Chapter 267 The Plane Crash
Freya’s face drained of color as she read the news on Seraphina’s phone. The headline was clear, a stark reminder of the tragedy unfolding. She felt as if the ground had been pulled out from beneath her feet.
“Is… Is Athena on that plane?” Freya’s voice cracked, the question barely a whisper.
Seraphina’s eyes were wide, her own hands shaking slightly as she looked back at Freya. “It’s possible. She was on a flight from Forganto City. And if she was supposed to arrive at 4:37 p.m…” Seraphina’s voice trailed off, and the words hung in the air like a heavy fog.
Freya felt as if the world had stopped spinning. Her thoughts raced, her chest tightening with fear. She didn’t want to believe it. She couldn’t.
But then, her mind flashed to the last conversation she’d had with Athena. Athena had been so calm, so assured about everything. Freya had told her to be careful, but Athena had only reassured her that everything would be fine. That she would be back soon.
And now, this.
Without thinking, Freya grabbed Seraphina’s phone and dialed Byron’s number. The phone rang, and her heart pounded in her chest. She had to hear his voice. She had to make sure that he wasn’t lost in this chaos.
“Byron, it’s me. It’s Freya,” she said, her voice trembling when he picked up.
“Freya?” Byron’s voice came through, strained, almost breathless. “Where is she? I can’t reach her. Please, tell me she’s okay.”
“Byron, I…” Freya hesitated, not knowing how to say it. “The plane. It… it crashed. The flight from Forganto City to Girard City. Athena was supposed to be on it.”
Byron’s breath hitched on the other end of the line, the silence that followed so thick that Freya could almost feel it. “No,” he whispered, the word barely audible. “No, it can’t be.”
“Byron, you have to find her. Please. You have to do something.” Freya’s voice broke, the weight of the situation finally settling in.
Byron was already on his way to the door when he heard her words. His mind felt like it was spinning, but there was only one thing that mattered now. He had to find Athena. He couldn’t lose her. Not like this.
He didn’t answer Freya’s plea. His steps were rapid as he moved toward the exit, his heart pounding louder with each step.
“Byron!” Freya called out one last time, but the phone clicked off as Byron ended the call.
The sound of the door slamming shut echoed in the hall, leaving Seraphina and Freya standing there, powerless.
Freya could feel the heaviness in the air, her hands trembling as she looked at Seraphina, who was equally as pale.
“Do you think she’s…?” Seraphina trailed off, unable to finish the question.
Freya shook her head violently. “No. I can’t believe it. Athena can’t be gone. She just can’t be.”
Seraphina swallowed, her throat tight. “We don’t know anything yet. There’s still hope. We have to hold on to that.”
But in the pit of Freya’s stomach, a sinking feeling told her that hope was slipping away fast. And she couldn’t help but feel the crushing weight of everything that was at stake.