Chapter Eight

The next afternoon, Benvolio and I went out to grab more groceries. I tried to hide my feelings by acting cheerful, and it worked. Benvolio just made it so easy to erase my thoughts. We walked down the familiar streets. Ever since Juliet and the others left, the Carabinieri have been on the frenzy searching for the only sole survivor. It was sad to see suspicious people being accused, but I couldn't do anything about them. My task was to keep Benvolio and me inconspicuous. Suddenly, we passed by a crowd of people. Montague's guards were shouting at someone to open their door. Another suspicious family, I thought sadly. I saw the Carabinieri shatter the door and burst into their house.

"What's going on?" Benvolio asked one of the townspeople.

"They say they're hiding the Capulet girl inside the house," a tall slender man answered.

"How can they be sure?" Benvolio asked again.

"They aren't. I'm pretty sure it's because their daughter is a red-headed girl, just like the Capulet girl. But she sadly died last night due to a cold… Poor girl. She was so young," the man replied sadly.

I heard incoherent shouts inside the house and suddenly a thud on the floor. I couldn't stomach what was happening. How could Montague and the Carabinieri be so cruel? I couldn't keep quiet for so long. I heard the men walk outside.

"You should be ashamed of yourselves!" I scolded at the guards.

They halted with surprised faces. I moved in closer so they could see who was blaming them.

"Being so cruel to those who have lost someone dear to them! As a human being, do you not know shame?!" I shouted at them.

"Y-You…" said one guard.

"You've gone too far!" shouted another.

They both grabbed their swords and ran forward threatening. At that instant I didn't feel scared. In fact, I felt bold and noble that I had spoken out against authority. Everyone around me scrambled away while I stood my ground. It wasn't long until I felt a tug on my hand as I was pulled away, running.

"H-Hey!" I said as Benvolio continued pulled my hand.

I struggled to run and keep up.

"We must flee!" he urged.

"Halt!" I could hear the guards say as they ran after us.

For a long time, Benvolio and I ran. That instant, I felt like the Red Whirlwind came back to the city. I was used to running when Juliet was still masquerading as the townspeople's hero. I kept hearing the guards running and shouting after us.

"D***, where did they go?"

"Halt!"

Benvolio and I came to a split in the streets. We looked around frantically, trying to find which direction to run.

"This way!" we heard someone whisper.

An old woman looked around from a window. We had no choice.

Benvolio pulled me into the direction of the stranger and turned the corner toward the back of the building. We hid amongst the shadows, our backs pressed against the wall. I remembered that this building was a bar where men often went to drink. It wasn't long until the guards came our way. They opened the door stepped inside the bar. The loud noise inside abruptly stopped. I held my breath.

"A young man and a woman should have passed this way. Where did they go?" I heard a guard say. Please don't let them find us, I prayed.

"A young man and woman? Haven't seen them." a man from the bar answered matter-of-factly.

"We will show no mercy to those who attempt to hide them!" the guard talked about angrily.

"We're telling you, we haven't seen them!" another barman said, getting annoyed.

There was a long pause. I squeezed Benvolio's hand firmly. If they found our hiding place, it was all over for the both of us!

Finally a guard spoke.

"Let's look elsewhere."

I heard their footsteps run against the pavement and the bar returned to its normal chatter. Benvolio peeked over to make sure they left, and I began to gasp for breath from the intensity. After several moments, we sighed with relief. We were so close to being captured!

"Why would you act so recklessly? Confronting the Carabinieri like that…You could have been killed!" Benvolio asked with concerned whisper.

"But it was just too much!" I whispered back.

I suddenly realized Benvolio was still holding my hand. Embarrassed I pulled away and hid my face. Benvolio didn't react but looked around the corner to see if the guards were still close by. I took a few brief seconds to compose myself. I just held his hand! If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have survived! I didn't know what to say. Thoughts were racing through my head. I slightly blushed.

"T-Thank you," I managed to say.

Benvolio turned around as I gave him a hopeful smile.

"Hm? Did you say something?" he asked.

The warm feeling instantly vanished. I opened my mouth, shocked. Good grief! Of all the days, he couldn't hear me! I crossed my arms and turned away, angry.

"Nothing!" I said crossly.

I heard a little confused "huh?" from Benvolio.

I ruined another perfect moment. Finally Benvolio spoke.

"Hurry let's go back to the hideout before the Carabinieri find us."

Benvolio and I crept away into an indirect alleyway. We were silent all the way until we entered the theatre and came through the secret door. When I closed the door, I heaved another sigh. Today had been so intense. I didn't know if I could take it anymore. I put my basket away.

"I'm glad we made it save and sound," Benvolio said.

"Yes," I heaved.

I was still angry about Benvolio's ignorance.

"Well, I'm going to bed. Good night," I declared and I stormed up to my bedroom.

The next day, I didn't feel any better. I tried avoiding him as much as possible, telling him to do chores around the house when he approached me. He didn't seem to notice how cross I was. I was a little bit relieved, especially since I didn't want to take my anger out on him.

It took him all afternoon to notice I was feeling upset.

"Cordelia, are you feeling ok?" he said.

"Never better," I grumbled.

He peered at my face again.

"Did something happen the other day?" he inquired.

I thought of the disappointment that happened yesterday once more. It made me a little angrier.

"I'm going to rearrange the pantry," I muttered sharply, as I walked toward the kitchen. I opened up the door to the pantry where many items of food lay. I began by lifting up the flour and stacking them on top of each other. I turned back to see if Benvolio decided to follow. When I didn't see him, I gave a scowl. Of course he wouldn't bother checking to see if anything was wrong, I thought angrily. I continued to rearrange the food items to relieve my stress.

After about an hour or so, Benvolio peeked through the doorway. I pretended not to notice and placed some cans together.

"Um… Cordelia?" he asked with a shy face.

"What?" I said exasperated.

There was a long pause as Benvolio struggled for some words.

"Do you need help?" he managed to say.

I was afraid he was going to say that. I needed him away for me for awhile. I prepared myself to say no when I looked at his face. There was a hint of sorrow in his eyes as if he was apologizing. As I studied him, I noticed that he changed as the days passed. His build was a bit tougher because of all the hard labor. But he had the same light brown hair and same sparkling green eyes. I softened a little bit.

"I- uh…" I stuttered.

He gave me another hopeful look. I gave up.

"Yes. You can help me around," I muttered.

I quickly turned away as I made a mental note to myself not to look straight into his eyes if I wanted to refuse him. I just couldn't resist. I could hear a few items shuffling around as Benvolio put food away. I sighed I did my own work.

We worked for what seemed like forever until suddenly, I sensed impending danger. I didn't know what it was, but it didn't feel good. I glanced over at Benvolio, but he didn't seem to notice. I abruptly felt the earth under my feet rumble. The tremor went through my body as Benvolio and I looked at each other, alarmed.

"What's happening?" I shouted.

The whole house seemed to shake violently. I stumbled around, trying to grab on to something to steady myself. A big crack was heard right above my head.

"Watch out!" Benvolio shouted at me.

I felt him push against me sharply and we both tumbled to the ground. A split second later, a wooden board with dozens of cans rolled and crashed down on where I once was. I screamed as the floor continued to shake. Benvolio leaned forward protectively so my face was against his chest. Throughout the confusion, I heard cracks as nails popped off and wood split in half. Dust stung my eyes. What was happening?

Suddenly the rumbling stopped. The place was still as if nothing has happened. Benvolio got up from his crouched position and I stood up to look around. The pantry was a wreck. I didn't even want to see what was outside.

"What just happened?" Benvolio wondered to himself.

I wanted to ask the same thing. Nothing like this has ever occurred in Neo Verona before. What a dangerous occurrence that bestowed upon us now. I swept the dust from my dress and wobbled to the door. I pulled the door, but it wouldn't budge.

"Let me try," Benvolio advised.

He as well struggled to open the door (no surprise) and fell back as he pulled with all his might. My thoughts were racing.

"Great, now what?" I cried.

"I'm not sure," he admitted.

I tried to move the clutter in front of the door. Benvolio stooped to help. It was hard to move the many objects in the way. After what seemed like eternity, I stopped to rest.

"Come on, Cordelia! We're almost there."

Benvolio's determination kept him moving. I sighed as I sat to catch my breath.

"We have time," I said, "Just let me rest."

When I thought it was finally over, I felt another low rumble underneath my feet. Another quake? I was prepared to brace myself as more unknown objects clattered to the floor. More boards broke and the dust once again burned my eyes. Suddenly, the rumbling stopped as soon as I thought. I sighed as I looked around the room. Everything was scattered again. I moved some flour out of my way and struggled to get to Benvolio. I found him crouched down and coughing from the dust.

"Benvolio! Are you ok?" I asked with concern.

"Y-yes, I'm fine," he panted.

"Just… stay here. I'll go try and open the door."

"No! It's ok; you might get hurt if you can't see."

It was true. The day was growing darker and I could barely make out anything anymore. The only source of light available was the lamplight I brought with me. I edged the lamplight nearer so I could see Benvolio's face. He had a small scratch on his cheek.

"Oh, you're bleeding!"

"No, I'm fine."

I wiped the blood from my apron since there was nothing else to clean the wound. Benvolio coughed some more.

"I think you should rest here," I suggested.

Benvolio nodded. I sat down next to him as I tried to stop the bleeding. There was a hush moment of silence. I was fully aware I was alone with Benvolio in this small place, but I didn't let my feelings embarrass me. My first priority was to make sure his wound was healing.

"Cordelia?" Benvolio said as he broke the silence.

I faced him.

"Thank you so much for everything," he said.

I was used to his gratitude.

"You're welcome," I said simply.

"I wish I was more useful around here. I'm always been helped by you."

He was speaking the truth.

"No, not always," I lied.

"Don't lie. It's true!"

I didn't say anything. What was I supposed to say now? I heard him sigh.

"I'd like to apologize on behalf of Lord Montague."

For once, I was the one confused.

"I'm... not sure what you mean," I replied.

"Well, you've been so upset all day. I was thinking it's because you're affiliated with me. My family used to work for Lord Montague. The one who killed the people you used to work for, the people important to you! That's it isn't it? Is that why you're angry with me?"

I starred at him with my mouth open. That wasn't it at all!

"N-no…" I started to say. I was interrupted by Benvolio.

"I wish I could be some help to you. I've done so much harm to you, that I deserve to be punished!"

"No, please that's not it!" I said so loudly, it silenced him.

For some reason, I started to cry. It wasn't his fault that Neo Verona has been living in famish. It wasn't his fault for all the innocent lives killed. I suddenly realized that Juliet must've felt this way too. As I cried, I felt a warm hand on my back. I cried for a long time, releasing all the anger and stress that I conjured for all those years. I began to tell him of my own past, something I've never done for anyone else-- not even Juliet.

"I was born in the Keep, where Montague currently rules and where Lord Capulet used to live. My mother was the lady-in-waiting for Lady Capulet. I barely remember her, but I knew she was beautiful like Lady Capulet. They were the best of friends who told each other everything. My father was a stable boy, who took care of the horses. Once in awhile he loved to ride them. When I was born, my mother used to teach me the chores she did around the castle. Ever since then, I loved to clean and tidy things around.

"It wasn't long until Juliet was born, I was told to serve her. It was my duty to be the lady-in-waiting for the next woman of the royal bloodline. The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew I'd love her. I watched over her and sometimes we'd play together. But it all changed that one tragic night."

I paused to shudder.

"Montague killed Juliet's parents as well as my own. Fortunately, Juliet and I were saved by Conrad before they had a chance to kill us."

I concluded with a sigh.

"Unlike Juliet, I remembered that awful night. Sometimes I would think about the life that I once had. I used to wish that Montague never came, that I was still with Juliet at the Keep. I wished that I would have a family again."

I sobbed as I thought of my mother and father. How fair my mother looked with her gold hair. How tall and husky my father was along with his hardy laugh.

"At least you have your parents, Benvolio. You're lucky too see them alive and well. You're lucky that you had the chance to live."

I couldn't speak anymore. The burden was just too much. I placed my face on his shoulder as he tried to stroke my hair.

"There there. Shhh…" I would hear him softly whisper in my ear.

All night, I cried for my hidden past, for my deceased family, and for myself. In all my years, I've never thought so selfishly before. I didn't care anymore. I kept all those feelings deep down inside that it was a relief to let it all out. It was like lifting the whole world off my shoulders-- Benvolio was the one doing it for me. I did not hear anything except my sobs after my whole speech. I could feel Benvolio's worries through his soft fingers. He wore an expression I've never seen before: undaunted. His adorable face was now stern and dignified, like he was off to go fight in a war. To me, that expression was unbelievably radiant. It was peaceful, so peaceful in his arms that little did I know, I drifted off to sleep.