Chapter 88: The Woman Who Waited

Their conversation ended when the old bus terminal came into view. The place had lost several wall panels and half of its electronic signs, but civilians still passed through the open concourse. A narrow strip of silver-white fabric had been tied around one entrance rail.

The material matched the piece Silas had found earlier.

Inside, an old route board had been covered by newer handwritten notices. Most listed shelters, blocked streets, available water points, and names of people searching for relatives. One message in the center used Marek’s full name.

MAREK VALE.

WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT <anno data-annotation-id="bd4ef6ef-e2f7-9f3e-2c64-054e78ef3691" data-title="LIGHT CHANGE.">LIGHT CHANGE.¹</anno>

COME ALONE TO THE BOTANICAL INSTITUTE COURTYARD.

Kellan read it over his shoulder. "That is the most obvious trap I’ve seen all week."

"Wow, you’re getting smarter," Rhovan remarked.

"It’s a miracle you were able to see through that," Silas added.

"What the hell is wrong with you two?" Kellan frowned.

However, he was met with silence.

Kellan scoffed, distancing himself from the rest of the group. "I’m just gonna sleep while you guys play smart."

Rhovan then looked at Marek. "You know it’s a trap, oh Dear Ophiarch—oh, sorry, I was overreaching. Of course, you’re still going."

"Seriously?" Silas felt like he had heard the most ridiculous thing since they began this journey. "You’re seriously going to take the bait? It says you’re going there alone."

"Obviously, it’s a trap, but I have to do it, regardless. So far, it’s the closest lead I have."

Silas and the others lowered their heads as some of them sighed.

"Just..." Dario was about to speak but held himself back.

Marek did not leave immediately. He asked around and found a man who had been distributing food to the civilians around them. The man remembered a blonde girl passing through with several younger people and a tall woman in silver-white clothing. Marek showed the man his sister’s picture.

Meanwhile, several girls nearby were gossiping about how flashy Rhovan looked. Marek and the others ignored him as he reveled in the attention. To them, he was basically beyond saving.

"Yes, that’s her," the man said.

Hearing that, his chest tightened. "When?"

"Previous light period. Or perhaps later than that. I couldn’t really remember exactly."

"W-Was she hurt?" Marek asked, his voice trembling.

He had always told himself that he must steel his heart, but every time he found another lead to his sister, his emotional reflex would resurface.

The man shook his head. "Didn’t look like it. In fact, I could remember she had much more energy than all the girls she was with. I’d say the one with the most personality among them. She was even annoyed about some things and kept on rambling."

"About what?"

The man thought for a second. "I only heard food like noodles and stuff."

Rhovan noticed the shift in Marek’s mood. He stopped himself from getting all the spotlight and just focused on Marek. ’Oh, dear Ophiarch, as humans would say, let it all out. It’ll make you feel better, but I’m not in the position to say that to you. After all, I’m built different. Quite literally.’

Marek then asked if anyone had seen his mother, but it seemed no one did. ’Of course, she’s not here. If she’s following her current route, then she wouldn’t pass by this place.’

The group used the remaining time before the next light change to inspect the area around the botanical institute. Rafe identified the usable exits. Silas confirmed that no government patrol had settled nearby while Nadia spoke with civilians in the surrounding shelters. Several people remembered the silver-white woman. None knew her name.

Marek did not repeat the route checks himself. He had enough information.

The light gradually began to fade as the next light change approached. Suddenly, a faint pressure returned behind his right ear.

He froze.

Celeste had been silent long enough that the voice felt more intrusive than familiar.

"The woman is there," she said.

Marek’s attention sharpened. ’Mara?’

Celeste did not answer that question.

’You disappear for this long and come back with half a sentence?’

"The woman is waiting."

Marek pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek. Rhovan noticed the change in his expression.

"What happened?" Rhovan asked.

"I think that silver-white woman is there."

Rhovan’s usual amusement disappeared. "How do you know?"

Marek did not answer.

Rhovan stared at him for a moment before nodding to himself. ’As expected of the Ophiarch. He can sense someone even I can’t perceive.’

By then, the light had almost completely faded. Marek adjusted the backpack once, resisting the urge to inventory it again. He knew what was inside: water, medical supplies, his notebook, his phone, family notes, photographs, and enough noodles for Mara to complain about the brand if he actually reached her.

Rhovan began following when he stepped away from the terminal.

"The instruction says alone," Marek reminded him.

"I can read."

"Then stay here."

"No."

Marek turned. Rhovan met his stare without joking.

After a short argument, they settled on a compromise Marek disliked less than the alternatives. Rhovan would remain outside the institute and would not enter the courtyard unless Marek signaled or something tried to remove him through a route he could not see. The others would stay farther back along the surrounding streets.

"That is not alone," Marek said.

"Close enough. I’m not letting you do anything more reckless than that."

Marek pointed at him. "Do not make that sound heroic."

He left before Rhovan could continue.

Rhovan had no choice but to stay. ’It was an order after all, but please stay safe, oh Dear Ophiarch...’

The botanical institute stood several blocks away behind damaged glasshouses and a low concrete wall. Reflective panels had been covered along the inner passage, and white fabric moved lightly between the columns. At the entrance, one small note had been pinned beneath a stone.

COME IN.

Marek read it without picking it up.

For more than a week, Marek had always arrived after the person he was looking for had already left. This time was different. Someone had told him to wait, and for once, she had actually waited for him.

Marek looked back once. Rhovan stood at the far intersection exactly where he had promised. He had apparently decided that staying out of sight was not part of the agreement.

Then Marek faced the covered passage again.

The silver-white woman had stopped moving away.

’Is Mara with her? Is my sister there?’ He clenched his fist as he shivered, biting his lower lip until it bled.

<annotations style="display: none;">the moment the world switches between light and darkness</annotations>