Chapter 176

"How may I help you?" She asked, looking at me from up and down. She could tell I was an official with the long trench coat and badge on my chest. The floppy brimmed hat didn't hide it well either. "I'm here to see a friend. Preston Akigan?" I smiled. "Give me a moment." She smiled back, going to a rear room. She returned seconds later as we both waited. A staff member returned, shaking his head, "He's not here." "That's fine..." I smiled leaving. Worry began to consume me as fears of what I brought upon the boy lurked around in my mind. I searched his normal hideouts, unable to find him anywhere. However, the boy also was very good at disappearing when he didn't want to be found. I was counting on this being the case, however it was completely impossible to rid the worry from my mind. Upon returning home, something definitely wasn't right. The fields were generally filled with falconers and jockeys, but this morning it was empty. I reached my stables, looking around before entering. M