After the team training something changed.
It was not a change. No one suddenly became friends.. The way Raka looked at me was different. No longer dismissive. Not admiration either. Like he was trying to read something he hadn't yet understood.
"You're still an idiot " he said as we left the field. ". At least you're brave."
I didn't answer.. That was enough.
Kirana said nothing.. When we passed each other in the hallway she gave a small nod. Almost invisible.. I saw it.
Maya walked beside me. Her cold hand gripped my wrist for a moment checking my wound.
"Its healed " I said.
"I know " she said. "Just making sure."
She walked faster. Leaving me behind.
The following days felt different.
It was training. Mornings on the field afternoons in theory class evenings training again. I was getting used to the Academys rhythm.. One thing bothered me.
Maya started approaching Lina.
At first it seemed like coincidence. In the cafeteria Maya sat next to Lina. I watched from across the table between Raka eating and Kirana cutting her food into small pieces.
"You keep looking over " Kirana said.
I turned. "No."
Kirana didn't answer.. I knew she didn't believe me.
Lina laughed across the room. Maya smiled. Not the smile I saw when she laughed in the changing room. A different smile. More careful.
"Maya never sat with anyone before this " Kirana said.
I looked at her.
"She was always alone. Since the day " Kirana said. "Now she sits with Lina. Maybe she just wants a friend."
"Or maybe shes looking for something " I said.
Kirana looked at me. Her cold eyes didn't change.. There was something there. Something like a warning.
"Be careful " she said. "Lina trusts people easily."
The day Maya sat next to Lina again.
This time I sat closer. Close enough to hear.
"Where are you from?" Maya asked.
"From a village " Lina said. "Kael and I grew there. His grandfather raised us."
"His grandfather?" Maya asked.
"He passed away " Lina said. "Recently."
Maya nodded. Didn't ask further.. Her eyes—I saw it. She was storing something.
"You don't have family?" Maya asked.
Lina smiled. A smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I grew up in an orphanage. Until Kaels grandfather. Took me away."
"When was that?" Maya asked.
"I was still a baby " Lina said. "Kaels grandfather said he found me on his doorstep. In a basket."
I felt something in my chest. Lina had never told me this.. Maybe she forgot.. Maybe my grandfather never told me.
"So you don't know who your parents are?" Maya asked.
Lina shook her head. "No."
Maya looked at her for a moment. Then smiled. "Sorry. I asked many questions."
"It's okay " Lina said. "I don't get to talk to people often."
Maya stood. Picked up her tray. Before leaving she turned more.
"Lina " she said. "Aren't you curious? About your origins?"
Lina was quiet. Her hand stopped on the table.
"Sometimes " she said finally. ". Kaels grandfather said sometimes it's better not to know."
Maya didn't answer. She left.
The day I couldn't sit still.
When Maya left the cafeteria I followed her. Not hiding. I just walked behind her enough that she couldn't say I was stalking.
Maya walked to the administration building. Went up to the floor. I followed.
She stopped in front of Room 13.
The door was half open. Same as the night I found it. The light from inside wasn't bright enough to light the hallway.
Maya stood at the door. Didn't go in. Just stood. Staring inside.
I walked closer.
"You followed me " she said without turning.
"You're getting close to Lina " I said.
"I was just talking to her " she said.
"You're looking for something " I said.
She turned. Her eyes were dark.. Not cold. Not like usual.
"You're looking for something Kael " she said. "From the day you came to this Academy."
I didn't answer.
"You're looking for answers about your grandfather. About the Ember Core. About what happened in the past " she said. "I'm looking for answers too. About Lina. About what your grandfather hid about her."
"Lina doesn't know anything " I said.
"I know " she said.
"She's a victim. Like my grandfather said," I said.
Maya smiled. A smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"I'm a victim too Kael " she said. ". Look what happened to me."
She pointed to her wrist. The silver bracelet covered the scar beneath.
"My father left me with this. A scar that will never disappear.. Your grandfather—" she stopped. "Your grandfather left Lina with something too. Maybe different in form.. Just as heavy."
"You don't know that " I said.
"You don't know either " she said.
I was silent.
Maya looked at me for a time. Then her voice softened.
"I won't hurt her Kael " she said. "I just want to know. Before I decide who to trust."
"Trust who?" I asked.
"Your grandfather. My father. All the people who left us with these scars without telling us what really happened " she said.
She turned. Walked away from Room 13.
"I just want to know the truth " she said from a distance. "Before I choose."
I stood in front of Room 13. Alone.
The door was still half open. Inside the empty chair with my name carved still waited.
I didn't go in.. I didn't leave either.
The scar on my hand pulsed. Slowly. Like it was reminding me of something.
"She's not wrong " the Ember Cores voice whispered. "You're looking for the truth too. The only difference is how."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Maya looks by asking " the voice said. "You look by waiting." The voice laughed. "The question is, who will find it first?"
I clenched my fist. The scar pulsed harder.
"I won't let her hurt Lina " I said.
"Lina isn't the one who needs protection, Kael " the voice said. "Lina is—"
The voice stopped.
Like something cut it off.
I waited.. There was no more voice.
Inside Room 13 wind from the window stirred dust on the floor. The empty chair stood in the center silent.
I turned. Walked away.
In my head one sentence kept spinning.
Lina is—
Lina is what?
That night I couldn't sleep.
I sat on my bed staring at the ceiling. Lina was already asleep beside me. Her warm hand lay open beside her face.
I wanted to ask her. About the basket on my grandfathers doorstep. About her past that she never talked about. About what my grandfather hid.
I couldn't.
Not because I was afraid.. Because seeing Lina asleep her hand open, beside her face I remembered something.
My grandfather said Lina was safe. Lina was a victim.
I believed that.
I wanted to believe that.
I closed my eyes.. Sleep didn't come.