Babysitters

Chapter 21

VERONICA VALDEZ

Five hours ago I finally found my dad. Or more correctly, he found me.
I was just coming back inside from the yard—where me and Enzo had spent time together, talking about the newfound problem—when he caught me at the door. Our conversation wasn't long, because he told me he had more work to do, but I got the answer to my question.
Visiting my mom in Finland is off limits, at least for now.
I obviously asked why, but all I got as a response was that he has so much stress from work right now that he doesn't want to deal with being uncertain if I'm safe.
The answer did not please me. Since when has he started questioning my mothers ability to keep me safe? I used to be sure of the love and trust they had towards each other but not anymore. They're distant, and it's worrying me.

It's been four days since Enzo told me the truth, but it hasn't really hit me until now. Does it even matter what Theo is feeling towards me if I'll be forced to marry Tom anyway? To me, it does, but it's also crushing me from inside.
My brain has been working overtime to come up with a solution. I don't want to marry Tom. I don't want to give up on Theo when recently we've been doing so good. I feel like I'm finally making some progress with him, but is it all pointless? If we build a relationship now and we have to break up nonetheless in three years, are we just inflicting pain on ourselves? Would it just be better to give up and accept the fact that fate has not allowed us to be together?

All of these hard thoughts and answer-lacking-questions were pulling strong emotions deep from my body and mind, all the way to the surface. The surface, my skin, is transparent and it let them escape outside where everyone can see them. The emotions and feelings changed shape, they became tears and sobs that were too strong to control. They pushed their way out, despite my brains commands telling them to suck it up and remain unseen.
I gave up and leaned my forehead onto the window, letting the tears fall. The window fogged under my painful breaths as my vision blurred from the tears. I wondered how many times this room has already seen me cry despite the little amount of time I've spent here.
This summer has either been one of the best or the worst I've ever experienced. And it isn't even close to ending.
Eventually, the tears drained, leaving me numb and emotionless. The misty summer night stared me right back from outside the window, trying to soothe me. I opened the window with a creak, peeking my head outside. The air was chilly and I shivered at the sensation. Suddenly an idea occurred to me. I should go outside.
Not even five minutes later was I climbing out of the window, grabbing onto the vine that was growing right under it. The vine was growing upwards a wooden support frame, and I lowered my weight onto it slowly, praying it won't collapse under me. The fall would be at least three meters.
By the time I was down on the ground safely, I was covered in sweat. My clumsy ass almost slipped three times.
I started walking deeper into the garden I've had so little time to explore in the past. As the manor got farther and farther away, the forest surrounding the manor and it's garden got closer. The usual bird noises I've been able to hear before had disappeared into the night, only my footsteps audible.
The silence around me was refreshing, though I did wish one voice to fill it.
How romantic would it be if Theo was here with me?
I walked to a fountain in the middle of everything. It wasn't working, so the water sat still on the bottom of it, but despite that it looked incredibly valuable. I walked around it, letting my hand touch the rough surface of the stone. I knew I needed to go back soon, but I wanted to stay in this moment a little longer. Just me, my thoughts and the misty air surrounding my body. Time seemed to pass by a lot slower than it normally does, but when I glanced at the screen of my phone, I was proved wrong. I really needed to get back.
I pulled my hand back and stuffed it in the pocket of Theo's hoodie, the one he gave to me four days ago. I've been too shy to keep it on when someone else—anyone other than Enzo and Theo—could see, but I've slept with it every night. It still faintly smells like him. I don't think Theo would want me to keep it in the manor either. The second the others would recognize whose jumper it is, they'd ask me what's going on between us. I wouldn't know what to respond when I have no clue myself. I know we're not together together, but we're not just friends either. I could be wrong though.
I'm almost back at the spot under my window, when I remember the carving. I'd almost forgotten it completely. Last time I didn't have time to study it any further, but now I could take another look and maybe snap a picture of it.
I started walking towards the old tree with long strides, keeping an eye on the manors windows. If a light would turn on, I'd have time to at least try to hide.
I sprinted the last few steps to the tree and raised the branch in front of it.

In darkness, I'm silent, yet always near,
Shape-shifting, I bring both joy and fear.
Without me, light cannot be seen near.

The eyes ran over the familiar text again. It was a riddle, that's for sure, but what's the answer? I've never been too good in riddle's, that's probably one of the reasons why I'm not in Ravenclaw.
I quickly pulled my phone out and used flash to take a picture of it. Before going back inside, I made sure the photo wasn't blurry.
Maybe I didn't see everything with my quick inspection?

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A/N:
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