Rowan [NaNoWriMo 2018]

Ten

"Brave doesn't mean you're not scared. It means you go on even though you're scared.-Angie Thomas

Laurel moved out of the way to let the Officials into the room. They silently walked into her bathroom and looked behind the shower curtain and opened and closed the cabins under the sink. When they walked into the living area, they began pulling the dresser drawers open and rummaging around. They then moved to the desk and spent a decent amount of time looking in, around, and under things. 

"You on the bed," one of the men said. "I need you off so that I can look under the mattress."

Rowan smiled shyly. "Sir, I would love too, but I'm not wearing any pants at the moment."

The two men looked at each other and the one who had spoken shrugged. "It's fine," he decided. "Sorry to interrupt your evening."

As quick as they had come, they were gone.

Laurel just stared at Rowan. She then walked over to the bed and pulled the blankets down. Rowan was lying there in the same lounge pants she had on before. Rowan grinned and pulled the notepad from behind her back. Laurel laughed and grabbed it from Rowan and scribbled a message.

"You little devil you. I think you just saved our asses."

The sisters watched TV until they fell asleep. Loud crashes and voices woke Rowan up out of deep sleep. She glanced at her watch- it read 3:30 am. She looked outside to see several Official police cars sitting in front of the building.

Rowan walked back to the bed and shook Laurel. "Hey, wake up. Something is happening."

Laurel sat up and sleepily wiped her eyes. "What's happening?"

Just then they heard a scream from the hallway. Laurel jumped out of bed and hastily threw her robe on. She opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. She gasped and held a hand up to her mouth. Rowan ran out and stood next to her.

About ten doors down from Laurel's room there stood the officials from earlier. One had a girl in a headlock, and the other punched her in the stomach. The sisters noticed that there was blood running down her face.

Laurel took off in a run toward the girl. "Emily," she screamed.

Rowan sprinted behind Laurel and caught her by the waist, holding her back.

The Official holding the girl looked up. "Get back to your rooms now and don't come back out until the morning," he commanded.

Rowan walked backward keeping her arms wrapped around Laurel's waist. Laurel was sobbing hard. Once Rowan got Laurel back in her room she sat her on the bed and wrapped her arms around her and let her cry.

Laurel finally wriggled herself out of Rowan's arms. "That was my best friend here. I don't know what she did wrong. She loved Icamera, I never once heard her speak out against anything. She passed the testing in her region with flying colors and everything."

Rowan frowned. "We don't know everything about everybody."

Laurel started crying again. "You don't even know her so you can't say that. I'm getting in the shower."

Rowan laid in the bed and listened to her sister cry in the shower. She couldn't get the image of that poor girl out of her head. Rowan also wondered what would have happened if she had not been there to grab Laurel. She felt sick at the possibilities.

Laurel got out of the shower and climbed into the bed. "I'm sorry I was short with you. You were only trying to help."

Rowan shrugged. "I think your reaction was perfectly normal."

"I just hope she's okay or going to be okay." Laurel sniffled.

"Maybe you'll be able to find out some information tomorrow," Rowan replied.

When Laurel's alarm went off the next morning, Rowan woke in a panic. She had been having a nightmare. When Rowan rolled over Laurel wasn't in bed. She jumped out of bed and checked the bathroom, but she wasn't there. Just as she was about to go into a full freak out there was a key in the door lock, and Laurel breezed in carrying a drink tray and a bakery box.

"Good morning, Rowan," Laurel chirped.

"Uh, good morning. How are you?" Rowan asked.

"I'm good. I went and got us some doughnuts and coffee," Laurel replied.

Rowan smiled at her sister. You're a godsend."

Once they had eaten their breakfast, Rowan took a quick shower. When she got out, she fixed her hair and put on makeup.

Laurel raised her eyebrows. "Who are you trying to impress?"

Rowan grunted at her and went to get clothes out of her suitcase. She settled on a pair of dark wash, boot cut jeans, and a gray sweater. Once she was ready, Laurel handed her the notepad.

"See if you can find out anything about last night from M. There's a good chance that he's heard something."

Rowan scribbled a message back.

"Will do. Are you okay? Your acting skills are amazing."

Laurel shook her head.

"Living in this society will turn into an award-winning actor."

Rowan sighed.

"Are you ready to go?" Laurel asked cheerfully.

Rowan replied, trying to match her sister's tone. "I'm excited to see where you work and to explore the city."