Ryan, Eleanor, and James walked back across the courtyard.
The sun had set. Lanterns flickered to life along the paths, casting long shadows across the stone.
James kept looking around at the grounds, scanning faces.
"He's not here," James muttered.
"He'll turn up," Ryan said.
"It's been hours." James's voice was tight. "What if he's—"
"He's not," Eleanor said firmly. "Jared's smart. He will have got out."
"Then where IS he?"
No one answered.
They reached the dormitory steps. James stopped and looked back one more time.
Still no sign of Jared.
"I'm going back out," James said. "I'll check the infirmary again. Maybe the healer stations near—"
"James." Eleanor's hand on his arm. "You're exhausted. Get some rest."
"I need to find him."
"You need to—"
"James."
All three of them spun.
A figure limped over to them. Dirty. Bloodied. And favouring his left leg.
Jared.
James broke into a run.
