Discoveries | TMR | Three

4:8

By this point in the evening, the only sound breaking the stillness is the gentle lapping of waves as they nudge the small boat against the pier. This quietness brings a sense of relief to Adeline; it signifies that the gate is locked tight and the Harbour is devoid of all living and non-living things. The moonlight filters through a shroud of clouds, casting a faint glow that struggles to penetrate the wooden slats covering the windows.

Tiny fissures in the wood allow a sliver of light to dance upon the shabby boat, yet it is the delicate glimmer of moonlight that captivates Adeline's gaze.

Hours have slipped by since the two girls entered, since Maggie hurled the last set of items at Adeline, since the torrent of harsh words erupted, and since she collapsed onto the bed in despair. Now, she remains curled up tightly, as if trying to shield herself from the world, her head resting on Adeline's lap while the redhead absentmindedly plays with the sticky strands of blonde hair that drape over her uninjured shoulder.

Not a word has been shared between them, forcing Adeline to believe that the girl has fallen into a deep slumber. Periodically, she has checked on her; a finger on her pulse, two fingers in front of her nose to ensure she is still breathing, and the occasional glance down to her neck and face to ensure that there are no welts or purple veins protruding from her olive skin.

So far, everything appears to be alright, which is a comfort for now. Yet, Adeline's thoughts have wandered too far, and it has been a while since she performed those mandatory checks.

Her mind is consumed by thoughts of Nick and how he is handling the chaos of the evening. It feels selfish to focus solely on him, neglecting Matt, who was practically raised by Betty, or Lily, her steadfast companion through the years, or even her own daughter, Maggie.

No, selfishly so, Nick is all she can think about. She recalls how he soothed her after her nightmare, the intimate moments they shared in the shower stall at the Glade, his frustration with her reckless choices, and how fiercely he defended Maggie. Then, her flashback, and his presence in that flashback.

Questions swirl in her mind, outnumbering the answers as she reflects on every conversation and shared moment. Something feels off, and she is resolute in uncovering the truth. Adeline never anticipated that Nick would penetrate her thoughts so deeply, but now his name courses through her like wildfire, and she finds herself yearning for every piece of him. In a world that has burned her over and over, the enigma that is Nick has become her water, and she finds herself praying for time to speed up so that they may see each other again.

She longs to ensure he is okay, to show him that she emerged from the night relatively unscathed, and, most importantly, to seek clarity on the whirlwind of thoughts that consume her.

A sharp hiss followed by a light smack on her kneecap jolts her back to reality. "Are you still with me?" Maggie inquires, her voice barely above a whisper, as if she expecting that Adeline might have drifted off.

It's thoughtful of her to keep her voice down, but the knee slap would have roused anyone. "Yeah, I'm still with you."

Maggie shifts her hand from the girl's knee, tucking it beneath the left side of her face, and adjusts her head for comfort. "You were quiet."

How long has she been awake? Adeline could have sworn she was the one dozing off. "Sorry."

"Talk to me."

Taken aback by the sudden statement, and the way it is low and hushed rather than rough and loud, Adeline's face screws. "Talk to you about what?"

Maggie shrugs against the side of the redheads thighs. "Something," she says. "Anything."