NEVER MINE ✧ enoch o'connor

𝟎𝟕. Guilty

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MATT MALTESE - Guilty
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ENOCH

There was more waiting once Jake and Emma came back from Miss Peregrine's study. We hung around in the parlour while the pair stepped out with our Headmistress for a private discussion.

Fifteen minutes later they emerged from the hallway, still no sign of Suji (not that I cared). From there, dinner was called upon as if the subject wasn't our business, but Emma managed to whisper the word to me during our transition into the dining room.

The sit-down became a hushed, painful affair without our guest. Even though Miss Peregrine seemed to avoid mentioning any details of the matter, I was certain the rest of them knew something was wrong.

Olive was speaking to Emma from across the table, the only conversation among us. "Where has she gone? She must be starved from being out in the garden all day," worried the redhead.

"The reports contained horrifying news, then?" piped up Horace.

Emma scowled at him and he immediately backed off from the topic.

"Some things are better left unsaid," Miss Peregrine threw out. "But I can assure you that everything will be alright - Jake."

We all turned to look at the boy. He was removing carrots from his plate.

"Vegetables are a vital nutrient to a growing boy's diet," she advised. "I sense you're going to need all the strength you can gather in the next few days."

"Of course, I'll just be a minute." He got up from his chair, juggling a plate and silverware in his two hands. "Suji's mentioned her allergy before. I thought I'd bring dinner up for her," he clarified before leaving the room.

The rest of us hung in silence. Nobody dared to make a sound just in case some dialogue were to come from upstairs.

༻❁༺

Leaving the table that evening was like a death march, and it wasn't due to an awful feast. Suji's absence came as a shock for most of us, including myself. It had only been twenty-four hours since her arrival and already we'd adapted to her company; Olive seemed the most perturbed by the lack thereof.

Instead of retreating to our rooms, Horace had us gathered around the parlour once again. Miss Peregrine had switched places with Jake to watch over Suji upstairs. In spite of the brooding, Horace hopped gamely into the middle of the room so that we could all see him, prepared to address an idea.

"Now that we're all here," he commenced. "I would like - again - to bring forth The Dream."

I let out the sharpest breath I could to display my censure to the subject matter. For the past month, Horace had been witnessing memories of a strange girl quite similar to Suji in terms of appearance and it was irritating because I was-first and foremost-part of the equation.

Horace finally turned away after scrutinizing me to carry on. It appeared that he had the entire room in the palm of his hands and I knew I could not compete.

"As patient as you all have been, I think it is only fair that we acknowledge The Dream whilst Suji is taking some time for herself."

As expected, Claire was the first to burst. "You're positive she's the lady then?"

"We're not sure, Claire." All of us glanced at Hugh by the window, his bumblebees going haywire. "But we can't have you risking the exposure in front of Suji every single time about her possible entanglement with E-"

"Hugh, I forbid you from finishing that sentence," I calmly interjected, but was fighting the urge to stomp on one of his bees.

"But why can't she know?" Claire badgered.

"Well, what would you do if you knew your own destiny?" said Millard. "Surely, you would do as much to make sure it happens, especially if it's one that favours your desires, and vice versa."

Emma joined Horace on the Persian rug to give it her own take.

"In summary," she began, "revealing The Dream to Suji will affect the true nature of their circumstance. Debate closed."

"Then how come Enoch's allowed to know?" Olive chimed in. "Isn't he the other half of said destiny?"

I curse the day I was born.

"Enoch is a great example of why we cannot discuss such topics around Suji," said Horace. "His biased feelings towards the situation have given him the upper hand to go against my prophecy, which could possibly happen with Suji, should she find out."

"This is completely unfair," I finally said. "Why don't we all just eliminate it entirely - quit talking about it - forget you even dreamt it? Because I don't remember asking for anybody's opinion on this so-called prophecy."

"Your disruption of my visions is the only thing that's 'unfair'," spat Horace. "Stop meddling with the Laws of Attraction and let it play out, for Bird's sake, Enoch!"

I didn't want Horace to be right, but he was, and for once I started to fear something. Suji was an accident-a coincidence, even. Not a person who was suppose to mean a lot to me.

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