As I climbed up the slope in search of my baby sister alongside Quigley Quagmire, I could only wonder:
How could he have survived? And why am I climbing extremely close to him, so close I can practically touch his jet black hair?
I couldn't believe myself. I liked Duncan, and I was bonding with his brother.
After a long moment of constipating, I got up the nerve to say, "Quigley, do you see the ledge to my right? I think we can both sit there and rest awhile."
"Good idea," Quigley said, following me over to the ledge. "I think I have some carrots in my backpack we can eat to regain our energy."
We sat down and Quigley fished a small bag of raw carrots out of his backpack.
He handed me a few, and then dug out a couple for himself.
I bit down on mine, staring at Quigley. He was so hot. His jet black hair was practically gleaming. His face was practically hotter than the sun. Unfortunately, he wasn't facing me.
He was looking down below him. At the view. I had to admit, beside the ruins of the fire and smoky water, it was a pretty beautiful view.
Just like him.
Wait, no, what did I just say? Duncan was definitely better. Duncan once, even, offered to help me, Klaus, and Sunny by doing our S.O.R.E. exercises for us.
Isadora, Klaus, and Sunny headed out the door.
Duncan took off Klaus's glasses and wiped them for awhile.
I almost wanted to cry. He was so hot, and if he was captured by Count Olaf, I would probably never see him again.
Before he headed to the door, about to put on his glasses, I stopped him.
It was just us.
"Duncan, what if something bad happens?" I asked, fighting tears. "What if you two get caught? What if-"
He grabbed my hands in his, and looked deep into my eyes. "I promise, nothing will go wrong," he said.
He leaned toward me, and his lips met mine, very briefly.
All of a sudden, Klaus's call snapped me back to reality, and Duncan instantly let go of my hands, and ended our kiss.
"Violet?" Quigley said.
I blinked, and turned to him. "What?"
"I asked you if you wanted another carrot," he said, his face turning a little pale, with a tinge of blue.
"I'm fine," I said. I looked down beneath my forked shoes, and studied the view. "Besides the ruins of the fire, it's a very lovely view."
"Very lovely indeed," he said, and I felt his warm eyes on me.
It was official. He was looking at me.
What did that mean?
"Violet," he whispered, taking my face in his hands, "I love you."
"I love you too," I said.
What did I just say? I couldn't. I loved Duncan. Quigley was a nice guy, but…
And then, the unthinkable happened.
He put his lips on mine. It was like heaven. His lips were smooth, hardly chapped by the cold. And they were warm.
We lay on the ground, him on top of me.
I was scared. Was I really ready for what was about to happen? With Duncan and all…
He pulled off my poncho, revealing my bra and underwear.
It was freezing. My body was cold, and he started to untie my bra.
Then my underwear.
What happened was…lovely. And horrifying, at the same time.
What could I do, if I met up again with Duncan?