GUARDIAN|M.LANGDON

PART 6|INTERROGATION

Several questions ran through my mind
The main one being- what the fuck

First most important thing I needed to do- go find Mallory

I put my shoulders up subconsciously, once again worried I would get in trouble

I make my way to the main room, and see Mallory and coco together, I clear my throat and see them both look at me, Mallory immediately getting up from her seat to greet me

"Well? What happened?" She walked in front of my as I looked at her, she seemed to look me up and down defensively, almost to make sure I was okay

I could already tell they had more questions than that, but tried to hold onto it until I told them the first answer

This is gonna be a while- I would rather not have coco here if I had to be honest

-TIME SKIP-

I had told them practically everything, well, except a few details, eventually gallant had come to help us get Ready and considering I wasn't really trusting of Coco, I didn't mention everything, she would probably treat me like Mallory if Mallory wasn't her some sort of 'property'

But I'd tell Mallory about the apple situation later, gallant had the kindness to even get me ready for the little party planned, of course I obliged
Wouldn't say no to a little dress up

But throughout I couldn't get something out my head

Don't eat the apple, don't eat the apple

Should I tell Mallory this? Why not?
His words snaked through my head, giving me a headache the more I thought about my decision

I decided mentally I'd let her know when I got a chance alone, which should be soon- perhaps when we got given more chores together, or even when we were resting alone in my room
But soon

-TIME SKIP-
A small spoiler
But soon never came

I had tried so hard to get some time with her, just a simple warning
But the gods werent on our side I assumed, so now I was sat here in a chair whilst my hair was being done by gallant once more

"So, the interrogation was an experience hm?" He mindlessly asks me, I look at him through the mirror and smile a crooked smile

"One way to put it" I answered vaguely, gallant then knelt down to me almost, as if to tell me some gossip

"Wouldn't have minded him being a bit more thorough- if you catch what I mean" and I saw him wink,
Safe to say- I would be an awful liar in a real interrogation, my cheeks glowed obviously

Gallant chuckled at me and I silently thanked the gods as he went back to doing my hair- most likely assuming the idea of it was exciting, and that nothing actually happened

After a solid hour of talking, and trying to avoid what happened in the interrogation, we were finally done

My hair was similar to when I first arrived- hair curled with two braids adorning my crown like a halo- and my outfit
A short simple grey dress, still fitting with the colour scheme, but dainty jewelry adorned my wrists and neck, my cross necklace still on my chest as well- it was the most beautiful I felt in 18 months

By the time we were done the party was already in full swing, I looked overhead to see everyone
Apple bobbing

I clenched my jaw as I saw Mallory go next, thinking to shout out to her until ms mead interrupts

"You two, you're late
Join the line"

We nod together as we follow the line, gallant went first and I went next, dunking my face quickly in the water, the phrase running in my head

Don't eat the apple, don't eat the apple

I hadn't seen Langdon recently now that I think of it, you'd think our 'saviour' would at least stay for festivities- I hated to say it but a small sadness welled up at the idea of him leaving

I manage to grab the stalk instead, strategically bringing it up

Subconsciously I look up and see ms venable staring at me, it was hard to see but I almost thought I saw her lip twitch at the realization of me not biting it

What is in the apple?

I sit down as I hold it gently, waiting for everyone else to take the first bite instead

I looked at it carefully, bright and red, it looked delightful, especially after the food we've been given for what? A year and a half?

But I looked at it, and the only thing I could sense was danger

I couldn't even describe it, it was like this awful emotion had overcome me, feeling sick at even the thought of eating it

Like with the stew, with the dream

I'm snapped out my thoughts when I hear coughing, and I look up to see Timothy and Emily gagging at their apple

I then hear everyone follow suit and I panic, and realise

Mallory

I look over to her and see her falling the same fate, choking and spitting out the bite she had just taken

Mr gallant is the first to fall to the floor, and starts to throw up

I look frantic at everyone, they're all wheezing and

Dying
They're dying

Before Mallory falls I grab her, and lift her down, her mouth starting to foam as she wheezes

I can only watch in horror as tears poor through my eyes, cradling her head in my lap

"Mallory please,
Please be okay"

Before I can say anything more I feel someone grab me

Ms venable

I start to wriggle and writhe as her and Ms mead try and get my mouth to open, the apple I had now right at my mouth

Ms mead started to hold my nose, and I realise this is my fate

Die by apple? Or die of lack of oxygen?
Which one makes a prettier corpse?

On reaction I open my mouth, the lack of oxygen becoming unbearable and Ms venable takes this as a chance to force it down my throat

I'm unsure if they had changed the apple whilst I wasn't looking, but the effects seem to happen

Fast

I started wheezing as they held me, losing consciousness slowly, and time seems to stop

Close your eyes, rest

The last thing I remember is a shout as they drop me to the floor
"Stop! Not her"
Somehow in the blink of a second, I feel myself get held onto by much stronger arms, encasing me in a hug as we both fall

"I can't lose you again"