2199 Extinction

The Kiss

        I hear more shouting coming from behind me. This only fuels my fear and I run faster. I no longer have the protection of my mother. I'm just another Copaie to these people. Another danger that they must control, so I can't trust anyone. Once out of the throne room, I dodge through the hallways, duck into rooms that I know contain back passageways, and finally stop at the end of a hallway. No doors, anywhere. Ahead of me is piles of boxes filled with an assortment of old, forgotten about items, behind me awaits a fate unknown.

             They will be here, shortly. I step over random boxes, careful not to disturb anything. And face the stone wall ahead of me. I run my hands along the bottom of the wall, find the nearly invisible lever, and pull it. The wall in front of me, splits open, half of it going to the right and the other half going to the left. I rush inside and push the block in, that's sticking out.

           I breathe a sigh of relief as the wall slides back into place. Just in time to, I swear I heard footsteps on the far end of the hallway, just before the wall slid completely shut. Thankfully, the wall is thick enough that I could make all the sound I want to, and no one can hear me.

        I turn around and look at the room I'm now in. This place is well hidden in the center of the castle, forgotten by everyone but me. It's a large square room, with a dozen bunks lining the far-left wall. Along the right side of the wall is several large dressers, along the back wall is a bathroom with several toilets and several showers that still work. I moved a small refrigeration unit along the right wall, next to the dressers, a few months ago.

          The downside, to this place, is that the lighting is terrible. The room stays dim, with deep shadows, but I fixed that last time I was home, by hanging several lanterns filled with Pulsis powder. I'm fairly sure this used to be the sleeping room for guards, back before the Dolokki. Once they were created, there was no need for guard sleeping quarters, and the place was abandoned and forgotten. That must have been a thousand years ago. On the left side of the room, there is a door that leads out into a hallway. From there, I can move about the castle, undetected.

              This has always been my favorite place to spend time, alone. I've always kept this place stocked with fresh food and clean clothes. Because I would come here when I started feeling overwhelmed by my mother's expectations. This is one secret that I never shared with Amlican. I was afraid it would lose its specialness if I shared it with anyone, even him.

             I decide to shower and change my clothes. Now that I'm safely hidden, I don't have to get in a hurry. I walk into the bathroom and look around, nothing has changed. My silky hair and body wash is still sitting on the self above the sinks. There are six sinks total, and the shelf is one solid piece of wood running all the way down the wall, over all the sinks. Above the shelf hangs a long mirror, also running the length of the sinks. The shelf is empty except for my stuff; my Silky hair and body wash, my toothbrush and toothpaste, a few wash clothes, some folded towels, and some body lotion. I grab my body wash, my lotion, a washcloth, and two towels.

          I keep walking, past the sinks and the six toilet stalls. Along the back wall is a doorway, I walk in and see six shower stalls. Three shower stalls on the left wall and three shower stalls on the right wall. The only thing separating the stalls is a small wall that comes to my hips. 

               Yuck! I can't imagine having to take a shower in here, with other people. 

             I walk to the first stall on the right, and set my body wash, and washcloth down on the divider wall. Then I go to the shower stall directly across from it and lay down my towels on the short wall, then get undressed. I walk back over to the first stall and turn on the water until it reaches the right temperature, testing it with my hand, before stepping under the water. I let the hot water run down my body as I contemplate the events of the day. 

           I wash up, lotion up, and wrap myself up in a towel. I towel dry my hair and then walk back into the main room. I pull some clothes out of my dresser and put them on. Where did I put my hairbrush? 

         "There you are." I say aloud to no one.

             I'm looking in the mirror and brushing my hair when I see it. A brown piece of paper attached to the bottom right side of the mirror. Someone else has been here! Fear and adrenaline flood my veins. My hand is shaking as I pick up the note.

          We need to talk. I have something important to discuss. Don't panic, I'm not a threat to you. I won't tell anyone you are here. I don't like Malum any more than you do. Meet me, tonight, at midnight, by the old pond. You know which one. And bring Amlican. You will need his help.

                                      ---- V

              V? Who could possibly be V? And how does this person know about this room? I was so sure I was the only person who knew. There is one thing I agree with V on, and that's bringing Amlican.

           The best part about your best friend's dad working for the royal family is the fact that your best friend also lives in the castle. Once I pull my long hair up into its traditional ponytail, I decide to take the secret passageways to Amlican's room. I guess it's time to let Amlican in on the secret room.

            I find Amlican, in his room, pacing about. Thirty minutes later, and I've successfully convinced Amlican to come with me back to the hidden room, and we are sitting on one of the bunks, talking. I explain everything that happened with Malum, including me losing my temper and punching him.

           "It was a stupid thing to do, I know, but I couldn't help myself. He was practically bragging about killing my mother." I say.

          We sit in silence for a moment, just staring at each other.

           "You are so beautiful." he says quietly.

            "Amli.." I start to say, but I'm silenced by his lips pressing to mine. They are warm and inviting. I surprise myself by kissing him back and not pulling away. I deserve some happiness after everything that has happened, even if it's only fleeting. And right now, kissing Amlican is bringing me happiness.   The kiss lasts a long time. When we do pull apart, we are both breathing heavily. "Look, I was lying when I said I don't love you. I love you, a lot." I say. This admission earns me another passionate kiss, interrupting my train of thought and ending with heavy breathing.

           "But," I say as he kisses my cheek. "We can't do this."

               "Why not?" he asks, momentarily stopping, to look at me.

              "Because this isn't the way. Not now. We have to figure out what V wants." I say, pushing him off me.

         "Okay, fine. I'll stop," he says.

            "While kissing you is an excellent distraction from how terrible my life has become; I have a lot I need to do. I have a lot to try and figure out. So, I need to know, what time is it?" I ask.

           Amlican checks his watch. "It's." He clears his throat. "It's five pm."

             "Good. That gives us an hour to get ready, two hours for the feast honoring my mother, and another four hours to try and figure out who V is and what he or she wants."