The Scholar And The Spy

Chapter 1

Lisa

I had always loved winter; the snow, the dew and the cold that seems to seep into everything. That feeling of breathing in fresh cool air and exhaling something warm. But right now, all I see is a dull landscape filled with white shades, all I see is the land below me, lifeless.

I sighed deeply, pressing my cheek on the frosted glass window looking out at what some would consider beautiful. But nothing seems beautiful anymore. I heard the creak of the main door opening, and my grandfather's soft slippers pattering across our living room as he welcomes our guests in. I tip toe slowly to the edge of my room and press my ears against my door. I could barely hear their voices.

"I'm so sorry to hear about this Gerald, I never thought it would happen so soon"

"How is the poor girl? How has she been coping?"

My grandfather takes a few minutes to reply, trying desperately to overcome his own grief to appear presentable.

"She's been slightly distant these days, of course that is only natural, after all she is only eleven and losing your parents... My daughter... is not something that one can simply 'get over'. It has been hard on all of us, but mostly Lisa", he said.

My eyes began to fill up with tears and I can feel the pain in my heart doubling, I can barely comprehend what their saying downstairs, all I can feel is the fragile heartbeats in my chest and the overwhelming feeling of suffocation. I gulp down air, cold frigid air, and I try to pull myself together.

"Is she at school now? Will she be back soon?"

"No, she's upstairs in her room. I have pulled her out of her public school. To my opinion, the children there learn more about farming than anything else. No, I want to give her a proper education.", he said.

"Then how is she being educated? Surely you've figured something out for Lisa?"

"I've organized private tutors. From the capital! Only the best of the best would do for someone as brilliant as Lisa." Grandfather replied.

I couldn't take it anymore. I got up abruptly and marched to my bed, flinging myself on the mattress. Just who does he think he is? How could he even talk about my future, when my parent would never get to live theirs?

I need to leave, I need to go outside. But how? The only way down would be through the living room, and I don't want to go there. Just thinking about the sad pitying faces of whoever is down there will send me into a panic attack. No, I need a different route. I look around my room, hoping for some idea to strike. My eyes land on my window, which is quite big enough for a grown man to climb through, even more so an eleven year old girl. I quickly unhook the latch keeping it shut and open it wide. Looking down, I can see its not so high, but high enough to break a limb if I do fall. I pear at the creepers around my window, contemplating their strength for holding someone like me. I am very skinny, with bonny legs that seem longer then the rest on my body, I should do fine.

I slowly climb down, one foot at a time. By the time I reach the last vine I can easily jump down into the snow. I exhale silently, relieved that the vines held strong. I began to walk away, looking back every once in a while; afraid my grandfather will come stomping out of the house to drag me back to my room, or worse, make me sit and talk to nosy visitors. I'm heading towards the woods, I realize as I walk awkwardly through the snow. The trees seem more greener here, the air more crisp. I run my hand through the thick barks that are coated with moss. A hint of a smile playing on my lips as I venture deeper, happy to be part of something more greater then human society. The forest seems just as happy to keep me company, as the birds' songs began to ring louder and the fresh grass grows longer the more further I go. I come across a small stream of water that I follow, which leads to a small brook. Running my hands through the rocks I nearly miss a flash of fur.