The sound of a calm rhythmic beat. The sound reminded Rose of a drum beating to a song, only this one was playing solo and so soft. She could feel herself drifting in the darkness, her body felt cool, almost chilly. But she felt at ease. This place, this magical nowhere is a nice escape from wherever she was in the waking world. Here though, she felt like nothing could hurt her, bother her. She was there alone, not having to worry. Void of any fears, tears, and thoughts. In a timeless place, all to herself.
Eventually, she will have to wake up. This Rose knew, and the time will be soon. She could already feel herself slowly drifting away from this dark and calm place. But she knew she would be back. And she knew this place will be waiting for her.
At last Rose squinted her eyes open. For a moment her vision was a blur of shades of brown. When they cleared she saw that she was staring at the far wall. Rose could still here the beat, though now it did not remind her of a drum. Rose noticed that her head was slightly rising and falling. Rose turned her head up, she used her arms to feel the cold floor, when she did she used them to lift her upper body. To her surprise and a bit of amusement, she realized she had been sleeping on top of none other than Caden. Rose also found that he had an arm wrapped around her, but it slid off when she arose. He was still fast asleep, out cold on the floor. Rose debated whether she should wake him up and take him to bed. Carefully and as quietly as she could, she slowly moved limb from limb and got off him, to her relief he didn't stir. Now Rose was sitting on the floor next to him. Wondering what should be their next plan, Rose considered their options.
Should they go back down to the portal chamber? And if so where were they supposed to go from there? Back to Amber and Dusty? Or into a new portal and find another mysterious place? They could just stay here, find the library and do some research? Find a map and layout and hopefully find a way out of this labrinth Castle thing? Oh God above what a mess!
Then Rose had another thought, something that Caden had said last night. A proposition that she didn't think too deeply until now.
'Let's run away together.'
Did Caden want to run away with Rose? What about their families? And where would they go? She remembered another thing Caden said.
'Of course I'd want to start anew with you.'
Rose blushed, and a realization hit her like a pound to the chest. Did Caden like her? Did she like Caden? Rose could feel her face heat up more. Rose admits it, Caden is pretty cute. Her eyes glanced down at him. He layed on his back, still fast asleep. His lips were slightly parted, showing the gap between his two front teeth. A trait that made him cuter. His chest slowly rising and falling, and speaking of his chest, was that nasty scar getting better? And out of nowhere it hit her! Like a fish to the face!
He kissed her! He kissed her right on the cheek! Rose put her hand to the side of her face. She tried not to smile but she couldn't help it. Her face felt hot from the thoughts. But another one crossed her mind; Did Caden mean to do that? Did Caden mean to say the things he said? Or was it from all those bottles he drank? How much did he drink? How much did she drink? Was it too much? How much was too much?
Suddenly, Caden began to stir. He let out a huff of air through his nose and lifted his head. His eyes squinted as if he was in pain. He opened them again and caught Roses eyes.
"Morning." Rose said with a sheepish smile.
"Hmph. Ugh!" Caden grunted as he rolled over to his side. A small 'crack' sound was heard, followed by a pained grunt from Caden.
"Ah Gods my back! Okay...Uh..." Caden struggled to get up on his hands and knees, Rose stood up and helped him to his feet.
"Okay Caden, let's just take you back to bed. There you'll sober up a bit."
"Mhmph..." Was Cadens only reply. Rose put his arm over her shoulder, Caden leaned against her, not too much though. Then they slowly left the Castle bar. They climbed up the stairs and made their way to Cadens room, there Rose helped Caden into bed. Then, she turned and left.
When she went back out to the hallway she paused briefly. Wondering whether to go into her guest room or go exploring. There was a library around here somewhere. Perhaps it contained more information of where they were, and hopefully find where they could go. To find there families. Rose looked down the hallway opposite of where the spiraling stairs where a door stood. Perhaps the library was there. Rose walked down the hall, once she reached the door she opened it and found a hallway that took a sharp turn to the right.
And there Rose found herself on a hall balcony, she looked over the rail and found the main foyer below. Rose continued until she saw a double door entrance with a sign on the right reading, 'Library'. Relieved that it was not difficult to find the library, Rose opened one of the doors and entered into the darkness.
