"Anyways, let's get her back to base." Art's finger jabbed at Zyon like it was an order sealed in stone. "You take her back, while I search for Leon. He must not have gone far… at least I hope so."
"Ahm… actually…" Verena's voice slipped out, softer than a whisper, hesitant, like she wanted to fold into herself and disappear.
Art's brow twitched upward. His face darkened. "What is it? He hasn't run away, has he?" His tone was sharp, already cutting.
Verena swallowed a knot in her throat, her fingers fidgeting against one another, rubbing knuckle to knuckle as though she could wring the guilt out of herself. "Actually…"
"Can you hurry it up?" Art's voice cut colder, sharp enough to bite the air. His patience was thinning, his eyes narrowing in irritation. "We don't have much time, Verena. If Leon is in danger, I'll head straight there. So speak."
