Five Hundred Miles

0.7: The Visit

Chapter 0.7: The Visit. [UNEDITED]

[How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. -A. A. Milne]

I knot my fingers in front of the hem of my cotton shirt, glancing into the house from the window pane nervously. Even through five minutes of trying to cool down my heart still races like an airplane. My body is covered in a sheen of sweat, evidently showing how incapable I am to keep myself calm.

They will not pick Joshua, I believe. They never did. Every time somebody comes, Joshua will decline their offer. I know he will this time, too.

"Maple!" A distant voice yells at me. I turn to find little Pauline waving at me, calling me over to her. "Do you want some dinner?"

Even after her mention of eating, I feel no sense of hunger at all. All I'm thinking right now, is about Joshua. I can't help it. I shouldn't be this worry about him, because why should I?

I shake my head at Pauline, turning away without feeling at all sorry about denying her.

I can't just stay here and wait till all of it is over. I have to see what is happening right now, I must.

Risking a glance at Victoria, I find her busy sulking with her squad. I guess it's safe for me to sneak into the house, since that she'll not realize it now. Well, if I get caught, I'll just have to say that I'm looking for a toilet.

The front door is locked to prevent girls from sneaking in, as I predicted. Oh, Miss Collins has no idea how good I am with this house. I practically live in here since forever, and I know every corner of it. Ladies and Gentlemen, there's one thing called the window.

Miss Collins always has the front window locked to prevent the wind from barging it ajar. I slide my fingers along the ebony, trying to find a slit so that I can squeeze my fingers through it and slide it open.

Most of the windows are locked, as the night is approaching. I trail to the backyard, still searching for the right entrance, at least that's what I think.

I don't understand bugs. They always choose to come out at night, and out of everyone, they choose me as their prey!

Smacking a mosquito that I think is feeding on my blood, I proceed to the final window I find, which is at the end of the narrow alley. I've been here before, twice, because this place is seriously spooky and it creeps me in a way. I have no idea how eager I am that I'm willing to come across here.

Cobwebs mar the dusty pane. The only thing that catches my attention is the welcoming darkness that dwells beneath.

I am thinking of backing off, now or never, because I can't risk myself to get inside. It stinks here, but, I think I can take that.

Covering my nose, I push the stiff window apart. It doesn't surprise me that it opens. There is nothing more but darkness I see. From the familiar smell, I can tell that this is the window from our storage room. It must be the expired meat loaf that stinks.

I climb over the window, trying my best to ignore the tickling sense of spiderwebs that sweepstakes pass me and the smell of rotten meat. I finally am inside after a few moments of struggle.

I think of leaving the window open, since no one ever notices it anyways. I may not have the strength to close it up again.

I exit the storeroom as I bring myself into the familiar hall. From just far away I can hear some chorus of delightful chuckles coming from the foyer. I try my best not to crinkle when the voice is too painful for my ears.

I tiptoe behind a vase, knowing myself enough that I can fit perfectly behind that since I'm small. Now I can hear their conversation clearly.

"Introduce yourselves, boys, starting from the left." Miss Collins says cheerfully in a tone I know is fake.