Between Love and Blood Chapter 2
I dreaded the come of the next day hoping the dawn would never arrive. Unfortunately not every hope or whish could be able to come true no matter how hard someone willed it to be.
I forced myself to get out of bed with great reluctance trying to stay down I didn't know if Jenner was even awake at this hour, but if he were I wasn't going to give him any form of a heads up I was awake. Whatever he would say to me I didn't want to hear it. I'd have far more than enough of him last night. As quietly as I could I pushed open my door then while sticking my head out I did a quick sweep around the kitchen along with the rest of the living area. No sign of him was anywhere. The door to his own bedroom was closed shut not revealing any sign whether he was asleep or not. Either way I wasn't going to stick around to find out the answer.
Moving with as much speed as I could while keeping a low profile I changed out of my nightgown and into one of my few dresses. This outfit is similar to the one worn the previous day just in an alternate color which is separate shadows of violet. I mad strokes with the brush through my long hair using it to be presentable for public view.
Once properly fixed I checked the outside. There was still no movement of Jenner and I took it as a pretty good sign he wasn't going to show. Tiptoeing to the exit of our shared chambers I successfully reached with without making too much sound. Any made fortunately didn't become loud enough to alert Jenner of my leaving even if he was awake in his own room.
Only when I was outside standing in the hallway did I at last breathe a large sigh of great relief. I wouldn't be bothered with my brother so early in the morning. I knew that if I played my cards right I wouldn't set me eyes n him again until supper. Deciding got stay hidden while spending my time wisely I made my way for the library. The main idea was to get a good book and finding a good place to read. Unfortunately even the best laid out plans never actually worked to fruition. Next to Jenner the last person I wanted to see came into my path, but not the same way I did him.
"Joanna," called Justin, stepping out from the shadows of another hallway.
Instantly I froze in mid-step at the sound of his voice. Closing my eyes all I could feel was dread as the beat in my heart thumped against my ribcage. Taking in a deep breath to calm my nerves I transformed the expression on my face to one of welcome and contentment instead of sorrow. The conflicting emotions within must remain hidden masked by those not truly felt in the heart.
"Hello, Justin, I greeted turning to meet him, "what brings you out and about so early after the dawn?"
"I was about to inquire the same thing of you," said Justin, coming closer setting his hands upon his hips. "If memory serves me correctly you are not known to usually be walking about so early in the morning.
Shrugging nonchalantly, I said "I just didn't feel like staying in bed this time I wanted to get out."
"That's a nice change for you," said Justin, nodding. "You barely get out as it is. It's good for you o be out in the open every once in a while."
"Oh, I wasn't talking about going outside," I said. "I was going to the library."
Brow raised in amusement, Justin said "Haven't you read the entire collection the library already?"
"Yes," I admitted, "but there are plenty of tomes I wouldn't mind reading again. They are very enjoyable and healthy for the mind."
"Can't argue with that. There's nothing wrong with strengthening of the amount of knowledge someone has in the mind," said Justin, "but there is one thing I can think of. You stay down underground practically all the time never really surfacing or if you do you never go more than a couple of yards."
"I'm comfortable right where I am down here," I argued, crossly. "I don't need to go anywhere else."
Justin sighed "Look, I'm going outside to get some fresh air. The air is beginning to get warmer again so the weather is perfect. You can always go through the library when you get back. All of those books will still remain there on the shelves waiting for you."
I opened my mouth to retort when instantly a thought hit causing hesitation to rise. Jenner expected me to spy on the opposition for him even though he knew I severely detested the idea of doing this least of all against the people I considered close friends. With great reluctance I had agreed to the request he made of me. If I walked away from such a considerable opportunity to gather information he'd be absolutely furious if he learned I passed up a chance like this.
The path ahead is clear.
From where I was positioned Justin could clearly tell by the multiple emotions carried over my face I was definitely conflicted. Only he though I was originally trying to deliberate on going outside instead of reading the day away at the library.
Feeling somewhat awkward Justin rubbed the back of his neck, sighing "I'm sorry. I really shouldn't be-."
"I'll come along," I said, cutting in.
Staring at me cautiously in disbelief, Justin said "Joanna, you don't have to accompany me. I had no right to push you into it if you're not comfortable."
Justin was completely off base in so many ways.
Smiling, I said "But I want to. You're right when you say I spend my time down here far too much. I need to get out of the rosebush a lot more often."
"All right," said Justin, placing a hand on my shoulder, "…if you're sure?"
"I'm sure," I reassured, softly. "Now if we're done here I believe we're wasting some of our precious daylight."
With a grin Justin turned rushing to catch up with me in that head start. Having some company wasn't originally what he had planned for the morning, but he was flexible and it was a pretty nice change.
Unknown to both Justin and Joanna there had been a second party eavesdropping on their conversation watching them closely. It seemed that when Joanna checked to see if her brother was still out of it she didn't look hard enough. At hearing his sister trying to sneak out without his permission he was both angry yet intrigued. Keeping a close observation on Joanna from the shadows his anger grew when it appeared like she was going to back out of their deal. The moment the thought she was going to run he sneered at how quickly the tables had turned to force her hand to do as he previously ordered. At the last minute Joanna went outside leaving the rosebush with the good Captain.
Jenner chuckled "That's a good girl. Find out all I wish to know."
Jenner settled comfortably in the shadows waiting patiently for their eventual return to the Colony in the underground to intercept.
Authors Note:
None of you are going to believe what happened to me recently. I was on the way to get my nails done for a potential job interview when suddenly another car slams into my from behind. An idiot driver wasn't paying attention so I and the car in front of me got hit pretty hard. I'm fine, got lucky, not a scratch on me, but it could've been a lot more serious. Right now the side of my head hurt and my left side is really starting to feel the pain. Nothings broken just sore and bruised.
Bad news is my car got totaled. I really liked this car to I've had it for three years. Good news is I'm going to be able to buy a new one, unfortunately, it'll be a while before I can.
That day was looking so bright and then this crap happened.
For those of you who drive here, take my advice. EYES ON THE ROAD! I came out alive this time around. The same thing might not happen for any of you if you get into an accident. It's harsh, but the truth.
