Dusk

- 6 -

Marinette's P.O.V.

Hurrying up the small set of stairs, I enter my room and toss my bag to the floor.

If I were going to do this, I couldn't be dressed like this. 

I open my bottom drawer and pull out a few dresses before finding what I was looking for. I smirk as I see the dark britches and cream colored dress shirt. Pulling them out, I mentally thank Nathaniel for annoyingly inviting himself over to help me bake once in the summer, and I thank the flour even more for spilling all over him. Without that, I wouldn't have offered to wash his clothes, Alya would have never called Nino for spare clothes, and silly Nathaniel wouldn't have forgotten his clothes here. I had tried multiple times to let him know I still had them, but I suppose he became quite embarrassed by the events. He would never talk, and soon moved away. 

I examine the clothes and smile. 

These would do.

Flinging them on my bed, I strip the dress I had on off, leaving my undergarments on. First putting on the shirt, I buttoned it and analyzed how it hung off my small frame.

Once I put on the pants and tuck it in it'll fit better.

I pull on the pants and tuck in the shirt. Removing the band from my hair, I reposition it on the back of my head at the base of my skull. Creating a bun instead of a ponytail, I grab a dark cloak with a hood and tie it around my shoulders. Putting on the plainest shoes I had, I decide this is good enough. 

I grab my bag and head to the window, pushing apart the curtains and unlocking the window. It swings open and a cool air drifts into the room. I pull the hood around my head and sling the bag over my head and onto my shoulder. Gripping the window frame, I analyze what would be the best way to go about this. 

How did that man carry me up here?

It looked like the missing bricks of the building were my best bet. Turning around like I was climbing down a ladder, I find the first footplace and press my weight into it. I feel small pebbles escape the hole and my eyes widen. Taking a breath, I find the next with my other foot. Eventually, I was a bit over six feet away from the ground. Already covering most of the distance, I ran out of foot holes. 

I'd been lucky I hadn't been seen. 

I turn and look over my shoulder. Peering down, I grip onto the wall tighter and squeeze my eyes shut. 

It's okay, Marinette. It's okay. You got this.

Taking one more deep breath, I jump off the wall. Landing roughly on the ground, my arms steady my fall on the cold ground. I shudder and raise my gaze, searching around to make sure no one has seen. Pulling up my hood and securing my bag, I stand up straight and start walking towards the clearing. I keep my head down. 

I made it to the valley without a problem, though it did take a bit longer than usual. I was constantly pulling my hood around my face and clutching my bag. Shuffling through the streets and around any stragglers, my anxious hands fiddled with the drawstrings of the cloak. Thankfully, the streets were mostly empty as the news spread of the new body. It was almost too quiet, all the parents had called their children in even if the moon was nowhere in sight and the sun was still high. 

I raise my head to the sky and calculate how much longer I had. 

Still a while.

I rub my eyes.

Tugging the hood back up, I find a place a bit farther from the woods than I would usually pick to spread my blanket. Tossing my bag to the ground, I sigh and pull back my hood. Sitting down for a second, I lay back and look to the sky.

Why am I here? Why did I go through all this trouble and disobey my father?? Sure the baby birds meant something to me, but not to the extent of building a wall of mistrust between my father and I.

One that would surely come crashing down.

I wasn't the trouble child, I never wanted to be. Had I really become disobedient after one little instance of a raised tone? Was I that childish? How immature. I was but a child. And it's not like he wasn't letting me go to a friend's house for the night, there was another dead body found near my age and he was concerned for my safety.

And he had good reason to be. 

How did I let myself block that out??

I intertwine my hands with each other and close my eyes for a second.

Well, if I made it this far might as well check on the birds. 

I struggled to open my eyes, it had been a long day and I was utterly exhausted. Closing my eyes for a second or minute more wouldn't hurt, I had hours left in the day.

The baby birds could wait.

'Apparently not long enough for tomorrow.'

I scoff at my inner dialogue.

The sun was pretty warm on my skin, not too bright to be uncomfortable. The blanket below me gave me just the right amount of plush on the hard ground, the thick grass teaming together with the softness of the material to make a solemn heaven. I could smell the sweetness in the air, where it came from I didn't know. Nathaniel's clothes kept out the draft unlike my many dresses, and I could safely say I preferred this to them.

Though my father would have a fit if he saw me.

I place both of my hands behind my head and smile to myself with my eyes still closed. 

I might as well enjoy myself, I did all this after all.

Even if it were wrong to do so. 

I settle into the ground and take a deep breath before letting my thoughts wander to beautiful mornings spent by the edge of the woods, small woodland creatures coming out every so often. Some even sniffed my hand before bounding back into the safety of the trees. I reminisce of the mornings my mother and I would take walks along the forest line, stopping to smell the blooming spring flowers every once in a while. Her favorite had been honeysuckle.

It was now mine.

Smiling as I turned on my side, I settled into the earth and began to dream of my mother near the forest line; smelling flowers, and tucking a bright blue one into my hair.

'They match your eyes, Marinette. My beautiful daughter. I love you."

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A bit shorter, but still over a thousand words! I enjoyed writing this chapter, I hope you enjoy reading it! I'll edit this soon and publish it with chapters four and 5 as well.... don't forget to leave a comment or vote (or both haha) if you're liking the story so far!! The next chapter of The Bracelet should be out soon. Enjoy!

- chatattack <3