asterion said.

"Bye, bye," Snow said.

"Goodbye," Oceanna said.

"Bye," I said. I watched as they walked out of view from the screen.

"What was that?" Snow asked.

"Oceanna," I said. "Follow them."

"What?" Oceanna said.

"Please trail them," I said. "Just trust me."

"Okay," Oceanna said. She started walking and disappeared to the left of the screen.

"Dos," Snow said. "What is happening?"

"I can't tell you yet," I said.

"Why not?" Snow said.

"Because I'm not certain about this one," I said.

"Is it connected with Maine?" Snow said.

"That's what I'm trying to find out," I said. A loud shout filled the air.

"What was that?" Snow said.

"I think Virginia woke up," I said.

"Psssst," I heard someone say. I looked to my left and saw Helen standing by the doorway. She pointed behind her. Hmmmm, I thought.

"I should go check up on her," I said.

"Yeah," Snow said. "Okay. Let me know if you need any of us to help."

"I will," I said. "Thanks. See you!"

"See you!" Snow said. I ended the call and closed the laptop.

"That was Snow right?" Helen said. "I missed hearing her talk. She always makes me happy whenever I talk to her."

"Everyone does," I said. I stood up.

"I mean, she just has that optimistic demeanor," Helen said.

"She does," I said. I walked towards her.

"Also," Helen said. "Before you get mad that I got out of my room, Virginia has been making noises since a bit ago. I got worried and Zen's not here so I thought to call you."

"Its fine this time since Zen's not here," I said. "We should hurry though." We walked out of the living room and climbed up the stairs across it. When we reached the second floor, we turned right and walked until the door to Zen and I's bedroom. I opened the door. Virginia was twisting and turning on the bed at the edge of the room. Nightmares, I thought.

"Stay here," I said.

"I know the drill," Helen said. I walked into the room and headed towards Virginia. I sat down on the bed.

"Its going to be okay Virginia," I said as I rubbed her head with my hand. "We'll find Flounder. They're going to be okay." She slowly stopped moving around. I waited a few more minutes before tucking her in the blanket. I put my hand on her forehead. I stood up and quietly walked back out. I closed the door behind me.

"Is her fever gone?" Helen asked.

"Nope," I said. "I think she's getting a bit worse."

"Do we need to bring her to the hospital?" Helen asked.

"I'm not sure," I said. "Maybe if her condition gets worse, we'll bring her."

"Okay," Helen said. I walked past Helen who was still leaning on the wall near the door.

"She's going to be fine Helen," I said. "Flounder too. I'm sure of it." I

"I know," Helen said. "I just feel bad for leaving all of you in the dark of where I was and what I was doing. And now that I'm back, I can't even do anything to help." I stopped walking.

"Its okay," I said. "We can't risk it anymore. They're always watching so they know every we're doing. Plus, you were in the same or even in a worse condition than Virginia just a few days ago so its fine for you to regain your strength for now. We might need it when we rescue Bea." I heard Helen sigh.

"You're right," I heard her say. "I should go back to my room and rest."

"Yeah," I said. "But do you want something? I'll bring it to your room."

"Just some water," I heard her say. Water only? I thought.

"Should I bring snacks while waiting for dinner too?" I asked.

"Not that hungry yet," I heard her say. Really now? I thought.

"Okay," I said. "I'll be right back." I resumed walking. I turned to the left and climb down the stairs. The front door suddenly opened.

"Baby!" Zen said as they walked in the house.

"Hi Babe," I said. "How was work?" I stopped right in front of them.

"Tiring," Zen said. "I missed you so much baby." Zen hugged me.

"Awwww," I said. "Poor you. But you should change. You're all sweaty."

"Its so hot outside right now," Zen said. "Ughhhh."

"Yeahhhh," I said. "It is." Zen stopped hugging me.

"How's Virginia?" Zen asked. I walked towards the kitchen. Zen followed.

"Virginia's fever this morning hasn't gone down yet but luckily she was able to eat before passing out again," I said. "Any word from her parents?"

"They're flying back right now," Zen said. "They were on a vacation abroad."

"Okay," I said. "Let's hope Virginia is better when they come. If not, they probably need to bring her to the hospital."

"That bad?" Zen said.

"Just to be sure," I said. "She's still having nightmares."

"Who can blame her?" Zen said.

"Yup," I said. We stopped in front of the kitchen.

"How about Helen?" Zen asked.

"She's good," I said. "Like totally fine now. Its kinda weird to be honest."

"If you think about it, that recovery time is fast for her injuries, even for her as an athlete," Zen said.

"Exactly," I said. "I can't put a finger on it but there really is something that doesn't feel right about Helen."