Snow was falling heavy all over the marketplace.
Eva's silver locks were almost completely covered and the only thing stopping her from shivering and trembling all over was his jacket and his warmth that still excluded from it.
Stumbling to the nearest stall, she placed her hands on the counter and tried her best to smile despite her fears taking over.
Him lying bloodied on the cold floor.
All her nightmares coming true...
"How can I help you Miss?" the shopkeeper asked, his kind yet worried eyes traveling over her frail figure. She couldn't help but smile at his tone.
If she was in Gleana, all the shopkeepers would've turned her away with a scorn and curse. Nothing more and no help.
"Uh, have you seen somebody fly over from the sky? Injured or looking a little burdened?" she questioned, wetting her lips because of the dry weather that only increased.
The old man looked thoughtful for a second before shaking his head in response. Eva breathed out, running her hand through her hair and scattering snow all over his coat.
"Thank you," she replied without turning back and then raced back toward the house.
Theo had told her that the only ones with access to teleportation in the house were her, Gwen, and him. If that was the case, she should be free to escape the barriers without alerting the sirens.
The tall tower came in sight and she looked at it for a second before sprinting around the side to cross to the backyard. This might be the last time she saw this house but she didn't want to regret her stay here.
Somehow, when she thought of taking revenge without him...
It didn't make sense in her head.
It wasn't possible.
It couldn't be... not when he wasn't with her.
Her head hit something solid and Eva stumbled back, her hand coming to massage her temple in pain. Gazing up, she saw nothing but plain air and realized that this might be it.
The protection spells.
Placing her hands on something she wasn't able to see wasn't quite easy but she could feel it. The urge to protect and hide was too powerful and it hit her in large, consuming waves.
The barrier was taught this from the day of its birth.
Defend.
Disguise.
Watch.
Eva exhaled, her breath coming out in a wisp of cold yet her hands didn't tremble. They remained firm and so did her resolve.
"Hey," she mumbled out softly and lightly caressed the wall.
"Do you know the ruler— no, the savior of this place?" she asked and felt the barrier thrum softly under her touch.
It felt like a confirmation that it did know.
"Well, you might not believe me but he's out there right now. He was supposed to be back here, in the house. And I want to go out and see if he's okay or not."
The border remained still, unmoving. Eva gulped, trying her best to wait patiently and give it time to understand.
But she didn't have time.
Every second she was in here, he was out there without no help whatsoever.
He might be completely fine and maybe all this was unnecessary. Yet Eva trusted her instincts.
And right now her intuitions were telling her to find him as quickly as possible.
Before it was too late.
"Listen, I don't have time," she spoke, her voice unwillingly breaking into pieces yet her eyes remained dryer than ever. "I need to find him. I can't be late, please..."
"Eden won't be safe anymore if he's not here."
As if a key just inserted itself into the door, Eva's hands fell to her sides limply. She hesitantly took a step forward, her chest heaving in frustration and worry.
And then she broke off into a run.
Darkness enshrouded the sky while the stars still managed to twinkle high above. Eva couldn't spot the Moon from where she was standing but for now, she didn't give a fuck.
Trees came into her sight again and she softly muttered a curse. Another forest?
Just her luck.
But she wasted no time in speeding forward, her fingers going numb due to the temperature but Eva somehow couldn't feel the pain.
Her boots were getting submerged in snow as she traveled in deeper, her nerves tingling when the sound of a howl echoed off the branches and sounded everywhere.
She hadn't thought about animals and instantly regretted not bringing a weapon with her.
'But what was all this training for then? If I can't use my element when I need it the most, then what's the hecking use?'
Trying her best to focus, her eyes brightened immediately when a small flame started in her palm. It cast enough light for her to see a few steps in front of her but nowhere else.
'Ah well, at least that was expected...'
Trying her best not to make too much noise or attract unwanted attention, she ventured a little further in before halting once again.
Closing her eyes, she let her other senses take over. If she depend on her sight alone, then the Sun would arise and she still wouldn't be able to find him.
HOOT!
The slight heaving of her breath sounded in her ears as well as the howl of the wind and the wolf. An owl whistled in the distance while the crickets chirped making the forest seem louder than before.
As her ears didn't spot anything of much importance, her frustration simultaneously grew further. How much time had she wasted already?
Where was he?
Why had he been late?
Where had she gone wrong?
'Your fault...'
Her head ached with all the noise despite the concentration she was trying to maintain. Yet Eva still didn't flutter open her eyes no matter how many howls she heard or barks amongst the several other noises.
And suddenly, the world halted.
Time seemed to have frozen.
And amidst all the racket, his sigh echoed louder than ever.