Tick tock goes the clock,
Until this Manor is
No more
Will the mouse
Find a way out?
Free of guilt;
Oh, safe and sound?
Time is running out, detective.
Angel Mallory has always been unlucky. Seemingly retired from their old job working for the Guil...
Author's Note: By the time I am editing this chapter, which I finished in actual record time for me (less than a week), this book has surpassed 1.5k reads and we're nearing 700 votes! I'm so grateful for all of this. I hope you enjoy!
**** ** Hiraeth; noun
deep longing for something, especially one's home.
**** **
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I curled on the sofa, having crashed with tiredness. Invisible hands raked my skull, forcing pressure on my head. I groaned, stretching my limbs.
I despised being burnt out, having my flame diminished by uncanny circumstances. I wished I could walk it off, I really did. But there was something different when you had used up all of your fuel. I liked comparing myself to a car- I could just keep going for so long, steadily and with no breaks. There was one drawback, however. Cars could crash, completely stopped when fully exhausted.
I was stuck until I recharged, vulnerable. But who'd kick a dog that was already down? Literally down. I had rolled off the couch, landing in a mess of covers I'd dragged with me. My swollen palms took most of the impact, bitten by the thick carpet. I bit my lip, stifling a pained noise.
I wondered why things had to be so difficult. Why I had to carry this burden. Why these people had to depend on me. I didn't blame them, of course but I couldn't take it. I admit it; I couldn't. The weight was about to break my spine, bend my values. Worst thing of all, I couldn't escape it. It was needless to try to imagine what I'd do if I were given the chance.
Before I knew it, my face was wet, exhausted tears gathering at my eye sockets. I laid in quiet suffering, the world closing around me, surrounding me like one big universal blanket.
I felt my consciousness slipping. Drifting off, I let out a sigh. The aspirin had finally started to take effect, alleviating the ache at times.
This whole situation was helpless. And the Silverguards, whom I was defending, helping in this mess weren't at all innocent.
"I solved it. I did." My tears tasted salty on my face, running like beads of rain down to my lips. I analysed what I already knew; I'd thought they'd let me go after I understood. I thought they'd let us go. "Isn't this what you wanted?" I broke into a tired huff, the noise of my own voice barely reaching me.
The head of the family, Thomas H. Silverguard, was one of the Battalions. Those who had given away the rest of the Royals. The Royals weren't truly, lawfully good either, but their overthrowing lead to the Council, gaining control. It seemed pointless, an endless cycle. The Uproar hadn't been to replace one tyrant with another. I ran a hand through my hair for good measure, breathing heavily into nothingness. Frustration clawed at my sides, the bile rising in my throat. I was disgusted with him. With all of them. With myself, for helping.
