Chapter 3:

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Elemental Solicter


"What is the mess here?” A military officer arrives at the explosion site and questions the Lady Officer with him about the site.

“No doubt. This is the same site sir, reported by the people about an explosion that occurred a couple of hours ago". Lady Officer replied.

Due to an explosion that occurred outside the town, many people were suspicious. So they reported to the military about it. Two officers with a pair of soldiers arrived there to investigate the scene.

One of the soldiers sees a body and quickly reports the officer. "Major...Major Ace. We have found someone who is alive but he is in a bad shape and his...one of his..."

"Spit it out. What happened?” Major interrupts the soldier and orders him to speak up.

"Major. This person is alive but one of his legs has been completely vanished off due to the explosion, I suppose". The second soldier reports to the Major about the condition of the person.

“He looks very severe, take him in the wagon and move towards the hospital. Lft. Harlow (lady officer) you carry him to the hospital". Major Ace orders Lft. Harlow.

Major Ace was not finished with his investigation so he decides to wait with the soldiers to investigate more deeply.

"Yes sir". (salutes). Lft. Harlow salutes Major. Ace and moves on towards the hospital with Jack.

Major had a hunch that they will encounter a injured. Hence he prepared the wagon beforehand.

The hospital was a couple of miles away from the explosion site. As soon as Lft. Harlow reaches the hospital she gets Jack on one of the stretchers and dashes inside.

“June, attend him quickly". Lft. Harlow seeing June orders her to look at Jack first.

As it was already sunset most of the physicians were gone excluding June. Even at her age, she was able to perform certain operations.

"Yes sure. Bring him in, here...Quick". June replies.

Lft. Harlow comes rushing towards June with Jack on the stretcher. June looks at the face and panicking she shouts, “Jack! Aaah. What happened?

"Do you know him?”Lft. Harlow asks.

“Yes, I know him". June replied.

"So get him in consciousness as soon as possible we want to interrogate him. Call the nurses and attend to him quickly". Lft. Harlow orders June.

June quickly takes Jack to the emergency room and starts his medication. After giving Jack medication for 2 to 3 hours he gains consciousness. As soon as he opens his eyes he sees June in front of him.

“Huh...! Where am I?" Jack asks observing his surroundings.

Tapping on Jack's head June answers his question with a question. "Where do you think you are?

Jack gets fully conscious about his surroundings and asks June about his wounds. After that, they had a long conversation but were interrupted by Major Ace who suddenly dashes into Jack's room.

“Jack Fowler, right?". Major asks for a confirmation.

"Yes, Major". Jack replied.

"Major Ace Flynn is an extraordinary officer, with a good hold on soldiers. And one of the "War heroes of Manistersis". I read about him in the newspaper". Jack was talking with himself.

"Mrs. Schwartz please leave the room". Major orders June to leave the room.

June unaware asks Major the reasons for her leave, interrupting June Lft. Harlow says. “I told you we need to talk with him about the incident. So please do as Major says to you and leave the room". June gets disappointed and without uttering a word she leaves the room but giving Jack a sad look in her eyes.

"So Jack, we have come here to have a chat with you about the incident in which you lost your leg. Describe what happened?” Major demands an answer from Jack.

"Oh no... If I tell them that I was trying something robust like to make the elemental stone with Dr Marco they will surely put us behind the bars. And about Dr Marco (remembers what happened) also what shall I say?" Jack gets caught in a messed up situation and tries to find a way out of it.

"Be quick on your explanation, Fowler". Major Ace demands an answer again.

“Major. To be honest, I don't remember anything important to tell you. I just happened to pass by a warehouse on the plain land outside the city. But suddenly I heard some sounds like "Help!” So I quickly ran towards the warehouse. And as soon as I opened the door an explosion took place and I got dashed on a tree. My eyes were shut down. After that, I opened my eyes here in the hospital". Jack explains.

"That was a good fairy tale but I am not here to listen to your bedtime stories. I am here to know the truth. Perhaps! (Gets up from the chair and starts to move with Lft. Harlow towards the door.) You need a little rest. I will visit you again". Major Ace turns down Jack's explanation.

Major Ace leaves the room and sees June standing near the door and advice her, “Mrs. Schwartz. You know him, right? (She nods her head saying "Yes") I guess he needs a bit rest. Take a good care of him".

With a blushing face and avoiding eye contact with Major, June replies. "No it's nothing like that. We have been like a family to each other".

“I see". Major replies and leaves the hospital with Lft. Harlow. As soon as Major leaves, June rushes inside Jack's room.

"Ok now speak up the truth. What happened there? June asks Jack.

“How many times shall I say? I don't remember. It was all of a sudden". Jack raises his voice on June.

"No one loses a leg and then don't remember anything. Isn't weird? June asks Jack with a patient voice.

“Does Aden know?" Jack asked June being worried.

"Not till now. I told him to leave early today and said I will be having some paperwork. But now (checking her watch) I am also going home. I will visit you tomorrow". June answers Jack.

“Hey listen up!" Jack stopped June and was about to say something but June interrupts saying, "Yeah, yeah I know. Not a word to Aden and sister, right...? Understood". June leaves.

Jack did not have any major injuries but some scars and one of his legs was not there. As a result, he had to spend the whole night alone in the hospital. The next morning Jack woke up and as his regular habit, he checks his bed, as Lemo always pees on his bed. After getting sure that he is safe today he got up and stands on one of his legs until he realizes that he is one leg short and gets imbalance as a result he ends up collapsing on the ground.

“Hey...what happened?" A nurse comes shouting towards Jack's room and sees Jack has collapsed on the ground she immediately helps him to get up and says. "Oh my dear, please be careful". She settles Jack on the bed.

“Sorry, it's just my everyday habit to fall off the bed". Jack replied

"Even so, be careful. I will bring you some milk". Nurse leaves the room to bring a glass of milk for Jack.

Jack was observing his room and suddenly his eyes got stuck on the newspaper brought up by the nurse and was kept on the bed. Though Jack was not much in reading still he wishes to adopt the knowledge about his surroundings so he starts reading the newspaper. Jack was about to read the 1st line but was interrupted by the nurse. “Have your milk". Jack holds the glass of milk in one of his hands. The nurse leaves the room but suddenly she hears an awful sound and comes rushing towards Jack's room and asks him. "What did you do now?"

"Oh so sorry to trouble you. But the glass of the milk got slip from my hands and fall". Jack replied.

"Ok, don't touch it. I will clean it later". Saying this much nurse takes her to leave.

But Jack was shivering as he read the newspaper. It was written,

“Yesterday night, in Central province in capital city. Due to an accident Tatun dome was in ashes . In which 3 people have died.

Jack reads the next line.

"The names are:

1. Marlin Schwartz..."

As soon as Jack reads Marlin's name he re-reads the news several times. He  could not believe his eyes.  But the reality was not going to change. Marlin is dead.