"There's a duffle bag in the back. It has a cloak inside—wear it," Eli instructed, his eyes focused on the road ahead as the car smoothly pulled away from the academy gates. "We're heading somewhere that isn't exactly… welcoming. The ride's going to be long, so get comfortable. And don't ask questions for now. You'll find out soon enough."
Ezra raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his seat. 'Hmm, that's definitely suspicious.'
He glanced at the duffle bag, pulling it onto his lap and rummaging through until his fingers brushed the fabric of the cloak. It was heavier than expected, lined with an intricate silver embroidery across the edges. He unfolded it and draped it over his shoulders, the material fitting perfectly as if it had been tailored just for him.
Still, his curiosity won out. "Actually," Ezra began, adjusting the cloak, "I do have a question. But it's not about where we're going."
Eli glanced at him briefly. "Go on then."
' How do I ask about the book without sounding too suspicious?' he cringed at the thought, not knowing how to put it into words .
"Do you know anyone by the name Shirley Olson?. "
Eli remained quiet before he spoke up . " Yeah , a former comrade of mine . Why do you ask ?."
" Ohh, it's just because I found a newspaper article talking about his name, you know . I wasn't snooping it was just by luck if you understand-"
Eli's hands tightened subtly on the steering wheel, his gaze fixed ahead as the car cruised smoothly down the road. The air in the vehicle shifted, growing heavier with unspoken tension.
"Where did you find that article?" Eli asked, his tone calm—too calm—but there was an unmistakable edge beneath it.
Ezra hesitated. "Library. It just… fell out of one of the older books. I wasn't looking for it, I swear."
For a moment, Eli said nothing. The hum of the engine filled the silence. Then he exhaled slowly. "Forget what you read."
Ezra blinked. "Forget?"
"Yeah," Eli repeated, his voice quieter now.
"That article's old. Outdated. And if you know what's good for you, you won't go digging around for answers about Shirley Olson. There are things better left alone."
" Why though ? You're not giving me any answers , it's just stay away . Don't do this , don't do that ." He said getting agitated.
" It's for your own safety , you shouldn't go snooping around . Things are better left unsolved. " Eli shot him sidelong glance his matched eyes fixed on him .
" I can't do that to him , he seemed sad when he told him his resonance was locked " Ezra mumbled quiet enough to himself but not too quiet for Eli not to hear
Eli's eyes narrowed, the car slowing slightly as his full attention shifted to Ezra. "The old man is alive?" he repeated, his tone sharp, cutting through the soft hum of the engine.
Ezra froze, realizing too late that he'd said it aloud. "Uh… I mean… he was," he admitted, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly."I knew him. Or, well, for a while . He said his resonance was locked… and I just connected the dots."
For the first time since they'd left the academy, Eli looked genuinely surprised. His usual cool, detached facade cracked just slightly, his brows furrowing.
"That's… impossible," he muttered under his breath, leaning back in his seat. He drummed his fingers against the steering wheel, lost in thought.
Then, turning to Ezra, his gaze sharpened. "You're not lying to me, right?"
Ezra nodded quickly. "Shirley. Tall, strong, smoker. Gray eyes, brown hair. Resonance has something to do with echoes. That Shirley?"
For a moment, Eli just stared. And then, to Ezra's shock, he laughed—really laughed. He threw his head back against the seat, the sound filling the car. It wasn't his usual sarcastic or smug chuckle. This was something else. Something almost like relief… or maybe disbelief.
"I can't believe he did it," Eli said between breaths, shaking his head with a grin. "After everything… he actually pulled it off."
Ezra blinked, completely thrown. "Pulled what off?"
But Eli just kept laughing softly, resting his head back as his expression settled into something unreadable. "Forget it. You wouldn't believe me even if I told you."
"Try me," Ezra pressed.
Eli smirked, but this time there was a weight behind it. "Maybe later. Let's just say Shirley Olson was never meant to leave that prison alive."