“Roman,” Sorwyce rested his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Give your daughter the credit she deserves. Let her try and find her inner vampire.”
“But, I’m not a vampire,” she frowned, a part of her wondering why she just didn’t let any of the guys bite her and get it over with. But then, she remembered what Amelie said.
Do not let anyone bite you.
“You are, you just don’t know it yet,” Sorwyce nodded gently. “Now go, little one. You must rush back.”
“Thank you,” she hugged Sorwyce, who was a little surprised at this outburst of affection, but his arms quickly locked around her in reciprocation.
Then, she turned to her father and gave him an even bigger hug.
“I’m so proud of you,” he told her.
“I haven’t even done anything yet,” she objected.
“You didn’t have to,” he kissed her forehead. “No matter what happens, I will always love you and I will always be proud of you.”
Those words brought on more tears and she quickly waved, then turned to the hole, rushing outside. When she looked around, she realized it was already a well lit morning. She doubted it would be possible to sneak back into the dorm without anyone noticing. During the night it was possible, but early mornings - not so much.
She wondered what Bella must be thinking by now. Was she worried sick? She wanted to rush back and explain it to her, and to the guys. She wanted them by her side in this, whatever it was. An adventure? A life changing event? Their possible death? She didn’t know. But she did know that she wanted to be by the side of the people she loved the most, no matter what happened.
Chapter 24
It was already 8 am by the time Eva returned to her dorm room. Luckily, it was both late enough and early enough for no one to be suspicious as to why she was going back to her room already. Eva knew that many girls, including Bella, occasionally, went for a morning jog on the weekends and, seeing it was Saturday, she just figured she’d say she went for a very early morning jog if anyone asked. Bella would, of course, get the whole story.
But, when she entered the room, she found Bella standing in the middle of it. All their stuff was lying on the floor, carelessly thrown about. Frames were broken, drawers were emptied onto the floor. Their panties, socks, bras - everything was out.
“What happened here?” Eva shrieked and, at that moment, Bella turned around to face her.
“I have no idea,” Bella replied, equally weakly, “I went for a jog at about 6:30, and came back a few minutes ago. I found this,” she gestured at the room with her hands.
“Who did this?” Eva kept voicing her questions out loud, even though the rational part of her brain already realized that Bella knew as much as she did.
She immediately started walking around the room, grabbing her belongings off the floor. She picked up the picture frame, the one which held the photo of the three of them: her mom, her dad and her. They looked so happy, like nothing in the world could ever come between them. Eva carefully took out the broken glass, placing it on the desk.
“Watch out for broken glass,” she warned Bella.
Bella immediately looked down. She saw a few pieces scattered here and there, making it difficult to move about the room.
“Is anything missing?” Bella asked.
“I don’t know,” Eva shook her head. “I have to check. Did you have anything valuable in the room?”
“You mean like, money and stuff?” Bella asked. “No, I don’t think so.”
“No, I mean jewelry and similar.”
Bella walked over to the wardrobe. There was a small box with birds and birdcages pictured on it. She opened it, taking out a chain, a few pairs of earrings and a ring.
“I’d say it’s all here. Whoever broke in, wasn’t after my jewelry.”
“What did they want then?” Eva wondered.
Then, she saw it. Her own jewelry box was lying open on the desk. The metal lid was bent, as if someone tried to force it open, and finally did it. She didn’t have any expensive jewelry, though. Most of it was just emotional value, important only to her and no one else. She went through what was inside. A few pairs of earrings, two bracelets, a few rings. She swallowed heavily. Her chain with the sunflower pendant was missing.
“What is it?” Bella noticed the worried look on Eva’s face.
“Can you try and find my chain, the one with a small sunflower pendant?” she asked.