Chapter 89

"Where are they?"

Ariella stands in front of me. Tears stream down her face. I step up to her and hug her tightly. We bury our faces into one another's shoulders, sobbing loudly. She bunches the thick material of my cardigan in her hands, shaking so hard against me.

"I'm sorry," She whispers, "I'm so sorry, Alora."

I only weep quietly into the crook of her neck. The pain is still so fresh- the loss not quite sinking in. I feel so astounded that it's almost like numbness. The only thing I can do is sob and hiccup into my sister's embrace.

"Where...Are they here?" I finally manage to choke out. I can't find them -no matter where I desperately search in this Plane... they're not here. All I saw is the red, darkening sky that lights up the black horizon and silhouettes of the Plane. Iphigenia is pressing against Ariella's thigh, whining softly. But no one else. Only mist.

"Ariella," I look at her again. She's biting her lip and I cry, "Ariella- where's Mom and Dad?"

"Alora, they've alread