MARIN, SYN, AND BEHNGI

Marin, Syn, and Behngi caught the Dean on his way out of his office. Flamescale told the trio that Callo had retired to his dorm room, an empty room on the Sophomore floor. The Dean thought it unfair to force Syn to move again. After all, the room was more hers now than it was Callo’s then. The Dean told the trio of concerned students that they should see their friend. It might do him well to see friendly faces.

Behngi would be the one who nervously knocked on the door to Callo’s new dorm room. The shared space of the second-year men's dorm was quiet, only setting their nerves further on edge. It was true if the Dean said it was true, but it would only be believed when they saw him.

The door opened slowly, and a skinny man stood in the doorway. He had sunken purple eyes and snow-white hair. It was Callo.

Syn rushed past Behngi and gave Callo a hug. He was thin, and she felt his bones even through the blue robes he wore.

“Callo!” Marin said excitedly. She beamed at the man, but he just looked confused.

“Oh… hello. Who are you all? Did I know you?” Callo said. His voice was raspy and weak. To Behngi, it sounded like talking must have been painful.

Syn pulled away and looked up at him. She had tears of joy on her cheeks but now looked surprised. “It’s me, Syn. Marin and Behngi, too.” Syn said, trying to explain.

“It's you guys. I see. Thank you for turning in my journal.” Callo said. He is almost emotionless. If Syn had to pick one word to describe him, it would be ‘awkward.’ Callo felt awkward to meet his friends.

“I was your roommate that first week at Spire. Do you remember me?” Behngi asked.

Callo gave Behngi a weak smile. “I wish I did, man. I don’t remember much of anything from that week. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t remember standing up to Flair for me and teaching me Cryomancy?” Marin asked. There is a note of heartbreak in her voice. Her pain came from the fact that these were moments that meant the world to her, and he might never be able to connect with her about them.

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Callo just shook his head. Syn took a step back, her excitement melting away to pity.

“What happened? Where were you?” Behngi asked.

“Niall believes that I followed the Glace current to the outlet to Daughter Lake. I floated on the Glace until a fisherman pulled me from the river. I woke up a week later in a shack. The fisherman and his wife helped nurse me back to my feet. Eventually, they learned about my disappearance from the falls. Then they helped me get to the other side of the lake. Now I’m here.” Callo said.

The story was short and concise. Behngi realized he must have told it half a dozen times by now. Callo was being brief because he didn’t know who they were. It made him avert his gaze from the thin remnant of Callo.

“That must have been tough,” Marin commented.

“Nah, I was mostly just hungry and tired. From what Flair has said, you all must have had a tougher time making it in this place than I have.” Callo said. “Anyways. I hope I get to know you all better. Thank you for checking in. I should go to bed.”

Syn tried to muster the strength to say something, but the door closed before she could.

AELLARIA

Aellaria pretended to be asleep when Marin returned to the room. Light poured into the dark room from the open door.

“Aellaria?” Marin asked and sighed softly, but Aellaria did not respond.

Aellaria felt relief when she heard the sadness in Marin’s voice. Her heart went out to Marin, but the truth was Callo’s memories would have sunk her. Marin’s sadness is a beacon of hope. A beacon that told her that Callo was broken enough not to remember Marin or what Aellaria did to him.

The beacon of hope dulled from the emotions pouring from Marin. Marin let out quiet sobs as she prepared for bed. She even heard Marin praying softly to Phoenix.

Aellaria lay there, knowing she did this. If she had just killed him right the first time, Marin wouldn’t be feeling this pain right now.