One Fine Day
It was unseasonably warm one day in the middle of March. She was overjoyed. Nothing could bring Gemma Doyle down today, and it was not because of the weather. Finally, after waiting a little over three months, Gemma would get to see him once again. She hadn't realized how much she cared for Kartik until he was gone.
Kartik kept her well informed of course. Well, well informed for Kartik at least. Gemma could always tell when he was staying nearby because he would leave longer notes more frequently (without gaps sometimes months long in-between) on her pillow. Some of her favorites included:
Gemma,
Be careful. I won't be able to watch over you for a while. I couldn't forgive myself if something happened to you while I was gone.
Kartik
Gemma,
I visited India for a while. I got you a present. I hate where I am staying right now. There's nothing here. No people, no trees, no animals. It's not that I really mind being away from all of those things individually, it's just being void of everything all together. At least if you were here there would be a little bit of color around here. Maybe we would practice dancing if you were here with me. From what I have seen in the last few weeks, the Rakshana have shifted their priorities away from apprehending me. It shouldn't be too much longer. Be waiting.
Lord Hoity-Toity
Gemma,
Caves. Tonight. Midnight.
Kartik
Finally she would have companionship again. Sure, Felicity and Ann were her best friends, but Gemma always felt as though she was walking on a thin sheet of ice with them-fine and sturdy looking on the surface, threatening to break into the icy waters at any moment. The connection she had felt with them when the foursome had started visiting the Realms was weakened and replaced by that of seeing battle and death. With Kartik, Gemma felt as though things were simpler, and it was easier to be herself.
Gemma sat in a chair outside and gazed into the field at the young girls hiding behind trees and screaming when found by another. She started to mull over the last few months. Her mind went blank over the endless days of waiting and reading dramatic letters written by Simon in an attempt to win her back over, even though she never wrote back. She willed the sun to go down just to make midnight come a little sooner; however, the sun seemed as though it was enjoying making Gemma wait, hanging brightly over the halls of Spence Academy.
"Miss Doyle, a vistor," Brigid called from the door.
"One moment, please." Gemma stood up and yawned. Another girl frowned at her rudeness. The girl was ignored as Gemma walked up the steps and into the foyer to where none other than Simon Middleton was standing.
"Miss Doyle, I would have called on you earlier, but I had to see you now. I know this is completely improper of me, but…" He pulled a small black box very similar to the box with the secret bottom out of his pocket and got down on one knee. "Will you marry me? Before you answer, I already asked your father and grandmother, and they approved! Now we can be happily married forever! What a fine day to celebrate as well!"
Gemma lost all conscious thought. Was he really asking her this after she had pointedly denied him? Then, as quick as a bullet, she felt it. A vision was taking over. Gemma grimaced and pushed it as far away as she could, but she couldn't surface. She screamed and was pulled under.
The familiar scraping was back. "Hello Miss Doyle." Gemma turned to face the owners of the hollow voices-the three girls in white she knew all too well. They smiled menacingly and then disappeared. A moment later, Kartik and Simon were in front of her.
Gemma suddenly felt a strange feeling wash over her. "Kartik! Get away from him!" she screamed protectively.
Simon looked up, smiled, and said, "Gemma, isn't it a fine day?" Just then Simon pulled out a dagger and plunged it deep into Kartik's stomach. As soon as Simon disappeared Kartik grimaced and looked at Gemma with melancholy eyes.
"I love you Gemma," Kartik whispered before he stumbled onto the floor. He was dead. She felt herself being pulled from the vision and woke crying, screaming, and thrashing on the floor. Gemma could hear Simon making snide comments about her behavior to Bridgid.
"Make her stop this ridiculous behavior now!" Choruses of footsteps bellowed down the stairs, and Gemma soon saw Felicity and Ann hovering over her, trying to calm her. Gemma took a deep breath and got up.
"No."
"What are you talking about Miss Doyle? Of course you will stop this horrendous display of character," scoffed Simon.
"No is my answer. I will not marry you, and you will do best to stay away from me," was Gemma's quiet, but intense reply. Simon stood for a moment awestruck. He turned and walked out the door with his head turned to the floor.
"Well, excuse us Bridgid, but we must get Miss Doyle up to her room. She's had quite a spell today and needs bedrest," Felicity said in her most 'I'm up to nothing I swear' tone. Ann and Felicity grabbed Gemma's arms and practically dragged her up the stairs. Once the door to Gemma's and Ann's room was closed, Felicity jumped into gossip mode. "What happened back there? Was it a vision?"
Gemma sighed. "No, I just sort of imagined what Simon did to me that night at you party. It made me feel sick, and I guess I lost control." Gemma felt bad that she had to lie to her only friends, but she couldn't tell them what she had seen just yet. "I need to lie down, that's all. I will probably come down to dinner though."
"Fine," Felicity said, full of disdain that she had been deprived of a scandal. She and Ann left Gemma and shut the door.
"Midnight could not come too soon," Gemma said softly to herself. She turned towards her bed, beginning to lie down. She stopped, however, when she noticed the small note neatly folded on her pillow with Kartik's neat handwriting on the front. Gemma. She unfolded it and smoothed the creased edges.
Gemma,
Look out of your window. Now.
