010. Missing Person Cases

Just when I am starting to feel suspicious about Isaac's behaviour, Isaac carefully puts the mug down on the table and places it in front of me.

I give the content in the mug a glance, I see rose buds and milk. In my position I stone, still I sit, not daring to move a finger. With a puzzled mind, I switch my gaze between Isaac's face and the milk he brought with him…

Did I order this? Why is he serving me with a cup of milk? Did he take me as a customer of the coffee house by mistake? Is he still not familiar with my face after two years working together?

Although it may sound awkward, but I think I need to let him know that, "I think you are at the wrong table-"

Yet out of expectations, before I finish my sentence, Isaac edges in with a firm tone, "Have some warm milk." he said.

At once, his words force me into the pool of wonder——'Have some milk'? Have I heard it wrongly? Why is he giving me milk all of a sudden? Did I show a gesture to him that I require milk?

Did he hear Grace earlier? Does he think that I am feeling unwell in the stomach because I had coffee with my meal skipped?

Deeply I take a gasp——Is he… 

I can't help but try to be reassured of his intention, "Are you worrying about me?" that he made me warm milk hoping to make me feel better?

As he feels my earnest gaze, Isaac turns around and walks away from the table. After clearing his throat, in a monotonous voice Isaac claims, "Don't misunderstand. I am not doing this because I am worried, I just hate to take care of the coffee house all alone, we still have hours to go."

Although he refuses to put it in words, I can tell he is trying to make a kind gesture to me. It seems like this autumn isn't going to be so chilly after all… at least I hope.

In delight I pick up the mug. I close my eyes and give the surface of the warm milk a soft sniff. Contentedly I take a sip of it. I can't help but let my lips bend into a content smile when I feel the mellow milk spread across my mouth.

Just by a simple cup of milk, he manages to warm my chest. In gratitude, I look at his icy grey eyes and say, "Thank you, Isaac."

He isn't so icy after all, is he?

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It is almost ten when I finally arrive at Ignis Chambers. I take the stairs all the way up without stopping, hoping to take a bath and get to bed as soon as I can.

It has been exhausting throughout the day. Fortunately, thinking about those who gave me a hand today manages to lift my fatigue a little.

Although just a minute ago, the burning sensation in my lower abdomen once again returns. It starts mildly, it arouses along every step I take.

It makes me accelerate my pace to get myself back in my chamber where I can lie down in my bed and apply the medication Oliver gave me earlier this afternoon… I can feel the corners of my lips raise a little when I think of Oliver.

As I take the last step into the attic, I habitually delve my pocket and draw my keys out. Just by the moment I enter the attic, an odd scene in the hallway stops me from proceeding.

Mr Llevric…

I understand that he lives here now, and I accept the fact that there are chances we are going to run into each other more than often in this building, especially in this attic hallway, but… What is he doing standing in front of my door?

I squint at the wooden cross mounted on the stain-glass window above the door, and I glide my glare down until the numberings that labelled my door enter my side——Fourteenth it is…

After I ensure it is my door instead of his that he is guarding, incredulity invades my intuition——What is he trying to do? Is he trying to peek, or even break in? Or is he ambushing me, trying to catch me before I can escape from him again, so he can extend the dispute that happened between us earlier on campus?

While I am speculating Mr Llevric's intention, I sense a concentrated gaze from him. As I set my gaze upon his face, I see those ruby red eyes glaring at me. His glare feels so intense, as if he is trying to peer through my mind.

In reflex I tighten my grip over the strap of my bag. Daunted I bite my lip, whereas his countenance gives a rather leisure ambience as he approaches me.

His abruptly propinquity forces me a few steps backward, until the both of us step into the shadow caused by the thick rafters and joists. As soon as I feel my back hit the wall, I am forced into trepidation.

Despite the fact that he curls his lips into a broad smile, I fail to sense a good intention from him. His malignant eyes glow in red… even in the shadows.

Although I clearly understand that I am the one who is standing at the higher ground to censure his approach, the tensional temperament he creates turns me mute.

I never felt an aura any similar to this before… His existence feels so ominous, is he going to hurt me? What should I do? Should I run now?

"It is ten." there, before I can do anything in my defence, Mr Llevric raises some questions in a concerned tone. He asks, "Are you always this late?"

In an instant, his abrupt question draws my eyebrows furrowed, it turns my state of mind upside down, "I beg your pardon…?" in uncertainty I questioned.

However, it is either that he genuinely fails to pick up my doubt accurately, or that his personality is just overbearing enough to neglect the possibility of the presence of a democratic situation here, he decides to probe into my routine, "You have been away from home for a long time." he asks, "Does this happen every day?"

Beginning with a scoff in disbelief, the fear in me disperses along. In fact, exasperation takes place. This time, rather than only my lower abdomen, I can feel my cheeks and ears burning too, "Why do you want to know?" in righteousness I confront, "What does it have to do with you?"

Surprisingly, my questions seem to put Mr Llevric in a deeper concern, "Have you not heard about the missing person cases happening in town?"

The missing person cases? Of course I have heard about it, for I have been living in Elwesburgh for as long as I can remember.

Everything started three and a half years ago. It was on a Sunday evening during summer in Elwesburgh when an adolescent boy disappeared without a trace. Ever since, an adolescent boy was reported missing every month mostly during the second or third week.

The number of the missing boys has been consistently accumulating, it sums up to forty-one up till the very present, but unfortunately, none of the missing boys is ever found, yet. Neither their whereabouts nor statuses are known.

The culprit who conducts the kidnap cases is still in the dark. Meanwhile, the news media calls him the Elwes Predator.

"I heard another victim was preyed on yesterday." Mr Llevric states, "The Elwes Predator is still walking freely out there, he can be anywhere in Elwesburgh by now preying on boys like you."

But, "Worry not." according to the news, "The Elwes Predator acts once in a month. I guess I will be safe for the rest of November."

Sadly my words seem to be insufficient to place Mr Llevric's mind at ease, "We can't guarantee that there is only one criminal acting in town, can we?" he states, "It is not safe outside."

But look, "I don't think you understand." helplessly I sigh, "I need to afford my own life, I won't be able to survive either if I quit my job and hide in my chamber all day, isn't it? Nonetheless, why does my routine matter to you? I barely know you!"

There, my attitude seems to upset Mr Llevric a little. He sounds slightly impatient as he defends himself, "I am your lecturer, and you are my student, Averell. It concerns me when a young boy returns to his shelter at a late hour. The outside world can be dangerous."

Oh, said the devil——Don't he realise that there are possibilities that the danger from the outside world he quoted actually includes himself?

Think about it, how suspicious does it make him sound that he moved in on the same day the last victim went missing? I would have taken him as the Elwes Predator if he did not tell me that he was new in Elwesburgh…