Catch

Chapter 9

Nicholas was right. The letter was pure gibberish. 

March 1st

Light is bright in the darkest beasts right bellow rainy days and also near the right hand of yours. May lead to interesting adventures in daytime especially during nighttime even during interesting hours of ghost hunting adventures hitting horrible every time. 

-E

"Did you try taking the first letter of each word?" I asked.

"Of course. It didn't work," he replied. 

"Huh. Strange."

"It must mean something..."

We stared at the paper on the table, trying to find some sort of indicator of what the letter could possibly mean. 

"Wait!" I yelled. "What date is today?"

"The thirteenth."

"And when was this letter delivered?"

"Yesterday."

"Didn't your father establish a mail system that promises to deliver any mail within the span of a week as long as it's from this country?"

"He could have written the letter a few days before he sent it."

"And kept it for a few days for his own entertainment?"

"What are you suggesting?"

"The first day of the third month. It could be the key to the code."

"But what do we do with it?"

"I'm not sure, but it's a starting point."

"It could mean that we have to count every third letter."

"No, that doesn't spell anything out."

"What about the first letter of every third word?"

"I think that may actually work!" I cried out.

I grabbed a pen and began circling the first letter of every third word. 

Library. Midnight.

We had to be there. 

♛♛♛

The library was large and would have been beautiful in the daylight, but at night it seemed eerie. Large shelves lined the tall walls and the dark furniture reflected the candlelight. Nicholas and I came an hour early, just to be sure that we could find a place to hide without being spotted. 

We found a location behind a bookshelf that was close enough to the center of the room and large enough to keep us hidden. 

We sat down on the ground and began to wait. 

"Who do you think E is?" Nicholas asked. 

"I think we are about to find out."

Nicholas glanced down at his watch. "It's not too late to go back, you know? I can handle this."

"You dragged me into this," I reminded him. 

"Yes, but I can do it on my own. If you'd like to leave, there is still time."

"I'd like to stay. Besides, who would keep that horribly disproportional ego of yours in check?"

"Disproportional to what?"

"To you."

"Oh? You don't find me attractive?"

No, I found him quite attractive. I could not tell him that, though. His dark eyes were challenging me.  

"About as attractive as you find me," I answered. 

"And how attractive is that exactly?"

"You tell me."

Then, we heard footsteps enter the library. "Check the parameters," a hushed voice said. 

I looked at Nicholas. There were about to discover us. One look behind this bookshelf and they would find us hiding. 

Footsteps were inching closer, closer, closer. My heart began thumping in my chest. We had nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. Nicholas's expression was identical to mine. Just as someone was about to step the bookshelf, I felt a body tackle me to the ground and a pair of lips slam into mine. 

Nicholas was on me, and I was now lying on my back. His hands were strongly cupping my cheeks and his lips were passionately kissing mine. Everything inside of me is on fire. 

"What are you doing there?" An ugly voice called from the aisle. 

"Sorry, we thought we were alone," Nicholas said, standing up. 

"You are not supposed to be here," the man said. He was tall and had a large build. I could not make out the rest of his features under this lighting. 

Nicholas reached out his hand towards me and pulled me up. Then, we left the room without saying another word. 

After I was sure that we were out of sight, I turned around and slapped him. 

"What the hell was that?" I yelled. 

"It was either that or being caught. Besides, don't lie by telling me that you didn't enjoy that." 

"No, I do not particularly enjoy being tackled and kissed against my consent."

"Really? Because it seemed as if you were enjoying it."

"You are dilutional." 

"No, but it seems as if you may be."

"I am so sick and tired of this game!" I yelled. I can't do this anymore. I cannot stand the thought of being in the same room with this man any longer, even if that meant surrender. 

"You were the one who started this game!" 

"Well I thought it would be over by now!"

"You want to know what I think? I think you are mad because you felt something in that kiss."

"I do not!"

"I think it scares you more than you admit."

"Stop acting like you know me! You don't know me!"

"I know you better than anyone else in this goddamn world! I know you because I am you, Rosalie! We are the same!"

"I hate you," I spat.

"So what are you going to do about it?"

"Leave," I said, turning on my heal and beginning to walk away. 

"Then you loose," he called out after me.

This made me stop. No, I was stronger than him. I had to be. I was not about to give this man the satisfaction of breaking me. He had no such power.