"Do you hear anything?" My voice sounded squeaky as I tried to get my breathing under control.
"You shouldn't even be talking." Farid hissed, glancing about. I imagined he was regretting his decision to help me rescue Khairiya. He probably only stuck around to satisfy his morals.
"…But I like to talk. It keeps me from going insane." I thought this summed all of my actions. To stop me from going insane.
Farid stared at me in silence, and I knew what he was thinking. "You think I'm already insane, don't you?" They all do. I forgot we were supposed to be quiet and sighed, exasperated.
He hushed me all the same, and in that moment a guard passed our hiding spot, unaware that there was a prisoner missing. I assumed I wasn't the only one imprisoned there, since Didiane was definitely a sadistic enough person to have a secret jail.
I couldn't convince Farid to help me look around for other people within the building; he gave me some song and dance about how it would jeopardize our chance of escaping and how I couldn't know for sure. He seemed to think I was a ditz, or an idiot girl who didn't know what she was saying.
Relief filled my heart for a moment as the steps of the guard drifted farther away. Farid quickly gestured for me to follow and I did so without complaint, not daring to make a sound. I noticed how swiftly and quietly he moved, and tried to do the same, with little success.
Pretty soon we were in the room where Didiane had interrogated Khairiya, and I felt a shiver go down my spine. The memory made me both nervous and irritated simultaneously. One part of my brain was loathing Didiane and hoping she'd just jump in a ditch and die while the other was thinking about Khairiya and how she was in the clutches of the wretched bitch.
My breath quickened, I half expected Didiane to pop out of nowhere and say "Game over", but then I remembered that she wasn't here anymore…and neither was Khairiya. The room seemed empty, but Farid and I remained cautious, knowing that the guards were only a story above us and the walls were thin.
We quietly exited out of a different door which Farid seemed to know was not guarded. How he came to know this information, I did not ask, but I supposed he had his ways. We were met with the moonlight the minute we stepped into the street. And the first thought, out of the many that I could have had, was one of Baret. I saw his guilt ridden face. I felt like I was stepping into danger.
Farid saw me falter and paused, forcing out a quiet question. "Something troubles you?" He sounded emotionless. Apathetic. Was I too much of a burden?
"Uh...No." I said quietly. What is his reason for rescuing me in the first place? And why wasn't that door being guarded? Is it a set up?
He made a gesture for me to move, his face seemed so unreadable to me. "Then let us be off." Can I trust this person?
I could not move, I felt terrified after Baret's betrayal and I wasn't sure if it was safe to yet another promising stranger. I wanted to trust Farid, I didn't want him to be an enemy. I hated being alone. But then… I continued staring at him and backing away from him.
"You have nothing to fear." He tried to reassure me, as though he could read my mind. I do not feel reassured. But then, the fear and worry must have shown on my face, and I felt my hands go up.
"Yeah…except you." I said monotone. Finally I revealed my fears and prepared to run away as my heart began to beat at an irregular pace. He was going to try and capture me now. He probably wouldn't want me to get away. The guards must have gotten bored, and what better way to get rid of such boredom than to play with the emotions of their prisoner? Give them false hope and then tear it away in front of their faces?
He gave me an incredulous expression. Of course he would, he would want to seem like he was still true to me. "What reason would I have to kill you?" You people always find a reason. You find one or you make one up. I took another step back and my heart ached. I was without help. I hated being alone.
"What reason do you have to keep me alive?" I retorted preparing to run if Farid decided to make a move. He'd only capture me right? Unless Didiane wanted me dead. It would be just like her to play with her food before eating it. I was panicking as I tried to look for a way to run. I didn't know this place very well…
To my surprise he only stood there, a flash pity crossing his face. He softened his voice. "You've been hurt deeply, but it would be best to just put that pain aside. We must save your friend, yes?" I shouldn't believe him; he just wants a reason to pry into my feelings so that way it'll be more pleasurable for him to stab me in the back. But I want to believe him.
I felt like I was going to choke, tears on my face despite my best efforts to stop them. I was so scared of making the same mistake. I hadn't even suspected Baret and I was wrong not to, and what if I was wrong again?
He seemed unfamiliar with comforting people, and I nearly felt sorry for him as he coughed uncomfortably, unsure of what to do. "Do not cry." He stepped towards me and I backed away again. He paused, a serious expression on his face. "You are being foolish; can you not see I am your friend?" They seemed so true and sincere; I hesitatingly stepped forwards a little, but paused.
"If you do not want to continue on, it is fine by me. I could leave you here; you are no longer in the clutches of those fiends so my work is done." His words were so cold that they struck me into shock. I was silent until I heard him walking away.
I cried in panic, "Wait!….Please." My urge to not be alone was stronger than my sense to not get killed.
I heard him pause and I looked at his back, hoping he wouldn't leave. I didn't care if he was going to kill me now. Maybe if I asked, he would kill me quickly, but all I got out was, "Don't leave me all alone…" I sounded like an abandoned child, wrapping my arms around myself to fight off the midnight air.
I heard his steps come closer and could feel his eyes on me. What was he thinking? Was he pitying me? Was he thinking how unbelievably pathetic I was? How…he was going to kill me? I waited for him to do something.
In the dark, with only the moon's light, I felt frightened; it did not help the situation at all, like I was part of some eerie second act. I couldn't help but fear that some horrible monster was going to take me and drag me away. Would Farid be the monster?
I felt alone, even with Farid standing there over me. I couldn't take it anymore and started sobbing quietly. I felt so confused and exhausted and my mind was a jumbled mess. I didn't know who to trust and what to do anymore. But when I felt Farid pat me comfortingly, saying not a word, I knew he could be trusted. I could hear myself whispering loudly for him to hear between my wretched sobs, "I'm sorry." I repeated this continuously.
After a few minutes and I stilled my sobs, Farid said kindly as he could manage. "We must go." I sniffed one last time and only answered. "Okay…" My voice was quiet and my throat felt tired, my eyes swollen red. I chose not to look at Farid as I followed beside him to…God knows where.
Then I realized something. "What are we going to do? We have no idea where they are." I decided to let my delusions take over me. If I was going to die, at least it would be under the impression that I was trying to save Khairiya.
"It will not be difficult finding such information." He said quite confidently, I found myself believing him as I dared to look up. The moon outlined the features of his face, still calm and expressionless. It was like trying to read the emotions of a wall. "Until then, we must find a place to rest."
I waited for him to tell me the place as seconds passed more than necessary. I patiently whispered. "Well?"
He glanced at me, his honeyed eyes peering down at me like a lion eyeing its dinner. "That information is not to be mentioned." I felt a twinge of annoyance and could not help myself but say something.
"Yes, because obviously an inn is very hush-hush." As we walked on, I began to notice drops of moisture on my skin. It was starting to rain.
I tried not to begrudge him for his silence. Walking in silence allowed me to think to myself a little bit more, but fortunately no more paranoid thoughts. Rather, they were curious. I questioned the reason behind this man's actions. What benefit did he have to help a random teenage girl?
He didn't answer as he led me to an address that looked like any of the other houses, yet somewhat different. I couldn't quite place it. That definitely isn't an inn… Farid reached out and pressed open a door that I hadn't seen, blended into the wall. We walked inside as he spoke with a man at the counter, who seemed very surprised. I watched as his eyes widened and he sent a questioning look towards I realized.
An Assassin's Bureau. I'm actually in an Assassin's Bureau. If I weren't so horribly tired, I would've probably squealed.
As it was I was far too exhausted to care, and the minute I saw some bedding and pillows I collapsed. I fell asleep so soundly that I didn't dream. Not a single nightmare. Perfect.
Someone was shaking me awake. I assumed it was morning. And the person who was shaking me? Farid…Most likely. My mind did not find him so threatening anymore, now that I was obviously well and alive. I managed to survive the night, so I decided to trust him…just a little.
"Awaken, please. must you continue to be such a child?" He kept on repeating this, his tone somewhere between amusement and annoyance. I want to SLEEP. I attempted to wake and could feel and crick in my neck. But even so I did not get up, couldn't bring myself to, even with light from the outside pouring in.
I turned over and tried to shield myself from it, endlessly streaming from above. It was almost as if the room didn't have a roof, which wouldn't be a problem here since they rarely got any rain. I mumbled into the pillow. "I don't want to."
Farid was apathetic, and I assumed he woke long before me. I could see, as I blurrily glanced at him, that he was all ready to go. People who didn't enjoy sleeping in are inhuman…But then I guess that would mean everyone here, wouldn't it? "We have already wasted too much time…if you continue this foolishness I may consider getting a bucket of water to aid me in your wakening."
When I grunted and continued sleeping, I heard his footsteps leave the room. When I was sure he was gone, I popped up, stretching a little. A yawn managed to escape my throat. I cracked my neck while I was at it and got rid of the annoying discomfort I had in it. What a relief! Suddenly, I could hear Farid returning and immediately plopped back into the blankets, pretending to sleep.
I left my eyes open a slit and could see Farid's black shoes stepping closer to me. I could also hear the sloshing of water. I guess he wasn't kidding about the bucket. He attempted to speak in what sounded like a warning, gruff but silent. "This is your last chance to wake up. Will you?" I groaned in response and said something incomprehensible.
He took another step and sighed. I had only one chance at this. When he took another, I screamed and pulled his feet, toppling him like a tree. He made a strangled gasp, and then came a big thump and a splash. I grinned as some flecks of water dropped onto my face. The bucket was still in his hands as he sat up, glaring at me. I smiled at him and giggled. "What's wrong, Farid? I'm awake now!"
I made my escape and could hear him groaning in exasperation. I decided to give him time to change again now that he was all wet. I went towards the man at the counter, who looked as though he never left ever since I last saw him there, and smiled cordially. "Hi." He nodded and looked back at the room, a questioning look on his face. I answered. "Farid's wet now, so he may need some time to get dried out…so, during that time can I get some water to clean up?"
The man smiled, laughter in his eyes as he registered what happened and pointed to the back of the room, towards a big barrel. "Over there." His voice was soft, good for telling and keeping secrets. I gave him a grateful smile as I let out a sound of approval. "Thank you so much! I'll use as little as possible!" When I got my small little amount in a bowl, I turned back to him and said. "Sorry for wasting that bucket of water…but I couldn't help myself."
He nodded and smiled as he shook the apology away with his hand. "Perhaps it was for the best." I grinned widely and left, feeling much happier than I had in awhile.
It didn't take me long to realize I had absolutely no idea where we were. But then again, I didn't really care. I was just relieved that I could trust Farid more, given that he didn't kill me after the incident. Unfortunately, he was even more cold to me now.
What didn't also didn't escape my attention was the fact that it wasn't morning when Farid had woken me up, but rather very near afternoon. It made me think that Farid had gone off and done other things before he came back to get me. I would have wondered what those things were, but then I thought that maybe I wouldn't really like to find out.
"You are such a child." Grumbled Farid as he tried to look inconspicuous, sitting on a bench with a cloak bound around him. The water was quite refreshing and I used it to clean my hair as best as I could manage. I still felt cheerful, even though soap didn't seem to exist.
"I know it." I replied, mustering up the courage to pat him on the back with a smile. I felt him stiffen like I was going to stab him or something. Make some move to kill him. I watched the hustle and bustle of the streets, fast paced, everyone in a big hurry. It reminded me strongly of the people in New York, where everyone had a purpose.
My hair was dry now because of the heat of the sun, burning like waves of fire on my scalp. God, I still couldn't get used to it. Farid made me wear my cloak to help remain inconspicuous, regardless of the sun roasting us alive.
I even complained. "This is terrible! What if I get a sunburn on my tongue while talking?"
He responded quite quickly. "Then stop talking so that we would prevent such a tragedy."
I glared at him, knowing very well he wanted a reason for me to shut up. "You want me to be mute."
He chuckled. "Now, why would you accuse me of such a thing?" I'd only been here for 2 days and already my sparkling personality was rubbing off on him. Yay.
"Do you see her?" Farid's voice pulled me back to reality and we got back to business. I looked around carefully, not wanting to miss a single person. I looked out for Didiane or Khairiya. Fiend or friend. But I found myself answering, to my great displeasure, "No."
It was incredibly frustrating, like trying to put together a large puzzle and running out of pieces. Where the hell is Didiane? She should be somewhere around these streets prancing about like a show dog saying how pretty she is!
As if right on cue, Didiane's shrill voice pierced the air like a whistle. Only she could out-shout a crowd, apparently, and her voice did not sound lovely at all when she was angry. Like most things, she was only gorgeous on the outside.
"What do you mean she VANISHED?" I heard her shriek. I assume she's talking about me. I couldn't understand it. It was almost as though she wanted to attract unnecessary attention. Why didn't someone shut her up already? Did she enjoy making herself look like a brat?
Apparently I groaned, because Farid looked in my direction, questioning. "Something troubles you?"
Again, I saw no concern accompany his question, but I answered anyway. "Oh yes," I looked towards him, rolling my eyes. "Do you remember Didiane?" He answered of course he did, he himself had collected the information on her. No one doubts you, Farid.
"Well she's kind of in that direction." I cumbersomely pointed in the direction of the shrieking voice that was Didiane. "All you need to do is follow the screams and you're on your way." It's like following the yellow brick road. You can't miss it. By now, some people paused in what they were doing to listen to the girl's incessant cries.
He nodded, stood up and melted into the crowd. He made himself look unimportant as he casually looked around a stall that was close to Didiane. I stayed far away from the spasmodic brat, knowing I'd probably make the whole plan go to shit. I could see her brown tresses from here and they bounced in her frustration.
Minutes slowly passed. To take my mind off of things, my eyes wandered about the marketplace.
I saw some children, dressed in rags scavenging from the trash heap, which made my stomach turn in revolt. Their faces were smeared with dirt and they looked filthy, and I couldn't help but feel bad for them. I also couldn't do anything for them; I was as broke as them, just taken better care of. I silently thanked Farid and felt grateful.
Then I heard the harsh neigh of a horse, obviously distressed as the owner tried with great difficulty not to relinquish it. I watched as the owner finally calmed the horse down, whispering softly as though it were a babe. I felt mesmerized and wanted to go over and pet that soft nose, its eyes looked so adoring.
That was when I noticed a white figure, swiftly moving through the crowd. Is he an assassin? I shook off the thought and smiled.
The white figure gracefully weaved through the crowds towards Farid and for a minute I grew scared he would die. Then, the assassin pulled Farid out without any commotion and I noticed them exchanging some swift words. I wondered what they were talking about.
I chose the moment to look away when Farid stopped talking to the assassin. I imagined him looking at me to see if I noticed the exchange, but I made sure that I wore a bored expression on my face as I carelessly looked around.
Seconds later, he was back to me, appearing silently as though from the air itself. "So…did you learn anything?" I asked casually, still looking around. The stall, the horse, the child, the water, the dirt…
"She mentioned how reckless the guards were to allow your escape…and a certain place named 'Fountain Grove'." He said gruffly, his eyes seeming wary of everyone around us.
I'd never heard of anyone giving their home such a fancy name before. God, what a narcissist. "What's that? Code for 'Torture chamber' or maybe 'Impending doom'?" I said sarcastically. Is that where they're keeping Khairiya?
"I am assuming the place is not recognizable to you?" He said, brushing off my comment.
"Nope. Never heard of it."
He sighed with disappointment, but quickly recovered. "No matter. A friend of mine told me where to find it." The cloaked assassin, I thought, but was careful not to show it on my face. He glanced at me, and then continued. "But we must find a way to sneak in. It is too well guarded for anything else."
After a dramatic pause, I realized he was waiting for my response. I sighed. "Sounds like fun."
So there we were, dressed up in the most ragged, nondescript clothing we could find and posing as servants. Farid's speech when talking to the guard reminded me of Khairiya's, and one of them kept eyeing me strangely. Oh lord, please don't recognize me.
Unfortunately, Farid's acting skills were horrible, and I imagined we would stand there forever if things continued as they were. But aside from that, we're just peachy.
I catch a few bits and pieces of the conversation between Farid and the guard. "Please sir, I work hard. Need job, please." You sound so convincing; I'd totally hire you, Farid.
"We have enough help here, boy. Find somewhere else to give your grievances to!" The guard sounded very irritated, but I didn't blame him. This was probably something he really didn't want to deal with. I'm sure when he signed up for the job, "giving people job interviews" was not in the description.
"Hey, girl! You new here?" I jumped, and looked in the direction of the voice. I found myself face to face with a guy a little older than me, probably about 18. His face was pleasant and round, his eyes were large and wide like a child's. He would have been likable I suppose, but when he started talking I could sense his personality was anything but childish.
Instead of retorting with the usual sarcastic response ("Do I know you?" or "Who the heck are you?"), I said, "Pardon me?" in the most timid voice I could manage. It was more difficult than I thought it would be.
"I haven't seen you around here. You must be visiting, Yes?" He walked up to me casually. He seemed forthcoming, but I didn't want to make friends, especially when we had an escape plan going on. It was so unlike me, usually I would have accepted such friendliness with open arms but I was more worried for Khairiya at the moment.
"No…I am actually looking for a job." I said in what I hoped was a timorous voice. I couldn't let my real self show at all or I might seem too noticeable and draw too much attention. It was also dangerous because my odd personality could be picked out easily if someone were to describe it. Ah, the disadvantages of being unique...
"Ah! Are you?" He glanced at the place with admiration in his eyes, gleaming brightly that I nearly grew sick of the thought of him liking Didiane. "For Lady Didiane? The lady is a vision of loveliness, you would be most fortunate to work for her." Fortunate? This guy had to be joking. But it took one glance at him to see he was not. I only nodded, fighting off an expression of disgust, and assumed that he would leave after spouting his lovesick admiration.
But he just kept on talking with a love struck expression in his eyes, like a Romeo quoting his Juliet. Now he only needed a balcony. "Ah, Lady Didiane, she is stunning. No words can describe her beauty." Yes, I'm sure. I tried to shimmy away from him a few times but he continued following me, as though he needed someone to confess his feelings to for his divine Didiane.
So, for a few minutes he rambled about how much he admired her and all that crap while I fought the urge to roll my eyes at each compliment and praise. It was: Didiane is so "beautiful" or Didiane is so "elegant" or so "lady-like". It was unbearable, and I felt as though I were losing minutes I would never get back. To make up for the lost time, I was tempted to punch the guy in the face.
"The guard is most stubborn."
"They all are." I answered sympathetically as I immediately took the chance to get away from the lovesick fool. "Here, let me handle this." I turned to Didiane's fanboy. "Here's someone for you to talk to while I go and try to get a job from the supposedly stubborn guard." I pushed Farid towards the guy and smirked. "You two be good now." I left without looking back and could already hear the guy speaking praises towards his oblivious idol.
I came to the guard with a smile on my face. "Ahem, excuse me sir but may I interest you in a job interview?" I watched him cringe, probably thinking how he wasn't paid enough for this job. He definitely looked like he wasn't in the mood to give an offer. "Leave, girl. We haven't time for the likes of you." Thanks for getting him angry, Farid. Thanks a lot.
"Please?"
"No."
"Why not?" I felt like whining, because time was being wasted. I'd already had minutes chopped from my lifespan from the lovesick freak and now this asshole wasn't going to let me in? Didn't he know what I went through to get here?
From my whining, being as loud and obnoxious as I could manage, I was pleased to see I attracted attention from another guard. His face was set into an angry look. "Arsène! Still dealing with these infections?" He spoke as though I wasn't standing right in front of him. Arsène grunted and nodded towards me. "The lass wants a job, Bernard. Told her 'no' and she still won' leave." Did he really need to paraphrase?
I tried to look let down and sighed longingly. "Gee, Bernard you were right." He looked at me bewildered as I started speaking to Arsène's companion as though we were best friends. They are really going to regret saying their names in front of me. "Arsène's is not tough at all, just like you said…" I tried to make it like I was mumbling, but it was obviously loud enough for Arsène to hear.
"WHAT?" Arsène looked like her was going to explode from his fury. I watched innocently and tried to cover my mouth, as though shocked that he had heard. Bernard looked like he wanted to gut me with his sword. "You little brat, I said no such-…"
"Oh no, I remember." I looked secretive and loudly whispered to Bernard. "You said Arsène was too much of a hot headed idiot to even fight properly, remember?" I winked for good measure, and I heard Arsène make a weird noise in his throat.
"WHAT?" He turned on Bernard. "You bastard! How dare you say such things-…!"
Bernard could no longer hold his temper and turned on Arsène too. "You dim witted fool! How can you believe-…"
"OH! So now I'm a dim witted fool, am I?"
Looks like I was right about them being hot headed. While the guards threw insults and punches at each other, I ran inside. They didn't notice a thing. Seems like someone is going to get fired.
I stood in the hallway of the residence, realizing how beautiful it was…and how extraordinarily tacky. The manor fir Didiane perfectly. There were the large curtains, flowing around the windows in a rose red hue, looking unnaturally soft and delicate. The marble floors were polished and clean. The place reeked with money, and almost everything was white, as though the residents were making a desperate attempt to show off their purity.
The whole place just seemed…off.
"So…Where am I?...Besides the obvious." I spoke to no one in particular, careful not to be too loud. I didn't want to attract any attention.
But I did anyway.
"Cosette?" I twitched from my pet name being used. But I recognized the voice, and relief filled my heart.
"Khairiya!" I ran to her and threw myself into her arms. "You're ALIVE!" I heard her laugh as she hugged me back, gently as always.
"Of course!" She lowered her voice. She was still a lovely person regardless of her predicament, and she looked at me with a gentle expression. "What are you doing here?"
"Saving you…Oh, and I have an accomplice, Farid." I said, smirking. "He won't tell me his last name." Couldn't forget Farid. I wanted to tell her so much, about how glad I was to see her. But then…
"Just what are you doing here, peasant?" Shit. Didiane descended down the steps in all her shining glory, and I nearly gagged. She looked beautiful, but it wasn't the pure beauty that Khairiya possessed. Never would it be that. She was much too vain, and tried far too hard. A saw a ring glint on her dainty hand, and couldn't help thinking that with very little trouble that finger could be snapped in half. I snorted.
When she finally saw who I was, she gave me a malevolent smirk as the anger washed from her face. "Well, well, if it isn't Cosette, what a pleasure. You gave me quite a scare, my dear." I hated how condescending she acted, like she was ten years older than me instead of my age. God, I just want to punch her.
"That isn't the worst of your troubles, you bitch!"
I saw Khairiya blanch as she quickly took my hand and ran before I could express just how happy I was to see her. I wasn't sure whether it was to stop me from killing or to escape her, but I became grateful. If we hadn't left at that moment, the guards would have been on us in seconds.
A/N: Oh boy, these two are in a bit of trouble. Hopefully "Farid" will help!