Hidden Heirs and Fallen Crowns (Complete)

Chapter 26

Aaah!!! I love this section of the book so much it hurts!! Hope you enjoy it too! :D

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I looked out of the massive window. It was so big I could easily slip through it if I opened it wide enough. It was an unnerving thought.

I gently unlatched the window, and pushed it farther and farther back. My stomach lurched as I saw the ground so far away, but I forced it to stay in place.

How was I supposed to actually get outside without slipping or ending up in the most awkward of positions?

I walked back a few steps, then ran towards the window. This time I managed to control my speed Talents and they didn’t make me fly right out of the window.

I grabbed the top of the window, and threw the rest of my body through. I kicked my legs up and they came into contact with the outside wall just above the window. I let go of my hands at the same, and dug them into the stone. I was now in a spider position, head down, just above the window.

My heart was beating like crazy. I crawled down, slowly now, having just remembered that Zed had Hearing Talents. I placed one hand in front of the other, one in front of the other, jumping every time my stone-hard nails scraped against the concrete wall.

From this angle it was like walking across a white floor with square holes everywhere; I was so scared that at some point Zed or Jasmine would stick their heads out of one of the windows and see me.

After a few minutes, though, I stopped seeing shadows everywhere.

When my feet touched the soft grass, I looked around once, twice, and then crept into the shadows of a cluster of trees. I waited a moment, and quietly slipped through the trees until I got to the very back of Jasmine's garden. Here I found a high wall. I easily climbed it and, just before dropping onto the pavement, gave one long look back at the house. I’ll be back soon, I promised myself. Soon.

My heartbeat doubled as I looked at the quiet road. Not even one person out this morning. Of course not – it was Sunday.

I doubled checked that there was no one there, and then I was off. The road around me was a flying blur as I raced towards my familiar neighbourhood. My arms pumped up and down as miles passed in moments.

***

I stood, unsure, at the end of my street. My house number was twenty-four, only twelve houses away. The end of my street, where I was, was at the foot of a hill. I looked down, and could just about see my black door.

I took a deep breath and strode down the road. I made no effort to remain unseen; I was much more concentrated on just getting there.

I slowly pushed the gate back, taking in all the details. Will’s dark blue bicycle and scooter in the corner and Bumba’s broken make-up box.

When I was at the door, I raised my trembling hand and grasped the cold, golden lion’s head knocker. I quickly rapped it twice on the door.

An infinity passed.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” I heard. The door was swung open and Mum’s slim shape appeared. Her hands were full of flour, frozen mid-air. She was wearing a smart looking white blouse and jeans. Over that she was wearing her favourite whitish-pink apron, which was dusted with flour. Her blonde hair was loose and straight, as always.

And her face.

Mum had the same look when I had woken up at the hospital – as if she had seen a ghost. Her mouth was small and slightly open, and her blue eyes almost fearful. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. A tear glittered at the edge of her eye.