I Choose All of You

Chapter Thirty-Four

I couldn't sleep. While I've been here, eating fancy multi-course meals every night, wearing ball gowns, making friends, and dating Princes; my friends back home have been rioting on the streets and trying to make a real difference. Half of myself was mad for not helping them on the front lines. The other half was happy I wasn't. Is it wrong of me to enjoy my life here?

At first, I was telling myself I needed to do what it took to stay longer and get more information, but now I just want to stay. I enjoy Jeremiah's flirtatious attitude. I love Hannah and I's friendship. Avalon is this beautiful and kind soul, I would have never made friends with in the outside world. And Kalum... He's confusing and infuriating, but I have this inclination to learn more. Maybe I just want to fix the impossible.

I sat up and threw my fluffy, clean sheets off of me. The clock in my room, read 2:12am.

"Ugh!" I threw my head back and my arm over my eyes. This sucks. I can't sleep.

While I am here, the least I could do is get some useful information for the Resistance. I have just gotten a layout of the first and second floor, but there has to be more. There's still a few rooms that are always locked. I've checked them every day since arriving, and still they don't budge.

Sucking my cheeks in, I thought. I tried remembering every book I've ever read about castles.

Then it hit me. How have I not thought of this before? Hidden passageways. Every old building has one. Right? Or at least, they do in books. It would be weird if they didn't. But then there's the trouble of finding them. If I were a hidden passageway, where would I be?

I got out of bed and tiptoed around my room. It felt silly doing so, but I began pulling at the light fixtures. Then I quietly removed each painting that hung on the walls. "C'mon. Think," I muttered to myself.

I practically tore my room apart, piece by piece. I moved slowly, careful not to wake anyone. As I looked, I made sure to put each item back where it came from, just to be safe.

Alright. There was no secret tunnel here. That's somewhat disappointing.

I walked towards my door and opened it. The hallway was clear. I began taking light footsteps down the hall. Dim light, from the lanterns that hung by each door, lit my path. I eventually stopped in front of the music room. I couldn't explain it, but I felt inclined to try my way in. I've never seen this door unlocked before, besides that night I had with Prince Kalum.

I wrapped my fingers around the cold door handle. My heart was beating loudly and I glanced once more down the empty corridor behind me. "Please open," I whispered to myself.

To my surprise, the door opened after some force. The room was dark and the only source of light, was from the moon's rays. Which beamed onto the red carpet, where I once danced to Kalum's piano playing.

I did the same to this room as I did to mine. It took much longer and was much more tedious. The instruments were heavy and every once in a while, I'd accidently strum a guitar string and freeze in fear, waiting for a guard to burst through the doors. But no one came. I took this opportunity in hand. Scanning the room feverishly, my eyes landed on an out-of-place miniature statue that sat on a lonesome bookshelf.

Quickly, I ran over to it and pulled it towards me, and it stayed attached to the shelf and simply bent forward. My eyes grew wide. Bingo. The bookshelf made some sort of clicking sound and I grinned. Pulling the shelf open as if it were a door, I stepped into the dark space.

A darkened path fell before me. I pulled the heavy shelf closed behind me, but left it cracked open, in case it might lock. I let my eyes adjust. There was an arched, narrow path. The sound of water dropping from the ceiling onto the cobblestone ground, echoed down the pathway. I did it. I found a hidden passageway. I was proud of myself but also extraordinarily terrified.