An Interconnection or Inclusion

After the enigmatic young woman's departure, a cascade of thoughts began their slow journey through my mind, sparking various contemplations. I found myself pondering the absence of a letter from her – if it wasn't her, then who could it have been? And, more importantly, who was she truly? What was the reason behind her cryptic desire to meet me privately?

As these questions swirled, three pairs of eyes focused on me, searching for answers. Sid, always quick to take charge, interjected, "So, you received a letter that prompted your early arrival, right?"

I stood there, offering only a nod in response.

Sid let out a low whistle. "Well, well, Endie. It seems you've certainly captured someone's interest."

Akhish chuckled. "This is like the beginning of a romantic drama." A faint smile also crossed Pam's lips.

Rolling my eyes at their playful teasing, I welcomed the brief distraction from the puzzle that had commandeered my thoughts. "I can't predict what lies ahead, but I can't shake the feeling that there's more to this situation than meets the eye."

Pam's contemplative expression mirrored my uncertainty. "It's definitely intriguing. Just know that we're here for you, no matter what unfolds."

Grateful for their support, a lingering question lingered. "Thank you all. But who is that girl? I don't remember seeing her in our class, do you?"

They all nodded in agreement, momentarily overlooking the presence of a figure, a shadow lurking behind Akhish. With his habitual glasses adjustment and characteristic interjections, he spoke up, "If I may interject, I might have some information."

At that moment, we eagerly sought any insight that could illuminate the situation. Though everything had grown increasingly intriguing since the incident with the elderly lady, a sense of amusement bubbled beneath the surface.

Encouraging him, I said, "Yes, please share, Enka."

His revelation left all of us perplexed. "In reality, she is Shena Laventil – a second-year student and our senior." It was puzzling; she didn't quite fit the mold of a senior – her appearance was youthful, and she exuded a kind demeanor.

With this revelation, we returned to attend a few classes before reaching the conclusion of this eventful day. As the final professor signaled the end of classes, I gathered my belongings and headed to the agreed-upon meeting point - the college gate.

Before encountering Shena, I had informed my friends not to peek and to await my return near Dr. Olsan's Clinic.

What was once a tranquil yet enigmatic mental landscape now resembled the epicenter of a storm of emotions and queries. The sun hung low, casting elongated shadows as I lingered near the college gate. I observed the steady stream of people exiting the college while I stood there, patiently waiting for her. Minutes seemed to stretch indefinitely, and just as doubt began to creep in, a familiar figure emerged in the distance, her eyes carrying the same mystique as before.

Approaching purposefully, she fixed her gaze upon me, her words as soothing as a melody. "Thank you for coming," she uttered softly.

Caught between curiosity and caution, I couldn't help but express my intrigue. "I must admit, I'm genuinely curious. Who are you, truly? And what's the reason behind all this secrecy?"

A hint of a smile graced her lips. "I understand your questions, but there are certain matters that I couldn't disclose at that time."

Thus, she introduced herself and shed light on the rationale behind our private meeting. "I am Shena Laventil. As I mentioned earlier, the elderly lady you assisted is my grandmother. After that incident, another significant event transpired."

Her expression shifted to one of concern, prompting me to inquire further. "What occurred next?"

"My sister ran away from home," she confided, her eyes brimming with tears.

Seeking to offer reassurance, I inquired, "But why? And how does this tie into everything?"

And so, she unveiled the complete story. "In reality, we are newcomers to this area. Soon after we completed our move, it was just me, Grandma, and Diana. She had her first day as a first-year student, while I was already in my second year due to my previous high grades. Now, she believes it's her fault that our grandmother suffered."

With each revelation, a new layer of complexity unfurled. Despite the unfolding drama, I posed one final question, perhaps the most crucial. "But why did she turn to me for help?"

"Because," she explained, "she said she'd only consider returning home if you could locate her before the weekend."

She then handed me the letter Diana had left behind on her desk. As I opened it, my eyes fell not upon written words, but upon a meticulously drawn illustration.

Perplexed, I turned to Shena and inquired, "What does this signify?"

She regarded the illustration thoughtfully, her eyes tracing its lines. "This, maybe, is a clue—a place, if you will. Diana's artistic skills have always been her way of communicating. She's trying to lead us to her, to where she's hidden." The fading light seemed to dance upon the paper, casting an aura of urgency over the image.

After wrapping up my conversation with Shena, receiving Diana's image via mail, and comprehending the situation, my emotions leaned toward understanding, yet a greater sense of bewilderment took hold. Shena had departed due to other commitments, and I too had left with the letters and the enigmatic artistic clue.

As I made my way back, the setting sun cast its fading light, gradually revealing the encroaching night. This transformation mirrored my own feelings of intrigue, and I couldn't help but notice the parallel.

True to my word, I stumbled upon all three of them - actually, I almost forgot about Enka, who still stuck around as Akhish's constant companion. "Oh, you guys are still here?" I asked as I spotted them outside Dr. Olsan's Clinic, engaged in play with his cats.

In his characteristically impatient manner, Sid leaped onto my shoulder and eagerly inquired, "So, how did it go? Did you give them an answer?"

While I initially wondered about their insider knowledge, I quickly realized Sid was talking about something else entirely. Taking a moment, I started explaining everything to them.

Akhish, now free from the world of books, remarked, "This feels like something out of a fiction book."

Injecting his signature humor, Sid retorted, "Not quite! It's akin to a prince locating his princess and persuading her to return to the castle."

Amidst this banter, a voice of reason emerged in the form of Pam, who reassured, "Don't worry, Endie. We'll find a solution."

Exhausted and confounded, I lamented while withholding the artistic clue, "Ah, but where within Gallera City could this place be?"

At that moment, Sid's gaze fixed upon the clue, and he assumed the role of the right person at an opportune yet challenging juncture. "I'm familiar with this location," he declared.

Then, he softly uttered a word, "It's where the Beast dwells."