"Just where the hell is she?!" Ryan roared, sweat dripping down his temples. The vast sprawl of the academy, once a majestic sight, now mocked him with its sprawling grounds and labyrinthine buildings. Each misplaced step through the oppressive heat felt like a microaggression against his aching muscles.
"Hey!" Hearing the loud yell, he spun around to see a face framed by a cascade of cotton candy pink hair.
It was Emily, a wide, mischievous grin plastered across her features – a stark contrast to the life-or-death situation they were in. "Any luck?" she chirped, a touch too cavalier for someone potentially facing their demise.
"No," he replied.
"Tsk," Emily clicked her tongue, the sound sharp in the tense silence. "Could she have left already?" she muttered, worry creasing her brow for a fleeting moment before morphing back into her usual carefree facade.
