Sarah and Elliot lay side by side on her bed, a heavy silence hanging between them. Each with their own swarm of secrets.

Sarah was unsure if she should describe the recent realistic dream, but after seeing Elliot's current state, she decided to keep that information to herself for the time being.

Meanwhile, Elliot stared at the ceiling as Apollo's strange words floated through his mind. After hearing from Sarah that he seemed to possess abnormal abilities, that comments made about his parentage disturbed him even more.

Elliot never knew his parents. His aunt told him they died when he was born and so naturally he didn't talk about it often.

"Elliot?" Sarah whispered beside him. Turning his head to look at her, they found themselves inches apart.

"What did you mean when you said we?"

Elliot opened his mouth to tell her about his confrontation in the woods, but stopped when seeing her eyes filled with anxiety. He gave a genuine smile and patted her head, receiving a mock frown in response.

"Don't worry about it. It's not important right now," he encouraged. Unconvinced, Sarah huffed grumpily, inciting a laugh from her best friend.

Chuckling along with him, the tension that had been weighing down on them, lifted and returned to their comfortable nature.

After the air was cleared, the growling of both their stomachs led them into town for lunch. Sarah could feel the burn of the town's stares as they walked down the street. Ducking her head, she desperately tried to block it all out.

A light pressure appeared on her shoulders and she glanced to find Elliot, an arm draped over her, with his classic charming smirk.

Speed walking through the crowded walkways, Elliot guided Sarah to the outskirts of the city before releasing his grip.

"A bunch of judgemental jerks, that lot," Elliot huffed with his back turned.

"They're not wrong though. It's my fault you got hurt," Sarah mumbled under her breath, the guilt swelling inside her. Despite her attempt to go unheard, Elliot abruptly turned with a look of fury.

"It was not your fault and I'm fine, so please don't fret over it," he pleaded with her. She dropped her head, unable to look him in the eyes despite his words. Soon after, she felt his soft hands intertwine with hers.

"Sarah, please," his gentle voice spoke mere inches away from her ear. A warm blush rose to her cheeks and stole her words. Unable to reply, she quickly nodded in acknowledgment before looking to the side.

Elliot chuckled at her cute response before removing his hands from hers.

"How about some reading? Mr. Salt's should be open today," Elliot suggested in a light tone, a smooth attempt to change the topic. Knowing what he was trying to do, Sarah smiled and nodded as they started towards the familiar store.

As they strolled down the path and the shop came into view, Elliot suddenly froze mid step.

"Something's not right," he stated while staring at the square building in the distance. Sarah glanced from the shop to Elliot, confused by his words. As she went to reply, that familiar sweet scent floated into her nose.

A look of panic flushed over her features as she realized it was leading to the store. Without a second thought, Sarah bolted forward with Elliot close on her heels.

Bursting through the door, they were greeted by a disturbing sight. The usual tidy rows of books were now scattered about the floor. Torn pages and overturned tables lay sprawled about the room.

"Mr. Salt?!" Sarah yelled only for an eerie silence to respond.

"Sarah, we should go," Elliot encouraged, his voice laced with alarm.

"No. I know he's here," she replied walking toward the storage room. Elliot scurried to catch up and grabbed her arm, pulling her back.

"I don't think Mr. Salt is in here," he strongly insisted, his gaze constantly scanning their surroundings.

"I'm not talking about him," she replied calmly.

Walking into the back storage room, Sarah examined the cluster of various trunks and old texts. The sweet scent had grown stronger and gathered in the center.

"Apollo! Show yourself now!" Sarah demanded, any chance of using manners was out of the question. The room was still a moment and then a warm breeze blew through. Elliot spared Sarah a tense look before taking a firm stance near her.

The strength of the wind increased tremendously and then ceased in a matter of minutes. Silence once more filled the room, but the scent never vanished.

"I know what this looks like," Apollo's voice sounded from above, a tone of defensiveness in his words. Both startled from the unexpected location, Sarah and Elliot jumped back to stand near the door. As they did, the blonde god floated to the ground gracefully.

Sarah hated to admit it, but even now he looks extremely handsome. Wearing a light blue hoodie this time, Apollo's hair was a dishevel mess and he even looked tired.

"Where's Mr. Salt?" Elliot questioned, his eyes shooting daggers at the dangerous man. Apollo looked his way and seemed to just notice he was present, sighing in a dramatic manner.

"Ah, what are YOU doing here?" he huffed, giving off an air of exasperation. Elliot stepped forward to say what he really thought, but Sarah extended her arm to block his path.

"Answer the question, Apollo. Where is he?" she inquired. Apollo's gaze softened when he turned back to Sarah, but merely shook his head.

"I'm not sure, but it doesn't matter right now. I need to fix something more urgent," he spoke more to himself than to them.

Elliot gave an annoyed scoff, his irritation palpable. However, Sarah was more focused on Apollo's drastic change in demeanor. While he still gave off an air of strength, his human-like concern was unsettling.

"You don't want to tell us because it's your doing, right?" Sarah spoke while staring him down with a furious gaze. Apollo locked gazes with her, wearing an expression that contained a hint of surprise.

"I highly doubt that. He probably just wants to look cool," Elliot rebuttal while slightly stepping closer to Sarah. Apollo shifted his gaze and gave an amused smirk towards the other male.

"Unlike you, human, I have no reason to strive for such lackluster appearances."

"Would you two please focus? Apollo, explain," Sarah quickly intervened. Apollo smoothly shot Elliot a triumphant look before turning his attention back to her.

"Not here. They will come back soon," he cryptically responded. As much as logic yelled inside her head, Sarah's inexplicable pull towards this unpredictable being dominated her senses.

"Fine, but should you try anything, I swear god or not I will end you," she calmly growled, a slight shake to her voice.

Despite Sarah's best efforts to come off as intimidating, all she got in return was a captivating gaze from the blonde. "You already have," he softly spoke. So quietly in fact that Sarah barely heard it.

The three exited the bookstore and silently followed Apollo to the edge of town. Just before they crossed into the populated bustle of buildings, Apollo stopped and turned to Sarah.

"Do you still have my book?"