The Bell of the Ball

Secret passageways are a girls best friend. I loved finding them, but I never knew why. Maybe it was because they gave me a place to think without being interrupted, or maybe it was because they gave me a reminder of home, of my mom, of my sisters that were left behind. Or maybe it was because I got away from the world, or maybe it was all three. All in all...

I only knew that finding them gave me an un-known pleasure.

A pleasure that I was feeling at this very moment. This was the fourth passageway that I have found in past month. It was located in the Blacthorne library, and it laid just behind the fireplace. It was my new favorite since it was more isolated then the others. It consisted of a table that lay in a corner, with torches on either side of the grey stone wall. To some people it was probably a lonesome black-whole, but for me it was the light at the end on the tunnel. The only problem was that the fire hardly ever went out, making it in-possible to get into. But I went ever night just in-case, softly hoping that today would be one of those possible days, just like tonight.

I snuck out of my room, making sure that no sounds was being made. Darkness encased the air around me, only the lit torches gave away any light. The cold stone floor made me shiver, making me have to clench my teeth together from fear of chattering. I might be a spy in training, but I'm still a person who can't stand the cold. I mentally cursed myself for forgetting my shoes.

Just great it's freezing out here, and I still have plenty of walking to do. With that I forced my feet forward, letting the darkness encased me once again.


The small dimmed out fireplace, produced just enough light to fill the small room. Old books lined the walls, some of the dating back to Butch Blackthorne (The founder of Blackthorne). I ran my index finger across the middle row, searching for the brimmed folder. My eyes hunched together, as my finger dropped.

Where is it? It was here yesterday? I squinted my eye brows together, confusion swept over my face.

"Looking for this?" Shock filled my body, as I turned around to see Mr. Arrogant himself, holding a brimmed folder.

"What the hell are you doing here Caleb?"

"I could be asking you the same thing Margy." Rage started to enter my body, he better shut up right about now!

"Aren't we past the name calling, what are you two?" This time I had the satisfaction of watching his jaw set. Sweet, sweet irony.

"Maybe, why are you a stalker." With that I walked over to him, grabbing the folder with one hand, while the other one jammed into his ribs. To my surprise he made no grunt, or any indication that he just got hurt.

"What's wrong did I hit a nerve Lillian?"

"Caleb shut up!" I screamed. That's when he grasped my hand and pulled me to him, not an inch was between us.

"Anna, if you don't stop screaming, you'll wake up the entire school." He whispered in my ear. Heat prickled from my cheek, making a small blush appear. I pulled my head down, creating a hallo, blocking my face from his view.

"What are you doing here Caleb?" I whispered to him, making it so low that it was almost never uttered.

"I needed to think, and this is where I come. You?" He asked, as his grip on me tightened.

"I came to get some time away from people." I whispered to him, while starting to struggle out of his arms. He didn't say anything at first just tightened his grip farther, starting to make it hard to breathe.

"Caleb let go." He didn't seem to hear me.

"Caleb let go." I said a bit louder, but he just kept crushing me to him.

"Caleb let go!" This time he loosened his grip, as he muttered some incoherent words. I just took them as "Sorry." He then surprised me by putting the top of his head on mine, and oddly enough I didn't mind it. I liked the way he acted differently around me then anyone else, I like how I seemed to fit into him perfectly, almost like we were made for one another, I think I was starting to like...

Him.

"Your dad talked to me about this, but I'm not listening very well," He muttered to himself. That's when my mind went into overdrive, as a picture from the past came into my brain...

***FLASHBACK***

"I know, she always...," But I never got to finish, since right at that time Caleb showed up. He cleared his voice, making me forget my words. I mentally scowled.

"I am sorry Mr. Goode, but may I take Anna. We need to go over our plan, if we are going to secede in this mission." I mentally scowled again. But that soon got replaced with shock, as I realized that he was the one I was going on a mission with. My eyes grew in size, and my mouth stood slightly agape.

"Of course, but remember the talk we had Mr. Wright." With that my father left, as a question formed itself inside my head. What talk?

***FLASHBACK OVER***

"Caleb what did my father say?" I was actually curious, knowing my father he probably would do the last thing I expected from him. The only thing I wouldn't expect was him dropping a pile of cement on a boy, for getting a little bit to close to me.

"Not here, follow me." He took his chin off my head, and quickly let go of me. He repositioned me and took my hand in his, entwining our fingers. I was thinking off taking my hand away, but for some odd reason I didn't want to. It was like Caleb was slowly starting to bring out a new me, and that actually frightened me. Me Anna Nicole Goode, who fought guys twice my size, me a girl who has been through mine fields, was afraid of these feelings that was being brought out by Caleb, Mr. Arrogant.(He gives me nicknames, I give him one)

I soon find myself in front of the barley lit fireplace. My eyes traveled over to Caleb(When did he drop my hand?), who was placing the brimmed folder in the empty hole. My brain then understood what he was doing, so I decided to help him out. My eyes scanned the room, looking for something that would smother the flame. They soon landed on a vase, that held an old wilting yellowish rose. I walked slowly over to and carefully picked out rose(being cautious of the thorns), and laid it on an out dated nightstand. I had to squint my eyes to see, but water lined the bottom of the vase. Perfect! I walked back over to the fireplace and threw the water at it(Don't worry we weren't walking blind, Caleb had some lamps turned on). I had the satisfaction of not only watching my plan being a success, but also watching Caleb's face hold a stitch of surprise

"I already found this passageway," I told him. His eyebrows then nit together, as his mouth stood there agape. I had to suppress the laugh, that formed in my throat.

"Just great now your not going to think its creepy, and I won't be there to save the day," He muttered, as his head drooped down in an attempt to look disappointed. I then couldn't help it, I let out the laugh. My hand instinctively went up to hold my stomach, as my other one held my mouth. His expression then turned to amusement, as he saw that I was about to faint of laughter. I had to take a couple of deep breaths, but soon my laughter ceased.

"Poor Mr. Arrogant doesn't get to be superman." I walked up to him, and patted his head like he was a puppy.

I heard him grumble a few words, but didn't pay attention. I just simply tuned him out, as I made my way to the bookcase. I dragged my index finger over it again, but this time my finger found the smooth material of the folder. I yanked it out, and soon a low vibrant noise erupted from the fireplace. It was loud enough to wake up the entire school, but I did my research and find out that everything in this building is either bullet proof, sound proof, or both. This room just happened to be both.

"Come on, they do nightly rounds around here," Caleb said.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him. Unlike last time he didn't hug me, he just simply pulled me to where our shoulders were touching. I didn't object to this, I found it comforting, plus I really wanted to know what the "talk" was about.


I sat face to face with Mr. Arrogant. The grey walls made the little space look medieval, and the old wooden round table didn't help. The shadows that formed over the lamp, made we fell like I was in a castle. The stone floor wasn't cold, (probably because it was behind a fireplace) but it wasn't too hot either, it made the perfect relaxation spot.

"Okay so what was this little "talk" between you and my dad?" Caleb just sat there, he had his chin placed on his hands. He seemed to be thinking, but co-operated and gave me my answer.

"Alright I was in Study Hall, when Mr. Goode walked in. His eyes held death in them, and when he walked toward me they turned murderous...

***FLASHBACK***

-Caleb's Pov-

"Mr. Wright follow me." I had to suppress the gulp that formed in my throat. His eyes held a mixture of death, demand, and murder.

I quickly got out of my seat and followed him, completely forgetting my books. He didn't turn around once to see if I was following his orders, he just kept un-clutching and re-clutching his fist. This time I really did gulp, as we made the way toward his office. By the point I got to his office, I was scared shit less.

"So Mr. Wright I see you meet Anna." He said, as he leaned back into his chair.

'Yes sure I have." My entire body went tench at the topic.

"What do you think of her Mr. Wright?" My eyebrows raised at that point, as shock filled my body.

"She seems nice and proper, much like her mother." His face then held a mix between a smirk and a frown.

"Yes, she is much like her mother. She's just as pretty(you can say that again), strong minded, and I love her very much. You see I don't want her to get hurt Mr. Wright, and you seem to be following a slight pattern that I did," He then got out of his chair, and walked toward me," I know that you like her Mr. Wright. You find her intriguing, different, and very hard to figure out, just as I did with her mother. Now unlike me, your going to leave this thing between you and her have alone. Do you understand?" He was then behind me. He placed a death grip on both of myshoulders.

At first I didn't say anything, but when he started applying pressure I did the only sensible thing I could think of," Yes Mr. Goode I understand!"

He removed his hands and stood in front of me," Good then you may leave," You didn't have to tell me twice. I was almost out the door when he made me go pale white,"Oh, and Mr. Wright if you don't leave her there will be dire consequences." With that I left, and right when I did the bell rang.

SHIT!

***FLASHBACK OVER***

When he finished I simply got up, and headed off toward the entrance. I stopped and muttered a goodbye to Caleb, and walking off. Tomorrow I was going to have a little chat with my dad.