Olivia blinked in confusion. What the hell had just happened? She knew she saw sothing, but why can’t she rember it?
She placed her hand on the book again. And she saw the mories again. She tried to imprint every detail in her head, but as she removed her hand again, the mories evaporated from her head like smoke.
Olivia stood stupefied, lost for words. She began to pace around the stand, thinking how she could rember it. "What about if I say out what I see and record it?... hmm, that sounds like a good plan," she muttered to herself before bringing out her recorder.
She placed her hand on it again. She said what she saw out loud. Then she removed her hand and quickly replayed the recorder, but only to her dismay, the recorder was playing only a static noise.
Olivia tugged her hair in frustration. Why couldn’t she rember? And why can’t she record it? She groaned in desperation.
A thought ca to her mind. ’I can go to Diana, right? She knows the truth.’ Olivia glanced at the book one last ti before heading out of the secret room.
Olivia’s steps ca to an abrupt halt. Her eyes widened with panic. In front of her, a man was standing with his back facing her. Her heart skittered in her chest. Had she been caught?
She swallowed hard, mustering the courage to walk past him. But as she got closer, his fra looked familiar. The man turned, and Olivia’s eyes sparkled with relief and pain. Her lips curved into a smile.
A step hastened towards him. "Luke," she buried herself in his arms. She was grateful that he was safe. He was one of the few people who showed kindness to her, who protected her.
"I’m so glad that you are okay now," she said, pulling out from his hug.
Luke smiled. He cleared his throat, trying to control his racing heartbeat. "Of course I am fine. I don’t die that easily," he said, his gruff voice vibrating through the air.
His eyes softened. "Thank you for surviving that fall," he muttered, his eyes avoiding hers.
Olivia laughed it off. "I don’t die that easily," she said, imitating his voice. They both burst into a fit of laughter at the sound of her voice.
"What are you doing?" Olivia asked, as they both left the library.
"I ca looking for you," Luke said, stealing quiet glances her way. "Ellie and Diana told about you," he added.
"Thank you, Luke, but how are your wounds?" she asked with concern.
Luke scratched the back of his neck. He didn’t know what she would think if he told her that he had left the infirmary to look for her. According to him, he had almost healed. He saw no reason why they were trying to make him stay in bed.
"It had completely healed... I am very strong now," he said, flexing his arms. His face scrunched from the pain that shot from the side of his stomach, but he quickly masked it off with a laugh. ’It seems like I have not healed completely,’ he thought inwardly.
Olivia’s brows furrowed with suspicion. He didn’t look like he was completely healed. With the way his face scrunched in pain, she already knew the truth. ’Was he doing this so I don’t feel bad? After all, I was the one who had awakened the octopus monster.’
The walk to the camp was quiet at first. Olivia glanced at Luke every few seconds, watching the subtle way he winced despite claiming to be "completely healed." She didn’t say anything, but she saw it. His movents were just a little slower than usual. His posture more defensive. But the stubborn smile never left his lips.
"You’re limping," she said after a long silence.
"I’m walking with style," Luke replied with a wink.
Olivia rolled her eyes but smiled anyway.
The campgrounds ca into view, glowing faintly beneath the setting sun. Olivia’s mind was already racing ahead to Diana. She needed to talk to her again—needed clarity, answers, anything.
But when they turned the corner, her steps halted.
Bella and Henrik stood outside Diana’s tent.
Henrik was leaning against a wooden post, arms crossed, expression unreadable. Bella had her arms wrapped tightly across her chest, eyes narrowed the mont she spotted Olivia.
Luke noticed the change in her stride and followed her gaze. "You okay?" he asked, his voice low.
"I was hoping to find Diana," Olivia muttered, but her eyes stayed fixed on the two figures ahead.
Bella’s lips curled into a smirk as they approached. "Well, look who survived."
Henrik didn’t speak. His cold gaze flickered between Olivia and Luke, but he didn’t move from his spot.
"I don’t have ti for your sarcasm today, Bella," Olivia said evenly.
"Right. You’re too busy being the academy’s rising star," Bella snapped, her voice dripping with disdain. "What’s next? You going to get another poor guy almost killed?"
Luke tensed beside her.
Her words cut through Olivia like cold steel. Her throat tightened. ’What did I expect? They are not lying.’
"Bella," Olivia warned. Her eyes flickered back to Luke, a living proof of it.
Henrik finally spoke. "Diana’s not here. You should co back later."
Olivia narrowed her eyes. "I wasn’t asking for your permission."
The air thickened. Bella took a step forward, her eyes bright with hostility. "Then maybe try asking permission next ti before you co sniffing around things that don’t concern you."
Luke’s hand hovered near Olivia’s arm, a silent offer to pull her away if needed.
But Olivia stood her ground.
"I ca for Diana. Not for whatever this little performance is."
Bella opened her mouth, but Luke cut her off. "Enough." His jaws tightened. His eyes daring them to utter any more words.
His voice wasn’t loud, but it held weight.
Bella fell silent, though her glare never softened.
Olivia t Henrik’s gaze one last ti, refusing to flinch. "Tell her I’ll be back."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away, Luke falling into step beside her.
"I’m sorry about that. They are usually not like that," he muttered under his breath.
Olivia didn’t reply.
She was already thinking about the look in Henrik’s eyes, it was colder than resentnt. But did he hate her because of the incident?
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