“Well, aren’t you the most forthright person I’ve ever met.” Izzy muttered under her breath. When he finished, she opened her mouth to ask, “Who?” doubting she would want to meet anyone with that title, when he answered her unspoken question. Her gaze darkened.
	[i]Figures.[/i] She ran a hand through the lose portion of her hair, her fingers catching on a knot. She hesitated for a moment when Riley headed toward Damocles’--and [i]her[/i]--hideout, but then hurried after him, not wanting to be left alone with Cutter, Episode, and especially Thurdge lurking about.

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	With Riley’s pace infuriatingly slow, the hour walk to the abandoned school felt more like an eternity, especially with Riley’s small talk and the rather pointless ramblings he went on. Izzy had said little the entire trip, the slow pace giving her plenty of time to stew over the danger Cerasus had put her in, all but blindfolded.
	She gave a relieved sigh when, at long last, the decaying school came into sight. Her hair hung freely, her hair tie around her wrist from her attempts at untangling with her fingers. A look of determination settled across her features as they went down the road.
	With her shoulders back, she broke the pace she had considered overall pleasant just a few days ago, rushed ahead of Riley, and pushed one of the doors completely open a little harder than she had intended to, making it slam into the wall and the hinges squeal in protest.
	“Cerasus!” she called, her voice echoing furiously off the decrepit walls. She was sure he would hear her no matter where he was in the school.