Violet

30| William

While Arietta goes off to collect a few things from her room, Emmett and I talk. The sun outside my boarded-up window sets, ending another day, bringing us closer to tomorrow.

"I think we need to revisit the statue situation."

"Why?" I ask, "Do you have an idea about how it is connected?" The bed creaks as I rise from it to go over to the chair in which he sits.

"I know that it was just something that we stumbled upon, but I do not know, it just does not match up with anything that has happened. Do we need to go through the tunnels again? And why was it labelled with Laurie's name?"

How my anxiety has not yet taken over, is a mystery.

"Do you remember how all those other statues had weapons, but the last was a shield? Are they trying to imply that we need to physically fight for our lives?"

Emmett looks at me, thinking. "I did not think about it like that. They could perhaps be foreshadowing our ending as the man in the statue. Exposed with nothing to fight with. Though I would have no idea where any weapons could be."

A weaponry battle is the last thing I am ready for right now.

"It is not that unlikely."

I think back to what Alora said; 'If you look more closely, you will find the answers.' We did not find the tunnel by actively looking for it, we found it by accident.

"Earlier yesterday, William wanted to talk to me."

Emmett's face snaps from being deep in thought. "What did he say?"

I shrug. "Oh, I declined."

"What? Why!?" Emmett gasps and stands up to join me pacing around the room. I look at him like he has just suggested we play musical chairs to win our lives back.

"He tried attacking me, remember? It was not a pleasant experience you know."

He shakes his head. "No of course. I mean, this close to the end, we need as much interaction as possible."

"So, you think we should find him now?"

He nods. "Yes. I would say that would be our best bet for more information. Who knows what he wants to say, just as long as you do not go alone?"

"Well, when?" I ask, "I would not have the slightest clue to where he could be staying...or hiding out with Fredrick. Hopefully, he still wants to tell me."

Arietta returns, carrying a small foldable mattress and pillow. I offer her the bed and manage to get her to accept.

"You are carrying now," I tell her softly, still in shock from the news, "you need to look after yourself. I'll be alright on the floor for one night. Make yourself comfortable and let me know if there is anything I can get you."

After Emmett offers to bring some food for dinner, we get ready for bed.

I say I'll use the mattress Arietta brings in, but I just end up crawling next to Emmett later in the night.

Of course, with tomorrow being the last day, neither of us can sleep. After a while, Emmett shuffles down and lays his head against my shoulder. My heart grows and warmth penetrates my body. At first, I stay completely still, as if a beautiful and delicate butterfly has landed right where his head lays, not wishing to disturb it, but then I lift my hand to gently run my fingers through his hair.

To my pleasure, I hear him hum softly.

As the very early signs of blue daylight stream through the room, Arietta stirs, then suddenly sits upright, holding her head. Wondering whether Emmett's eyes have closed, as he has not made a movement or sound in a few hours, I cautiously stare from the wall I lean up against.