Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Vida

Burn's Bar, New York City

It was totally unfair how the sun was shining brightly on Vida. In fact, it was too bright for her liking.

The pair were seated at the picnic table, behind Burn's, designated for employees to eat their lunch. It was well-past 12:00PM and the lunch rush of the customer had already died down, giving them time to take a break and prepare for the afternoon stragglers.

"Vida babe, are you going to eat your protein bar? If not, can I have it? I need an extra boost of sugar today." Tessa said as she finished eating her double turkey sandwich.

Vida nodded, not even bothering to look up from her phone.

Tessa found it weird that her friend was as usual, disconnected from reality, but this time, her nose was behind her mobile phone. "Switching to e-books now, are we?"

Her friend ignored her and just kept scrolling. Well, that was news to Tessa.

"I'll also be taking your banana yoghurt too since I'm really, really, hungry." Tessa made a move to reach for the yoghurt, but Vida immediately slapped her hand away. "Ouch!"

"Take away my protein bar for all I care, just don't touch my yoghurt." Vida said, protecting her precious favorite dessert.

Tessa raised her hands in defeat, laughing. "I'm sorry, I had to do it since you wouldn't pay attention to me."

Vida put down the phone in her lap and thought about the man in her dreams. All morning, she had been occupied by what had transpired last night. She even got called out by Lance once.

"Vida! Get this order out now. It's dying on the pass."

She apologized profusely and silently cursed at herself. She needed to get a grip or else Peter might hear about it. She did not want to cause any more problems for that guy because he'd been more than kind to give Vida some time off after that unfateful night where she nearly got raped.

"Babe, you're spacing out again." Tessa snapped her fingers in front of Vida.

"Sorry. I'm just not at my best today." Vida yawned.

"Did a certain Harry Fletcher keep you up all night?" Tessa asked suggestively.

Vida sighed. How she wished it was that simple. So, she figured she'd tell Tessa about it, hoping that her friend would not freak out.

"Okay, since you're my best friend, I'll let you in on a secret." Vida said. Her thoughts were consumed once again with the mystery man who made her feel things she certainly should not be feeling in a dream. Her heart was beating fast again as heat rushed up to her cheeks. "I had a realistic dream where I-uhm . . . I--" Vida looked around just to make sure that no one was around to listen, then continued in a hush voice. "I had sex with a guy. And I can't seem to take him off of my mind, so I'm trying to find him on social media."

Tessa nearly spat out her seltzer water. Okay, her best friend is crossing the thin line between creepy and weird.

"Okay, so let me get this straight." Tessa said, forgetting all about the protein bar she was about to eat. "You had a dream, a realistic one at that, about having sex with a random guy, and now you're trying to find him on social media."

Vida nodded enthusiastically as more color rose to her neck and ears. Now that it came out of Tessa's mouth, she realized how ridiculous it sounded.

"I hate to break it to you, angel, but having sexual dreams is yes, normal, but the fact that you're looking for him in reality is just unusual and kind of creepy." Tessa said slowly. "You could try not looking for him? I mean, I'm not sure if that man really exists or he's just a manifestation of someone you've met before?"

Vida understood Tessa's point and was kind of deflated. "But it seemed so real."

Tessa held Vida's hand and said. "I know. It's unfair how the brain works. You finally found the perfect man but suddenly your brain said, 'Oh, we almost forgot one teensy little detail: he's not real.'"

"Yeah, you're right. That man is probably something my brain conjured to keep me from, I don't know, feeling lonely?" Vida said. She closed her phone and began to eat her lunch. "I just don't understand how someone that is entirely made by imagination can leave so much impression on me."

Tessa continued to remain quiet and just listened to her best friend rattle on about her mystery dream guy. But having hyper-realistic dreams can sometimes be a sign of post traumatic stress disorder. She's worried that it might be related to what happened the other night.

She just did not have the heart to tell her that she probably needed to see a specialist to process her trauma.

Before she could divert the topic to cheerier tones, one of the trainees opened the door to the back entrance and approached their table.

"Hey, Vida. Uhm, someone dropped this off for you." He produced a bouquet of flowers from behind his back and handed it to Vida.

Both girls gasped in surprise. Vida has no known relative as far as she knows, so she had no idea who would send her this.

"Oooh, these are beautiful." Tessa said, taking a sniff of the white and lavender roses.

Vida was floored on how delicate and elegant the arrangement was made. She had never received flowers in her entire life. "These must have cost so much."

"I wouldn't worry about the cost of those since the guy who dropped them off seemed to afford ten more bouquets of roses." The trainee said before retreating back to the kitchen.

Tessa scanned for a note and she found one, just below the ribbons. "There's a note!"

Vida read the note:

To the enchanting Vida,

Passed by a flower shop and these reminded me of you.

Hoping these will brighten up your day.

Take care.

Yours, Harry F.

P.S. I was also hoping I could take you out for dinner one of these days.

Upon reading the note, Vida smiled and was touched by the endearing note. Tessa, on the other hand, shrieked with excitement.

"You lucky bitch! You better take that dinner offer or I swear to God, I will blow a fuse!" Tessa exclaimed and she went on about how she'd help Vida prepare for the dinner. She was already arranging where they'd buy a dress and how she'd do her make-up.

Vida let her friend rattle on. On the other hand, she was indeed flattered. It was not rare for Vida to get admirers. But it didn't make her heart flutter. Unlike the man who visited her in her dreams.

Clearly she was losing her mind over the mystery man. Vida then knew she was fucked.

---

Colter

Trafalgar, Kingdom of Howard

Colter knew he was fucked.

From the moment he went to find Samuel's house, he knew that he was already late. Samuel had already been taken to Trafalgar and it was confirmed by Samuel's mother.

"But, My Prince, they've already taken Samuel away." Samuel's mother cried. "They gave him only a few minutes to get his things in order and to say goodbye to me. My dear Prince, I've waited for my son for three years and now that he's back, I still feel like he's lost. My boy had no intention of defying the King. Please, Your Highness, please give me back my son as he awaits the trial. I could not bear the thought that he is locked in Trafalgar. I may not see him ever again if the trial goes sideways."

Colter could not do anything. It was protocol that all offenders of the Kingdom be put in Trafalgar, whether they'd be waiting for trial to end or have been sentenced to life imprisonment. He did not want to promise anything, just in case Samuel knowingly gave the wrong heart.

"I'll see what I can do," he replied. After Samuel's mother had calmed down, Colter bid farewell and made his way to Trafalgar.

He underestimated how difficult it would be to get an audience with Samuel. Colter had to give it to the King's soldiers how they moved efficiently, making sure that Samuel was transported to Trafalgar without the fuss of all the bystanders who wanted to get a look at the Lost Ecanus.

Colter thought about a plan as he soared above the clouds. Since he was a prince, he could visit Trafalgar anytime. But he thought that his 'stately visit' might cause suspicions as to why he was really there. After all, it's not every day that royalties go out of their way to visit felons.

There was also one other thing he had to think about: his insufferable brother.

To hell with being caught. He had to risk it. There was no way he would let this chance slip past him. He might not be able to get another. It was now or never. He'll think of the consequences later. What's important now was to talk to Samuel.

Trafalgar was the most isolated area in Howard. The fact that it was not on an island makes it even more disconcerting, just a land in the far most corner of the kingdom where it was far from society.

As he descended to the ground of Trafalgar, he could not help but shiver at the coldness of the atmosphere. The surrounding flora was desolate of life, no sign of wind to even disturb the stillness. Not even the tiniest of scuffles could be heard from the area.

Colter approached the towering gates with trepidation. He could not believe that the answers to his questions just lie beyond the entrance.

"Halt!" the guard stationed near the gate said. "Who's there?"

"It is I, Prince Colter." Colter answered as he neared the guard house.

Upon realizing that it was indeed the prince, the guard quickly bowed and apologized. "My apologies, Your Highness."

"It's fine." Colter said. "I just want to see someone who was brought in today."

The guard was confused. It was odd that the prince was personally here to visit but it was odder still that he was looking for the Lost Ecanus. "I'm sorry, Your Highness, but we have strict orders to monitor the Lost Ecanus. He's not allowed to have any visitors while under trial."

Colter's heart sank. This might be his father's doing, but he had to try. "I'm on a state visit. I just want to ensure that the Lost Ecanus understands the procedures of the trial and what to expect when he deceives the King. After all, he needs to be reminded of how things are with Howard since he's been gone for three years."

The guard pondered upon Colter's words and it seemed to work. He gave a signal to one of the other guards and the heavy gates opened with a creak.

Colter thought that it would take more to convince the guard, but he was nonetheless, relieved that his explanation was enough to grant him entrance.

"Please, Your Highness. Mind your steps. The road is a bit rough from here on to the prison proper. Once you reach the second gate, present this to the guard. " He gave Colter a pass made out of parchment that bears Howard's royal crest.

Colter thanked the guard and proceeded to the direction he pointed out.

The path was indeed rough as he climbed uphill. The temperature had gotten colder and colder with every step he took. It, however, did not deter Colter from his determination to speak with Samuel.

He finally reached the second gate and this time two guards were on duty. Colter wanted to get it over with, so he just presented the pass without saying a word.

When they were done checking the authenticity of the pass, they opened the much smaller gates, and let Colter in.

Once he was inside, the guards closed the gates behind him and now he was alone.

Trafalgar was huge. It was no ordinary prison. It was like a community within. The convicted ones were free to walk around but they have to strictly follow orders from the King's guards. They're provided with meals as they're not allowed to have contact with anything remotely close to a weapon. They spend their time doing nothing, staring into the distance, hoping to see their families again.

He started to walk around the perimeter, hoping to see a glimpse of Samuel. The patrolling guards were keeping an eye on Colter. They were watching his every move. The guards here were different from the guards at the palace. They seem to be devoid of emotion, like this very place was draining them of hope.

The prisoners were better in some way. They were paying Colter no mind as he passed by. Maybe it was part of the protocol to not speak to outsiders. Nonetheless, it felt unnatural to be purposely ignored by them. This must be what being invisible felt like.

Colter was about to give up hope of finding Samuel when he saw a man sitting by himself. He stood out from everyone in here as he was the only one who was showing emotion. Samuel.

He approached Samuel, his heart beating fast. Finally, he'll find the answers to his burning questions.

"Samuel," Colter said. "I have some questions for you."