CHAPTER 7

— By the way — Zigor interrupted her thoughts, and the young woman raised her face to meet those green eyes on her. — What is your name?

Lilia dropped the cutlery she was carrying the food to her mouth. For a few seconds, she considered the possibility of telling him the truth, but something told her that the simple act of telling him her name would alter her entire story. Besides that Zigor seemed to be someone distrustful, at least in this situation, it was evident that he was distrusting everyone and everything. That a stranger with the same name as his missing sister was hanging around a small town that hardly anyone visited didn't seem like a mere coincidence.

— Drika, — she replied when he seemed ready to repeat the question... — It's Dutch. — she explained with a little more enthusiasm than she should.

— Is very cute. — Zigor nodded but didn't take his eyes off her. — So by the way ... This is not a very touristy area ... — he commented in a quiet tone, and gave her an inquisitive look that pretended to be discreet.

Lilia played with the fork on her plate until she looked up to meet his eyes.

— They're coming for me,— she returned, downplaying the matter. — It was the most suitable place to wait.

— You couldn't have come at a worse time. — He sentenced, with a sharp tone. — The whole place is under investigation, and that a stranger arrives is….

— It wasn't my intention,— Lilia returned, and when she finished speaking she stood up. — I better go…

— No, Drika. I… — Zigor had stood up as well, and all the eyes of the place were on them. — Please sit. — When she did not seem willing to pay attention to him, she proceeded, trying to avoid the stares of those who were present — It was never my intention to offend you. I'm just a little…. — Zigor looked around her, and then shook his head — quite upset, nervous, worried. I'm in several things these last few days.

Lilia considered her options for a moment. Leaving now would clearly be the best option. Make up any excuse, go back to Lola's pension and leave the town. Return to the safety of her house, her room. Lock herself in her ideas and thoughts. But on the other hand, she was not done yet with what she had come to do. She was still far from knowing what had become of Lilia, and Zigor was her best option to approach the matter without looking suspicious. She couldn't give up, not when it meant facing Ian's ghost.

— Forgive me, Drika. I really didn't mean to kick you out. — Almost mechanically Lilia sat on her seat, facing her cold food, and a nervous Zigor. — What are you going to do tomorrow? — He asked suddenly, excitedly, then seemed to remember something, and the look on his face twitched — that's if you still here.

— I'll still be — she answered almost without thinking. She didn't really mean to leave yet. At least she would stay until the end of the week. On Saturday she would leave, whatever happened. By then Lilia had been in the city for four days, and she couldn't leave her parents on the sidelines for so long. — I have no plans. —she shook her head as she turned her attention to the food, satisfied that for once she was telling the truth. She knew she wanted to do it, but she had no idea how to do it.

— In that case you may want to accompany me on a boat trip. — He commented already with his most pleasant factions — it's more than a walk. — He continued after a few seconds, the emotion of five seconds ago subsiding. — I usually go to Lake Millan. I was going with my sister, and now I'm going to look for clues or look for her. — He concluded with the tone of his voice lowering until almost imperceptible. Lilia heard him because she was close to her, but she wasn't sure if Zigor wanted her to hear that.

— It's understandable. — She commented, remembering their trips to the beach, knowing that Ian would not be in that place, but finding comfort in knowing that they had been there together. — I'll go with you— she agreed, with a small smile that echoed on Zigor's lips.

— Perfect. So I'll be able to amend my bad behavior today — he smiled, but the joy didn't reach his eyes. — Where are you staying? I can pick you up ...

— There is no need. — Lilia interrupted him suddenly since she didn't like at all the idea of ​​joining Lola with Zigor in the same room and giving them the possibility of exchanging versions about her. — I like to walk, to get to know the city and everything is close. — She argued, with a smile that was intended to follow her emotion.

— As you prefer. We are in the port, it will not be difficult for you to find it. The ship is called Brisa. — He replied, without seeming to notice the change in the mood of his "food partner".

— Good. I'll be there. — She returned with a smile. He was about to ask how far away she was when a call on Zigor's cell phone interrupted his words. He answered without delay and was a few seconds with the phone pressed into his face, murmuring some sharp and quick answers, and when he ended the call, his face was wrinkled and his eyes were sad.

— I will have to interrupt our meal, I have to go home since the police are asking for a meeting. — He commented, standing up and taking money from his pocket to pay for the food.

— You better go, we'll see you tomorrow — Lilia tried to sound serene as she said goodbye to him when all she wanted was to ask him what had happened, what had changed. But Lilia avoids asking or bringing up the matter, urging him to go back to his parents. She could find out tomorrow what had happened.

In the seconds that he had left, she went to Lola's pension, undoing the path she had trodden, going through the stone streets again, and contemplating the place with different eyes.

Something Zigor had mentioned came back to her mind. No one is guilty, but no one is innocent either. Michellan was a really small place, its inhabitants survived on fishing, they were few and they all knew each other. The place had only one high school and a couple of schools, from what she had been able to observe so that either Lilia had left by her own feet, or someone made her disappear, and that person could perfectly be among them.

Walking back, Lilia couldn't help but look at the people with whom she crossed with some uncertain state, thinking of if she wouldn't be crossing with the person responsible for Lilia disappearing.

She entered Lola's pension and almost breathed in relief when she realized that the owner was not there. She hurried up to her room and flopped onto the bed. She had the rest of the day ahead of her, and tomorrow she would meet Zigor for a boat ride to Lake Millan, where she had so many times gone with her sister.

Lilia spent the rest of the hours she had before dinner rereading the emails she had from the girl, dwelling on details that she had previously thought insignificant, but that now became relevant. In a few hours she had already done it twice, so she left the room and headed to the only place she could find more information without raising suspicions.