Ross Is Not A Rock!

The Lovely Lady, Mrs Darcey

A lovely long chapter as I haven't written in a while. Enjoy! Or whatever.

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The room was cold. I spent the whole night shivering in a curled up ball. The curtains blew open with the breeze and the streetlight's brightness seeped in. I had been given a sleeping bag in the corner of the room that was crushed up against the wall. The early morning sun replacing the artificial light came as a welcome relief. Ross hung from an iron bar where our clothes would be if we had brought them with us.

"Morning." I whispered sitting up, realising my voice sounded strangled from sleeping with my mouth open. I coughed to clear my throat. He looked my way and smiled weakly but no words left his mouth. I crossed my arms tightly. "Ross! Still nothing? What is up with you lately" I scolded, getting harsher with each word.

"El," he managed before cutting himself off. I waited for him to continue but he just kept swinging on the bar.

"I'm going to explore. Follow me when you're willing to talk." I told him before leaving the room with my arms still crossed. After slamming the door behind me, I came to the realisation that I hadn't taken a key and that I had no idea what to do or where to go.

After 16.5 minutes, I came to the decision that I would find some form of clock which I could use to check the time. I walked through corridor after corridor and soon it became clear to me that I was lost and probably walking in circles. All I needed to do is find a stair case. As this point, I would even take a ladder or a fire escape just to get out. It dawned on me that my sister was probably awake by now and will have noticed my disapearence. This thought sent terror rushing through my blood and my breath became short and raspy. I  ran, becoming more desperate than ever to find a way out in fear that she'd find me lurking about in the hallways.

I started to getting dizzy from running. I hadn't eaten in a while and I awoke every 30 minutes from my sleep last night so my energy levels were on red. All hope had packed up and flew on out the window. The only thing I was greatful for was that my sister hadn't yet found me. I had almost given up. My body would only carry me round one last corner. Somewhere in my childish mind I allowed myself to be hopeful for a staircase to just be there even though I was almost certain that I'd been this way before. I didn't even look to see if I could confirm my suspicions but instead collapsed on the floor in a heap of misery and exhaustion.

"Oh dear! Are you quite alright?" I snapped my head round in fright when I heard an unrecognisable voice speak to me. It was a lady. I couldn't tell how old. I hadn't seen many ladies in my life. "It's ok. Don't be scared. I just wanted to know if you were alright. Do you live in this building?" My heart was racing and my head filled with question after question.

'Who is this? Why does she want to talk to me? What if she kidnaps me? What would my sister say if she knew I was talking to her? Why does she want to know if I live here? Could I run away if I timed it right? Where's Ross when you need him? Why couldn't I have just stayed in the room?'

"Did you hear what I said?" She questioned me with a confused expression.

I don't know why I suddenly got such a boost of courage. Maybe it was because there was no other way out. The next thing I did shocked her as much as it did me. "Hello. I'm Eloise and yes, I live here. Who are you?" My hand shot up to cover my mouth and I told myself off inside my head for telling this potential kidnapper so much about me. It came as a suprise and a relief to me as I heard her giggle softly.

"I'm Mrs Darcey. My job is to find children that don't go to school and make sure they start going. Why aren't you in school?" She ended her explanation with a question.

"Well you see Mrs Darcey, the answer is quite simple. School is for smart people and I do beleive that I'm not quite that smart enough. My sister told me that and she is the smartest person I know. To be fair though, I don't many people at all." I rambled enjoying every word I said to this lady. It seemed though, to my dismay, that the lady didn't enjoy it as much as I had. "What is wrong Mrs Darcey?"

"Nothing is wrong deary. It's just that it is the law for all children, no matter how smart, to go to school."

I was angry, confused, amazed. "Really? But my sister, she said..."

"I'm sorry lovey but your sister told you a little white lie. No problem though, we can get you to school in a jiffy now, can't we?"

"Uh.. I.. Maybe... Just.. Ok."

"Now lovey, just tell me your room number and I can send someone to tell your sister the arrangement while I get you to school. I can lend you a uniform if you would like."

And that's what happened. Mrs Darcey and I waited in the foyer of the building until they had got my sister's permission for me to go to school. It took a whole hour and a bit for them to do that. During this time, I put on the school uniform Mrs Darcey had fetched for me. After the hour and a bit was up, Mrs Darcey lead me out to take me to school as promised. It was just as we left through the pathetic door of the building, that I realised I was absolutely terrified. I felt for Ross's hand to comfort me when I also realised that he wasn't there.