Wilting Violet (Part 1)

Chapter Three Choices

September 26, 2015, 3:40 pm, Violet's POV

    The first thing I did when I got upstairs was look for my phone. I expected them to have taken it or hidden it somewhere. But as I walked into the room, it sat on my bed like a soundless taunt. 'Aunt Sophie had said to acquire knowledge, but they know everything I will do before I do it.' Grabbing the phone and calling my Father was only proof of that. He didn't answer the first or the second call, but on the third, he texted me. His message said that he was in a Meeting. We were taught to obey this message, but my emergency outranks his meeting. And so I called again, and a moment later my Father... my protector picked it up.' And our conversation went a little like-

    "Violet, did you not get my message?" Father says, sounding on the edge of his patience, and I nod to myself and shakily answer, 'Yes.' Then clear my throat and nod at nothing.

    "Dad, I can't stay here," I say firmly, and the line goes quiet, to the point I look down at the phone to figure out if he hung up.

    "Dad?" I hesitate, and then his voice returns amidst the loudness of an active meeting.

     "I was excusing myself. Repeat what you said." Father says, and I nod.

    "I can't stay here... with the Heirs, Dad. They are... they are insane." I say, and my Father sighs as if he doesn't know what to tell me.

    "I couldn't get a hold of Mom," I say to fill the empty silence, and now Father reacts.

    "Don't try. Your Mom doesn't know... yet." Father says, and I look down at the phone, perplexed.

     "Because she knows they're insane?" I snark, surprising myself, and from my Father's sharp intake of breath, him too.

     "Violet." He says warningly, and I frown at the phone.

    "Are you going to allow me to return to Aunt Sophie? Just answer that." I say, as panic bleeds into frustration.

    "Violet, do you remember what I told you when I asked you to go there?" He asks, and I nod.

    "You said things were moving out of your control and that I would be safer at Prep," I say, if I'm not mistaken, verbatim, and Father hums in agreement.

    "Yes, but I don't understand what that has to do with my staying with the Heirs," I say, and Father sighs.

    "I am relying on them being as Insane as you think." He admits gruffly, and I blink at the phone.

    "Pardon?" I whisper, my voice feeling tight. 'The rest of the conversation is pointless. Father is not going to allow me to return to Aunt Sophie.'

    "Oisillon, I know they are not the kindest men, but despite the reason they are keeping you close, their protection is better than your Aunt can offer. This is fun to them, but it is tactical for me. I've spoken to you about the Heirs. If there was any other solution... Oisillon, I'd take it, but this is the only one where your life doesn't become four walls. Please tell me you understand." Father asks, and I bite my lip. 'I don't want to understand, but years of Father fighting to remain in control despite the looming problem of a missing boy Heir tells me this choice was not made easily. He doesn't have a choice, and because of it, neither do I.' [Baby Bird]

    "What they want me to do—" I say, and my Father takes a sharp breath and then blows it out.

    "You are my strong girl. All will be alright." He says, and I would like to laugh at the words often told to a medieval maiden before her Father gives her to the enemy, but as it is happening in real-time, it isn't funny.