"While we have not found ms Baulland back, you are all to stay in on your

own, and shall be under the responsibility of the family."

"NO!" that was a shout coming from the whole of us, yes even me. Because

then it would mean maybe no Olivia or Arietta for a certain time. Except if

they let us go out by ourselves, which was improbable. Anyway, there was no

discussion allowed. It was decided, and would happen so. But he was nice

enough to let us finish the afternoon together. We all passed a considerable

time talking about the unfairness of all this, about the unfairness of life,

how it was weird that she disappeared ...etc.

It was nearly six, we had walked around a little, looked at the superb doors

they have, well they are very uncommon, cheerful, with many different

colours. We had to go, and start our separation, with only a very small, but

still existing, hope of seeing each other the next day.

Once at the house, I did not go to my room directly, not wanting to do the

same impoliteness as the last time. So I stayed downstairs, and sat boringly

my book in my left hand, with the firm intention of really reading it. But no. Baptist came around, and he too had a book, but no intention of

reading it. As I opened mine, and at each page I turned, he made weird

sounds, and then, threw a ball at my head. Alright, I flung it back very violently. But with no concentration, it hit the wall and crashed on the sofa. He laughed.

"Is that all you can do?" His annoying smile, I wanted to bang his face on

the floor or on anything that would take that grin of it. He swayed, as if

a bat player, and tossed it very expertly a few millimetres near my ear.

Taking it back, I made it become a rocket, so fast it hit his face, right

in the middle, on the nose. And he hadn't even had had anytime to try to

move off the way.

"Oh sorry, I didn't mean to. I though you would get it. I so sorry. Are you

really hurt? Is it all right? Is it bleeding? Oh my god, I'm sorry!" I

brought him a tissue, and placed it on his nose while he tilted his head

backwards, and rested his eyes by covering them with his hands.

"Here. Open your eyes let me see a minute." I gently pulled them away, like

delicate and frightened birds.

"They're only a little red. In a few sec they'll be better. Again, I'm so

sorry. Do you want anything?"

"No."

"Ok then. I'll go to my room." I was walking away, thinking how silly I was

to have reacted like that, next time I should be calmer, and control

myself. How babyish of me.

"Emma!" My heart thumbed. I stopped, turned around, and looked at him.

"Yes?" Against my will, my voice quivered, and I awaited something, even

though I didn't really know what exactly.

"Thanks. And ... you forgot your book."

"O." I came back, took it, walked passed him. I brushed passed his leg. He

looked up. I turned, looked down. Our eyes met, I dived into his. They were

so calm, so very tense. I got lost, I sank, and actually, it more like a suicide

since I didn't want to get out of them. But then I heard a noise coming from

some place, and it dragged me back to reality. I turned away.

Later I was in my room, sketching on my laps. He came in.

"Do you want to play something? I'm really bored." I accepted. We played

until diner came. We also played after diner. And then read in bed for some

time. I switched my light off and fell into one of those vivid dreams I know

about.

I was in my bed, woke got up, opened my door without a slight sound, and then

walked soundlessly in the corridor. Arriving in front of the stairs I heard

a noise, like a murmur, and spanned around....

I opened my eyes, and saw him, and fell. I stumbled down the stairs, and I

can tell you it damn well hurt me.