15

After hours of searching, we found Pipet scared stuck on the old nets by the bay. She seemed fine; I guess the big ocean was a bit too much for her. As we started transporting her, I wish I could just let her go, let her be free. I knew how it felt to be trapped, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone else, not even little Pipet. 

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"Really? A dolphin?" Elle asked in disbelief.

"It's a baby, and it has never experienced the open sea. If Jake was here... where is Jake anyway?"

"EM! Over here!" Mike called my name. I ran towards the deck, "What?" I asked, catching my breath.

"These are the cameras for last night!" I take a look at them carefully. "Is that one of our employees?" I asked, shocked.

Mike nodded. "Where is Jake when we need him!"

We looked all over for that dolphin, and John was lucky to find her scared stuck on the old nets by the bay. "Let's hope whoever did this will get what they deserve!" John said, petting the dolphin.

"How are his vitals?" I asked.

"A bit high for now, but soon he will get back to normal," Mike informed me. "Thanks for the hard work, guys!" I smiled. ____________________________

I'm here. We need to talk!

I checked my phone, Noah had sent me a text. "Imma go, you guys! John, you got this?" He nodded, reassuring that he did. I smiled and mouthed thanks as I walked away.

I was walking to the door when I bump into a beautiful woman. She was around my age and walked like she owned the place. "I'm sorry!" I apologized as her purse dropped on the floor.

"It's okay," she said nicely, "it was both of our faults!" I smiled politely. As she picked up your purse, a picture flew out. I was able to pick it up before it reached the floor. She was pregnant!

"Ma'am!" I called her as I ran towards her, "Here!" I give the picture to her, "Congratulations!"

She smiled, "Thank you! Not going to lie, I'm a bit nervous."

"And why is that?"

"I am about to go tell the father! Came all the way from Boston for this!"

"Boston? That's a long way!"

"What can I say? It will all be worth it in the end!"

"Well, I hope you and your boyfriend the best!" 

She smiled, "Thank you!"

I watched as she walked away; one day in the far-off future, I would want to have children and raise them with Noah. We would get married and then create a family, and it was a dream. I dream I haven't had since middle school, and it felt good to dream it all again!

"I knew I had left the center at the right hands!" When I turned around, I saw Jake standing still.

" Jake!" I made my way to him, and we hugged. "Let me tell you, pal; you do a lot of work here," I joked. 

"What was that about?", he asked watching the girl walk away. 

"She is about to make someone very happy or very mad... but I guess we'll find out soon!"

"Want to follow her?" Jake asked, sounding like a twelve-year-old. I look at him, shocked but nodded right after. For some reason, I didn't want to miss this reaction. Jake and I head outside in search of the girl. She was making her way down the stairs. As we walked outside, I noticed Noah was coming towards the building. When he saw me, his face lit up, but he suddenly changed his expression as the girl walked towards him. She stops right in front of him, and they are facing each other. I stand in awe, not knowing what to think or say. My world stopped when she handed him the photo. She smiled and held his hand. Noah looked back at me, standing at the entrance of the center. He then turned to the girl one more time, and my heart started beating fast. My whole body shivered with just the thought of it. She hugged him tight, cried, but all he could do was stare at me. I could hear Jake saying something, something that I couldn't really understand. I turned around and started walking; it was too much, I still was not understanding it couldn't be! 

I walked around the center, down the street, and walked throughout the whole city. My feet were killing me, but I didn't want to stop because if I stopped, I would have to face what waited for me, Noah. I didn't want to hear his explanations, his reasons. I wanted to let it be because I would realize that it could be true if I poked on it. Noah might have done something unexpected.

With time I became tired, so I decided to stop at a bar I had seen a couple of blocks before. I sat in a booth and ordered 4 shots of vodka.

" Don't tell me these are all for you?" said a guy seated next to me. I hadn't noticed him until he had spoken, "rough night?"

"The roughest!" I answered as I took two out of the four shots back to back. 

"Then I guess four is not enough!", he said signaling to the bartender, " My name is Marco!"

I look up, where had I heard that name before. It sounded so familiar. I hadn't really focused on his face until now. He had dark brown eyes, a strong figure, and wavy hair so soft I almost reached my hand out to touch it. I smiled at him as I realized I had left him standing there with his hand raised. I reached out for it and shook it, " Emily, but people call me Em."

" I know," he said mysteriously.

"Excuse me?", I turned to him.

" Its Marco, Pena?"

" Oh my god!" I screamed in shock, "Marco?"

He nodded with a smile. 

"wow, you look so.... good!" I complimented him. The last time I saw him was the summer at my grandma's. Let's say that there was a HUGE upgrade since then. 

"Nothing that the gym and acne medication can't fix" he joked. 

I took another shot and smiled, what a coincidence. But unfortunately, my mind did not focus on Marco like I wanted to, instead, it focused on questions I didn't know if I wanted to be answered. 

I did not know what this meant, what was waiting for me at the end of this mess. What would be of Noah and me, if there was even and us to begin with?

 All I knew is that I wanted to forget this night, and I also wanted to be forgotten. 

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Elle's POV

"It's 11 am and she has been out since yesterday", Dad pointed to me I knew I soon had to speak. The officer calls me over. 

" Have you seen your sister since yesterday?" he asked. 

"No officer, last time I saw her she was at work". As soon as the officer let me go I went straight into my room. I dialed her number but I didn't call. I knew she wasn't going to pick up, so I dialed someone else instead. 

"Hello?"

"Elle? Elle? Please tell her that I don't know what's going on. Please ask her to let me see her and to let me explain. Tell her I had no idea!"

"What?" I asked Noah shocked, "She is not with you?"

__________________________________

Some of my other work:

DragonHeart (https://www.wattpad.com/story/364671210-dragonheart)

In the mystical realm of Eldoria, four elemental courts - Ardorea (Flame), Aestus (Tides), Calx (Stone), and Zephyr (Wind) - have coexisted for centuries, but their relationships are far from harmonious. Elara, a spirited and headstrong member of the Stone Court, finds herself embroiled in a conflict that transcends her wildest imagination when she is taken to the Wind court as a prisoner.Unbeknownst to Elara, she possesses an incredible power that few are aware of - she contains the essence of all the elemental courts. Her rare ability allows her to wield the strengths of Flame, Tides, Stone, and Zephyr, making her a living embodiment of unity and balance.As Elara and Darian journey through the ever-changing landscapes of Eldoria, their initial hostility and mistrust slowly transform into a begrudging alliance. Elara's captivity quickly evolves into a complex dynamic of shared experiences and growing connections.The elemental courts they hail from each have their own unique traditions and elemental magic. Elara's extraordinary abilities prove to be the missing link that could reconcile their differences and forge a new understanding of their world as they grapple with the looming threat of war. As they encounter mystical creatures, face dangerous trials, and uncover hidden secrets, their relationship takes a surprising turn.Amid Eldoria's turmoil, a growing attraction between Elara and Darian becomes undeniable. Together, they embark on a mission to unite their courts and prevent the devastating return of an ancient and powerful dragon, whose reawakening could spell disaster for their world.