ROSES HAVE THORNS-Chapter 30 - Morning Run

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Emelie woke up at her usual time of 5am.

She looked over to see if her roommate, Amy, was still asleep and sure enough she was. Albeit all her blankets laid on the floor while she slept half naked with her hands in her pants.

’Same old Amy. Old habits die hard no matter the timeline.’

She stood up and covered her with the blankets that was dropped and headed for the shower.

This is the part of the day Emelie enjoys most. Early morning showers when everyone is still asleep as the sun begins to rise.

Here she can be alone in her thoughts and prepare for whatever day has in store for her. However, this particular morning her mind was filled with one thing.

’Kurt...’

Even though she knows that he is different, that he was not supposed to be here and screwing with whatever changes fate has planned in advance. She couldn’t help but smile.

Because from what she’s seen, Kurt is strong which meant this was a chance. A chance to make things right. A chance to save a lot of people. But most importantly, a chance to save him.

She turned off the shower and covered herself with a towel. In the bedroom Amy shifted in her sleep and barely opened her eyes when she noticed Emelie changing into her running gear.

"Emelie," Her voice was still raspy from the sleep, "Good morning. You’re up so early again?"

"Morning Amy. And yes, I need to be in tip-top shape for next weekend."

"Ah yes, training. I guess they don’t call you the best for nothing. I could never see myself being so energetic in the morning."

Emelie put her chain with two tags around her neck. One contained her personal info and the other contained her student info. She then grabbed a separate tag which contained all of her music which also acted as a recording device and wore it around her wrist band.

When she was finished getting ready she stood by the door and put on her running shoes.

"I’ll be back in an hour. You can still catch up on some sleep if you need it. I’ll be here to wake you up when I get back."

"Okaaay~" Amy responded lazily and went back to sleep.

Emelie left the room and headed to the common room where she would normally greet the dorm mother. What she found instead was a student wearing what looked to be a cleaning hat and an apron who was sweeping the floor. When she got closer, she immediately recognised that irritating mug which she’d rather not see.

"Austin?"

"E-Emelie!" He dropped the broom.

"Be quiet you idiot. Unless you want to receive another complaint."

"O-oh. S-sorry I didn’t mean to–"

"Emelie. Good morning. This little servant of mine didn’t bother you did he?" The dorm mother entered the common room and greeted her.

"Good morning dorm mother and..." she looked at Austin who was practically shaking in his boots. She smirked mischievously and said, "Yes. Austin was making quite the ruckus when I arrived."

"What! No i didn’t–"

"Austin. It seems that cleaning the foyer wasn’t enough morning punishment for you. Go clean the kitchen for me and make sure you’re done before the academy starts."

"But I didn’t–"

"Now."

"... Yes ma’am." He walked away with his head down.

"Good grief, will that boy ever lift up his socks and start acting proper?"

"No." Emelie glared at his retreating back and said quietly to herself. "He won’t."

She turned to the door and put her student tag on the scanner. It then made a beeping sound to indicate that the door was now unlocked.

"Have fun on your run." The dorm mother waved.

Emelie nodded in response and, after some light stretches, began jogging.

Normally the route she would have taken followed a predetermined path that would start from the high hills of the dormitory all the way down into the city where she would then run straight down the main road and to the commercial district and back.

Although this type of challenge would leave anyone winded after only making it down to the city, for Emelie this was child’s play.

That would’ve been what she’d done but this time she decided to take a different path.

When she made it to the city she decided instead to run along a path of where Kurt had been, if she had to guess based on rumors and facts.

She first arrived at the river where he knocked out Maxwell Junior while supposedly chasing a member of the cult and being covered in blood. The river was calm as she ran alongside it and the people were getting ready to open business.

’Same old, same old.’ She thought and continued on.

Next, she arrived at the park where Peter died. The park itself, however, was closed and taped up.

’It’s obviously still under investigation. Not that they’d find anything.’ She briefly looked at the place then without stopping her pace carried on.

Next, she arrived at the gate of the alleyway where she first met Kurt. She remembered that day very clearly as it was the first time she’d seen something happen that wasn’t supposed to.

’If Diana hadn’t left for whatever meeting she had to go to then the robbers would’ve made the deal with that cultist and been killed in the process. The cultist would’ve left the cleanup to his ’brothers and sisters’ while he leaves the alleyway through this gate as a priest in disguise.

But it was Kurt who walked out this gate instead, and although there were small traces of blood on him there were no signs of a fight nor any bodies...’

She then ran past the City View hotel, without knowing that it was the place where he was actually staying, and also ran past the place where Amy said she first met Kurt.

When she turned the corner she saw a familiar face which she hadn’t met in this cycle yet. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

’Cindy...’

Upon seeing Cindy enter Sophie’s Diner, she decided that she had completed her morning run and that it was time for a light breakfast. Emelie then quickly cooled off her sweat using magic and entered the diner.

ring ring

"Welcome customer!" Cindy energetically greeted. "Table for one? Or are you expecting someone?"

"For one please."

"Got’cha! Right this way if you would." She grabbed the menu from the counter and led Emelie to her seat.

"Is there anything you’d like to drink in the meantime?"

"No need to wait. I’ll be quick." Emelie quickly surfed through the pages of the menu.

’Looks like this is the same at least.’

She closed the booklet and handed it to Cindy. "I’ll have Forktail bacon and Cockatrice scrambled egg."

"And how would you like your toast?"

"Golden brown. As for the drink, a medium sized water."

"Got it!" She closed her little notebook. "I’ll be back in 10 minutes with your breakfast."

The time was currently 06:45am. The city’s early risers and work goers could be seen starting and going about their day.

Everything looked... normal.

’For now, that is.’

Cindy arrived 10 minutes later and set down her food and water.

"If there’s anything else you need, don’t hesitate to call me." She smiled politely

"Will do."

Nothing of note happened for the rest of her time in the city. She ate, paid for her food and jogged back to the dorms.

She arrived back at the dorms at 07:30am.

Austin, as expected, was grumbling to himself as he cleaned the entrance walkway.

"This shit should’ve been that old hag’s job. Why the fuck do I have to do this."

Emelie briefly looked at him in disgust before going inside.

When she got to her room, she found Amy’s blankets once again on the floor while she slept in a weird snow angel position.

"Amy, get up. Academy starts in an hour."

"Zzz... mmm... Emelie... happy Thrust-day."

"It’s Thursday not Thrust-day, whatever that means. Now wake up. I’m going to take another shower."

"Why do you always take two showers in the morning?" Amy asked as she got up from bed and picked up her blankets.

"First shower is to wake me up. Second is to wash off the sweat."

"Oof. Just listening to you is making me drained for the day."

"I would love it if you could join me in the mornings." Emelie smirked. "Maybe then you would actually catch the next thief who tries to rob you."

"No. Thank. You." She crossed her arms into a X. "That’s why people like you and Kurt exist. To save us lowly people in our time of need."

"But what if I’m not there for you?" She paused at the bathroom door.

"Pfft! When has that ever happened?"

’More times than I’d like to admit.’ She thought with a slightly sad face. Luckily Amy didn’t see it.

Once they were both finished with their morning routines, they headed for the academy.

"By the way Emy I according to my intel Dale has woken up from his coma and will be returning next Monday."

"Dale?"

"Yeah. Isn’t he from your class? How come you don’t remember him? He even challenged you for your representative spot."

"Sorry. My mind’s been occupied with other things."

"Let me guess." She turned to get a closer at Emelie’s face. "It’s Kurt, right! I still remember how you were practically on edge around him, hahaha!"

Following the girls from a few paces behind was Austin, who tried his best to listen in on what they were saying.

’Again with that name! Seriously, who the hell is Kurt?!’