The trip back inside the elevator was quiet, neither Assad nor Shuren said a word.
Assad stared at the silent Shuren, he wanted to say something but stopped himself as his mind went back to her question earlier.
'Are you ready to die for something that won't matter?'
At first he was confused, why would Shuren ask something like that? His expression was dull, well at least he tried to make it dull but in reality he was extremely bewildered and couldn't hide it.
"Why can't you answer? Is it too difficult for you?" Shuren asked.
Assad just stayed inaudible; he didn't know what to even say to that type of question. Risking your life for nothing doesn't make any sense. Why would a normal person even do that, especially him, because he is still new in this world and must do whatever he can to return home, back to his earth.
"It's just that… I can't answer but there is no need for it. Risking my life, I can't, no one can't unless they were manipulated into risking their lives. So if I find myself staring death directly in the eye then yea I'll give you your answer."
Shuren studied Assad's serious expression and processed what she just heard from his mouth.
"Whatever you say but just know that reality is cursed, your predictions in life mean absolutely nothing without…"
Shuren paused and took a smoke from her active cigarette. Exhaling spiral while around her surroundings before glaring back at Assad.
"You know what…forget what I said lets go back up. We need to solve the Mya case."
Shuren then started to walk to the direction of the elevator. Assad stood still before following her behind.
The elevator moved upward at a very slow rate of speed.
The cables produced a continuous sound which resembled a low mechanical hum that unsettled the mind. Assad kept his eyes forward, watching the numbers tick upward, each floor passing without meaning.
Shuren stood beside him, perfectly still. He remained in a fixed position. He stayed in one place. He remained in one place.
The silence stretched.
Assad swallowed. He almost spoke. He almost said nothing except the memory of the graves stopped him, the names, the flowers and the way her eyes looked when she asked.
The elevator stopped moving, but it jolted forward.
Ding.
The doors slid open.
Shuren stepped out without hesitation.
She walked in controlled steps while her heels made two distinct sounds. She didn't look back to see if Assad was following. Assad stayed inside the building for an additional half-second. The elevator doors started sliding closed.
He stepped forward at the perfect moment which allowed the doors to shut behind him while they made a soft sound that ended their previous silence. Shuren continued walking down the hallway.
"Listen, what you saw down there stays down there. I haven't told or shown the others about that floor and of course you're gonna be wonderin' how because I just pressed a button and it led us there. I refuse to explain myself to you she declared while maintaining her fast walking speed using a flat voice.
"The only thing you should do is not to discuss it and not to ask about it because the instant you begin to deceive yourself about the truth your biggest flaw will no longer be your primary concern."
Assad nodded instinctively, then realized she wasn't looking at him. She turned away again and resumed walking.
"Now let's go see how Mya's holding up."she added, as if shifting topics entirely,
Assad followed.
The two people moved through the hallway where their footsteps created a pattern which seemed to be practiced. t.
Shuren stopped walking because she needed to speak at a particular moment which required her to show two different things.
"People don't break when they die, Assad but they break when they realize no one remembers why they lived."she said.
Assad felt the words sink into him, heavy and uncomfortable, like a truth that hadn't finished forming yet.
They turned left at the street.
The reception area came into view.
Pixia stood behind the front desk, tapping away at her terminal, her usual bright demeanor dimmed just a little as she noticed them approaching. Taura leaned against the wall with her arms crossed to hide her true feelings while she watched the girl who stood next to her.
Mya was also standing up straight.
The moment she saw Assad her eyes widened because she felt both relief and worry. She stood up quickly, almost tripping over herself.
"Assad!"
Taura straightened. Pixia glanced up fully now.
"You're back already?" Pixia asked, forcing a light tone, though her eyes lingered on Shuren for half a second longer than necessary.
Shuren stopped in front of them because her presence created an important change in the surrounding atmosphere.
"Mya we're going to talk about your sisters."Shuren said calmly