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The window behind Carmine lead to the outside, students could be seen in groups coming and going from their classes. Occasionally another professor or staff member would walk by as well, likely changing classes or simply leaving, much like the students. The leaves on the trees would wave slightly in the wind. “You know a little bit after you stopped answering calls a police investigation started up. Since I was one of the last people seen speaking to you I was questioned, they were really persistent you know.” Carmine said as he began to stand up, he rubbed the bridge of his nose as he began to continue. “They detained me for a while after they thought they had something on me, the university even fired me for a little while, said they didn’t want the reputation of hiring a suspected kidnapper.” Carmine said, an undercurrent of anger could be heard as carmine slammed a nearby wall with his fist.

“Carmine, I’m so sor-“David began to speak but Carmine swiftly cut him off with a wave of his hand.

“Don’t say you’re sorry!” Carmine shouted, but it looked like he had just vented off most of his anger as he took in a long breath and breathed out again. “Its fine, I got my job back, and besides, I’ve had a whole year to be angry.” Carmine stopped to take a drink from his cup and began to continue again. “What in the world happened to you? At first everyone assumed you were just busy for a few months, but when calls started going unanswered and that police investigation, that’s when we thought you were dead.”

“You remember that paper I published, about undiscovered tribes?” David asked, after taking a moment to remember Carmine nodded his head in confirmation. “Well I thought I found some evidence leading to South America and I followed my lead.”

Looking somewhat interested Carmine turned towards David. “And, did you find something?”

“Ah, that’s a bit sensitive, but yes I did.” David replied, as he gripped the inner edges of his vest nervously. Seeing Carmine edge him on with a slight nod, David began to speak again.

“Well before I say anything else, I’d like to know about the state of the world first. You see, I’m missing a bit of my memory, about a years’ worth.”

Carmine stopped by his desk again to take a drink. “Yeah, I think you hinted at that earlier. Alright, let’s go for a walk, somewhere empty. The air’s too dry in here.” As he made his way to the exit he grabbed a tan jacket with leather elbow patches, picked up a brown hat and handed it to David. “You left it here, part of the reason why the police came for me.” After graciously accepting it David followed Carmine out the door.





	The park near the college was empty, it seems like most of the students would rather be inside, or had plans elsewhere. But the wind was giving David a slight chill. “And a little bit later the domes were taken down.” Carmine said, taking in a slight breath, as if he had been talking a while.

“Were you hurt in any of this?”

“No, not as much as some people were anyways. Your family should be fine, they all live in Ohio right?” 

“Yeah, they do. Have they-” After a short pause David began again. “-Have they given up on me?”

“I wouldn’t know sorry, I might have been under investigation at the time, or just not informed.” Carmine spoke, a soft undertone of worry coated it. “Speaking of which, have you called them, they’d probably be glad to know.”

“I’ve been thinking about that, but the thing is.” David trailed off as he inverted his damp pockets, revealing only a wallet containing destroyed dollar bills and an expired driver’s license. “No phone.”

“Hold on then, I’ll lend you mine.” Carmine began to take out his own phone, as he fiddled with his own pocket a scream could just be heard elsewhere in the park.

“Was that a” Carmine began to ask but it was David’s turn to interrupt.

“Yeah, a scream, come on.” David gestured to his friend as he accelerated into a run.

“We’re not the cops dammit, come back here, dang it.” Carmine spoke as he ran as quickly as he could behind David. [i]He got to travel the world with his doctorate but I stay in all day teaching, how can he expect me to catch up? [/i]Carmine thought to himself as he huffed and puffed along behind David.

As they got close enough to see David and Carmine’s eyes both drew themselves to some kind of creature. “Is that one of those Demons you mentioned?” David asked as his eyes darted around the creature and the kids, to the two adults.

“No, it looks different; almost like a harpy from legend.” Carmine replied as he took a few moments to catch his breath.
 
“It looks like it has a human head, maybe it can understand us. Look, it hasn’t hurt those kids at all, they don't have a scratch on them in fact they look more scared that we showed up.” David whispered as he took a few slow steps forward. 

“David, what in the world are you thinking, get back here.” Carmine angrily whispered back, he jerked slightly forward as if to follow but his legs refused to move any further. 

David tried to give a reassuring nod to the other adults, one of which looked as if she was on the verge of fainting, but he wasn’t sure if it worked or not.  Turning towards the harpy and the kids David began to speak. “Hello, my name is David, can you tell me yours?”