The Troubles from Monsters and Men (The Secret of Moonacre Fanfiction)

Of Pranks and Unspoken Truces

"Ugh, I can't wait for Saturday," Cat said as she threw herself onto her bed. She had spent all morning disciplining two third-years who thought it'd be funny to hide the belongings of the first years going home. It was the start of their winter holiday break and all were eager to leave school. Well, the girls would be staying for a couple more days. As headmistress assistant, Maria had some bookkeeping to do and ensure the rest of the girls all were ready to go. Because she was still working, they had to postpone their travels to Bristol where they would be spending the first two weeks before Christmas with Jane and her family.

The door burst open, and Lizzy came running in. She jumped when she saw her sister and Maria were already in the room. "Oh, I thought you would still be occupied."

"Good day to you too, oh dearly beloved sister," Cat responded flatly. "What do you have there?" She asked spotting the brown envelope in her hand.

Lizzy quickly hid it behind her back and tried to step back out of the room. She wasn't quick enough, Maria snuck up from behind and snatched the letter away.

Her eyes went wide, recognizing the seal and name of the sender. Maria squeaked. "You've been corresponding with Henry? And you never told us?"

Cat gasped and lunged for the letter, grabbing it from Maria's grip. "Am I too have a brother-in-law soon?" She gushed, staring in amazement at Henry's messy scrawl. "What does the letter say? Tell us! Is he the shy, yet bold and passionate, type?"

Lizzy turned a bright red and took the letter back from her sister, "it's nothing like that... He's just updating me on news from Moonacre." Without another word, Lizzy bounded out of the room.

"What's gotten into her," Cat remarked. "If it was truly nothing, she'd tell us."

"Cat, let her be, you know Lizzy's just shy when it comes to love."

Out in the gardens, Lizzy opened the letter. She wasn't expecting one and knew from the messy writing that the letter was sent in haste. Inside was a small note:

"Emergency. Meet me tonight at the tavern. Do not speak a word."

That night, Lizzy hurriedly got ready to meet Henry. So rushed was she, that she failed to notice Cat peaking from underneath her blankets, observing her. Cat's confusion only increased when Lizzy changed into her men's clothing.

Cat waited a few seconds after Lizzy left the room to follow. Shivering from the cold, and her feet growing numb, she quietly padded behind Lizzy in the dark. It wasn't long before Lizzy became shrouded in the darkness of the gardens, but Cat no longer followed. She didn't need to. She already knew where Lizzy was heading to, towards the hole in the gate.

Lizzy's heart drummed in her ears. Her nerves were on edge and she wondered what news Henry brought tonight. She had a horrible feeling about it. It didn't help that all night long she felt watched.

Lizzy pulled down her cap and raised her collar. Her long blue scarf was wrapped snug against her and hid her face so that only her eyes were visible. Throughout her walk, the feeling of being watched grew, yet every time she looked back, there was no one behind her.
As Lizzy neared the tavern, she heard a shuffle of steps behind her. Lizzy jumped, there was a man following her. His face was hidden by a black scarf, and his clothes were worn and had holes.
She quickened and turned a corner, hoping to shake him off.

Turning back, her heart bolted, he was still behind her, getting closer.

They met eyes, and he sneered.

Lizzy yelped and ran. Soon, the man's footsteps pounded behind her, spurring her forwards. She rounded another corner into the street that led to the tavern.