Review Response Time, Y'all!
Ophelia Russel: I'm really glad you like that one. I tried to make it seem more artistic, vague, and distant.
Visual Purple: Any time! It was a good story!
C-C Krystal: I love evil Olaf! And I just can't keep him away!!!
Bellatrix Lestrange9: Yep. Read this chappie. Poor Lemony. It breaks my heart to write this down, but I know it's inevitable, a word which here means "something that'll happen no matter how long I try to put it off"
Chapter 25 – The Dreadful News
Looking mournfully at the first rays of light, Lemony Snicket could not wait any longer. The boat was waiting for him, after all, and they had to leave now or never. He sighed and stepped onto the ship. She must not've loved me enough. After he boarded the ship, he leaned against the railing, looking into the dark water, wondering what his future would be like without his love.
He looked up and saw his brother rushing to catch the ship. Lemony wasn't surprised; he had suspected that they would send somebody to escort him to his destination, wherever that was. He stared into the murky water once again. Maybe it'll be New York, he thought to himself, trying to make his sad soul hopeful again. They have a lot of publishers there; maybe I can make it as an author.
He remembered how Beatrice had always liked his writing and stared even deeper into the water. A single tear ran down his cheek. Why didn't she come with me?
The boat soon began to move and Lemony heard his brother run up behind him. He was breathing heavily; obviously he had been running for a great distance.
"She couldn't make it?" Jacques asked once he had caught his breath.
"No," Lemony murmured, not even bothering to turn around. His voice was so faint and sad that Jacques hesitated to speak again.
"Do you know why she couldn't make it?" Jacques asked hesitantly.
"She must not have loved me after all."
"Well, actually…"
"Please Jacques," begged Lemony quietly. "I don't want to talk about it."
"But, Lemony…"
"Stop it!" Lemony yelled as he turned to face his brother. "She just didn't choose me, okay? Just leave me alone!" More tears began to flow down his cheeks and he turned around and gazed back at the water in anger and frustration.
"Look, Lemony," said Jacques after a few second's pause. "I have to tell you something." Lemony said nothing, so Jacques continued. "She might not've been able to go with you."
"What do you mean?" asked Lemony bitterly.
"There was a fire at the headquarters. It was terrible; could've burned down the whole building." Lemony didn't say anything or turn around as he listened to his brother's words, but his thoughts began to dread what Jacques would say next.
"The fire started in the library, Lemony. There was no way anyone could've escaped."
Lemony was too stunned to reply. The water no longer seemed calm and comforting; it now looked like a watery grave.