The Leaves are Silent

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

I missed my parents. Alot. I'm sure all of us did. I think we all pushed the thoughts of them to the back of our minds so we could carry on. But as I sat on my bed in the tent, everyone else fast asleep, I couldn't help but let my thoughts wander to them. My parents were divorced so I lived with my mother. I missed her the most. I missed the idea of being safe. Not having to constantly watch your back because someone else was doing it for us.

I wonder what my parents were doing now. If my mom was worried. I wonder if she knew where we were. I wonder if any of the parents knew where we were. To be honest I couldn't understand why the parents hadn't come looking for us. Or even that we hadn't heard a single peep of protest. It didn't make sense. Just because the land was dead and the we were in an isolated part of the country doesn't mean it could prevent people from travelling out here.

I sighed and rubbed my eyes, trying to take away the tiredness. I also missed tea. It would wake me up in the morning as I wasn't much of a morning person. Well at all, really.

I eventually rose from the bed and quietly made my way out of the tent. The camp was eerily quiet. The snores of deep sleepers the only sound occupying the space. My footsteps treaded quietly as I wound my way through the maze of tents. The oppressing white stone of the building made its way into my line of vision as I turned the last corner.

I took a steadying breath as I made my way inside. I had my second meeting with Professor Quinton this morning. Ian had mentioned to me that we were allowed to make our own way into the meetings as long as we got up on time. I had hastily accepted that option, not wishing to be taken no longer.

I meandered my way through the now familiar set of black doors. Each one was numbered and Professor Quinton was in number 53. I speculated what was behind the other doors. There could be anything really. The possibilities were endless.

Eventually I was stood outside number 53. I could hear the murmuring of voices behind the door but I stood stock still, not entering. I hadn't yet developed an opinion on the Professor as of now. He remained a mystery to me. I obviously didn't trust him but he did contain the odd sense of security within his persona. I loved his office though. I only wished to grab one of the books and see what stories lay hidden in the pages. I sighed groggily once again, rubbing at my eyes before I knocked at the door.

I was granted entry and I cautiously made my way inside. It was warm. I glanced sideways to see a little fireplace tucked into the corner, flames flickering and its embers glowing brightly. I stared into its depths for a moment before I brought my attention to Ian and Professor Quinton who were both eyeing me curiously.

"Good morning, Lily." the Professor chirped, his hand indicating me to sit in the chair beside Ian's.

I gradually made my way towards the chair trying to take in as many details of the intricate room as possible. When I eventually sat down the Professor cleared his throat and began to speak,

"So Lily, how are you feeling?"

"Fine," I replied curtly.

He tilted his head, seemingly to study me for a moment before speaking once again,

"I heard about the incident last week, do you wish to speak about it with us."

"What are you, my therapist?" I replied harshly, my nails digging into the arms of the wooden chair. I had kept my memories of solitary locked in a box in the deep corners of my mind and that was something I did not wish to look at right now.

The professor appeared unfazed by my rudeness and he answered me smoothly,

"No, but I am here to develop your skills and any obstacles blocking that must be removed. And I believe that your time in solitary may be an obstacle in your mind."

I gritted my teeth, feelings of mild frustration and anger pulsing through my veins. The Professor chose to ignore my obvious discomfort and continued,

"You seem very defensive this morning." It was said as more of a statement than a question but I answered anyway,

"I'm not a morning person."

He once again seemed to ignore me and chose to stay with his questions,

"What are you scared of Lily?"

I mocked contemplation for a moment before I answered,

"I don't know about you, but those dancing furby things really creep me out."

Instead of showing feelings of frustration the Professor smiled.

"Believe it or not Lily, your answers of deflection give me more insight into your character than would be had you answered the question truthfully."

I frowned and spared a glance at Ian who sat quietly, with a thoughtful expression covering his face.

"And how's that?" I questioned after a few seconds, returning my gaze to the Professor's.

The Professor leaned back in his chair crossing his arms over his shirt claddened chest and waited a moment before answering,

"It shows me you're a private person. You don't like attention. It also shows that you don't trust easily and as a result use sarcasm or just plainly evade the question concerning anything about yourself. Although not many people would trust people on a first or second meet I have a feeling your trust issues run deeper. I'm certain that you haven't told anyone about your time in solitary. In fact I bet Ian here doesn't not just know about your time in solitary but very few details about your past. Am I right Ian?"

I felt my jaw tick and turned my head towards Ian to see how he would answer only to see him looking at me, with a strange gaze. I'd never seen him look at me like that before. It wasn't sympathy or pity. It was something more but I couldn't put my finger on it.

He eventually tore his gaze away from me only to look at the Professor.

"We don't know each other well. We weren't close before we came here." he replied calmly, propping his leg onto his knee.

The Professor studied us both for a moment. He then rose from his chair and made his way to the shelves of books aligning his walls. He searched the spines of the books for a moment before he pulled out two books. He then sat back down in his chair and placed the two books on the table.

He then brought his eyes up to meet ours and spoke,

"I would both like you to read this book." he said while he slid a book to the both us.

"Don't read the other's book. I want you to read the book I've given you and just simply think about it when you're finished."

We both picked up the book that was slid across to us. Mine had a navy cover and its pages bore an almost golden colour. It was clearly well looked after but it had an antique way about it that told me it was an older book. It didn't have a title but I had a feeling the Professor preferred it that way.

"You are both dismissed, I'll see you in three days at the same time."

Ian and I left quietly, walking along side each other without a word to be spoken. It wasn't awkward though. It was a comfortable silence. When we reached the outside it was obvious the first bell hadn't rung yet. The camp was still quiet, no lumbering bodies to be seen.

"Well, uhm I think I might I head back to my tent. Will I see you later?"

Ian nodded, still not speaking. I had begun to walk away, a few paces ahead when I heard his voice call out after me,

"Lily wait."

I turned to the sound of his voice and he jogged to my side, he grabbed my arm, his other hand still clutching the book given to him. He stopped, his light brown eyes looking into mine before he spoke,

"I want to show you something."

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Hello people reading this, thanks for reading and everyone who voted thanks you so much. Please don't be afraid to comment, good or bad. I want to know if I can improve on anything. and yeah. Oh i should have a picture of Ian on the side so yeah thats him. Anywho talk to you guys soon, byeeeeeeeeeee :)