"Is the sun setting already?" A hint of panic could be heard through her voice. The sun seemed to be nearing the western horizon, setting within a matter of hours. It was in fact summer, a time in which the sun stayed in the sky even into the ungodly hours. But even those extra moments of light couldn't stay alive long enough to mask the amount of time Alice had been out. She prayed for Peter to be too distracted to scold her or to have not noticed. Although that was impossible.
Jack had driven her into town that evening. Even going as far as to tend to the horses to preserve the lost time. It wouldn't do much, but at the time she was a nervous wreck. She still was as she neared the store doors. Slowly, she pushed the thick oak entrance open trying to prevent the bell from ringing. Using her skills of grace, she was able to slip through the thin opening with minimal noise,
"Didja hear about that bear up in Tall Trees?" A husky rural looking man stood between her and the man who stood behind the counter,
"No I hadn't."
"A shit load of people have gone missin up there, it'd be a real shame if they weren't to turn up."
Peter was talking to a customer, perfect. Now if he could keep talking to the man long enough that would give her enough time to slip into the back room undetected. There she would do some inventory and pretend that she had arrived back hours ago. Maybe…
"Alice? Mind explaining where the hell you've been?" The man who had been speaking to him before had left so quickly after Peter's accusation. Hesitantly, she turned to him. She was so close to her destination, but not close enough, "You left seven hours ago! Do you know how scared out of my fucking mind I was? You could've been eaten by a…"
"I'm sorry, Peter."
"Sorry isn't enough to explain yourself. I can't even begin to explain how… do you know what your father would have done to me if I had let anything happen to you? What he will do? You better have one good explanation, lady."
"I was with Jack, I wasn't in any danger I promise…"
"That Marston boy? What were you off screwing him?"
"Good lord, No!"
"He's probably a nice man, but hell. I can't trust you around a guy who lets you wander off for hours when he knows I'm waiting. Not with the pressure of your father breathing down my neck."
"It's truly none of your business, Peter."
"Hell yes it is. What if this man…"
"He has a name!"
"I don't give a fuck." Shouting was something Peter never did. He was never angry, even now he was only speaking out of worry. He paused for a moment, leaning his back against the counter rubbing his temples with his index finger and thumb. His tone of voice lowered but still held strain in it's tone, "What if you had gotten raped by that man, or killed? What would I tell Charles? Just think about that. You may leave." He sighed deeply, shaking his head softly in shame.
Tears welted up in the corners of her sockets. A lump seemed to surface in her throat, preventing her from speaking. This was probably a good time to take his advice and leave if she could. But something prevented her. It was her fault for losing track of time. Peter had every right to be angry and she didn't resent him for his language. She felt a need to explain herself, and she felt horrible leaving him in such a distraught state,
"I didn't mean to lose track of time, Peter. I am completely and utterly responsible for my foolish actions. Any punishment you see fit I will accept." He didn't look up to her, just kept his eyes on the table surface where his hands were placed evenly spread to support him,
"I'm not trying to be the bad guy. I just want you to understand your fault and to make sure it doesn't happen again." Silence separated his thoughts, "It's late, you best be getting some rest from your long day."
She nodded, turning to leave the building with feet that flew across the floor. A thought struck him suddenly as she was near out the door,
"Oh, and Alice." he reached for a shelf under the counter top with one hand. As if she was shocked by his voice, she turned around with wide eyes, " You have a letter, it's from your fiancé." He stressed the last work with a stern voice, sliding the paper envelope across the wooden surface. Her eyebrows seemed to turn out at the mentioning of Clark. She snatched up the letter, dashing out of the room.
The envelope felt cold between her slender fingers. It was addressed to the store, her Father must had given Clark the information as to where she was to stay for the next two months. Of course he did, he was her fiance, wasn't he? She rolled her eyes. That thought was something she had managed to suppress for the last few weeks. It wasn't something she looked forward to being confronted with upon her return to New York.
The slender teen sat meekly on the edge of her thin uncomfortable hotel bed. She was hunched over, unlike how she was taught to hold herself for all of her years. Finally she gathered the strength to open the, wait, was it already open? What a snitch Peter was. She rolled her eyes, pulling out the paper with cursive writing written so neatly in form.
Dearest Alice,
When I was informed of your departure, to say the least I was quite shocked. I know my proposal must have come as some surprise, but I do hope it did not influence your decision to take a trip right after so negatively. It is no issue, but in all honest regards I will await your return with baited breath.
As for your family, although it has only been near a month, they seem to miss you as well as I. You're near all your father talks about, as usual. As for me, I am well. We will discuss our marriage plans upon your return, if you will have me. Until then, I will continue to keep you in my every thought.
Your fiance,
Clark
Upon finishing the letter, a tear fell onto the faded parchment. She crumpled the paper into a ball in frustration, throwing it into a nearby trash bin. Was he truly expecting their marriage as an indefinite possibility that was almost certain? Why was it that whenever she seemed to had disregarded the fact, it found a new way to resurface.
Still, throughout these thoughts of the notorious Clark, she couldn't help but keep the thoughts of Jack in the back of her head. He had kept her from realizing her pain locked inside until now. Truly, she had grown to greatly trust this man in such a short time. Even now she yearned for his company. Although she knew the consequences for growing feelings for the man, she couldn't help but wonder about him. How did he view her? She tossed the remaining envelope in the trash on her way over to her vanity. For now, she would sleep. Maybe soon she would realize what her fate would be.
