Estela – Amanda?
Mandy – Alicia, you need to ask Violet.
From the back, Jheysi's voice could be heard talking to Gregor.
Gregor – What happened?
Jheysi – Violet fainted, after some hooded guy kidnapped another student.
Anton – Another one?
Bo-kyung – Wait are you saying the missing students were actually kidnapped?
Gregor shot Jheysi a disapproving look.
Jheysi – Okay, I'll handle this.
She tied up her long curly hair, raised both hands, and said "Obliviscere."
A blinding light burst from her palms.Anton and Bo-kyung collapsed instantly.
Gregor – What did you just do?!
Jheysi – I didn't see you doing anything. It was the only way to fix it.
Gregor – You're the one who spilled it in the first place!
Jheysi – Ahhhh
Alicia, Estela, and Mandy arrived.
Gregor – Perfect timing. We need help getting everyone to the infirmary.
Alicia – What happened to Violet?
Gregor – Long story. And we don't have time for it.
Jheysi – I'll take Violet. Alicia, can you help me?
Alicia – Of course.
Jheysi – Estela, Mandy grab Bo-kyung.
Estela/Mandy – Got it.
Jheysi – And Gregor—you take Anton.
Gregor – Okay, but I love when you go all "leader mode."
Jheysi – No time! Move!
They all hurried toward the infirmary.
Estela – Guys, I know my specialty is magic artifacts, and I might have something useful.
Jheysi – Now? Really?
Estela – The infirmary's on the other side of campus. We don't have a choice.
Jheysi – We do just run! It's safer.
Estela – I get it, but this could save time.
Jheysi – Fine. Can you at least promise it won't cause trouble—and that we'll land in the infirmary?
Estela – There's a tiny margin of error…
Jheysi – Can you promise me that?
Estela – Yes. I guarantee it'll work.
Jheysi – Alright then. Let's do it.
Estela pulled a small green orb from her pocket.
Estela – Everyone needs to be touching, somehow.
Jheysi sat Violet down, pressed her foot against Violet's, and held Alicia's hand.Alicia grabbed Estela's.Mandy set Bo-kyung down and linked hands with Jheysi.Gregor did the same with Anton and held Mandy's hand.
Estela – Ready?
Everyone nodded. She whispered a spell and crushed the orb.
A flash of green light then suddenly, they were standing inside the infirmary.
Estela let go of Alicia's hand and jumped with joy.
Estela – It worked! Wooohooo!!!
A girl nearby frowned and approached.
Girl – Quiet! This is not a playground. Please calm down.
Estela – Oops, sorry wait, who are you? Where's Khawlah?
Looking closer, Estela noticed the girl had short, wavy dark auburn hair, streaked with lighter tones, and striking blue-green eyes beneath a white lab coat.
Girl – She's in the rest room. She can't cover all shifts at once, no matter how hard she tries.
Estela – True, she's always here when I come by. Never really thought about that.
Girl – Yeah, she was pushing herself up to 48 hours awake, sleeping five.
Estela – That's insane.
Girl – Tell me about it. By the way, I'm Maya. You'll be seeing me around.
Gregor – Great chat, but... a little help here?
Jheysi(whispering) – Wait there was a chance that orb wouldn't work?
Estela(whispering) – Slightly.
When Maya noticed the unconscious students, she dropped her clipboard and ran over.
Maya – What happened?
Mandy – Our friend fainted. The others we found them like this.
Maya raised her left hand toward Anton and Bo-kyung, chanting softly.
Maya – They're in an energy-induced coma. Spirit of Forgetfulness. Do you know what caused Wait, not this one.
She moved her hand over Violet.
Maya – She's only unconscious.
Maya touched Violet's forehead.
Maya – Acordatum.
She clapped once Violet gasped awake.
Violet – Charlie, nooo!!!
Mandy, Gregor, and Estela froze.
Violet – Where is he?!
Mandy – Violet, he's gone!
Violet – The voice it was his voice!
Gregor – Impossible. He's been gone for a long time.
Violet – I saw his silhouette clearly. I don't know how, but
Maya – Guys, maybe take this to the waiting room?Violet, please, sit down.
Suddenly, Khawlah stormed out.
Khawlah – Maya! I told you to wake me after two hours! I had patient records to review!
Maya – I already did that. You need sleep.
Khawlah looked around the reception.
Khawlah – Why are there students on the floor? And why is Violet lying there?
Maya – I was handling it.
Khawlah – I know, but you can't do everything alone. It's your first week. We're a team.
Maya – Got it.
Khawlah – Gregor, Mandy take them to bed five. Violet, come with me to the office.
Maya's eyes glimmered with admiration.
Estela – Here, Violet, take my hand.
Violet stood up.
Maya – You know where the office is, right?
Violet – Yeah, I do. Thank you Maya, right?Oh, I remember you! You joined the year after mine!
Maya blinked, confused.
Violet – Your entry test was incredible one of the best I've ever seen.
One year earlier
Voice 1 – Next!
Maya – Hi, that's me. I'm Maya.
Voice 4 – Huh. Nothing special in your file top grades every year, honors, like most here... except you didn't finish the last three years.
Voice 2 – Exactly. Three justified years of absence.
Voice 3 – Maybe that's why she's here. Pleasure my name is Fionna Caileanach.
Maya – N-nice to meet you, ma'am...
Fionna – Nervous?
Maya – Y-yes, ma'am.
Voice 4 – She won't last a week at KeySands.
Fionna – Quiet!
Voice 4 – You do understand what this means, right?
Fionna – Oh, I understand perfectly.Maya you fought in the Thessalia War, didn't you?Maya – Yes!
Fionna – You learned medicine there?
Maya – II did!
Fionna – Then, if it's alright, tell us the whole story.
[TO BE CONTINUED...]