I Will Find You

* ~ 21 ~ *

Gwendolyn's POV

Okay, I lied. There are many people on the stairway with me, and they all saw how I fell from the year 1756 and how I'm now lying on the steps. I understand why Mr. George, Falk DeVilliers, Dr. White, and even Mr. Giordano and Marley are there, but Charlotte's presence surprises me. Her whole appearance gives away how much she enjoys this situation where I am under hard looks and blameful faces.

"Gwendolyn, where did you come from?", Falk DeVilliers asks.

"This is incredible!", Mr. Giordano shouts and twistes his hands. "Even a fool could see that she has been on a forbidden time travel!"

"If I was you, I would consider my answer carefully", Dr. White says.

"What if we let her explain?", Falk says. "Mr. Marley, be kind and get her up."

"Yes, sir", Mr. Marley says and fusses down the stairs. Before he gets to me I get up myself and refuse to receive any kind of help from others. Mr. Marley's face is as red as a tomato again. His hand was already extended in order to help me but it falls down by his side when I don't accept it. The pain in my ankle informs me about it being hurt, but I don't want to show it to anyone, it would just cause more anxiety.

"So, Gwendolyn, where were you?"

I try to think something that could be believable even in some sort of way, but my mind is completely empty. All I can think is fear for the count, running, and seeing Gideon.

"Umm.. you know, it was just -"

"Just a scientific experiment", Charlotte says from my left. "We tried elapsing in the past through another chronograf."

Why is she suddenly defending me? I thought Charlotte hates the most people she knows, especially me. I try to catch her gaze, but she wont look at me. Her eyes are directed tightly to Falk and she doesn't even wink.

"Charlotte?", Mr. Giordano sniffs. "How is this possible?" I'm seriously afraid for his wrists, if he keeps twisting them like that he's going to snap his bones.

"In times like this, I thought a little help would be appreciated", Charlotte says freezingly. I almost get goose bumps even from looking at her green eyes, which don't reveal anything about what is running through her mind.

"You -  both of you - have to understand that this is a really serious thing that will have consequences", Falk's eyes are drilling holes to my forehead, and almost immediately I feel like I have to scratch it.

We both nod without another word.

"One more question", Falk says. I raise my eyes to meet his.

"Where did you get that dress?"

"Uhm... Madame Rossini?", out of all people I don't want to take Madame Rossini into this mess too, but she's the only one who could've gave me the dress.

"Mhmhh", Falk mumbles.

Mr. George glances Falk questioningly, but when he doesn't answer the look, he says: "I assume that you're free to go. Gwendolyn, come with me."

"But Mr. George, I have to -"

"Gwendolyn", Mr. George offers his hand and in the lack of options I have to take it.

Mr. George guides me down the stairs and a couple, maybe four hallways forward. I see Xemerius sitting on a shoulder of one of the armors. He's clearly bored and happy about seeing me.

"Well hello! How was your little time trip? My lord, have you injured your foot, you limp!"

"Not badly", I mumble through my teeth.

"And the poor chubby one doesn't even recognize it! You have to start limping more."

I stop at my place and look at Xemerius very blamefully. "He's not chubby!" Mr. George is the only person here I can trust even a little.

Mr. George has loosen my arm already a couple hallways ago, and now he's standing in front of me. His usually so friendly eyes are focused on me, but this time not so friendly. They're more measuring now.

"So, you got my letter then?"

I nod.

Mr. George smirks. "Well, I didn't expect you to elapse straight away."

Now when I think more about it, I remember that there wasn't anything in the letter indicating urgency. "Uh, yeah, maybe that wasn't the best idea..."

"Anyway, did you get any new information?"

"Yes, plenty", I say and give a tight smile.

"Good, then the trip wasn't a waste of time. That's the most important thing." Now Mr. George is smiling too.

"Gwen!", I turn around and see Charlotte standing in the hallway. I turn back to Mr. George and apologize.

"Of course, off you go", he says and swishes his hands which means that I really should go. I have loads of questions only Charlotte can answer. She doesn't look straight into my eyes when I walk to her, like she's trying to be as invisible to me as she ever can.

"Hey, Charlotte", I greet her.

"Hi", Charlotte says and even gives me a reserved smile.

"So?"

"So what?"

"Why did you defend me earlier?" I would never believe she did it just to be nice. It doesn't fit her personality, which is being nice to the few chosen ones. And I'm not one those people. Gideon would be, though.

"You know, in situations like these this is the only way I can feel I'm doing something important", she says and looks down at her shoes (stylish and very cute, they're brown with a little heel). I remember she said something like that earlier today too.

"Which is helping me?", I raise my eyebrows.

"If I help you, maybe I'll help someone else too", she says and wont look up from her shoes.

"Charlotte, please stop speaking in riddles, you know that I don't like logic problems that much."

Charlotte sighs. "You are not the only one who wants Gideon back, Gwen. It's the best for everyone if I help you with this."

I'm speechless. Charlotte wants to help me to get Gideon back? How does she know I'm working against the Lodge? Am I that visible? If I am, how hasn't the Lodge noticed yet?
Charlotte smiles at me again and turns on her heels. She throws her hair over her shoulder while walking away. I can't stop thinking how graceful she is all the time. I wonder if she's had it always or if it is the result of many hours of training.

"Remember you owe me one favor!", I hear her yelling behind the corner.

***

Heyyy :3

I'm currently re-reading Edelstein Trilogie for the third time, and I haven't had that fun with a book in ages! Plus, that's why I have started remembering other people from the trilogy, like Mr. Giordano (only Giordano, please) and Mr. Marley.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK

And don't forget to elapse daily,

See you!