The tale of the life of a rose through the eyes of a daisy.

Wendy Ermington

6/01/4099,Forsythia, Spring Kingdom:

"When was the last time you saw your roommate?"

"Do you, young lady, have any idea of ​​the risks you take by ignoring the police?"

"Do you think she can hear us, detective?"

"Madame Gérard, when did you welcome this young child into your home?"

"Miss we need your cooperation."

"She won't speak."

Sitting on a small iron bed with white cotton sheets, a frail silhouette staring into space. Her two ringed eyes were happy to contemplate the wall on the opposite of her. There was no expression on her face. The young girl touched the cold stone ground with the tips of her toes, her hands pale and skeletal, clinging to the iron bars of the old bed. Her long blond locks escaping from inbetween the knot of a black bow, falling on her sagging shoulders. Then finally the young teenager heard the door to the room close behind the three police officers. A small round figure came and sat down beside her and gently grabbed her shoulders.

-It wasn't your fault, they questioned all the residents of the pavilion. They'll find her, I know it, you don't have to worry. Madame Gerard was the mistress of the house and she took care of all the girls studying at the academy. She had a sweet voice that made them never want to make her angry. Her maternal smile was the most beautiful thing known to these young ladies from good families. The wheat-haired child painfully rested her head against the governess's comforting shoulder.

Suddenly the door opened violently and two young girls entered the room. Both rushed to the side of their grieving friend. Taking her in their arms, whispering comforting words to her, grabbing her hands with affection, without broaching the real subject that was causing so much pain around them.

         It was only a few hours later. All the young ladies, residents of the Rose pavilion, had left the room in which the police had previously asked them their questions. When she closed the door behind her, Madame Gerard could not help but feel horribly responsible for the terrible pain experienced by each of the teenage girls, to whom she was so close. The small woman continued her way through the long corridor, before going to the La Rose pavilion. When she pushed open the heavy wooden door that led into the common room, she was not surprised by the heavy silence that reigned all around. She advanced in the darkness, in the faint light of the moon, which only penetrated through the large stained glass windows. Each of her steps echoed in the darkness, she approached a wooden door, placed a delicate hand on the magnificent rose-shaped handle. And pushed the door. There, lying at the foot of her bed, a young girl in tears. She looked up in the direction of Madame Gerard. Her open window let the rain and wind rush into the bedroom, set for two young girls. The governess threw herself at it, closing it, then rushed to the side of her young resident.

-Zephirine? How did you get into the room? She asked her, looking at the door.

-With my key... She sobbed.

-My poor child, you should not sleep here tonight, you should go and join the other girls in their room.

-No... Her voice was a painful whisper.

-Zephirine please don't stay here. That won't help you. Madame Gérard tried to lift the fragile child from the cold and wet floor, but she did not move. Zephirine it's freezing cold in this room. I don't want you to catch your death, so come along with me.

The very moment she said these words the kind hearted woman regretted them. She looked down at Zéphirine, crying, collapsed on the cold floor boards of her room. Her lips parted, trembling.

- What about Wendy?

Hearing these words the woman then understood, she approached the frail young girl.

-She's not sleeping here tonight.

-When do you think she will come back?

A solitary tear rolled down her chubby cheek as she answered her.

-I don't know... She helped Zephirine to get up, before laying her down on the sofa, in the common living room of the pavilion. Madame Gérard closed the bedroom door and left the room, leaving Zephirine alone and asleep in the common room.