When Irene heard James say 'Stan', she rushed up to him, grabbing his arm. "Who was that?"
James gulped, putting an assuring hand on Irene's to calm her and get her to stay quiet before asking, "Stan? Is that really you?"
He almost could not believe his ears.
"Yeah, it's me," Stan replied from the other end.
James inhaled sharply. "Where are you right now?!"
"Franconia…"
"Hold on," James was stumped for a moment. "You're in Franconia?"
"Yeah," Stan answered confidently, before adding urgently, "This is urgent. Where are you right now? I'll come to you."
"Where do you think?!" James actually snapped. "The plane you boarded with Mr. Jefferson crashed in Dunesia, so we're here searching the place!"
"Then hurry back right now," Stan urged.
It only left James more confused. "What the hell is going on here?!"
"It's complicated. We'll talk when we meet," Stan told him. "Just come back. Mr. Jefferson isn't there."
"Well, where is he?!" James asked.
"Just come back for now—"
Stan did not manage to finish when static cracked, and the call was cut off as the cell signal went out.
James hung up and turned to Irene and Zachary. "It's Stan. Mr. Jefferson just might be fine after all."
"Really?" Irene exclaimed excitedly.
James nodded. "Anyway, we need to go back to Franconia. He just said that Mr. Jefferson isn't here."
Her hope kindled, Irene was in turn spirited and she quickly said, "Alright, let's go."
However, she walked too fast, and her swollen ankle hurt so much she dropped to the floor.
Zachary hurried to her and put a hand on the swell, and she frowned from the pain of his touch.
"You bruised your bone," Zachary said, leveling a stern look at her. "You'll fall apart before you find him."
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