Page 67 of Beyond The Maples
"Leo.Leo.Please, what happened? Where's Farra?" I try to keep my voice level, with enough gentle command that he knows he has to respond. He wipes some of the blood and snot off his upper lip.
"They took her. I tried to stop them, but they took her."
I shake my head, eyes bouncing between his haggard face and his shaking hands.
"Ok, start from the beginning. Who took her? Why weren't you guys at the square?"
This seems to snap him out of it a bit.
"As soon as we got to the square, two commanders came over and asked us to come back with them to base. We didn't know what to do, but obviously we couldn't say no. They brought us here and when we came up, Captain Kethler and a couple of his guys were ripping apart the room, completely destroying it. Said they got a tip you guys were keeping illegal contraband in your room."
He struggles through the last bit. I shake my head, trying to figure out how this could've happened. Berkley and Tarius didn't even know anything. We had kept everyone in the dark. There's no way they knew about the plant. The books maybe? We didn't have any currently, thank the merciful Gods. But that had to be it.
"If they didn't find anything, then why did they take her?" I ask, trying to piece together the puzzle.
"Because she submitted to questioning. They knew, Maple. I think they knew about the plant they –– knew we had something. I tried... I was going to admit tofinding it, but she beat me to it. Said she would go with them. I followed them down, arguing, until the one officer got sick of me and knocked me around in the hallway. I got myself together and went down to try and find her, but no one would tell me anything. Then I came here and found you."
I sit up on the bed, pulling Leo into a desperate hug. He's vibrating. I pull back and look him over.
"Do you know where they took her?" I ask, not sure I want to know the answer. He just shakes his head.
"Ok. Ok, you stay here. I'm going to go see what I can find out." I squeeze his arm, but he just stares off into the distance.
Ithump back down the stairs, mentally making a list of where I should go, and who I should talk to. I'm not sure if rolling up and demanding the commanding officers tell me where Farra is, or trying to hunt down Captain Kethler is my best bet. At this point, what option do I have?
There's not a soul in the courtyard, which I take as a good sign. If she was being disciplined, it would most likely be public, right?
Sweat beads on my neck as my mind reels. I pass the classrooms and the hallways. I head down, not even sure where I'm going. The offices? I bank left in the maze of hallways and come to the front entrance, the one Leo and I first came through, and there's a small group of new cadets standing by the main entrance. They all look miserable and malnourished. Did we look like that when we got here?
I see Wesley stooped over the front desk, and I rush towards him.
"Can I help you?" he says pompously. I glare at the recruit currently giving his information and his eyes widen, quickly taking his forms to another table to fill out.
"Yeah, where's Captain Kethler?" I spit out through short breaths, leaning over him so I don't have to speak loudly.
"How should I know? You know, you really shouldn't be barging in here like this. I have a lot to do" he grumbles.
"What do you mean, ‘how should I know?’ You're his little shadow. Where would he go to interrogate someone?"
His eyes expand.
"I don't know, but I do know that's above your clearance level. Now get out of here and I won't report you," he says, losing some of his previous bravado.
Little does he know I don't actually care about him reporting me. I need to find Farra.
"Where?" I say again with enough venom in my voice that he gawks.
"Head down past the library, there areofficesdown there. But you didn't hear it from me. Now let's forget this conversation ever happened, so I can get back to work." He cocks his head at the new cadets all lined up and shifting on their feet, watching our interaction.
I bound out of the room without another glance, once again thankful I've built up my stamina.
I push my legs faster, flying past people who yell various versions ofslow the hell down, all which I ignore. Passing the mess hall, I don't see the blur of a person step out in front of me until it's too late. We collide.
"Where's the fire, kid?" Berkley grunts.
"I... Farra… Gotta go," I manage to get out between sharp breaths as I scurry to my feet. I turn to run, but he grabs my arm.
"Wait… Maple, wait! What's going on?" He must see the panic on my face because his expression hardens.
