Glass

Chapter Three: Before Midnight (Part II)

The east wing was unlocked, much to my surprise, but inside, lamps were lit, hell-bent on exposing our shadows. I stayed close to the wall, the woman following suit, and at every wobble of the lamp's flame, we dashed past, our breaths so still that our lungs were suffering.

On the stairs around the wall's corner, a single guard stood in the dimness. I looked at the stairs adjacent - it would be mad to try and get there without being seen. But I had made a promise and I would not let this woman down now.

Whenever I tried to come up with a plan, cowardice would set back in again. I feared that she was noticing my shameful self coming to light.

She was considering all the options too - or, what little options we had. Without consulting me on what to do, she took a deep breath and stepped out into the open.

I froze. What on earth was she doing?

"You there!" The guard bellowed. "You are not authorised to be here!"

"A-apologies…" her voice was shaking was genuine fear, "...I-I saw someone enter the west wing. I c-couldn't find any guards who… hadn't been drinking."

The guard took a deep, annoyed huff.
"Those guards… what on earth does the king pay them for? It seems only I pull my weight around here!"

His armoured boots rattled as he stepped forward. The woman was planted still and straight.
"The west wing, you say?"
The woman nodded. The guard huffed again. "I will investigate. Now go."

With that, he turned his back and trudged towards the nearest door, muttering to himself.

The woman looked at me. I tried not to laugh; I couldn't believe that had worked. Never before had I considered that the strict and straight-faced guards would ever be fooled, but this woman had demonstrated it as though it had always been an obvious truth. Perhaps she had charmed him in a way I never could.

We scurried up the staircase.

I eyed the keyhole.

Another guard was waiting on the other side.
"There is no way we can get past this one." I whispered. The woman seemed to agree, any skill in deception fully spent for the night. As our fingers touched, I realised she was still shaking from the ordeal. She had done that for me, and she knew she didn't have to.

I looked for another way - another door with a bar nailed atop it. On the other side, yet another new part to the palace was under construction, and I had no way of knowing how far along it had gotten. But if I remembered correctly, it would host a fire escape from the library tower.

Not daring to make any noise, I pinched one of the nails between my fingernails and tugged on it. My fingers slipped with sweat the more I focused. Catching wind of my plan, the woman joined in, unafraid to damage her delicate nails if need be. Sweat beaded my palms and forehead as I focused. Time was not on our side, and any minute, the guard would be coming back to find us breaking Into a restricted area.

The nail broke free at last, dropping to the floor before I could catch it. I began on the second, this one thankfully looser, as my fingers had lost the capacity to struggle so much anymore. Shortly after, the woman completed the task also, and we pushed open the newly-polished door together.

Sure as can be, the potential fire escape staircase was completed. Relief cooled my mind.

I took her by the hand and led her up the spiralling stairs, terrified at how easily I could fall through an unbolted step or let go of an incomplete bannister. At least if I went first, no harm would come to this woman.

Reaching the top unscathed, I kept us backed before the doorway, not yet fitted with a door. I peered to see if where we were now was familiar.

Sure enough, the room ahead was large and circular, with another, much older staircase to climb. Where the fireplace was dimming before an old chaise lounge stacked with used books, a guard slept, his armour soaked with wine.