The students rushed toward the buses, trying to grab a seat before they were all taken. Emily managed to secure one of the front rows by the window. She placed her bag on her lap and leaned her head against the glass, staring outside at the chaos of her classmates shoving and laughing their way aboard.
"Can I sit here?" a John asked from behind.
She turned her head slightly.
"Oh, yeah of course," Emily said, lifting her bag and placing it to her knees so he could sit.
"Thank you," he replied with a smile before narrowing his eyes at her. "Where were you all day?"
"At the library," she answered calmly. "Had… some subjects to catch up on. Nothing more."
John didn't say anything at first, just looked at her.
"Who told you? Ann?"
"Who else?"
Emily gave a little nod, as if she had expected that.
"Why didn't you tell us?" John asked.
She shrugged and avoided his gaze. "It feels like something I should do on my own."
"Are you for real right now?" he said with an ironic laugh. "What do you plan to do? Learn magic?" His eyebrows shot up.
"I've got to do something," she replied firmly.
"Like what? You're a high schooler. You didn't even know all this magic stuff was real until a couple of days ago. What makes you so sure you'll save them when you have no idea what you're dealing with?" His tone carried concern.
"I… I don't know how," Emily admitted, her voice tight, "but something tells me I can. And it's important for me to do this."
"That's it?" John said, half laughing. "Girl, the final exams' pressure has hit you worse than Peter. I'm reminding you, you have no idea about any—"
Before he could finish, Emily cut him off, raising her voice slightly in frustration.
"In my dreams, I've been seeing that island and those stones for years. Especially the last three years. I assume it's connected with me, but I don't know how. That's why I want to do something, not just to give those people the lives they deserve, but also to figure out this mystery that seems to surround me."
John's expression softened. He gave her a look of pity, and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I can't say I understand you, because this is insane."
They both chuckled at that.
"But I can guarantee you this," he added. "You can't do anything on your own. You need help... from us."
"Help, huh?" Emily mumbled. "Peter didn't look that thrilled by the idea." She paused. "Can't blame him though. He did me a big favor. Still, I assume most of you will have a similar reaction to him. I wouldn't blame you either." She turned her gaze back toward the window.
"Listen," John said, "Peter isn't at his best. Maybe he remembered something that angered him. You know how easy it is to make him mad."
Emily laughed softly. "I guess so."
"In any case, we want to help you with this mission of yours. Of course, if you don't mind."
Emily smiled at him. "I'd like a little company if you wouldn't mind. You might as well start now."
John frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I'll explain on the road. Come on, get up. This is our stop," she said, standing.
"Okay?" John rose too, waiting for the other students to file out of the bus. "Very well. Here we go."
Emily hopped off the bus first. They found themselves at the town's bridge.
"We're going to the town's high school," Emily said with a grin before setting off.
"Why there?" John asked, quickening his pace to keep up with her.
"Mr. Rose recommended me a friend of his who might have more information about the island."
"The word 'might' is one of my favorite words, no joke."
"Cheer up. We won't get nothing from this information, will we?" Emily said laughing harder.
"Realistically? Or delusionally?"
"With this kind of optimism we won't get anywhere now, will we?" Emily laughed.
They walked side by side through the quiet streets. After about fifteen minutes, they reached the gates of the high school.
"And here we are," Emily said.
"It seems empty," John noted as they climbed the steps to the entrance.
"I mean, all the students left, so it makes sense, no?"
"I guess. So where do we ask about that guy?"
"The principal's office, of course."
Emily scanned the hallway and spotted two teachers chatting in front of a door. She approached them with John at her side.
"Who are you?" one of the teachers asked as soon as they noticed the pair.
"Hello, sir," Emily said politely. "My name is Emily and this is John. We're students of Mr. Rose from the Second High School. We're looking for a teacher called George Papadatou. Can you tell us where he is?"
The teacher blinked in surprise. "That's me. What do you need? A second history teacher?"
Emily chuckled awkwardly. "No, no, that's not it. I'd like to ask you a couple of questions about a certain topic you might know more about than Mr. Rose."
"What topic is that?"
Emily glanced at the other teacher standing nearby, then leaned a little closer to Mr. Papadatou.
"Would you mind coming closer?"
He stepped toward her, lowering his voice. "What is it?"
All three getting away from the other teacher.
"Uhmm… what do you know about the island?"
He froze, eyebrows knitting. "Like… the entire history of the island?"
"Oh no, not this island."
"Then what island?"
"The one that only Zakynthians can see."
He tilted his head. "Uh… can't Zakynthians see all islands?" he chuckled awkwardly.
"No, I mean a specific one. That only we can see."
"I'm sorry, I'm just confused. What do you mean?"
"A small island that tourists can't see, but we can."
"Yeah… no clue, sorry."
"Are you sure? Like, there's nothing at all you know of?"
He shrugged. "I'm sorry, little one. I've never heard something so… how do you say it… bizarre like this. An island only we can see? That's ridiculous." He laughed, shaking his head.
"I see." Emily kicked at a loose pebble on the floor. "Thank you for your time, and I'm terribly sorry for disturbing you." She forced a small smile.
"No problem. I'm sorry I didn't come in handy."
"Nah, no problem. That makes the search more exciting." She laughed awkwardly while she rubbed her left arm.
"I hope you find what you're looking for."
"Thanks." Emily turned and started to walk away with John.
"Wait—what was your name again?" Papadatou called.
She turned her head. "Emily, sir."
"Emily what? Emily Apple? Emily Coconut?"
"Oh—Emily Morosinis."
"Okay. Well, send my regards to Rose. Long time since I last saw the bastard."
"Sure will. Goodbye, sir."
"Bye, Ms. Morosinis."
As Emily and John walked off, the other teacher raised an eyebrow. "Who did she want?"
"Nothing much," Papadatou said with a laugh. "An old friend of mine probably told them to come mess with me."
"Really? Two students who are probably preparing for university came to mess with you?"
"Hey, we have lots of those here in our school. What makes you think they weren't like that?"
"I don't know… they just didn't ring that bell of rebels."
He chuckled. "Maybe they weren't troublemakers. But they do seem like they want to get into it."
She raised an eyebrow, "what do you mean?"
He chuckled, "I guess, nothing."
They both laughed at his idiocy.
Meanwhile, Emily and John made their way toward the bus station.
"What's your next move?" John asked.
"Ugh, I don't know, man. Maybe… I'll stop for now? It's funny because I just started, but I can't find any clue as to where this all began. Plus I've let my studies fall behind, and I can't afford that." Emily stopped walking. "I feel like I'm betraying the promise I made them."
John turned to her. "Ma'am, do you really think they believed you?"
Emily stared at him. "Of course they do!"
"Would you believe if an eight-year-old came up to you and said 'I will end world hunger'? Because that's how they saw you."
"So what? I'll just go along like there's nothing wrong going on?"
"Unless you can do magic, then yes. That's the best you can do for now."
Emily lowered her head and continued walking silently.
"I didn't mean to upset you," John said softly.
"I know. You're looking out for me. Thanks."
"Anytime. However, we really need to hurry or I'll miss my bus." John picked up the pace.
"Yeah, of course." Emily broke into a jog to catch up with him.