Who knows how long they have been staring into each other’s starry eyes. But Bold wanted everything to stay this way. Just the two of them, in this peaceful silence as they connected with their gazes. Despite his deepest yearnings, Emma soon closed his eyes and slept. Bold caressed her forehead and gave her a gentle kiss on it.   

After a few hours, darkness consumed the city and the team was back in the house.

“Got nothing” said Diego.       

“Not a single hint, or a clue?” inquired Bold.

“Nothing. We split into two teams and asked anyone we met about the Faranhiet disease. Most people didn't know what the disease was it. And the people who knew...they just looked at us with pity ” said Mikhail.

“Then, it really is hopeless?” said Bold with dreaded eyes.

The others stared blankly at the floor until Kenji spoke:

“Whatsoever is the case. Let’s first mark the places we have already searched. I brought a map of this city”.

“Right. Tomorrow morning, we gather more info about the disease” said Mikhail.

But Diego raised his hand.

“Umm, Mikhail. If you remember, tomorrow is that day. I have to go meet those bastards who took away Gabi” 

“Oh yeah” said Mikhail as he scratched and scrambled his hair in his dilemma.

“Then, is there any way we can-” started Thompson but a whimper stopped him. 

It came from Emma. And before they could understand the cause, the whimpering turned into yelling and screaming.

“Emma, hang on. What’s wrong? “said Bold as he ran towards her.

He wrapped his arm around her back, raised her off the bed and placed his hand on her forehead.

“Shit, she is burning hot”.

“Get away”

“Wha-“

“GET AWAY, YOU IDIOT”.

She frantically pushed Bold away with great strength and started to tear apart her hair.

“Get a hold of yourself” yelled Thompson but Kenji and Mikhail were the ones to move faster and subdue her before she fell off her bed.

“It’s so...hot...help” panted Emma. 

Tears started to form in her eyes and she started to scream and beat the two people around her with her weakened arm. Bold watched her silently.

There is nothing I can do? I am still as useless as ever?

         After half an hour of crying and yelling, all her strength was drained and she lost consciousness. The others carried to her to the first-floor bedroom and put her gently on the bed.

“What should we do?” asked Thompson.

“Nothing. It’s better to get some rest now” said Mikhail.

“Someone should look after her. Maybe she might wake up in the night and hurt herself” said Kenji.

“I’ll look after her. You don’t have to worry” said Amanda.  

“Right. We won’t get anything out if we push ourselves. Let’s rest, everyone” said Mikhail.
  
Thompson, Bold and Diego headed upstairs towards the second-floor bedroom. Mikhail and Kenji were the ones who decided to sleep on the living room sofa, in case Emma woke up. Amanda was the one to sleep in the bedroom next to Emma.     

               The next morning they all woke up early and grabbed some snacks to eat. They all peered into the first-floor bedroom to see that Emma was sound asleep.  

“Let’s head out. It’s still a little early to lose faith” said Mikhail.

“Hey, Mikhail. I’ll go too” said Bold.

“Can you even walk?” asked Thompson.

“Of course, I can. And I don’t want to just sit around and do nothing”.

Seeing the fire in his eyes, Mikhail raised his eyebrows and spoke.

“Well, if your legs feel fine. Then, sure”

“So who is gonna stay? Someone has to look after Emma” said Kenji.

“I’ll stay. You guys go. It’s not like my spells are good for traveling and searching” said Amanda.

“Well, that settles it then. We’ll search around the city and inquire about the disease" said Mikhail.

"And afterward we’ll go to the location where Gabi’s kidnappers promised to appear with her. It's better to get there early and survey the area first. And prepare for the meeting when they appear at noon” said Diego.

The others nodded and they immediately headed out afterward. Dividing into two teams, they searched across the city, trying to find if anyone knew the cure to the disease. And after two hours of roaming around, they gathered at the place they had agreed to meet. The circular cement area located on the outskirts of the city. Beyond the area was the door that led to the forest. And within the forest was the canvas where Gabi's kidnappers would appear. 

Mikhail and Diego had already arrived at the place. It was Kenji, Bold and Thompson who were late to get there. As soon as they were in range to hear one another’s voice Bold asked:

“Did you find anything?”

Mikhail shook his head and Diego looked absently into the forest.

“It really does seem hopeless, I’m afraid” said Kenji.

“Bold, how are your legs?” asked Mikhail.

“It stings a bit. But I’m fine”

Kenji sighed and reported with a straight face:

“He ran out of mana cause he was summoning his horse all the time. And Thompson and I had to give him a piggyback ride to get here. His legs are sour and hurt a lot after excessive walking”.

“Kenji! You promised you wouldn’t say anything” roared Bold.

“Yeah, at least think of the lad’s pride and honor” added Thompson.

“There is no honor in lying to a friend, is there?” said Kenji scoldingly.

“That’s right, Bold. don’t push yourself. I know you’re worried about her. But you’ve done more than enough. It would be best for you to go back to the house and rest. We’ve already tried our best to find info about the disease but it seems our efforts were futile. Now saving Diego’s sister is our top priority. We can’t have you limping around and drag us down. So please, rest. Okay?” said Mikhail.

Bold bit his lips and clenched his fists then spoke:

“Even if I do get back there. I won’t be able to do anything. Sitting around, uselessly watching while others suffer. LIKE I ALWAYS HAVE. For my whole life, I've been nothing but a useless loser.  I hate it!"

Tears started to form in Bold's eyes. In order to hide this shame, he just closed his eyes and stood there with his shivering body. Mikhail sighed and put his hand on Bold's shoulder.

“Look, I know it’s hard for you. And I appreciate your guts. But at the same time, I don’t find this attitude of yours to be special. You’re not helping anyone with this. Your mind is just swinging from one extreme to another extreme. Another pole”.

One extreme? My mind? The hell is he talking about? crossed a thought in Bold's mind.