Author's Note: I Capture the Castle is a wonderful novel by Dodie Smith that should not be missed. This story is a (rather poor) continuation of that story. I hope, however, that you enjoy it. Please review!
Disclaimer: I could never hope to measure up to Dodie Smith.
LIFE AFTER THE CASTLE
PROLOGUE
It had been years since Cassandra'd last seen them, or even thought of them, really. But, for some reason, she awoke that morning with memories of that year. The year when everything changed...
She'd almost forgotten what it felt like to be in love. Almost. One can never completely forget. Though a small part of her still loved Simon, time had dulled the emotion.
He never came back to England like he promised.
Rose still wrote every once in a while. She'd write of her great adventures in America with Neil. "Everything is so very big in America," she'd once written. Her joy was evident throughout her letters. Cassandra was always happy for her sister, though disappointed that she herself didn't have any exciting adventures.
That was what her stories were for. In them, she could travel to exotic places, live a thousand lives, and forget all her problems.
Critics had accused her of following in her father's footsteps. They said she was as much of a recluse as he had been. She scoffed at the comparison. She wrote diligently, unlike her father, who'd read detective novels for the majority of his life. She'd already had two novels published while he'd only ever finished Jacob Wrestling. He'd died before finishing his second book.
After his death, Topaz returned to London to continue her career, leaving her stepchildren behind. Cassandra was quite old enough to take care of herself, as well as Thomas. At least, that was Topaz's reasoning. "I must, however, inspire others." With that, she left.
Indeed, Cassandra was quite capable of looking after herself and her younger brother. Thomas continued his education, eventually going to a prestigious university.
As for Stephen, she hadn't spoken to him since the day he'd left and said, "I won't come back." He never did. She did see his face occasionally, however, when she went to watch a movie. He really was quite a good actor.
So, after not giving much thought to any of these people for quite some time, it seemed odd that she should think of them now.
Perhaps it was the weather. The sky was so impossibly blue, she couldn't help but remember bathing in the glorious sunshine that fateful year. Perhaps there was no rhyme or reason for her remembrance of those days.
She rose out of bed, planning to write outside for the day. She lifted her heavy typewriter. It had become the one thing she could not part with. She always brought it with her.
She left the confines of the castle and sat in the shade of a large tree. Observing the castle, Cassandra could see it was still as dilapidated as it ever was. That only made it more picturesque.
She breathed in the beauty of the day, letting inspiration fill her. She closed her eyes. The peacefulness of her surroundings soothed her. Her fingers were just about to type a few words when a far-off noise distracted her.
"What could that possibly be?" she asked herself.
She stood and tried to locate the sound. As it approached, nearer and nearer, she realized it was a car... and it was heading straight for Scoatney Hall...
This prologue was rather short. (Sorry!) I hope you all liked it! And please, please, PLEASE send me reviews!