Exile || Sebastian Sallow

17 | Between the Lines

"Coincidences and cosmic signs
have proved that I am quite naïve."
—Laufey

───•~❉᯽❉~•───

17 | Between the Lines

Belle's perspective

Deputy Headmistress Matilda Weasley was quick to put Hogwarts on high alert after what Sebastian, Anne and I discovered atop the Astronomy Tower merely half an hour ago. The Bell Tower rang before dinner, students were dismissed early, food sent to their respective common rooms.

Professor Shah, who seemed to barely be putting herself together, shawl clutched in trembling hands, escorted us to the Headmaster's Office in a brisk walk.

The whole way there I could not help but let my mind whir with endless questions as to how Zenobia happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Everything around me blurred.

How did the killer even get in there without anyone noticing?

Why would it target her?

And why did I seem to sense it before it happened?

There was that voice too. Why would it make itself known to me? I didn't even recognize it.

Then again, deep down, I had a theory. I just needed to ask more questions.

"Hey."

I looked up at the deep timbre of voice dragging me out of my trance. Sebastian's eyes met mine with something unreadable swimming in their depths. His gaze flickered down to my wrist where I felt for my pulse with my thumb, then quickly looked back up at me.

I hadn't even realized I was feeling for my pulse. A habit, I realized, I'd recently gathered to check on my own health. Something I did it when I got too anxious, and I wouldn't know.

My heartbeat's been slowing down. Barely noticeable to anyone but to me. I'd known my own body the longest after all.

"Belle," he called again just as we stopped by the foot of the stairs leading to the Headmaster's Office, only audible enough for me to hear.

I knew what he was doing. He was bringing me back to reality, just as he had the first time I'd witnessed literal bloody murder and I lost myself in the trenches of my mind.

Somehow, someway, he found enough care the size of a pebble to do it. To know when to call me back down to the ground when I got lost in the labyrinth I built in my mind.