Chapter Three

Lyra's POV

Two officers stood near the foot of the hospital bed where I sat, their uniforms neat and their expressions were neutral. One held a small notebook, the other a pen with a small notebook ready to take down notes.

“Can you tell us what you remember before the fire started?” one of them asked me gently and I nodded, tucking my hands into my lap carefully, “I was in detention and... I wasn't feeling so well, well... Dizzy, and I thought to immediately go to the nurse office which I did”

The officer holding the pen and notebook started writing down my words.

“And the science lab?... “ The other office asked, “... Where there students inside when you arrived?“

“Yes... “I replied without hesitation, since there was nothing to hide and the other students would definitely say something about it. “... There was a lot of them, some were panicking and the door was locked and hot”

They exchanged a glance before the first one said again. 

“And... How did you manage to open it?“

“

I kept my face blank and innocent, “I don't. Know, I just... Pulled hard, maybe the lock was damaged already” 

The pen officer wrote again, then the first officer looked up, “One of the teachers mentioned something interesting”

My pulse jumped. “That you left detention few minutes before the fire alarm went off, and your phone contacts history shows you dialing the emergency line, either that was purely coincidental or you could suddenly predict the future haha” 

The others also laughed even though it was a joke to me, it was exactly what had happened but I wasn't about to let them know that yet, I also laughed along with them and shook my head. 

“I saw the smoke....“ I said calmly “... It was coming from the hallway near the lab, the nurse office is that way so I called for help immediately”

It was silent for some seconds before they nodded, “That makes sense”

I released a silent breath of relief. 

“So.. Is there anyone we can contact? A parent? Guardian?“ the second officer asked. 

The word guardian hit harder than anything, I hesitated for a second before nodding, “Yes there is... ” I said quickly, “... They're on their way”

Another nod and writing, they thanked me politely and stood up and left, leaving me behind to my thoughts and that went actually smoother than I anticipated. 

The moment the door closed behind them, I fell back against the pillow. 

Liar 

My conscience accused me, I stared at the ceiling, guilt and fear tangling all at once, my mother hadn't answered my calls in 2 years, no texts or even letters, and she hadn't vanished quietly, no goodbyes or warning, just... Gone... 

And now I was alone. 

~

Leaving the hospital qad easier than I expected, a borrowed hoodie and a pair of leggings I took so I didn't look so homeless, a distracted nurse and a crowded corridor filled with staffs more busy attending to patients than one quiet girl with freckles slipping away. Still every step felt wrong, I felt like someone was watching me, but each time there was no one there. By the time I reached the school grounds the sun was setting already, yellow tape was designed around the ruins, everywhere silent and empty, police cars gone, fire trucks gone, nothing, as the building stood silent. 

I stood just before the tapes, closing my eyes as I spread out my consciousness... 

There 

A faint pull answered me back, soft, familiar and warm. 

My grimiore. 

Purple light simmered faintky in my minds eye, buried beneath the metals and dust of the debris. I slipped under the tape keeping my head down. My bag laid where I had kept it, I pulled it out coughing as I dusted off the ash and dust, I opened it and pulled out my grimiore, safe and sound. I brushed dust from the worn leather cover and hugged it firmly, I felt safe... 

But not for long. 

That feeling hit me again, as if something ancient had set it's eyes on me. I turned around slowly, my eyes scanning the empty grounds, nothing... 

No footsteps, or any movements, just shadows stretching tok long as the sun set. 

My fingers tightened around my bag as I immediately pushed my grimiore into my bag again, I didn't wait to see if the feeling would pass, I turned around immediately and walked home, my every insticts on high alert. 

I reached my apartment, the quietness becoming obvious, living alone since mom had disappeared hade the silence a part of me, too afraid to make connections or trust. 

I dropped my bag by the door and kicked off my shoes, the ache from the fire and the frantic energy I had expended today gradually catching up to me. 

I peeled off the damp hoodie and leggings and stepped into the hot shower, letting it was off the dirt, smoke and smell of hospital, but it couldn't sooth my worries. 

Where was mom? What had happened to her? And why did she disappear without a trace... 

After the bath I sat on the edge of the bed exhausted, my hand moved to the wooden box I kept hidden in my drawer. The one with all the things that kept me tied to her, to my magic, and my past. 

Inside was some old photographs, worn charm, and a tiny leather bound grimiore I could never let go of. 

Then my fingers froze on something hidden in between the woods, I pulled out a postcard surprise and quickly turned it around. 

Romania... Transylvania... 

My heart skipped a beat, fear and hope reigniting, whoever had sent this, whoever had left it for me find, wanted me to see it. I pressed it to my chest, staring at the faded ink again. Feeling a spark of determination, I couldn't wait any longer, I had to find her. 

Somewhere in Transylvania, I would find answers about mom and maybe, just maybe, hopefully… myself too. 

“Transylvania”.. 

I whispered the words quietly, that was where I going....