Containment Of Secrets

Chapter 17

(Mallory's point of view) 

I wake up later in the night. Complete silence was all that could be heard. It has always amazed me how something can go from full of life, to complete utter silence as if nothing happened. I get out of bed, going over to my duffle bag. I throw on a pair of simple sweatpants, a tank top, and a zip-up jacket.

 After lacing my shoes, I make my way over to the window. I sweep back the curtains, opening the blinds. I then reach out carefully opening the window. The last thing I wanted to do was wake someone up.

Once open, I start out the open window. I straddle the windowsill as one leg hangs on the inside while the other hangs on the outside. I throw my leg on the inside over the windowsill, quickly setting out to climb down. I look down at the ground as adrenaline rushes through me. I admired the daring height of this angle. I could hear the commotion of security down below; it startled me, causing me to let go. I hurdle downward toward the ground.

 I land face first into some flower beds. Thankfully, I dodge the thorny bushes. Raising my head from the combination of dirt and smashed up petunias, I begin to army crawl through the flower beds. Not my most glorious escape attempt, but it will have to do.

Footsteps could be heard along the dew-covered grass. Quickly, I roll into the nearby thorny bushes, mentally cursing when a thorn imbeds itself within my skin. The thorn was embedded in an exposed spot where my tank top and jacket were hiked up a bit.

I bite my lip, enduring the newfound pain. I settle quickly as the footsteps slow not too far from where I laid. While I worked on slowing my breathing down, as well as focusing on my heartbeat, boot-covered feet turned to face me. I try attempting to take my mind elsewhere.

"Flowerbeds are all clear." The masculine voice speaks, into a walkie talkie.

I sigh with relief as I wait for him to pass. Once he has left, I slide out from the bushes and run into the night, across the palace grounds. I run for the woods, knowing there was a clearing on the main road if I remembered correctly.

The road led me into the downtown area. Once I was in the downtown area, I started looking for a taxi. I was almost giving up, when a taxi pulled up. The window rolls down revealing Roscoe. "Rosealie, I was wondering if I would ever see you again. Where's that husband of yours? Did you two have your first fight?"

"No. I just needed to clear my thoughts."

"Do you have something in mind? I can take you there."

"Yes. I would like to see Queen Saige's estate. I hear it is one of the most beautiful structures here. The popularity of it during the day will not let me appreciate it as much as me going at night. It's too grand of an opportunity to pass up."

"Get in."

I climb into the cab, quickly tying my hair into a ponytail. I knew if I left my hair down any longer, my identity would be exposed. I would face the chance of being recognized.

"Have you heard the news?" Roscoe asks.

"News?"

"The former crowned princess had returned, my buddies at the bar would not shut up about it."

"Hmm, sounds like news travels fast around these parts."

"You can best believe that Rosealie." 

~~~

I arrived at my mother's estate sometime later. I thank Roscoe again, tipping him a little extra for the ride. I walk on up to the front deck as I reach in my back pocket for the key. I slid it into the slit while turning, pushing down on the doorknob, praying that it would open.