Convergence

Chapter 19

The morning seemed to drag by over the course of what felt like an eternity. Allafair found that he could not sit still for much longer than a couple minutes, and it was obvious that his comrades did not feel much better—Melline less so than the others. She paced without ceasing, just as Allafair did—one of the few things they had in common—and often ran into objects or people. Her thoughts consumed her entirely, and her lack of awareness proved just that.

"Sorry," she muttered after a third collision with Allafair.

"Don't worry about it," shrugged Allafair. After waving her away distractedly, he fell back in an empty chair, his knees bouncing anxiously.

Eloise groaned. She disliked Allafair's habits when he sat down more than anyone. His incessant knee-bouncing "disrupted her concentration." "Must you do that every time?" she asked him through gritted teeth, her fingertips pressed against her temples. She sat across from him, her elbows propped up on the table which separated them. When Allafair did not respond, she added, "It's quite annoying."

"Leave him alone," Gregory said from the floor to Allafair's right. "Obviously, he's not all...here." He leaned back a bit to snatch a small, rubber ball from the air, then turned to peer over the top of the table at Eloise. She raised her eyebrows as if he were a child arguing about his rights to a cookie.

"I'm sorry, but it appears to me that he is indeed here," Eloise said sharply, jabbing a finger in Allafair's direction. "Is your sight that bad?"

"Not his body, imbecile," Gregory replied. Before Eloise could react to his insult, he continued. "His mind. He's thinking about Crockett, not how to keep Your Highness pleased. Don't you see what the waiting is doing to him?" Eloise's stern, haughty look vanished. It was replaced by a look of shame. Conversation ceased, and silence fell over the warehouse. Not a comfortable silence, but a tense, unnerving silence. Even the weight of a feather could permanently damage the ever-changing balance of calm and chaos.

It was not until late afternoon that they finally heard from Crockett. Melline's watch began to emit the grainy voice of their captor, drawing all of them together. They huddled about the table, listening, waiting. "I must say I am thoroughly impressed," Edmund Crockett said, his tone giving the unexpected hint of surprise. "I didn't think you'd help me at all, let alone do this. So much detail...is this really the first time you've all plotted the doom of Great Britain?" Allafair clenched his fists but held his tongue.

Melline met Allafair's gaze with a questioning look. He nodded. "We've done what you asked, Edmund. Are you going to keep your word and let us go?" Melline asked, her voice filled with hope.

"Like his word can be trusted. I trust him about as much as I trust Melline," Gregory muttered from the floor. Melline shot him a brief glance but said nothing.

A crackle of static broke through the tense silence which followed Gregory's words before Edmund's words came through the communication device. "I think I'll keep you contained a little while longer," he said. Allafair slumped back, a defeated look in his eyes. He could practically hear the sneer in Crockett's voice as the static died. He wasn't really surprised, but disappointed.

Elwynn sighed dismally, leaning against the wall to Allafair's right. He pressed his head against the wall, and closed his eyes, his chin turned up towards the ceiling. "Well, on the bright side, at least we still have a plan," he said, his eyes remaining closed.