Kings Gambit

Chapter 7 - Cold Blood

I woke up in a sweat; the air around me felt cold. It was unnerving, but the sensation felt so familiar. Has something happened? I have no evidence other than my intuition. Just this weird feeling I have.

 I swiftly got out of bed and put on a pair of clothes that I found lying on the dark oak dresser. Conveniently it fits me perfectly. However, it was the exact same clothes I had on when I arrived here, a grey suit with a checkered tie. The masterminds work, I suppose. I looked up at the clock on the right side of my room; it read "11:24," Which was a much more usual time for me to wake up.

"If anything bad did happen, I would have woken up by now," I slapped my cheeks, trying to calm myself from my paranoia. But the uneasy feeling wouldn't go away, the same feeling that arises when I'm at a crime scene, only this time, it was far more foreboding. 

I brushed my hair and walked out the door. I stumbled to the railing and looked down to the main floor. No one was around, I have no clue where anyone is, but the dining room has turned into the meeting spot, so there might be people there. I walked down the grand stairs and to the dining room door. When I opened it, I noticed Isabelle and Claire.

"Good morning," I spoke out, a bit relieved to see them acting normally. I sat myself down at the table across from Claire, who was eating a salad I could assume was made by Isabelle. She looked exhausted, with bags under her eyes. Isabelle was sweeping the already spotless floor to my left, her movements more anxious than usual.

"Good morning," Claire yawned.

"Guess who looks like they woke from a 50-year coma now." I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"I guess I deserve that," Claire smiled a bit as she picked up and dropped her fork in her salad bowl.

"Are you still upset because of yesterday?" I asked with concern.

"No, it just wore me out, was all." Claire sighed.

"Well, that's a relief," I smiled. Claire is a nice enough person at heart. The poor girl shouldn't have to endure this.

"Unlike yesterday, it doesn't seem like anyone feels like meeting here. I was hoping to talk to more people." Claire stretched out her arms on the table with a depressed look.

"How long have you been here?" I leaned back in my chair.

"I've been here since eight or so, so around three hours. Isabelle only arrived not long before you did." Claire explained.

"Yes, I was cleaning the central hall prior," Isabelle confirmed as she swept the floor with intensity.

"Man, just take a break with the cleaning," I popped my neck.

"I would if you guys weren't so messy." Isabelle countered. Messy? There isn't a spec of dirt or trash on that floor.

A few minutes passed, and no one spoke. The silence was pleasant. Still, the ominous feeling never went away.

"Hey Claire, does something seem off to you?" I broke the silence.

"How do you mean?" She bit her lip anxiously at my comment.

"I don't know. I just have had a bad feeling ever since I woke up." I looked down.

"Haha... Now you're scaring me." Claire nervously laughed.

"Sorry, forget I asked" I retracted my statement; I shouldn't burden her.

"No, you're right. Something has been bugging me as well." Isabelle added, loosening her grip on the broom. I sighed in relief to hear that I wasn't the only one.