Lena, hearing the name of her husband, immediately became worried. But she hid all of her worries and answered the guard with a smile, " Yes, I am. I'm Lena Warwick".
The guard nodded as he brought forward a parchment. He handed it to her as he said, " As you know, a month ago, the General Unit for Advanced Research and Defense faction set out to go to Area 24 to investigate the incident of the Nevara Anomaly. Unfortunately, there were some outcomes which we were not prepared for and almost all GUARD members went missing due to an unforseen circumstance. I am so sorry to say that Sir Warwick happened to be one of these members".
Bang!!
Lena fell to the floor as tears streaked down her horrified face. She couldn't believe what she was hearing at all. The words missing rang in her head. Her husband had gone missing, in Area 24.
But he had said he would come back. That She and Aiden should await his return. But now, he ended up missing? It was impossible. She lifted her head up to ask, " May I ask what these unforseen circumstance was? And why the Ministry of Defense and the Council of Mages did not predict this unforseen circumstance?! May I ask why Yvine did not see this?! May I ask why my husband went missing?!"
" What am I supposed to do?! What use is your apology?! He tries to serve his King and ends up missing and all you do is come to my doorstep to apologize?! Why? Why?!"
The guard stood frozen as Lena cried before him. He didn't know what to do. He had been sent here by the Magistrate to disclose the news. It wasn't his fault. Yet this woman asked him so many questions.
He cleared his throat as he said, " Madam, the King personally offers his deepest condolences. The Council and Magistrates are ready to compensate you for your husband's services. All you have to do is–—"
" Compensate? Compensate?! Will you be able to compensate me by by bringing my husband back?! Do it!! Bring him back to me! What about my son? He needs his father! Bring his father back to him!!"
The guard did not know what to do. He was confused. If only another guard were in his shoes right now. He bent down and dropped a bag of coins on the door mat. " We are deeply sorry for your loss. The Magistrate will do all they can to find him and bring him back to you"
But the woman didn't listen. She instead wailed harder. It was impossible to console her. Seeing this, the guard left.
....
In the Palace of King Arin 111
Council room
The place was in chaos. Shouts erupted from everywhere. The members of the Magistrate were either arguing with one another or clutching their heads due to fear or a headache.
They were all scared and confused about the incident in Area 24. It was impossible to not be bothered when half of the GUARD suddenly disappeared with no traces of their whereabouts whatsoever.
The families of the people who disappeared were t their throats. They needed answers. But the Magistrate had none. They were just as confused as everyone. Just then, the large doors opened and King Arin 111 walked in along with his Queen, Queen Marina.
King Arin was a blonde who had stunning blue eyes. His physique was neither bully nor lanky. He was just right. He had and authoritative presence that told everyone around him that he was there for business. All the members of the Magistrate immediately zipped their lips as they stood up in respect.
The man took his seat and so did his wife. He waved his hand as he said, " Speak". One of the members of the Magistrate stood up as he cleared his throat. His name was Alexander Patrale. He was a bald man in his forties. He had a pot belly and was of average height. On his forehead were cold beads of sweat. Only God knew how much he was nervous right now
He said, " My King, My Queen, long live the King. We have taken action to disclose the news to the families of the members who ... disappeared. We also compensated them–—"
" You call that taking action? What about the ones who disappeared? What action have you taken to find them?" King Arin asked. Alexander swallowed nervously as he said, " My King, we are currently awaiting Commander Blackwood's recovery. He is still in shock and is not in a state to speak. This will delay our questioning a little as we will have to wait for him to recover to–—"
" And if he does not?"
Alexander bowed his head in shame. King Arin simply chuckled lightly. " No matter. How did the families take the news?" King Arin asked. At this point, another member stood up to answer. He was Graham Lockwood. He said " As expected from Sire, not lightly".
King Arin looked at all of them as he said, " Very well. I want an update regarding this matter in a month. It is not easy to lose a loved one. We should not allow our people experience this feeling" As he said this, he had a look of sadness o his face. But it was soon gone.
He stood up as he said, " If that is all, I suggest you start looking instead of fighting like three year olds". The members of the Magistrate all bowed there heads in shame.
King Arin stretched out his hand for his Queen. Queen Marina took and both left the large room. The members immediately yet unwillingly started to discuss what was to be done.
....
Exactly three weeks and two days later, little Aiden walked to his doorstep as he placed his hand on the fingerprint authorization pad outside his house. His hand was scanned and his access was granted.
Although, Tenoria was a world full of magic, it was also not lacking in technology. As a matter of fact, their technology was also much more advanced than normal tech. And the Magistrate proved this when the came to renovate ther home as 'compensation'.
Ever since his father's disappearance, Lena had become like a ghost. She was extremely thin that her bones were outlined and her clothes baggy. Her skin had become as pale as snow and she hardly ate anything. The wrinkles on her face had become increasingly visible and multiplied in number.
At times, she would start wailing uncontrollably in the middle of the night and Little Aiden would have to sleep by her side to console her. He did not like this version of his mother.
It wasn't like he didn't miss his father, he missed him very much. But he also wanted his mother to take better care of herself. This way, his father would be extremely happy when he came back. He would not be sad.
But he couldn't tell this to his mother, not when she cried at the sight and word of anything remated to the man. Little Aiden was lost. He didn't know what to do. But one thing was for sure, he had to take care of his mother in his father's absence.
With this thought, Aiden took a deep breath, forcefully put on a smile and went in. " Mummy!! Mummy!! I'm back from school!! Today was very good. I met a new kid named Cara. She's nice. I think we are friends now"
But little Aiden turned around and saw that there was no one in the living room. He went to the kitchen to search for his mummy but no one was there either. He went upstairs as he stood at his mother's bedroom door.
He listened for any signs of movement. He didn't hear anything. " Mummy, I'm coming in". He didn't hear a response so he opened the door.
Bang!!
Aiden's backpack dropped to the floor as he looked at his mother sprawled on the ground. Tears welled up in his eyes as he said, "Mummy...?"