Shielded - The Marilla Chronicles

Chapter 2

I stayed quietly in my room the rest of the day, watching as the sun came up over the ocean and then sunk behind the horizon.

I watched as the sky transformed from beautiful oranges and purples to the promising dark sky.

I looked up at the stars that lined the night sky. There was something about the darkness that brought a calming effect to my breath. Something cool and even romantic.

"Marilla?" I heard Isaac at my door. I looked towards my poster covered wooden door and saw his shadow from beneath the door frame.

"What do you want?" I barked with annoyance.

"I am really sorry," He began with a painful tone, "I promise one day, you will understand."

I rolled my eyes, the same words he used for everything that he wouldn't let me do. Couldn't go to the mall, 'one day you will understand'. couldn't go to the movies, 'one day you will understand' and I loved movies!

I gave him the silent treatment, deciding no response was better.

"Goodnight Marilla." He breathed out before walking away. I watched under the door seeing the lights turn off. Soon I heard the distant clicking of his door shutting.

I sat for another hour, waiting to see or hear Isaac leave his room. I eventually felt certain he was in fact asleep. I got out of the bed, and walked towards my window.

I picked up the sneakers I had pulled out for my little adventure. I wore a Geeky t-shirt and shorts. I was not quite sure what to wear to the beach, but this felt fine.

I quietly unhooked my window frame and slowly opened them up. A slight creak eachod through my room. I froze waiting to hear if Isaac woke up. The sound had been so soft, but I had never snuck out before. I did not know what would be too much noise.

After waiting several minutes listening to the sound of my heart thud in my chest, I felt confident that he was still deep asleep.

I leaned my neck out, searching for a way down. The walls of the house had vines shooting up them, one in particular lead straight to my room. I smiled, glad that part of Isaac's physical training sessions was to climb up ridiculous obstacles. It was an odd lesson, but Isaac insisted on a lot of odd physical training.

Climbing, dodging arrows, he even insisted on one light sword fighting.

I quietly crawled over the window sill and grabbed hold of the vines, ensuring they were sturdy. After feeling comfortable with their strength, I began making my way down, barely making a sound. Another nod to Isaac's bizarre lessons, in particular his lessons on stealth.

I got closer to the ground and decided It was safe to jump the remaining distance. I hit the ground bending my knees and crouching over, landing as quietly as possible.

I looked up at the window, making sure I hadn't somehow woken Isaac. Again I sat crouching in the shadows, patiently listening for any signs of life. Once happy, I casually stood up and began dusting myself off.

I took a moment to look at my surroundings. I had been outside, but in the day. The night air was cool, and again I felt that lure that pointed me towards the beach pathway. I walked towards the stone path I knew led straight to the ocean.

It would bend and meander through a dark forested area. Street lights lit the way though. I placed my hands in my pockets and began biting my lip as nerves set in. Was this really a good idea?

I casually continued to stroll down the path and took in a deep breath. The smell was sweet and musky as the same time. The greenery and trees obscured my view, but the sound caused me stop in my tracks.