Bonus Chapter: Fatimah's Arc.

The library was small and dark, its andesite walls rough to the touch. The air carried the dry scent of parchment and dust. Smooth dark-oak bookshelves were uniformly clustered in the room. The cool breeze sifted through as a girl paced around them. Fahtimah frowned mildly, lightly tapping the spines of books.

Coming towards the end of a shelf, a male face bumped into her, about the same height. The olive-skinned boy simply scoffed on sight, moving past her in a haste. Probably couldn't stand her.

Fahtimah motioned to him. "Hehe. Try not to flop this time."

His face tensed. "You disgust me. You know that?"

"Yeah, yeah." She said. "If this is about that 'your life is a lie' kinda talk, mine's screwed, Manuel."

"That was a year ago." He frowned. "When I thought you would put effort into finding better friends rather than bad ones… they don't stress you enough to help you."

"Well, I like my friends." Fahtimah replied. "They are at least 'humble'."

Manuel loosened his frown. It's never easy, huh?

"What about your parent's?" He asked. "I'm sure they'll want you back…"

"No they don't." She barked softy. "They're not worth proving to that I'm more than a 'dunce'."

She air quoted the word, then silence followed. The tension in the candle-lit room dropped.

Manuel withdrew. "I'll get the boats ready." He muttered audibly, walking gingerly with increased pace from her.