Rose Garden: Rose of Grace

Chapter 9

  Grace sat up and caught her breath. She realized someone was banging on her door. Grace stood up and went to her door looking out the peephole. Alistair stood there freaking out. Grace opened the door and Alistair sighed in a short relief.

"Thank goodness you're still ok here. I.. I think we all just died." He said.

"Cailan and Duncan too?"

"Cailan won't talk to me. I think he's in extreme shock that his cocky other self actually bit the dust... I haven't checked with Duncan yet. I just wanted to make sure you were ok first."

She smiled a little. Thinking that someone other than her family would be worried about her like that was refreshing.

"I'm alright... Here anyway. I guess that's the end of the dreams."

"Right. We should go talk to Duncan."

She nodded and they went up to Duncan's apartment. Alistair knocked on the door and within seconds, Agent Duncan stood before them.

"Duncan."

Agent Duncan just shook his head to Alistair.

"Cailan and I didn't make it. We'll still remain here, and I'll still be in charge of the training and the apartment. How were things on your end?"

"I don't think we made it either."

Agent Duncan sighed.

"I have to write up a report. Let Cailan rest for awhile, I don't think his hubris will take this well. Once I talk to the commander and get his instructions I'll come back and talk to Cailan." Agent Duncan walked back into his apartment and grabbed a jacket and slipped into a pair of shoes before rejoining them at the door. "You two should rest as well. I know it'll be difficult to sleep, but try to."

They stepped out of his way and after a quick locking of his door he was off to talk to the ones above him.

"Well... That went well." Alistair said. Grace rolled her eyes and put a hand on her hip.

"At least I can say I defeated an ogre in my short time."

"Silver linings." Alistair chuckled. "Do you want to hang out at my apartment? It'll be impossible to sleep."

"Alright."

They walked back to Alistair's apartment and got settled in the living room. Alistair sighed as he shot a glance to Cailan's door.

"I hope he'll be alright..."

"I'm sure he will be." Grace said. Her head suddenly pounded and she quickly put her hands up to her temples, wincing.

"Grace?" Alistair moved besides her. "Grace are you ok?"

Before she could answer she plopped against him, blacking out.