Jamie stared at the molding apple core in a small bag. It was greeny and disgusting, but the skin remaining was shiny and red. Like blood. Jamie shivered and shook that thought from his mind. He needed to have Lottie back, without her he was going insane.
"So, do you too know where Lottie is?" Professor Devine asked, looking at Lottie and Jamie, who were perched on large chairs.
"Honestly, Professor, if we knew she would be back by now." Ellie frowned.
"Well, Miss Fae said that she would give me any information she found, but she has nothing," the professor grimaced, "except this apple core."
"I don't think Lottie ate that," Ellie said, "she is allergic to apples."
"Well Ellie, we know what leviathan are capable of, I'm sure they would feed her an apple because she was allergic to them." Jamie muttered in maravish.
"Well thanks, Mr smarty pants, I definitely didn't already guess that." Ellie snarled.
"Please, not this again," the Professor sighed.
"Sorry Professor." Ellie and Jamie muttered.
As they left the professor's office, Binah ran up to them.
"Oh Binah, thank you." Ellie hugged her.
"Thank you Binah." Jamie gave a weak smile.
"It's ok!" Binah grinned, "it's almost thrilling," she stopped smiling, "in a bad way..."
They separated and Binah walked off to Stratus side.
"Oh Jamie,what are we going to do?" Ellie sighed.
"Ellie, I think if we knew what to do we would have done it by now."
"Good point."
"I think all we can do is try to think of clues."
"I'm sorry Jamie."
"What for?"
"I -..."
"Ellie..."
"I'm sorry you have to be my Partizan."
"Why?"
"Because you love Lottie."
Jamie stared at her, then walked away, a cold look on his face.
"JAMIE WAIT!" Ellie cried, "PLEASE!"
But he didn't stop. He needed to stay strong. For Ellie. He needed to forget his feelings for Lottie, but how could he? Stay vigilant. Look out for dangers. Protect Ellie. That's what Lottie would want.