I closed the book because I was tired and it was getting late. But I was so hooked I kept wanting to read more. The illustrations inside the text of The Dragon Tamer were so cool. His armor fit him perfectly, and his mask was cooler than any superhero comic from my home world. I loved the three long spikes.

After closing the book, I went to bed. I drew in a deep breath and exhaled, smiling. It was nice being back at my grandpa's house once again. It was cozy, warm, and welcoming. I hadn't been used to that before. There wasn't a constant lingering feeling of stress or anxiety. Benson and Hubert usually slept in my bed next to me. It was amazing to me that a dog and a cat got along so well.

Although, I couldn't help but feel a little lonely without being able to see Farrah. And also, not having any friends around wasn't anything new for me, but I used to have kids knock on my trailer home door, and we would at least play football. Practicing Dragonstryke in the backyard occupied most of my time. It was a blast, but my grandpa was the only person around to talk to. I loved spending time with him, but I just wished I had a friend of my own for once.

In the middle of the week, I received a letter from Farrah. Seeing her name on the return address made my heart skip, and I tore open the envelope immediately.

Rollie,

I hope you're doing well, I miss you a lot, and I've been thinking about you a bunch. I've had some good news, no, great news. Basically the best news.

Elijah has finally returned home!

You have no idea how much this means to my family and me. I cried as soon as he came through the door. None of us expected it. We were starting to think the worst since it had been a few months before we saw him last. Even thinking about it again just makes me want to cry. But no longer are they tears of sadness. He's finally back home where he belongs.

We asked him so many questions when he returned, but he didn't want to answer them right away. He was just glad to be home.

The next day he finally told us everything that happened. You wouldn't believe how crazy it was.

Apparently, the criminal came into the bank, and he chose my brother to guide him to the vaults and forced Elijah to open the ice one up. Then the robber took a pile of gold bars and told my brother if he wanted to live, he better find an escape route for them. Apparently, my brother knew of some weird construction happening beneath the bank. My brother said he guided the robber to the sewers before he was knocked out unconscious.

The next thing Elijah remembers is waking up in a bedroom with empty walls except for a calendar and a note. The note said that Elijah would be brought back to Hartsera after a few months had passed. He was told to wait and spend his time in that one bedroom until the time was up. Elijah was delivered meals by a man he had never met, and he had no idea where he was. The fewer questions he asked, the better chance of survival he would have.

I also felt terrible for him because his room had no windows. So he said it was like being imprisoned. I feel so bad for him, but the person who delivered his meals also grabbed books for Elijah to read, whatever he wanted.

Then, when it was time for Elijah to return home just a few days ago, they gave him some potion that knocked him unconscious, and the next thing he knew, he woke up at Hartsera Park.

So he walked home, and now he's back! I can't believe how scary that whole situation was. Elijah said he had no idea where they kept him or how they transported him. It seemed like a group or team of people robbed his bank. I feel so bad he had to go through that, but I guess they were nice to him by giving him three meals a day and any book he wanted to read. I think the robbers were hoping the whole situation would blow over, but Hartsera is still pretty shook up about it. The Mage Force is still doing everything possible to get to the bottom of the mystery. Their presence downtown has also significantly increased, and they haven't lessened.

Anyways, I hope you're doing well and enjoying your break with your grandpa. I wish I could be there with you. Let's hang out Sunday night when we return to campus, please! I'd love to hear all about your time with Benson and Hubert.

Love, Farrah.

I was relieved to hear that her brother had returned, but in the back of my mind, I couldn't help but think something was off with his story. After seeing him in that sketchy meeting and telling Farrah not to ask any questions or inquire about the group he's a part of, I wasn't sure if I could trust his story. Part of me started to believe that maybe he was a player in the bank robbery. I knew it wasn't healthy to speculate like that, but it was based on some evidence.

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I wrote Farrah back and told her I was having a pleasant time at my grandpa's house. Before I knew it, spring break had ended, and I had to return to campus.

As soon as I saw Farrah in the Fyron dormitory lounge, we ran into each other's arms, hugging and kissing immediately. It felt like it was from a movie.

"I'm so happy to hear that Elijah returned. I was really worried about him," I said.

"I know me too. It's such a miracle. My parents wouldn't stop crying." Farrah flipped her frown upside down. "But it was also fun having him return because my parents splurged on meals, so we went out to eat and did many fun things as a family."

"That's really great. Sounds like a perfect week with your family."

"It really was." Farrah beamed.

The thoughts in the back of my head kept trying to escape through my mouth. Farrah could tell I had a slight frown as she narrowed her eyes at me.

"You look like you have something to say."

"Nothing, it's not important."

"Please, I want you to say what's on your mind. I don't like the idea of there being secrets between us."

I rubbed my chin. I had wondered about Elijah's disappearance and had some conspiracy theories. I felt nervous about sharing them, but maybe if I worded them well, it wouldn't be a big deal.

"I'm just wondering if Elijah's disappearance had anything to do with that secret group he's a part of. Remember how much he wanted to keep that information away from you?" I was having a hard time keeping eye contact. I felt like I was trying to put out a fire I had started. "Like, what if that group wanted to steal some money from a bank? They know that Elijah works there and works on the inside."

Farrah's jaw dropped, and I shrugged.

"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend or anything," I added. "I just want you to maybe be aware of that. I'm worried about your brother's safety, that's all."

"I know he was rude to you around the holidays, and he was a little rude to me, but I like to think that he has a better heart and conscience than to lie to his family and the entire public for 3 months just to make some money."

"Well, I don't think it's just some money. I think he made a lot of money off of it if he was actually involved."

"I can't believe you," Farrah said, her face becoming a full scowl. "Look, you mean a lot to me, Rollie, but don't sit next to me tomorrow for breakfast or dinner. I just want a little space, that's all. We can talk the following day and see where I'm at." Farah marched past me and went to her room.

I stood there in the lounge of the Fyron Dormitory, and I felt embarrassed. Fortunately, no one was around to witness the conversation.

Going up to my room, I didn't see my suitemates, and of course, my roommate was sleeping. As soon as I got in bed, I tried closing my eyes and falling asleep, but I kept rerunning the conversation with Farrah in my head. My mind raced over and over and over. She seemed so pissed. What was I thinking, bringing that up? That was a wacko conspiracy theory with no evidence. What if she doesn't forgive me for that?

Tossing and turning through the late hours, I wasn't anywhere close to sleeping. Getting out of bed, I decided to walk around campus. Even though it was late at night, I had to blow off the steam somehow, and it was the only thing I could think of to do. The campus was dark, but the buildings were still lit up. No lights shined on them, but some magic too complex for me to understand made the bricks and the outer material illuminate the building.

It was weird how quiet the campus was. Usually, conversations were alive everywhere when I walked around during the day. Birds chirped as well since it was getting warmer on campus. I did hear a few owls hooting during my walk.

I wished I could talk to someone, but it was too late for that. Talking with Jonathan would have been helpful, but again, it was midnight. Hell, I half wanted to write a letter to my grandpa.

Way to go, Rollie. You don't have any friends, and you might be losing Farrah. Maybe I could talk to her tomorrow and apologize.

My legs started feeling tired, and I felt like I had crafted a decent apology in my head, so I went back to my room and tried falling asleep. I feel like I slept eventually, but it was hard to say.

Strange night.

When I woke up early, I decided not to go to breakfast. Instead, I slept in longer and got up to attend classes. Fortunately, school was regular and not especially annoying, but I still had difficulty focusing.

After my classes wrapped up for the day, I went to the edge of the small forest next to the education building. I sat underneath a massive tree, healthy and full of budding leaves, celebrating the coming of spring. Sitting with my arms resting on top of my folded-up knees. I probably looked like a weirdo to the school, but I already had that going for me with the mohawk. It didn't matter, and I didn't care anymore. I just sat underneath the tree and rested my head between my legs. I was exhausted, and the lack of sleep was catching up with me. I felt like I could nap right then and there but something happened.

A bright blue bird landed on my finger and merrily chirped. It was tiny and cute with its black button eyes.

I couldn't believe it. Although I had seen it happen before during the first semester, I couldn't believe it had happened again. The first time I thought it was a stroke of luck, just a crazy happenstance, but it happened yet again.

"Well, aren't you a friendly guy?" I said.

I was worried my words would scare it off, but it tilted its head at me and bounced around my hand.

"Are you my friend who visited me a few months ago?" I asked.

Although I felt ridiculous conversing with a bird, no one was around to hear. The few people that were about paid no attention to me. People carried on, strolling from the education building to one of the dormitories.