Violet

26| Finally there was some progression

Somehow Emmett drops off, but I stay awake. I am just glad he gets to sleep. Makes me feel somewhat important when I think of how many nights, he could have spent wide awake. Makes me feel significant to know that I make him feel safer. When the sun rises, my appetite returns a little. I have kept track of it all night. Little by little, the more I relax, the more I feel empty...then hungry. I take nibbles of the bun that was left covered on the table, watching myself in the reflection of the glass window near the fireplace, hugging my knees and sitting still on my perfectly untouched bed. There are large dark eyebags under my eyes. I have always had eyebags, so that is not an issue, but this morning, they look a little extra shadowed and purple.

I can keep my mind off what has happened by thinking of other things like friends back home. It helps take my mind off everything. What would I do if I could escape this game of a world and return home? Would I be talking their heads off? Or would I let them do the talking? Telling me all the things I have missed while being away. Would I even be able to talk?

Fortunately, I can come up with a few scenarios to play in my head of all the different possibilities. It keeps me entertained and at peace.

But alas, these fantasies are not reality.

There is going to be a meeting run in one of the halls this morning, for the entire residence of the castle to attend, for those who are in search of answers. The scroll is dropped at my door around five o'clock giving the details. The last thing I want to do right now is sit in a room full of people to be told that Ada's death was an accident.

I know it was not.

The person that pushed her off the side of the castle, is most definitely the someone wanting it to have been either one of us. Something like this was bound to happen, they already tried with the man in the well. I try to think of it that way; inevitable that someone was going to end up dying. As sad as it is, it helps me process it better.

I do not want to go to the meeting, but I believe it could be vital to view the people attending. Most likely, whoever pushed her would not want to be seen in the crowd. So, I am going to have to check.

My guesses are on Fredrick or William.

I force the last corner of the bun into my mouth and eat it. Tastes like rubber now. I should have saved some for Emmett, who, when I glance behind me, is still laying peacefully with his eyes shut, side rising and falling.

What was going to happen before we got interrupted? I think back to last night on the bench. Now I know that there will not be another moment even remotely similar to that. I feel guilty for feeling disappointed. It is okay.

I stand up, floorboards giving out a loud creak, and I stop in my tracks. Emmett does not move. The time is 6 o'clock at the moment, I consider going to get more food to bring up here.

So quietly and swiftly, I open the door and shut it behind me, taking off to the kitchen. The halls are quiet. Very few passes me, and even fewer than that, nod. Everyone's faces are solemn, and some look tired.

I enter the dining hall and take the things I think I will need as well as for Emmett. A few others do the same. I pass the lady, Ms Caddel at the front desk on my way back.

She looks up at me, a softer expression on her face. "Did you know her?"

"No," I lie, tray in my hands, not wanting to continue the conversation but not wishing to come off as rude, I attempt to make it quick, "did you?"

She inhales deeply, and blinks quickly, looking up at the ceiling.

"Yes, I did," her voice wavers like she is about to cry but still wears a smile, "she was always coming up here with these stories from her day. A gorgeous young woman." My eyes prickle.