Wolf Heart

Chapter 15

Planet: Eteran

First Insurgency War

AVA

It's going to be one of those days, isn't it?

Her first hint: James' change in behaviour. His foul mood worried her; though when she questioned Rayan about it, he shrugged and proved just as confused and concerned as she was. James left the house early in the morning to go sit by the pond with his I-Pen's and datacam in hand. Whenever she tried to check on him, he gave her a quick shush and focused on whatever subject which held his interest.

Her second hint: Meryn's lack of communication.

Mrs. Matthey watered the bleeding hearts, though Ava frowned at the heavy exhaustion on her face instead of her familiar smile. Ava stopped on the cobble path. "Is Meryn home, Mrs. Matthey?"

"He left early again, Ava."

Ava inched closer. "Has Meryn said anything strange to you?"

Mrs. Matthey put down the watering can. "Meryn avoids conversation whenever I try to ask," she admitted. "Miss. Wuolon called me about his difference in behaviour within the classroom... it's not like him." Her gaze rested on the bleeding hearts which danced with the breeze. "He's been hiding in his room more often and barely eats or sleeps." Her lips pursed when her eyes narrowed along with it. "I'm going to head down to the school and see what's going on for myself once I get the chance."

Ava left Mrs. Matthey to contemplate in the garden of bleeding hearts to rejoin James on their way to school. Who would hurt Meryn?

Grey clouds drifted into an overcast mood on Eastpoint. Rain slicked down the pavement of the main road which cut through their little town. Children from Janie's public school bounced into puddles and danced in the rain. Her own mood dwindled with the drizzle of calm and the school's atmosphere changed.

Students hid underneath the rain alcoves set out to prepare for the incoming storm. Gutters pulsed underneath their boots to keep the area dry around the alcove. Ava held on tight to her bag straps, but jumped when Rayan slipped from around the corner of an alcove. "Ava."

"Hey, Ray," she said, while James kept his gaze locked on the ground. "Have you seen Meryn?"

Rayan nodded and motioned at another alcove attached to the school wall. Ava frowned at Jon's broad frame, looming over a small, huddled shape in the corner. In her dash to her friend, she slid to a stop when Meryn lifted his head. Storm clouds reflected off glassy greys as he sat straighter.

"Meryn?" Ava asked when Jon folded his arms. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Meryn got onto his feet. "I didn't get enough sleep, that's all." He lumbered past all four of them, nothing more than a zombie of her bubbly friend.

Ava bit her tongue. "Jon, was he like that when you got here?"

"He was," Jon affirmed. "I tried asking him if he needed to talk but..." He waved his hand at Meryn's disappearing figure. "He gave me the same response."

"We should get to class," Rayan remarked when thunder rumbled. "If he won't talk... not much we can do." He sent a strange glance to James, who never lifted his gaze off his feet.

Ava followed Rayan with the two Starcross players in tow. By the time the rush to beat the bell started in earnest, Meryn was already in his seat. Head in his arms and never acknowledge his friends. Ava rested her chin in her palm, studying him instead of her work. I can almost see the storm cloud above his head.