Masks

Chapter 6

The light in me,
Was burning furiously.

~~~

  Violet sat nervously in her room. She wore a mahogany sweater, a black skirt, black stockings, and her favorite brown beret. She wore a beige shoulder bag on her right shoulder.

  I really won't get caught right? I mean, Mrs. Waters is usually in her office all day, but she might come out if she suspects something.

  Someone knocked on Violet's door, making her jump. "It's me" was all the person said, and Violet sighed in relief.

  "Come in."

  "I see you're all dressed up." Irene smiled. "Mrs. Waters is still in her office - for the past few hours, actually. She hasn't left since lunch. I'll sneak you out."

  Quietly walking down the stairs, Irene observed the movements of all the other maids while she hid Violet behind her. Opening the front door, Violet slipped outside and started towards downtown.

  ~~~

  "I'll be back before dinner." Quinn said, pushing up the sliding window.

  "You're gonna leave from your window?" Ian asked, raising an eyebrow.

  "Mother is downstairs in the kitchen. I can't risk going out the front door." Quinn replied. "I can just climb down the tree."

  "Okay then." Ian shrugged. "Don't forget the chocolate bars."

  "I won't. Do not tell anyone."

  ~~~

  Wait, did we decide on a meeting place?

  The cold wind blew that September afternoon, signaling a new season approaching. The sun was covered by puffy gray clouds and the sky was darker at an earlier time that it was in early August. The leaves were still green and stayed on the trees, and the fall colors had yet to surface.

  Violet waited on a bench by the entrance to Main Street downtown, her hands clasped together on her lap. It's right in front of the place. Will he be able to find me here?

  It had been thirty minutes since their said meeting time but either had yet to find the other. However, Violet stayed seated on the bench.

  I'll stay here. It'd be harder if both of us were looking at the same time.

  ~~~

  Quinn, who had never been to the downtown area in years, had completely forgotten its layout. He entered from a completely different place from Violet, which was when he realized that they never came up with a meeting spot in the end.

  This day's gonna go to waste if I don't meet her. I've got to find her, and fast.

  He looked around each street, no luck finding her after the first few. If it'd take me an hour to get around this place, I'll never find her before I'd have to get back. I have to go around faster.

  Violet on the other hand, still sat and waited on the bench. Is he really coming? Was there a change of plans?

  Shaking her head, she didn't want to think it. He's gonna come, I know it. I'll wait for him.

  ~~~

  The sun had already began to lower in the horizon. The familiar orange hue started appearing in the sky, and the downtown area was even less lively, getting more empty than it already was before. The twinkling store lights still brightly illuminated the streets, casting shadows of different shapes from store windows.