The Frills of Sanity

The F.O.U.L.

"Fear is only temporary. Regret lasts forever." -Anonymous

It was one of those inert evil nights. No whispers of sound, No swirls of wind, No sign of any light. The red rock-bricks of The Brighter Days were engulfed by the darkness and silence. The lights of every house and street in the city were turned off and the world was resting in the embrace of the dusk.

In this tranquil, the only cheos was in the head of Hope Rayman. Her brain was just unable to process the mess that she had got herself into. Her mind was on the verge of shutting down. There were so many emotions and thoughts- just stashed up and left unexpressed, unspoken and unheard.

Hope inhaled sharply while shifting her gaze from the floor to the skies. The view from the roof top of the orphanage was as breathtaking as always. The mountains were surrounded by the darkness. The jet black sky had no stars and the moon to play the shades of white on the dark canvas. The lightless city napping in the arms of sweet night and muted movements of the wind and trees made her feel dolorous.

Hope sat there on a wooden bench, a blanket pulled over her legs and her sight gazing at the view. Her eyes were piercing through the dark forest, desperate to catch the glimpse of light, if any.

Suddenly she heard a creek of the wooden floor near the door that cut the silence like a knife. From the corner of her eyes, she sighted Alexis who was gazing back at Hope, her petite body shivering out of cold. Hope watched Alexis slowly pacing towards her and then shifted her gaze back at the forest. Alexis made herself comfortable and cozy on the bench, sharing Hope's blanket. They both exhaled, as if in an attempt to shake off the agitation.

"This is all my fault, Alexis.." Hope whispered.

"What do you mean?" Alexis was confused. It was very difficult for her to read Hope.

"Had I not joined the CRIB, these incidents wouldn't have happened. It seems like somebody is getting their revenge and the target is me. I have put you all at risk." Hope closed her eyes for a moment. She reminisced the best memories she had with each of the members, her friends. "I am sorry!" Hope murmured while glancing down, attempting to hide her face and tears.

"Hope.. It is not your fault." Alexis grumped. "I don't think this is just some revenge against one or two. I think this is as twisted as war." Alexis felt anger and unease.

Alexis was not sure why, but lately all she could feel was rage, scratching her peace each passing day.

"Maybe our loss and sufferings make us feel restless in our own skin!" Said Alexis while shifting her gaze at Hope.

"Maybe, you are right." Hope sighed. She glanced at Alexis, who was staring at the black canvas that the sky was.

"So.. Why are you here, Alexis?" Hope queationed. She knew something is going on in her her mind. Why else can Alexis Zane give away her sweet love i.e. sleep?

"Well.. I was thinking about Mr. Holmes.. He seems like a nice guy. I really feel sorry for him and I know he must be disturbed after the abduction and all." Alexis halted. She was not sure whether she should speak up her mind. Hurting Hope was the last thing she wanted to happen.

"There is going to be a 'but', isn't there?" Hope sighed heavily before questioning Alexis. She could see Alexis fidgiting and randomly playing with her hair, just the way she was behaving when her Godmother was held responsible for the attacks and kidnappings.

'That had gone well, I guess..', Hope thought to herself while glancing at the wooden floor.

Hope could relate with this emotion. She had went through the same when she had learnt that Mrs. Holmes knew her parents or the initial days when she had joined CRIB.