Passing Through

Chapter 12: Interrogation

   I loved the outside air, with its smell of fresh grass and warm flowers. I breathed it all in, grateful for the boy who brought me here. I still didn't know his name, but I was going to find out sooner or later.

   Somehow.

   I practically skipped across the wide lawn of the mansion, before which I had spent the last day or so stuck indoors. Normally, that wouldn't be too bad. But when you are stuck in a room and are sick with anxiety and sarcasm, it never hurts to get outdoors for a little while. As is one important life lesson that must be conveyed to people all around the world.

   I headed towards the flower garden, which had looked so exquisite and colorful from The Raven's window. Since I was free to roam the perimeter of the mansion, I wanted to see it myself up close. When I reached the metal gate and arch that opened up into the garden, I stopped. Whoa. The plants were beautiful, even when it was long past spring time and the weather was turning chilly. Flowers of different colors were grouped together in clumps, bushes, and rows. Some of the plants weren't in bloom, but their stems and sprouts added green to the overall color range. Peeking past the metal gate, I saw most of the colors of the rainbow, and even some different shades of pink and orange. After a few seconds of simply staring, I tentatively opened the gate--which opened without a sound--and stepped through the arch and into the garden. It wouldn't hurt to take a look.

   Once inside, I looked all around myself in wonder. Wow. The greenery was so fragrant and soothing. The sky was so infinite and blue. I spotted a fountain spouting water in the far corner. The water sparkled in the sunlight as it flowed softly into the basin at the base of the fountain. As I stepped up close, I felt the lightest of watery mist sprinkle my face. I looked up at sky, and as if it had been called, a breeze came and chilled my cheeks. This place is so natural and wonderful.....

Well, if fountains could be considered natural.

   I wandered around aimlessly, forgetting about the blond kid who led me outside. How could he compare to such wonder? The answer is, he couldn't. And so, I walked along the twists and turns of the smoothed path than ran through the flower garden, my mind in a daze of wonder. I maneuvered around tall bushes which concealed each turn from my sight, and then marveled at the wonder hidden behind. It was so exotic, in a magical way. I wondered how long it had taken for the gardeners to meticulously create and trim this place. I also wondered how much cash it would've taken to make all of it. A lot of money and a lot of time, that much was obvious. I turned another corner and came upon a small stone bench. Without warning, I stopped suddenly, my mind sharpening. Because the bench wasn't the problem. The person sitting on it was.

   I watched the blond girl as she rocked back and forth, curled up on the bench. Her face was dug into her arms, which were clinging helplessly to her knees. Every few seconds a small gasp would escape out of her, and I could only guess that she was crying. Behind her was a tall bush with dying flowers, the blossoms somehow still emitting a sweet scent. I looked around, wondering if I should keep going or try to approach who I felt was Gwen. Our last encounter had been anything but pleasant, but I didn't think she loathed me. She had just been angry and confused when she had said those things.

I hoped so, anyway.

 After about a minute spent watching her with a hurting heart, I decided to keep going. As much as I wanted to hug her and tell her everything was going to be okay-- like what I used to do before all this crap happened-- I realized that it would be best if she took time to cool off. And pressuring her only a few hours after her major outburst wasn't going to do any good.

   I slowly continued along the path, grateful that there weren't any twigs or leaves lying around for me to step on and be heard. I glanced at Gwen, but she still had her face in her arms, unaware of my presence. Silently, I kept going. With every sob that reached me, I wanted to run to her, my arms wide open. Somehow, I was able to resist the urge. But when I was almost past her, something wrong just had to happen: Prince Charming came running.