Sapphire Gibson
Waking up alone in such an unfamiliar and grandeur room startles me, until I remember where I am. Abruptly, I miss the homey clutter of my personal books around my bed and the light sounds of Adelaide sleeping nearby, dawn sunlight streaming through the small windows of our dormitory to paint patches of pink and gold across the opposite wall. I'll never see that place again.
Rubbing the sleep from my eyelids, I arise to shower in the hopes of regaining some mental clarity for the day. Afterwards, I change into a clean ivory blouse with gray trousers and attempt to comb back my scraggly hair, which clings in damp strands to my cheekbones. Finding my way back to the parlor, I overhear the boys talking and pause in the doorway to avoid interrupting them. Topaz sits upright on the settee with an open book — which he likely borrowed from the overfilled shelf near the fireplace — balanced across his lap, but his nonchalant cinnamon eyes flit across Emerald's disquieted countenance.
"You haven't rested," the former murmurs — a subtle display of concern.
"No."
"Were you with her just now?"
Emerald shrugs elusively, then acquiesces to nod in silent reply.
"She's very smart; she'll get what she wants."
"And what of me, Oz?"
"You reek of stale tobacco. After a shower, perhaps you'd stand a chance," Topaz retorts, his unrevealing expression shifting into a lighthearted smile that only Emerald can ever bring out of him.
Jealousy piques in my chest and I step further into the room, making my presence known and signaling the approach of dawn. They both glance up to watch me rub my tired eyes again. Topaz studies me intensely as if worrying I may shatter with paranoia any moment, though he ultimately seems to decide that I'm alright on my own for now.
"Are we still walking into town this morning, Ral? After yesterday evening, I'm famished."
Emerald grins warmly, providing, "Sure, once Rue awakens — which could be in minutes or hours. I can never predict."
"Adelaide's awake, then?"
"Yes, I just happened upon her."
I nod in thanks, spinning around to dart back upstairs in search of my wide-eyed companion. I don't need to look for long, however, because we quickly meet face-to-face as I round the corner. Her appearance is a relief to me. She must've just been touring the floor.
"Oh, good — you were on your way," I greet her with a smile that I hope appears casual; however, my eyes drift over her shoulder, and I find myself staring vaguely down the corridor. "We're all in the parlor, but I just needed space for a minute. They're watching me, waiting for me to slip. I can feel it."
A pause.
"We'll be leaving for breakfast and probably some grocery shopping in a short while."
"Alright," Adelaide attempts, "You'll be okay, Saph, you know?"
I've returned to the very place I swore to forevermore avoid. The city spans forty square miles and two million people; in theory, I'll be safe enough. Yet, when I glance Adelaide up and down, I feel my eyes glaze like mildew and I wish I said nothing at all. I used to be brilliant, learned beyond my years; now, my cool existence is reduced to something small, unstable, and assailable in the eyes of others. They all told me I'd be okay; my friends and family forced those words into my ears for the last four years, so naturally that I've since desensitized to the consolation. 'You're just imagining things, Aisling.'
YOU ARE READING
Adelaide
Mystery / Thriller"My parents heard about James' mental state and worried it was a contagious disease that I would eventually succumb to as well. So, they sent me here, before I could end up where he is now. That certainly would've damaged their reputation." "You've...
