25. Past

When Arik and I returned from the woods, we found the three of them, Aurora and Kim included, waiting in the suite.

I couldn't even look at them directly because I didn't want to see something that would surprise me.

"Just around here..." I almost whispered. "Why? Isn't this place secure? That's what Dad said," I said, shifting my gaze back to them.

At that moment, Arik, who just entered with two cups of coffee, met my eyes. He approached me immediately and handed me a cup.

"Aomori has its dangerous parts, Celeste. I hope you don't do that again. We're here. If you have questions, we can answer them, especially the ones about what you heard earlier." He spoke gently to me, as if still apologizing to me even after I forgave him earlier when we swam at the lake.

I looked away from him. "I know. That's why I ran away because I didn't want to find out just yet. Is that so wrong now?"