Room of Requirement

I look at Eagle, keeping ym hold on Sam, "What is it?"

I stop dancing and look at the door.

He pokes his head in through the door, offering him them a smile, but it quickly becomes a look of concern. "I heard about what Query did. I wanted to make sure you were both alright."

"We're much better now..." I shiver, remembering the horrible things in that horrible place...

My hold on Sam tightly as though protecting her from an unseen threat, "yes, we're both fine. Have you seen Ace recently?"

For a moment he continues, intent on apologising. "It's entirely my fault, he wants to get to m-" Chase's eyes widen, fear making his heart skip a beat. "No... I... I haven't seen her... or him..." No. Nonononononononono. No.

I don't recall meeting anyone named 'Ace', but after a few minutes I understand the now fearful look on his face. I look up at Crest, then back at Eagle with the empathetic look in my eyes.

I look down at Sam and nod at her.

I address the situation calmly as I always do, my resolve becoming resolute, "I know where his hideout is."

"Good, good..." Clearly horrified, Chase walks in, beginning to pace back and forth. "I... When can we get there?"

That other boy - Jim. I need to send him a message. And Amaya, she should come as well.

I just look up at Crest, able to go whenever he can.

"Now."

"I need to send a couple of messages first. Please."

"To who?" I ask him with my eyebrow raised.

"Amaya, she would want to come, and then another person, Jim, who also has a quarrel with Query. I promised him he could accompany me to anything involving him."

I stay silent but my face says enough. I don't know either of them, and by extension I don't trust either of them.

I look up at Crest, feeling like we should just trust Eagle. Besides, we're just showing him to the place, right?

He stops his panicking long enough to place a hand on Crest's shoulder in assurance, then he rushes to collect pen and paper - thank you Room of Requirement - to write two messages. He folds them into paper planes, taps them with his wand, and sends them out of the door.

Unable to stop from being anxious for even a second, he begins pacing again.

Moving to phone.

I just stand there, mentally preparing myself for what is to come.

Putting on his most charming smile, Jim lets himself in. "You called, Eagle?"

"Good, good, you're here." Chase nods, barely acknowledging his presence. "Crest, Samantha, this is Jim."

I just look at Jim as though analyzing him but make no effort to greet him at all. As far as I was concerned he didn't even enter.

Amaya burst into the room of requirement, scowling and looking entirely ready for business. Her unruly brown curls lay neatly on her uniform, holding the parchment in her bloodied hand.

'Unicorn introductions, I want my sister safe and sane.' She was in no mood for compromise.

"And this is Amaya," Chase added, nodding at her. "Ace's sister."

Once more, not even a small stir. I was in a room where I only trusted two people in it.

I just nod to Jim, staying close to Crest.