Chapter 2
Three days
Ava had been missing for three days. No one knew where she gone and her disappearance set the Cradle on high alert. Beatrice was the most worried, as you expect. She spent her days driving the van through the town, searching high and low for the missing woman. It drove Beatrice crazy, she barely slept and she barely stayed in the Cradle for more then five minutes. She wasn’t the only one searching for Ava, the whole convent was on the hunt. Camila spent her days in her room, hacking into security cameras for clues. Mary and Lilith drove around on Mary’s motorcycle, searching the streets. Serita searched the clubs and underground nightlife. The rest of the nuns, they searched the outer towns.
“She can’t have just vanished” Beatrice reasoned, pacing back and forth.
The group, except Serita, gathered themselves in the hall, discussing their plans for tomorrow morning. Out of the three dressed in civilian clothing, Camila was in formal nun attire, the only one out of them to haven’t officially devoted her status as nun. It was late in the night and the rest of the convent were asleep, leaving the group alone.
“We searched everywhere” Mary groaned. “She’s still in the country, but other than that…”
“Maybe she’s in trouble, maybe she’s lying in a ditch someplace alone and we’re just sitting here, doing nothing” Beatrice spoke, her anger rising as she continued to pace faster.
“Maybe she’s fine” Camila reasoned.
“Then why isn’t she here!” Beatrice snapped.
Mary jumped to her feet and stormed straight for Beatrice, catching the girl mid pace “Hey!” she snapped. “Cam is right, she’s fine, otherwise, my Baby girl would have sensed the Halo was in danger, right?”
They all turned to Lilith who nodded in agreement. “As far as I’m aware, the Halo is fine, just dormant. Her presence hidden”
“Exactly, so take some deep breaths with me, in” Mary informed, and so Beatrice followed. The two spending the next several moments, taking deep breaths, then slowly letting them out again. Although Beatrice followed Mary’s instructions every step of the way, she refused to look the woman in the eye. “See, Ava is going to be fine and when we find her, she’s going to get her ass kicked for all the shit she’s put us through” she took a tighter grip of Beatrice’s arms, forcing Bea’s frighten gaze up to her. “Bea listen to me, this isn’t like last time!” she insisted at a soft whisper.
Beatrice shuddered at the memory. Despite that particular day now over eight months ago, it still lingered in the back their minds every time Ava left. Especially these past three days. Beatrice took a deep breath and pushed the old memories back down. “You’re right. Camila?” Beatrice spoke, focusing on their young friend. “I’m sorry for snapping at you, it was uncalled for”
“It’s fine, we’re all on edge, I’m sure she’ll be back soon” Camilla replied smiling.
“She’s here” Lilith interrupted, transfixing her gaze on the entrance door.
“Quick, say we’re going to get a million dollars” Mary ordered jokingly.
“I’m sure we’ll get a million dollars” Camila laughed.
The doors opened wide and in walked Ava, yet there was something up with their girl. She carried a small bundle of cloth in her arms, she wore her favourite leather jacket gifted to her by her mother, grey singlet, denim jeans and boots, her sword on her back and her backpack hanging off the other shoulder. She didn’t stroll into the room like she owned the place, no, her walk was careful and slow. She appeared exhausted, her eyes flickering between her surroundings and the bundle in her arms. What really worried the group most, was the blood splattered on the girl head to toe.
“Ava!” Beatrice called out, catching the mission woman’s attention.
Upon spotting them, Ava smiled warmly at them, like nothing was wrong. “Hey babe” she greeted.
“You wouldn’t have a million dollars on you?” Mary asked, folding her arms over her chest.
“Nah, nothing like that” Ava laughed
“Shame, because that would have saved you from the hell you put us all in”
Beatrice broke free from the group, storming towards the Halo Bearer with furious determination. “Where were you? Why haven’t you contacted us for three days, do you know how worried we were, you could have been killed!”
A small pale hand emerged from the bundle, the sight stopping Beatrice in her tracks. Her fury changed to confusion at the flash of the hand, now clutching onto Ava’s shirt.
“Its okay, we’re safe now” Ava whispered, kissing the temple of the thing inside the bundle before turning to the others. Who by now, started to gather around Beatrice, sharing her same confused looks. "ah" she chuckled with her widest grin. “Uh guys, I can explain” she addressed them nervously.
“Can you explain why on earth you have a baby in your hands?” Lilith stated.