One Last Hope

Chapter 10

⭐"If it's out of your hands it deserves freedom from your mind too."⭐
__

As we go to the cafeteria with Sarah, I spot Peter.

I glance in his direction and meet his eyes. I smile and am pleasantly surprised to see that he smiles back.

I beckon to him to come closer. Meanwhile, I notice that Sarah keeps her distance.

Peter: "Hello."

He smiles but doesn't say more remaining a little distant. I pursue:

Nora: "This is Sarah. Would you like to eat with us?"

His gaze lingers on her, then he shakes his head as a no.

Peter: "No, sorry, I already have plans..."

Come on! He just doesn't want to eat with us that's all. Bartholian friendliness all over...!

No sooner has he said this that he begins to turn away, ready to leave in the opposite direction.

I pause observing Peter and Sarah: they seem to know each other. But they're ignoring one another brilliantly!

Peter: "See you."

With this, he immediately turns around leaving us standing there, in the middle of the cafeteria.

I try to get some answers out of Sarah, but she looks at me with the innocent eyes of a cat who's swallowed a mouse.

Nora: "What's the matter with you two? You know each other, don't you?"

Sarah: "No, not really..."

Yeah, you bet!

I stay silent as we look for a place to sit. That's the second time Sarah's acted funny when it comes to them. Is there something wrong with that family?

Nora: "Is there something I should know about these people... the Bartholy's?"

Sarah: "No why?"

Nora: "Oh, quit fooling around, I can see that you avoid them like the plague..."

Sarah: "The Bartholy's are a very influential family in this city and most people keep their distance, I'm not the only one to find them odd."

Nora: "As soon as we talk about them, I feel like you change into a block of ice, not to mention all the antipathy that emanates from you as soon as you see them..."

Her sullen attitude shows me she's not yet ready to talk about it.

What is she refusing to tell me?

Sarah: "It's just that they're a little strange..."

No kidding!

Sarah: "They don't really fit in or mingle, and yet they're rich enough to own half the town. It's kinda normal that they arouse suspicion..."

I don't know if I should believe it. I get the impression that she's trying to hide certain things from me.

I get a strong feeling that Sarah's grudge is more personal.

However, if she refuses to confide in me, I can't do much about it...

But if she's not telling me anything, how can I know who to trust? Who to believe?

Sarah: "On that matter, how's it going?"

Nora: "With the Bartholy's?"

Sarah: "Yes... You're the first person to enter their walls, you know... At least you're the only one I know, they are very secretive people, they are very attached to preserving their private life."