Twisted Reality AU

Chapter 6

"You'd imagine we would have some magic to help our situation," Lani mumbled as she leaned a ladder against the mansion's wall. It was purely dark with the clock just hit midnight. Locating the window was easy enough, it was the only one boarded with wooden planks shut. Lani stepped back and viewed the ladder, making sure it aligned to reach the window. Then yelled: "It's not long enough!" Samheed probably couldn't hear her, however, and proceeded with the plan as she began climbing.

While Lani climbed up, holding on to the steel for dear life. "You know, if we had Magic carpets or something to just fly me up to you, this would be a lot easier!" There was no response, but she didn't expect Samheed to hear anyway. She sped her way up, freezing every time she heard a rustle, or feel the ladder shaking. She wasn't about to get caught, not after the harrowing troubles of just sneaking this ladder outside. By the time she made it to the top, the air was freezing.

She just had to hope a random burst of wind wouldn't knock back the ladder, bringing her down with it. "Okay. . ." She grasped onto the windowsill in one hand, and the other pointed to the window. She focused hard at the window and whispered the words "Dissipate."

Thankfully, the window pane disappears. Samheed, who sat on his bed in the pure darkness, got up once streaks of moonlight struck his carpeted floor. Stuart, who stood by, watched as Samheed tried to pry open the boards. Once the planks of wood broke, Samheed poked his head out to see Lani just a little bit below him. Could he try to climb out and even reach the ladder? Jumping down on it was a risky option, the ladder could just fall backward and crush them to pieces.

Sam glanced back at Stuart. "I'm going. Please don't tell Alex. I know you hate me and literally wouldn't let me out, but just this small favor. . ." Stuart blinked at him and sighed.

"Be careful Samheed. I can't unlock the door without it notifying Alex." In the few seconds afterward, he melded back into the board.

Samheed let out a breath of relief and peered out the window, and carefully began to get to the ladder. "Lani, hold on tight to the windowsill and ladder, I'm going to have to jump."

"Lightly! Jump lightly! Now's not a moment to die." Lani said, grasping onto the windowsill and ladder. Once Samheed got his footing, he jumped down on the ladder, his foot landing on one of the steel planks, while the other slipped and banged against the steel. "Ouch." Lani said for Samheed, as she helped him step correctly on the ladder. Once everything seemed secure, she began climbing down, slowly and then picking up the pace. Samheed followed.

"How did you get no one to notice the ladder?" Samheed said as he winded down and stepped on the earthy floor.

"Well, it's extremely late right now. I was pretty sure everyone was asleep for tomorrow's battle so I was able to sneak it out the back door. " Lani said, pressing the side of the ladder to get it to fold up.

"Tomorrow's battle?" Samheed asked. "What did I miss...?"

"Not too much." Lani replied. She picked up the heavy ladder and passed it to Samheed. They subconsciously began walking to the backdoor of the Mansion which led into the Kitchen. "Many Quillens are dead though. . .it's weird. When we lost Artime, no one died. With Quill, which it's literally only been a few days already has casualties over thirty."

"Huh. You think they're dead because of the lack of water and food?" Samheed said. He pushed the door knob and entered into the backdoor of the kitchen. Then dropping off the ladder on the counter.

"It's unusual. They should have something at least. The Chefs have been keeping this door unlocked however for any hungry or thirsty Quillens to take anything. Though Alex just set up a new rule. . ." Both of them quietly walked out of the kitchen into the Dining room. "Let's head to the Library. It's just next door so it's not too risky. We can explain more there, and I believe no one should be there. I should know after my usual late nights reading there."