Chapter 47: The Scream

•National Academy of Science, 1st Ward•

Valerian

•A few minutes ago•

Valerian decided to make a quick detour before heading to the storage room to grab some meat.

"Where are you going? Did Ambrose's terrible sense of direction rub off on you?" Ana called from behind in a teasing voice.

"Yes," Valerian said simply to stop her from asking more questions. Valerian could hear Ana turn silent but her footsteps remained closely behind him.

Valerian was used to seeing life as a huge chess game. Valerian was constantly calculating his next move. A move that would give him the upper hand, a move that would secure his victory. Each person he met was just another chess piece.

Since their first meeting, Valerian has tried to figure out what piece Ana was. A pawn that won't make it through the game? A clever knight who slips and slides across the board? Or a useless king who must be toppled?