Apocalypse Love

Railing

My mind wandered, my body wide awake as the rose scent haunted me. I tossed and turned in bed for a while. It had to well past midnight now but I needed to distract my mind. I rise from my bed and place my feet on the cold floor, grabbing my robe and putting it on before hugging it against my body. My long black hair no long in a near bun like before. It wavely falls down my back and I tuck a peice behind my ear as I pick up the lit candle on my nightstand and walk over to my door. I opened it up and peak my head into the dark hall to see nobody in sight. I carefully crept out of my room, quietly closing my door. I look over my shoulder towards the grand stair case but decided it was too risky to use that path. I head further down the hall and over to the serect pathway I use. I closed the door behind me and walk down the spiral stairs. When I get to the bottom step I notice how dark it is, the only light coming from my candle. I made my way across the room and turn on the gas before I  grab a match and run it along the stone of the fire place. It lights the match and I tossed it inside. Poof! I rub my hands together "Easy..." I smile as the fireplace now adds more light to the room. I set my candle down on the end table before slowly making my way over to the book case. "What will you read tonight?" I whispered to myself, my eyes scanning the books I've seen everyday for the last year and half. I bite my bottom lip, trying to decide what I should read when the smell of roses reach my nose. I try to ignore it as I reach up and try to grab a book on the top shelf. "Damnit, why am I so short?" I asked myself. Suddenly a large arm reaches over me, whisking the book from my grasp just as the smell of roses overwhelmed the entire room. I spin on my heel and my heart felt like it stopped cold when I see Langdon standing there, my book in his hand. "L-Langdon..." I stuttered out, my voice barley a whisper. To say I was terrified was lightly saying how I felt right now. His eyes scanned the cover of the book that sat in his hands that were dressed with large rings on his fingers. "De Luna Clara" he spoke, his voice like velvet. He lifted his head and all I could do was stare at him, fear that I had gotten caught breaking rules would bring me to my death. "I...uh" I gulp down the lump that formed in my throat. "Like to read at night..." I finished telling him. "Hm.." he hummed before extending the book to me. "You like to read." It didn't sound like a question more like a statement. I take the book from his hand and slowly cling onto it as he takes a step forward. "Shouldn't you be in bed?" He questioned. "I...couldn't sleep" I informed him. "Are you a rule breaker?" He asked me. It felt like he was staring into my soul once again. I shifted uncomfortably. "This...won't effect my interview, will it?" I asked him. He arched a brow "If you don't answer it...might" he tells me, tilting his head to the side and waiting for my answer. "I guess it depends on the rule, some are meant to be broken" I truthfully tell him. He knit his brows together before suddenly turning away and walking over to the spiral staircase. "Goodnight, Athena" he spoke before walking up then. How did he know my name?
   I let out a yawn causing Gallant to chuckle. "Late night Athena?" He asked me. "I couldn't sleep..." I say to him. "Thinking about how your interview will go?" He asked.  "Sort of.." I shrug my shoulders. I then turn my head to him "How was yours?" I asked. "I mean, like what did he ask?" I questioned. "I can't tell you" he stated. "Oh, come on Gallant. I've told you a lot of things" I pointed out. "It's against the rules, I'm not throwing out my chance for the Sanctuary because I told you how to cheat the system" he stated. "Besides, he asked different questions for every person" be added. I narrow my eyes at Gallant "You're so mean..." I huffed before standing to my feet and walking out of the lounge. "Don't go!" I hear Gallant chuckle behind me. I made my way up the stairs and when I got to the top Timothy barreled around the corner and knocking into me his laundry hitting the floor. "Oh shit! Sorry..." I apologized to him as we both bend down and begin to pick things up off the floor. "No, it's okay" he rushed, trying to throw things into the basket. I tried to help when my hands pick up ladies underwear. "Timothy...you have something to tell me?" I smile. "I...uhhh, c-can explain those" he stuttered out. I arched my brow as we both stood up straighter "Can you?" I asked. He reached out to try and swipe them but he was too slow. "Ah, ah. Gotta be quicker than that Timmy" I shake my head, dangling the laced thong beside me like a treat for a puppy. "That's not funny, Athena. Give me them" he warned. "Come on, Timmy. Tell me? Have you been wearing these?" I teased him. "No, now come on before someone sees!" He hissed out, trying to reach for them again. I spun out of the way, the underwear going with me as I got closer to the railing, dangling them over. "Come on Timothy! I'm dying for the excuse" I teased, letting out a laugh. "Athena, I mean it" he hissed. Suddenly he went to go for the underwear when I'm shoved over the railing. "Ahhh!" I screamed. It echoed throughout the halls just as Timothy grabbed both of my hands.  My heart pounded in my chest. "What the hell is going on?!" I hear Gallant scream. He noticed me hanging "Athena!" He shouted as he ran up the stairs. "Help!" I call out for Gallant. He rushed over "Grab my hand" Gallant says. I look over my shoulder and see how high up I am. "She's slipping..." Timothy hissed out. "Athena, look at me. Grab my hand" Gallant instructed me. I look back at him "Grab my hand Athena, now..." He stated. I let go of Timothy hand with one of mine and grab ahold of Gallants. "On three pull her up" Gallant says. "One...Two...three!" He says and they both begin pulling me back over the railing. "Almost there!" Gallant grunted when suddenly my body falls onto them both. "What is going on?" Ms.Venables voice asked as her and Ms.Meads entered the hall. Langdon was suddenly standing in the hall and I quickly hide the underwear behind my back. "Uh...." I stepped away from Timothy and Gallant. "Nothing..." I lied to Ms.Venable. She slowly appoarched me, her cane echoing off the floor. "Are you causing trouble in my outpost, again?" She asked me. "Little ol me?" I asked, using my innocent tone as I blink my long lashes at her. "Never..." I added. "Now, why don't I believe you?" She hissed out. I wanted to tear her heart out right there and see what's on the inside but, my eyes lingered to Langdon who's watching everything. "You're right...Maybe I like to cause trouble" I smile over to Gallant who avoiding my eyes. "Is that lip, miss Adams?" She asked, tilting her head to the side. "No, but truthfully Timothy and Gallant we're just helping me. I tripped and fell over the railing. They both pulled me back over" I explained. "Hmm...too bad" Ms.Venable spoke. "Yeah...too bad" I repeated, staring back at her. My eyes flickered to the hall again but Langdon was gone.