On The Run

Part 2 ~ Disruptions

I sat crossed legged on top of the thin sheets I call a duvet. Silence engulfing my surroundings, the air seemingly shimmered around the locket as I pulled it apart. The silver exterior quickly became concealed by that of the white ivory gracing it inside. I held my breath, too scared of disrupting the moment to allow myself to breathe. I had to be careful to stop my hands from shaking as I gingerly ran a finger over its smooth interior. I felt a slight dip beneath my touch and as I tilted it in the light I caught sight of the faint engraving. But before I could peer closer I felt something brush against my lap...

I looked down, my attention now caught by the small, folded piece of paper laying besides my knee, no bigger than a two pence coin. Its mottled surface seemed to blend in against my cover, as it had against the white of the ivory. Its age indecipherable by its pristine condition, but the fact stood that it would have to be at least as old as me. I paused to pick it up, my grasp light, gentle and as cautious as if I were handling a crisp autumn leaf. As its surface graced my fingertips I could instantly tell it wasn't paper like I had originally thought, more like a fabric, durable yet still as thin. It felt like silk against my palm as I carefully unfolded it, cautious of tearing its delicate, frail looking edges yet wanting desperately to know its contents, my curiosity now at its peak as its size started to double, triple. The black ink which caressed the page just coming into view...

*BANG* 

The door burst open slamming into the wall behind it, its flimsy wooden frame colliding with the solid stone walls, the plaster covering barely cushioning the impact. The sound rang through my small room and I felt myself jump back in fright. My side hitting the headboard which jolted my arm, sending the locket and any of its contents spilling from my grasp as I watched them despairingly fall onto the dull wooden floor. I instantly snapped my head towards the door, my gaze locked onto the figure standing there, or should I say jumping up and down... in excitement?

It was Holly one of the younger girls in the orphanage, her features slightly sheepish as she took note of the door hitting the wall, but immediately regaining that all to overly happy appearance. A frown overtook my features as my thumping heart slowly began to steady itself again, the initial surprise starting to wear off.

"Emily! Lunch is ready! Sister Tarla told me to come fetch you before it went cold"

She chimed despite the glare I was currently giving her, her features seemed to falter for a second as she contemplated stepping closer as if to come grab my hand and drag me there, but luckily my response, or lack of seemed to make sure she stayed put. It wasn't that I was set out on making everyone miserable, it was just I didn't want her to tread on and break anything that was now currently littering my bedroom floor, although I doubted her slight weight would really have any impact upon my seemingly indestructible locket. But still I let the silence between us stretch out, my mind grasping for a more appropriate response.

Holly's features dipped slightly, as if I had just shouted at her or spent the last few minutes telling her off. I hadn't meant to come across so cold or angry, but I had never been good with the whole socialising thing, especially when it came to the younger ones. That was probably why I was still here; the few people who actually came and adopted someone from this place never seemed to appreciate the art of silence. I just never knew how to act around them and well at this precise moment she had caught me off guard, so I think my reaction was more than valid. I preferred to keep to myself, hence my own room, but when you live in a place like this privacy is very much a luxury that is hard to come by. I could usually tell when someone approached my dorm, their footsteps echoing down the corridors and reaching my room at the end, but I guess I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn't notice.

Giving a sigh of defeat I nodded my head in acknowledgment and put on a reassuring smile. She seemed happy enough with my response and quickly brightened up again and I watched as she now skipped out of my room and back down the corridor. As soon as the door closed I was quick to jump from my bed and collect my fallen locket, slipping it back over my head. I didn't really feel that hungry but I knew if I didn't get going soon I would just receive another disruption and most likely a string of duties to go along with being late. I quickly clasped the two halves shut and scraped back my hair, fixing it in a more presentable manor before grabbing a jacket and making my way towards the dinner hall.