Chapter Four
The meeting was completed, and Blair filled out the appropriate paperwork, beginning her immediate transfer. The young woman returned to her desk, Chris watched her pack important notes and her handbooks, placing them in a white cardboard box. Chris asked, "So, you'll be leaving us?" Blair scoffed with a grin, "It is just for a month. I don't plan on being gone for that long. I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to do." She lied.
"Do you want me to ask if I can go with you?" She shook her head, objecting to his offer. "Thanks, Chris, but it's okay. I think it would be best if I go alone."
~~~~~~
Blair punched out early, deciding to head home, and pack her clothes and necessities in suitcases. Blair sat on her bed, her eyes moving on the picture of her and Salan. She grabbed the picture, placing it on top of her clothes resting in her suitcase.
Blair pulled out her cell phone, dialing her family's phone number. It would possibly be best if she gave them an update on her upcoming travel. Only - "Hi! You've reached the Nelsons! Leave a message." A high tone could be heard on the other line, signaling Blair to leave a message. "Hi, Mom, Hi Dad. I know you guys are out, again. I just think I'd let you know about my transfer. I'm going down to New Mexico for a little bit. I don't know how long I'll be gone. I thought I would keep you in the loop, right? Anyways, give me a call. My cellphone number hasn't changed since I left. So, yeah. Love you guys. Night."
Blair hasn't spoken to her family since she left to live in the cabin with Salan; that was over five years ago. Her hand shook, holding her cellphone. Blair can only picture the scene, she will finally see the Woodland Elf that may have played a part in her lover's murder.
She took her suitcases and placed them in her vehicle, getting them all set and ready to go in the morning. Blair took a warm shower, washing away the stress from the day. She mentally prepared how and what to say when she meets Xan and the Woodland Elf. For now, she will sleep and bring the stress of the meeting when it comes.
~~~~~~
Blair woke up at 4:30 am., sleeping around 6:30 pm the night before to get some sleep, knowing her sleeping pattern is going to severely be impacted for a few days. Ian and Chris pleaded with the young woman to take a plane or a train to New Mexico. However, she decided to drive herself, needing the time on her own. Blair swung by a restaurant to get a sausage biscuit and coffee to get her day started; once she got settled, Blair Serena Nelson bagan her drive to Santa Fe, New Mexico. She knew she will have to stop at a hotel as the drive was a full day and four hours total.
The drive was a lonely one for Blair. The whole time Blair was on the road, she kept thinking about what kind of people she was going to meet. While a meet-and-greet scenario is a strong trait of Blair's, this time she was not in a partying mood. She listened to a radio station, playing the hit song from the Backstreet Boy, she lip-synced the song "Bye, Bye, Bye." Not a second has gone by where she isn't preparing herself for what kind of Elf she will meet, let alone what they could be capable of.
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Around 6:00 pm, Blair made her stop for the night at Memphis, Tennessee, checking herself in at the Big Cypress Lodge, planning to leave the next morning.
After checking in, she stepped into her room and drops her bags on the bed. The Front Desk Clerk mentioned to her in addition to her stay, there was a Third Floor Lobby and Bar Area, which just opened for service an hour ago. Blair took this into consideration and she head upstairs to the third floor where the area is a woodsy, cabin style with a light oak coloring on the floor, and the fireplace is covered with bricks, giving a nice cabin cozy feeling. She pulled out her phone and noticed that no one from the office has sent her any emails relating to her previous cases; Ian and Marcus must have the others taking care of her files.
On cue, her phone gave a notification and it was Chris from the office, wishing her well and for her to hurry up with her case and come back to D.C. She could only smile at his text. She put her phone away and stared into the fire, thinking about Salan that day he died. No words come from Blair. Only her memories replayed in her mind. Some of the guests in the lobby only stared at the poor girl, thinking about how lonely she must be or how sad she looks. So much was on Blair's mind. So much pain and suffering.
She can't wait to interrogate the elf that the Division of the Tenth has captured. As maybe, just maybe she can put the past of her heartbreak's pain behind her once and for all.
~~~~~~
Regardless of having a restless night, Blair managed to get up and shower to fully wake herself up at 5:30 am. Her primary goal was to leave at 6:30 am and take that fourteen-hour drive straight throughout the whole day.
The lonely car drive began again. Chris mentioned to her about Libby, an app where if you register your library card, you can download and rent books just like how other libraries would work. Blair didn't have any free time to stop at a library and check out books. Although, once she completely brings up her free time, then she would think about checking out a fantasy book that can get her to escape the harsh reality of politics and race. Every book Blair would like to check out always drew her to a character that reminded her too much of Salan, elf, and all.
Chris logged into his account for Blair and she can put in as many books as she likes. He didn't mind her using his account; he hardly used it. There was one title that was left on the bookshelf that caught her attention and she was mixed about listening to it because it may cause her boredom, but it distracted her from the idea of wanting to be pulled into fantasy and she was still swimming in memories about her previous lover.
Juror #3 by James Patterson is a story where a small town lawyer takes on her first criminal case where everyone is pointing their fingers at a young African American man; all playing the race card that he's guilty. It reminded Blair about that one case when it came on FX - The People Versus OJ. OJ Simpson was found not guilty of the murder of his ex-wife and her friend.
No matter what Blair listened to or watched, somehow someway it always reminded her of Salan. Would people treat him the same way if he was discovered as an elf or if he murdered Blair, god forbid if he did. Blair appreciated his maturity, even though he was a few centuries ago. However, he never laid his hand on the human, intending to cause harm.
Blair knows this Woodland Elf she is about to me is nothing, nor will be anything like Salan. She drives again - this time, she will go on nonstop to meet with the creature and Xan.