Kessel Run, Week 2: Write a dialogue-only story between 400 and 800 words in which a character answers a question.


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The Young Miss Visits the Orphanage

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"Can you keep a secret?"

"Yes."

"You promise you'll never tell?"

"Never."

"…I'm not supposed to tell anyone. My grandmother says it has to stay a secret. But sometimes… I can feel the things that other people feel."

"You can feel them?"

"Yes, it's like… like their feelings are my feelings. Whether they're happy or sad or scared… even if they try to hide it. Grandma calls it a— a 'sense', I think."

"Why do you have to keep it a secret?"

"I don't know. She says it isn't safe for anyone to know. You will keep it secret, won't you?"

"Yes, of course."

"…"

"So… can you sense me?"

"A little. It doesn't always work right. Sometimes it's foggy."

"Is that how I feel? Foggy?"

"No. No, you're… you feel…"

"What? Is it bad?"

"No, it's just… your sense reminds me of the moon. I know, it's silly—"

"It's not silly. Why the moon?"

"Well, it's… it's quiet at night, and the moon is so bright and far away, and… and it always feels a little lonely."

"…"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel bad."

"You didn't. Make me feel bad, that is. I'm used to… all this. It's just the way it is."

"I wish you didn't have to live here."

"It's better than being on our own, believe me."

"What if you could live in the country? Would you like that?"

"I don't know, I've never been there. What's it like?"

"Not as crowded as this, and it's green and the air smells better. And my grandmother has a garden with all sorts of flowers, and there are butterflies, and…"

"It sounds beautiful."

"It is. You would love it there, I know it."

"…I should tell you something, before you go."

"What is it?"

"That sense you have? I think I might have it, too. Not the same as yours, but… my brother and me, ever since we were little. We can hear each other's thoughts. I always thought it was because we're twins, but maybe it's more than that."

"I thought it was just me."

"But it's not, and maybe if your grandmother knew—"

"Oh, no, I can't tell her. She'd be so upset if she knew I'd told you, please say you won't—"

"I won't. I won't tell anyone, I promise. I'll take it to my grave."

"Don't say that!"

"Why not? It's true."

"If you talk about your grave, it's like saying you're going to die."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like—"

"It's all right. But you have to promise not to die either."

"That's a lot to promise…"

"It isn't that much!"

"…Will you do something for me?"

"What?"

"Will you think about me sometimes? When you're reading one of your books, or— or when you're in your garden, with your butterflies?"

"I will. Of course I will, and I'll imagine you're there with me."

"Do you have to go?"

"Yes. Grandma says we have more people to help today."

"When will you be back?"

"I don't know, but I'll come back as soon as I can. I promise."

"…You're wrong, you know. About the moon. It isn't lonely. It has all those stars to keep it company. Even if they are far away."

"I… I hope you like the book. It's my very favorite."

"I'll read it every day."

"…Goodbye, Dorian."

"Goodbye… Allana."

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