She Mask

Chapter 16

      Wiping the sparkling tears away with the back of my hand, I sat on the hard ground nibbling on the food on the tray that Howie had brought me. My brown hair fell down around my face, as my fingers tore through my meal. My hat lay on the ground beside me, and my cape was folded up neatly next to it.

      I waited patiently for Howie's return after he had said he had to go and check something, and picked at my food as I did. There wasn't much, but it's more than I've eaten in a while. A croissant bun, a small peice of ham, a peice of cheese and half of a carrot was layed out on the tray next to a glass of water.

     I bit savagely into the meat, taking my time chewing and savoring as I thought of what Earl had said. Fredrick and Genevieve. They were my parents. Earl's father knew them, and I didn't. Their last name was Holden. I supposed that meant my name was Maggie Holden.

    I sighed. I thought I knew who I was, but I always had a feeling a peice of me was missing. I never really considered myself as Maggie, but in the stead, She Mask. The girl with a mask, the lone protecter who swore to never lose herself amid the chaos of the chase.

     I closed my eyes, putting the food down, and drew my knees to my chest. I bowed my head down so my forehead lay against my black encloaked knees. I could feel the fabrique of my leggings pressed against my overly warm skin, and I could feel the soft trickle of tears as they spilt silently down my cheek. My heart beat steadily in my chest, the blood pulsing thick in my veins. The blood of my Father and my Mother. Holden blood.

     I decided I didn't want to wait anymore, and pushed the tray of delicious delicacies aside. I stood up and dusted my butt off, leaning up against the translucent wall for support. I looked to each side, searching for which way I should go. I chose right, detecting an eerie sort of quiet coming undone. I had an uncomfortable feeling, and it pulled at me. I put on my cape, then pulled on my hat, it's rim covering over my soft white mask.

     I walked down next to the translucent walls on each of my sides, letting me see everything from beyond them. I could see into the hallway I last saw Earl walk down. I watched the lights that hung from a chandelier above flicker, but give off excellent light, nonetheless, and I felt very disjointed.

    Every breath felt heavy, and each heartbeat pounded thickly in my ears. Each step created vibrations that shook my every bone, and my feet felt like lead.

     Finally after what seemed like hours, but was probably only a couple minutes at the most, I came across a ladder. The ladder reached up, so I could go over the doorway that leads to room on the other side of the wall, then another ladder let me climb down to the next hall behind the walls. My eyes trailed up the rungs, when suddenly a loud crash eminated from over the doorway.

     I quickly climbed up, scrambled over and down the other side. I ran around the corner, as another crash and a curse word could be heard. I followed the echoes that bounced around inside the walls. I came to a room, a room I remembered from earlier. It was Devon's bedroom.

    He sat on the floor, his head pressed into his one hand, while Donavin stood over him. Glass shards lay around Devon on the floor, and a little bit of blood trickled down the side of his face, from between his fingers.

     "You stupid boy!" I heard Donavin shout. "You love her!"

     "No." I whispered. "No!" Louder now. "NO!!!" I threw myself at the translucent wall, that seperated me from my Devon.

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[Devon's POV]

     I dreamed, peacefully, of green eyes surrounded by a beautiful white material. Those long, black lashes fluttered, making my heart swim and dive about in my chest. I watched as they flew in front of me, there, but unreachable.