The Book Of Ebios

5. What Happened?

Three years later...

My alarm rang loud, shocking me awake. I must have turned it up by accident while I was asleep. I sat straight up and waited for my heart to stop racing around the track. I wiped my eyes, stretched, and turned the off the alarm. I went over to my calendar and crossed off yesterday's date: Thursday, March 14th, 2036. Today is our outing day and I am finally able to go father than the cave's entrance. I put my hair up into a sloppy ponytail before heading out for breakfast. The smell of maple syrup and pancakes filled the halls. Dallas was plating pancakes as the guys got comfortable. I look a seat, waiting for Dallas and Ryne to go over the list of what is needed for our outing. Dallas finally took her seat as Ryne began.

"Good morning everyone. I hope everyone had a good night's sleep," Ryne said as he smiled at me. "As we all know, Trinity will be going to join us for the first time. I know you all know the rules, but I want to go over the most important ones for Trinity."

Everyone smiled as they started dressing up their pancakes with syrup and butter. Ryne cut his up and placed a piece into his mouth.

"So, snowshoes don't come off until we hit the concrete. Trinity, I think you already knew that one, but it never hurts to go over the rules. No interacting with anyone other than the cashier and stick with a partner or group," Ryne stated as he scanned the room for nods of understanding.

The rules seemed fair to me. Not being able to talk to anyone, only being seen in public with hoods and masks ounce a week, and carrying snowshoes around seems like it would raise suspicion. I know it is for out protection as well as the Book's, but I don't know how much longer it will work. I shoved the thoughts away, letting my trust in Ryne and the others take over. Once we were all finished, I washed the dishes and went to get ready for the day.

We all made sure to get up early enough to make it into the stores during the early morning hours. I went with Dallas and Axel to pick up groceries while Ryne, Rio, and Javier went to pick up other supplies. I could feel the curious and judging stares as I walked with my black hood up and sunglasses on. I walked cautiously aside Axel, a hand in my pocket and the other holding my snowshoes. My now long and curly hair draped over my shoulders, covering the logo on my jacket. I looked around for a quick moment before a man and woman turned towards me. A glance, only a glance. We locked eyes before I turned away.

"Dallas, we need to go," I said as I tugged on her sleeve.

"Why? What's wrong?" Dallas asked as she placed a package of meat in the cart.

"My parents, my parents are here. We locked eyes. I didn't mean to look at them, it just happened," I said with a panicked tone.

"I thought you said your parents would have left town by now," Axel said as he turned to shield me from my parents' stares.

"I thought they would have. I don't see any reason for them to stay. I mean, it has been three years," I said, my voice shaking.

Dallas peaked around me, searching for my parents' staring faces. She turned away quickly before rushing us away. We paid for what we had at the self-checkout and left as fast as we could. Dallas clicked a button on the small radio that sat nicely in her ear.

"Hey, there is a bit of a situation at the grocery store. We weren't able to finish shopping," Dallas said over the radio.

I kept my head down as Dallas continued to act like she was on a Bluetooth call, talking in code. I looked at Axel for help in understanding what she and Ryne were talking about, Axel shrugged. The automatic doors opened quietly behind us. A young couple passed, carrying a little girl and some groceries. I felt my heart pound against my ribcage as groups of people exited the building. I thought I would be happy to see my parents, even if it was just for a quick moment. But I only felt panic. I was more scared than I should've been, than I thought I would be. I was shaking violently, my hands sweaty. I couldn't seem to move from where I was standing. A rush of fear and nervousness came over me, this time, it wasn't my fear and nervousness. The book. We are connected, we feel each other's feelings and pain. The book was just as scared as I was. I became at ease knowing that someone, or in this case, something, knew how I felt. I took a deep breath and wiped my eyes of the tears that began to form. A few more people left the store, causing the doors to open and shut. The music and conversations floated out into the parking lot where we stood. I left a hand land softly on my shoulder. I looked up to see Axel turned away a few steps ahead. Dallas was still on the phone, hands full of groceries. My first thought was that it was one of the guys, but they were across town. I looked back to see a woman and a man. The man had his hand wrapped in the woman's hand, their fingers laced.

"T-trinity?" The woman said softly.

Axel turned around quickly, followed by Dallas and her cautious stance. Axel walked up to me and put his hand through mine to try and pull me away. I pulled out of his grasp. I wanted to tell them it was me, but I couldn't. I had to make up a lie. Being pulled away would only makes things worse.

"Do I know you?" I asked, trying to hide my shaking voice.

"Do you remember us, princess?" My father said as a tear rolled down his face.

"I don't sorry. I thought maybe I would know you because only my friends and close family call me Trinity. Others call me Contrinity," I said as I shoved my hands in my pocket.

I saw their smiles fade quickly into a disappointed look of sorrow. I wish I could tell them it was me, that I was home, that I was with them.

"I hope you find who you are looking for," I said to top off the lie. Dallas cut the conversation with Ryne and we all went on our way.

...

I was quiet for the rest of the day, not speaking a word. I cried for hours after we got back. I missed them and their troubled faced only made it harder to turn away. Everyone allowed me to have the entertainment room to myself for a few hours to watch movies on my own. I wanted to be alone, but I needed something to keep my mind off of that happened. I watched some of my favorite movies, the ones I would watch with my friends when I was younger. I found myself drifting off through the third movie, my eyes were heavy and red. I made myself comfortable, bunching up in the corner of the couch. I pulled the blanket up to my shoulders. A final tear rolled down my cheek as I drifted off to sleep.

A few hours went by before I was woken up by the others. Ryne said at my feet, Dallas at my head, and the guys were sitting on the couch opposite of me. I sat up startled at the sudden noise that pierced through my dreams.

"Good morning, or should I say good evening, sleepyhead," Javier teased lovingly.

"Hey," I said as I sat up. "Why did you guys let me sleep so late? Now I won't sleep tonight." I gave a half-hearted smile.

"We wanted to let you sleep. After the morning you had, you needed it," Ryne paused. "We all came to the area visiting with family or on vacation in the neighboring towns and cities. After our disappearances, we never had to face our parents. What you dealt with today took courage. You chose your responsibilities, your duty. For that, we are very proud of you." Ryne smiled compassionately. I smiled back.

"Just know we are here if you need anything," Dallas said.

"Yeah, if you need some cheerful jokes, don't go to Axel," Rio joked. I could hear Axel's eyes roll.

They all left, giving me a moment to stretch after my long nap bunched up in the corner of the couch. My feet were asleep and my neck ached. My eyes were heavy and red after tears formed, but did not fall for I had already drifted off to sleep. I picked up my blanket and fixed the couch pillows before heading to my room. I felt that an emotional weight was lifted off of me. I have been yearning to see my parents again, even though they weren't sure if it was me, my father's princess. The feeling of the book's emotions lifted. I never really felt the book's positive emotions. I only felt the negative ones, even if they were only amplifying my own. I only felt fear and pain, never happiness of cheer. But I felt the book's strong sense of safety. I was glad that we as the Guardians of the Miraculous were doing our job, keeping the book safe. I could tell the others were unsure if they were doing their job well enough, if they made the book feel safe. I often gave them reinsurance whenever it was questioned.

I walked into the dining room to join the others for dinner. We had the usual Friday night dinner, homemade pizza and chicken wings. It was out favorite. We could never order pizza, but homemade was much healthier and is a much more delicious option. Dallas placed the large pizza down on the table, the cheese still sizzling. A basket of barbeque and hot wings were placed on either side of the pizza. Dallas sat down as everyone grabbed chicken wings and pizza. Everyone chatted as I sat quietly, listening to their conversations. I laughed at the appropriate jokes and moments, letting the others know I was doing better. Once everyone was done, I washed dishes as I normally did while Dallas cleared the table and places it back to normal. I then went to my room to get changed.

Hours went by and everyone but me was sleeping soundly. I laid down in my bed, trying to fall asleep, but failed to do so. I gave up and got ready to go to the gym. I missed my morning training, taking a long nap instead. The alarm clock blinked the time three-twenty. I got up and changed into more suitable workout clothes than my fuzzy pants. Once changed, I left, walking barefoot on the cold tile floor, socks and sneakers in my hand. Up the stairs, through the living room, and down the hall to the gym. The base was dark and quiet as I opened the gym door. I switched on the light and walked over to a bench to put on my socks and sneakers. I went through my normal routine, stretching and doing cardio before doing weight lifting. I normally practiced fighting with Ryne or Axe, sometimes Javier, but they were all sleeping. I decided to go over to the one punching bag I am allowed to use. The metal plate was banged up, dents and splits covered the metal plate. I put on a pair of punching gloves and started practicing. A few minutes went by before I noticed something was off. Fear. Fear crept up out of nowhere, but it wasn't my fear. My heart started pounding harder and harder, jumping all around my ribcage. I threw off the gloves and ran to the emergency button. But it was too late. It felt as if my spirit left my body as I continued to run. I became tired, feeling that I was weaker. I broke the latch and slammed my fist into the button. The lights flashed red, a loud siren rang. Tired, I collapsed as everyone rushed to my side.

"What happened?" Ryne asked, looking at the busted button.

"Th-the book, it's gone."