“Ai. We were still a few blocks from getting back, when she made an odd sound and took off running, faster than we thought she could!”
“The young lady had something urgent to attend to upstairs.” Patrick took a single step in that direction. “Something private,” she continued icily.
“Oh. Excuse us.” They retreated. Faintly over her head, she heard crying. Best she gets it all out of her system now, she thought.
If any of the children or adults at Ai’s Farewell Party noticed Lily’s puffy and red eyes, they had the understanding to not remark about it. After all, some of them had cried as well. Ai again made sure to ‘work the room’ and spent time with everyone. It was only about an hour into the party when Carol took both of them outside
“You two, off you go.” She said simply.
“What?” Asked Lily. “This party is for Ai...”
“And it’s for the children and it’s for you.” Carol retorted. “I think, ahem, that you’re all cried-out by now,” Lily looked downwards, “so why don’t you two go for a walk, then call it a night.” She closed the door behind her as she went back into the dining hall.
Lily felt Ai take her hand. “Walk?” Ai asked.
“Just... around the block.” Lily replied quietly. “I think I wore myself out, earlier.”
“Okay!”
They walked slowly, saying nothing. For once there was the slightest chill in the air. It made Ai’s slightly too-cool skin warm by comparison. Lily leaned closer to her. They were back at the gate. Carol had said she would get it when she left later. To their left the noise gave that everyone was still having a good time. Upstairs, Lily changed and did what she had to in the bathroom and came out to see Ai plugging her ‘tail’ in. She had to smile a little at that.
Lily turned off the light and knelt to pray. Ai gently stroked her hair.
Getting into bed, Lily said softly, “I love you. Goodnight.”
“And I, you! Goodnight!”
She knew it was morning, but didn’t want to open her eyes. Instead she slowly reached out... Ai?
Nothing there.
Lily sat bolt upright in her bed. “Ai!”
“In here,” she called from Lily’s office area. Lily staggered to the door.
“I thought... you were gone, already.” She still shook from fear. Ai came over to her.
“I would never do that to you.” A small hug. “But it is almost time.”
Lily gave a sad grin. “I know. I’ll be good. Give me a second to get dressed.”
“I’ll go on ahead downstairs.” Ai said.
By the time Lily joined her, Ai was outside with the three from the university. Carol was there was well. Ai was....
Ai had an extraordinary look on her face. “Are you alright, Ai?” Lily asked.
“Yes. It’s just... word from home.” Ai said.
“Nothing bad, I hope.” Said Carol.
“No.” Ai beckoned to Lily and gave her a last hug. “Come over once we’ve driven off,” she whispered. Lily nodded into her shoulder. What was going on?
Ai turned, “Shotgun!” She called. Ned’s mouth fell open, while Casey just laughed.
“All yours, ma’am!” He said. “Let’s roll!”
And they were gone.
“Y’all alright?” Carol asked. Lily nodded.
“Can you spare me for a little bit?” She asked.
Thinking more tears, Carol said, “No worries, off you go!”
Lily walked quickly back to her room. She sat down and reached for...
...nothing. There was nothing on the little table on the platform in their home. Ai sat directly opposite her.
“I miss you.” Lily said.
“And I, you.” Just like last night.
“So, why this so suddenly?” Lily asked.
“Here,” Thaad said, startling her, as he placed three 8x10” pictures onto the table. “Fausta has made us older with face recognition, age reconstruction, and similar ideas. These,” indicating the pictures, “are a month old, from a camera in the city of Knoxville, in what was a US State called Tennessee.”
Lily looked at the pictures. So?
“They show what is likely a band of what we conclude are armed and armored traveling merchants,” he continued.
She voiced her silent question, “So?”
“I don’t want to get that close to your guest; will you point her out, Ai?”
“Lily,” Ai said, “we are ninety percent confident that this person,” Ai’s finger indicated the same woman in all three, “is your sister, Callie.”
The Fourth Law Page 18