Chapter 20 - Missions
There was something crawling on me. More than one something. I swore under my breath.
Dumb ants.
Rolling up my jeans, I quickly brushed the ants off my legs, flinging them into the surrounding bushes. Brushing my hands down my arms, and declaring them ant free, I returned my attention to house in front of me.
From my position in the shrubbery bordering Quil's house, I couldn't see much. Just a wall and the window of what I hoped was Quil's bedroom. I had long since given up at trying to creep quietly through the gardens of the residents of the reservation. It just wasn't possible. But I was very good at sneaking.
Positioning myself just below the window, and hoping no one was in there, I poked my eyes over the window sill. Empty, thankfully. And definitely Quil's room. The window was conveniently open, as expected by someone who snuck out almost daily. I hoisted my leg over the edge, expertly dropping into the house.
Pulling a note from my back pocket, I contemplated the best place to put it. Not in the wardrobe; by the amount of clothes spread around the room, I doubted there was anything in it. He wouldn't find it there. But if I put it on the bed, he'd probably just sleep on it. Where was somewhere he'd be sure to notice it?
But it couldn't be too obvious; I didn't want any questions asked until I was gone. As my gazed roamed the room, an idea struck me. Quickly ripping off a piece of sticky tape from the roll in my pocket, I climbed onto his bed. Slowly standing up, I reached up and taped the note to the ceiling, right above his pillow. Smiling, I jumped off the bed, and once more clambered through the window, dropping into the bush.
Another house down; the people of La Push really needed better security.
I had put a lot of thought into my last house. It was never empty, so sneaking in wouldn't be easy. Add in the fact that there was always a werewolf inside, and it was impossible.
Fortunately, I had a plan.
Seeing as being caught would be inevitable, I needed an excuse to be there. And so I recruited Claire.
We were out on the grass, playing, when I proposed my idea.
'I just had an idea,' I said, and she stopped running, turning to look at me. I gestured at her to come closer, and she did. Ducking our heads together, I whispered in her ear.
'Let's play spies.'
'Ok,' she immediately agreed, smiling.
'We have to be really quiet, ok? We have to be sneaky.' She nodded her head.
'I reckon we should sneak into the house. What do you think?' Another nod.
'But proper spies don't use doors, Claire. We'll have to go in through a window.' She gasped, but nodded firmly.
Performing our secret handshake, we crept towards the house.
Reaching the wall, we pressed our backs against it as we stepped sideways. At the corner, we crouched down, conferring.
'So, the bedroom's our target, alright? Are you ready?' she nodded.
'Check the coast is clear.' Claire poked her head around the corner, and gave me a thumbs up.
Letting her lead, we continued creeping along the house until we reached the bedroom window. Unlocked, luckily; this would've been a really short mission otherwise. Glancing into the room, and determining it was empty, I judged the distance from the ground to the window. Deciding I would have to lift Claire in first, I knelt by her side.
'What do we do now?' she whispered.
'I'll lift you in, and you keep watch as I follow. Ready?' she nodded.
Opened the window slowly, wary of creaks that would give us away, before lifting Claire up and hoisting her through the window. Carefully I lowered her, before releasing her once she touched the floor. She moved away from the window, and I clambered through, trying not to thump as I landed.
Kneeling, I gave Claire a high five.
'Do you think we should leave a message?' I asked, and she smiled, nodding. I tore a piece of paper off the notepad from my pocket, and took out a pen. Handing it to her, she set to work. Whilst she was preoccupied drawing, I glanced around the room for a place to hide my note. Opening the wardrobe, and spying a pile of shirts on the top shelf that looked little worn, I placed it on top. Closing the door, I knelt down next to Claire and admired her handy work. Getting another sheet, I quickly wrote a message.
Claire and Chloe were here.
Placing the messages on top of a pillow, we exited via the window, giggling as we landed on the ground.
Mission complete.
I returned home after saying goodbye to Claire. Checking the house to make sure I was alone, I sat down at the desk in my bedroom. I had been putting this off. All of my adventures this morning had been necessary, but also an excuse to postpone this.
My final, and most important, goodbye. Just the thought of writing it made me sad. But I didn't have much time until I was no longer alone, so it had to be done.
It took me a while, with much agonizing on how to word everything right. But eventually, I was done.
Dear Matt,
You're a good brother. You know that, right? You've done everything you could have to look after me.
So stop blaming yourself.
I'm sorry I didn't say anything. But it's my problem, and I'll deal with it my way. I know your solution would keep me safe, like you always have, but it's not what I want. Though you may be content to keep me locked in bubble for my entire life, that's not me. I'm an outside person, I don't do caged, and you know it.
I know I'm being cryptic, and you'll be scowling as you read this, but it's too complicated to explain fully. Even I don't know everything.
Just know that you couldn't have done anything. And that this is in no way your fault. At all. So don't you dare go on moping for the rest of your life.
I hate to leave you, but I must. Don't be sad. Don't torture yourself. Live your life, and enjoy it.
Do this for me.
Goodbye.
Love always,
Chloe
PS: Smile :)
I was crying, of course. Tears overflowed from my eyes, coating my cheeks, as I folded the note and left it in the middle of my desk. Standing up, I paced the room, trying to compose myself.
It was pointless. I had to find something to distract me, before someone saw me like this. It would bring on too many questions. But first, I needed a shower; I smelled like rain.
I emerged from the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around me. I headed downstairs, searching for my nail polish stash. I knew painting my nails would require concentration, which would distract me, hopefully. After finding a toiletry bad full of a variety of colours, I headed through the kitchen on my way back upstairs.
That's when I saw it.
Glancing through the window routinely as I passed, I saw something. Something that shouldn't be there. A tall, dark figure, standing on the edge of the forest, and they were staring at me. I couldn't make out who it was, but I had my suspicions. I could think of a certain person for whom this behaviour would not be strange.
Frowning, I made my way to the front door, heading out in the direction of the man. As I approached I easily identified him; I was not surprised.
Paul.
I folded my arms as I stopped before him, staring right back at him.
'What are doing here?' I asked firmly.
His eyes left mine, giving me a once over. They lingered a little too long, and he smirked before meeting my gaze once more. Glancing downwards, I realised what had amused him.
I wanted to punch myself for being such an idiot. I wanted to groan and swear in frustration.
I was standing in front of him wearing nothing but a bath towel.
But I couldn't show any reaction. Not in front of him. I repeated my question.
'Annoying you.' He replied.
'Well, I'm busy.' I said, turning to head back into the house. He grabbed my arm, his warm hand turning me back around to face him.
'Let me go.' I stated, firmly. His hold didn't loosen. I sighed, and prepared to launch into a fierce lecture. But before I could open my mouth, his hand was gone. Then suddenly it was reaching toward my forehead, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I stepped backwards, shocked.
And then he was gone, his back slowly receding as he walked through the trees.
Shaking my head, I closed the door behind me as I returned to the house.
Paul was so weird.