Happy holidays! I hope everyone is having the lovely break they deserve. A massive thank you for all of the follows, favourites and reviews. I know the update schedule has gone out the window and that makes me all the more appreciative. The fact that so many of you are re-reading in the meantime is honestly a better gift than anything I imagined receiving this Christmas.

"He comes with western winds, with evening's wandering airs,
With that clear dusk of heaven that brings the thickest stars.
Winds take a pensive tone, and stars a tender fire,
And visions rise, and change, that kill me with desire."

~ The Prisoner, Emily Brontë (1846)

Chapter Forty-one -Silence with thy soul, Part two

Nancy turned to the boy next to her with a smile one would imagine Lucifer wore in the moments before he fell from heaven. "It seems Knox has provided us with an opportunity to continue our conversation."

"You mean there are still questions left to ask about my birthday?"

Ignoring his sarcasm, she simply shrugged. "It's my prerogative. Now quit deflecting."

"Without knowing your sign? That seems unfair" he countered, "you hold far too many cards here, Nancy."

"Alright. I'm a June first Gemini, but unlike Miss Monroe I am far less charming." Her playfulness disappeared as a calculating gleam emerged from what had been kindly eyes. "For gentleman so notoriously, bold you're being frustratingly cautious. You both could do with a second dose of carpe diem to drown out the trivialities of the world - though my dear Kitty Kat would skin me alive for such directness with you."

He studied her in a manner he knew was alarmingly similar to Cameron when he was faced with a puzzle. Nancy - whose role in Kathleen's life seemed to be the equivalent of Neil's in his own - let him search her for answers with an openness that unnerved him. "So why rock the boat?"

You two are good together," she stated. "Even if you are both too stubborn about the future to acknowledge how good you could be; I'm not."

Doubt clouded his features as he removed his gaze from the saxophone in his lap. "I'm stubborn about a friendship. She's stubbornly oblivious - not that it matters. Soon she will back to reality at her school, then home in Scotland where she'll meet a real-life literary hero in the countryside who'll give her adventure, and the perfect but unconventional domesticity that she will love, and Nolan will hate." He swung the instrument over his shoulder and moved to get away from his own bitter words when he was interrupted.

"No." Nancy stared at him until he sank back down onto the log. "Don't get us confused. I may enjoy the things others label superficial like Hollywood movies and pink dresses; but at the end of the day I don't want to live in that world. I'm happy with a husband I love and three kids in a beautifully decorated home where I can host parties at the weekend. Underneath the dramatics I've always been the sensible one. Whereas Kat..." she sighed, glancing over at her best friend who was sat laughing with Todd at Knox's expense. The lovesick boy was so distracted by Chris that the marshmallow he had been roasting caught fire. "Kat's always wanted more. Underneath the books, the daydreams and her impeccable manners is a lust for life that runs in her blood. Her heart was made for a different life; one this society builds the foundations for. I bet on my life that she'll back in the states before too long, and likely in contact with the people in this cave who have captured not just her heart, but her mind and imagination. Don't disappoint me, Nuwanda."

Charlie opened his mouth but closed it promptly when Kat appeared at his side. "What were you two whispering about? And don't say nothing because I don't trust either of you."

Nancy shrugged, "nothing I care to repeat."

He followed her lead and smirked, "why? Is 'Kitty Kat' worried?"

"About the safety of mankind. This is a supervillain collaboration in the making."

"Hmm," Nancy rose from her seat, "maybe I'll go and threaten someone else next." They watched her cross over to Chris, her presence forcing the other girl to move closer to Knox.

"She's good," Charlie muttered, watching Knox blush at his sudden proximity to Chris.

"And subtle."

Charlie almost choked on his drink at the sarcasm in her tone. "It must be entertaining," he replied, recovering with a few coughs.

Kathleen hummed in agreement, "her fondness for shocking people is half her reason for meddling."

"And the other half?"

"Purely humanitarian."

"Shame," he frowned, struggling to appear serious. "Chaos wreaked for selfish joy is a much better past-time."

"We have very different definitions of fun," she laughed."

"It's because I'm an Aries."

"I knew you were listening!" She whacked his arm lightly with the offending magazine. "Hear anything you like?"

"A few things."

Her heart contracted. "But you think astrology is nonsense."

He grinned, "how did you know?"

Before the pair could take their squabble any further the meeting was called to attention. But the call faded to white noise the second they caught each-other's eye. Brown met blue amid the shadows and blazing firelight, the connection remaining undeterred by the sharp looks and prickly comments flung their way as the meeting ground to a halt. Only Ginny's holler of "break it up, lovebirds," had the sheer strength and shrillness to break through.

Flaming cheeks pulled their mouths into frowns as both heads turned to face their peers.

"Ah," Charlie bit back throwing her words from the theatre back at her, "decided I'm worthier than Tab Hunter?*" It was her turn to flush as the memory of their first meeting in the theatre flashed through her brain.

"Not that the real Tab would be interested," Neil mumbled, catching Charlie's eye.

"Yes, well I thought he would have looked him up," Ginny hissed. "And despite a few mishaps things worked out regardless."

His glare lessened slightly "still, the person in question didn't have that preference."

Ginny shrugged, "I had a theory to test."

Kat felt a crinkle form between her brows as she strained her ears to listen. Her frown only deepened at the expression of understanding slowly dawning on Nancy's face. "Get on with the poem, Neil," she chided lightly. At his acquiescence she let herself relax as the meeting resumed with a reading from Emily Brontë's works. Her shoulder brushed the solid body beside her, but instead of leaning away she leant into it, keeping their shoulders pressed together for the remainder of the meeting. Much to her delight the welcoming heat from his arm felt warmer than any jumper she had borrowed. If only he knew what effect he had on her, she thought wearily.

It wasn't until the meeting came to an end that the various pairs of teens inched away, before drawing close again like magnets as they vacated their sacred space. The air outside was biting despite the proximity to the rise of daylight. The blackened sky was streaked with age as the silvery pearl of night began its descent. Friendly figures bid adieu before separating sorrowfully under the painted sky. Each snapping twig and rustle of undergrowth seemed to signal another question for Kathleen about the poems until she agreed to lend them her books tonight; before the rapture of the evening vanished.

XXXX

Kathleen settled on throwing a glare over her shoulder to silence Pitts' yelp. His eyes were apologetic as he rubbed his elbow where he had caught it on the corner of the turn the group had taken on their journey through the halls of Welton up to Kathleen's room. She had given up on vocally shushing the motley band of boys several creaky floorboards ago.

Breathing deeply, she reminded herself of the worth of their eagerness to read Rosetti. She could only hope they didn't get caught as they drew nearer to her grandfather's quarters situated in close proximity to her dorm. However, her concerns faded as she stepped into the shadows shrouding her doorway and came into contact with a warm, solid lump at the foot of her door. Kat sprang back with a gasp as it emitted a deep growl. Her torch clattered to the ground.

"Woah." Knox's arm shot out to pull her back. White beams of light illuminated the glowing eyes of the dog whose body obstructed their path; to their horror the light from their torches seemed to provoke painfully loud barks from its snarling jaw.

Charlie swore as he rounded on Meeks for the dog biscuits they often bribed the school's security with, almost dropping the bag in his haste to open it and distribute its contents. Kat edged forward from behind Knox's shaking arm to retrieve her torch from the ground while the beast was distracted, jumping back quickly when it fixed its beady eyes on her.

"Enough!" Cameron hissed, jostling his way to the front of the group, "he needs the discipline of an Alpha, not a reward for undesirable behaviour."

Nail cast his friend a doubtful look but stepped aside after surrendering another few biscuits. "Cameron, he's finally stopped barking," he whispered, "please don't prov-"

"I know what I'm doing," his quiet words were loaded with venom as he gestured for the society to stand back. Pointing his finger, he channelled his venomous tongue towards the dog who ignored the reprimands until the boy got too close. In an instant its neck surged forward with a cautionary flash of its sharp teeth. Cameron backed into Neil. "Right. Well," he swallowed, "I propose we don't put ourselves at risk of rabies, so I suggest a more distant approach. Clearly the establishment of trust is imperative."

"Back to the biscuits," Neil sighed, reaching for the final bag and sliding another treat across the floorboards.

Kathleen watched their futile efforts with a shiver. The chill of the winter night was beginning to seep into her bones and the fear of catching another illness crept across her like the draft raising goose bumps on her skin.

"Sorry, Kat." Charlie joined her at the rear of the group, waving an empty bag of dog biscuits. "I don't think he's moving."

She chanced another hopeful glance at the catalyst who lay calmly in the midst of the commotion he had caused. "Fantastic," she mumbled, making an effort to joke despite her tiredness. "I bet the wretched thing will be thrilled when I'm forced to join him on the floor."

"I'm afraid you'll have to disappoint the bastard and join some of us instead," he replied, "I can guarantee everyone but Pitts snores less."

Smothering her laughter, she let her eyes wander back towards the futile task. Neil had taken the helm once more with the assistance of his trusted first mate Todd, although it seemed more brushing hands and blushing was taking place than cooing and biscuit throwing. Realising that her companion was watching them with equal interest she commented amusedly, "perhaps I should take Neil's bed and make him sleep in Todd's arms."

"Why not sleep in mine?" He said.

Kathleen froze.

"Bed, I mean. Not-not arms," he rectified. Despite the darkness Kathleen could have sworn his cheeks were turning crimson. "Although, I wouldn't mind that either," he added, forcing the lightness of his usual jokingly suggestive tone.

"I-err." Her brain scrambled to form a reply; they had never strayed into this territory before.

"No funny business," he said sincerely. "All jokes aside, you know I'd never-"

"I know," she interrupted. The pounding of her heart rang in her ears. "I don't see why I shouldn't. We're friends." But honestly, she wasn't sure exactly how truthful the label was anymore.

"Exactly," he nodded, "friends." He composed his face into a small smile, "I dread to think of the state Todd would've gotten himself into at the idea of sharing a bed with Neil."

"Yeah," she said vaguely," I can't imagine." But in truth her palms were sweating and the butterflies in her stomach wouldn't calm down. It's only Charlie, she berated herself mentally. And that fact happened to be her problem.

"He won't budge." Neil's whisper broke her train of thought, "we've already made far more noise than we should have. I'm sorry Kat, but you'll have to take one of our beds tonight."

"I would offer but my roommate would ask questions," apologised Knox.

"One of us can take the floor," Pitts offered quietly.

"I don't mind," Neil shrugged.

Kathleen shook her head, grateful for their willingness. "Thank you, but I can't kick you out of your own beds."

Todd's responding frown was deep enough to encourage her admission without his accompanying words. "What are you going to do?"

"Charlie already offered," she answered, avoiding eye contact "and I feel the least bad about invading his space."

"It's settled then," whispered Neil, giving Charlie an indecipherable look which his oldest friend refused to meet. The group finally left the dog to sleep peacefully with a parting scowl from Cameron as they began to tiptoe down the boys corridor. Knox slipped into his dorm first. The rest followed in pairs until it was only Cameron, Charlie and herself left. The former reached the door first and held it open in silence.

"Sorry for making you break the rules, Cameron," Kathleen said quietly as she slipped into the room.

"As long as you're gone by the time I wake up, it's fine," he replied. She nodded.

Charlie picked up the clock from his nightstand and placed it under the pillow he set aside for her, "I'll set my alarm for six."

"Goodnight." Cameron took off his shoes and coat to reveal his plaid pyjamas and got into bed, immediately closing his eyes and rolling over to face the wall.

"Night," Kathleen replied, and she did the same, folding her coat on the floor by the foot of Charlie's bed, and placing her shoes down next to it. As she straightened, she saw that Charlie was hovering by the bed.

"Do you want to sleep by the wall or-"

"It's probably best if I'm by the edge," she said quickly, "less chance of waking you both up when I leave."

He nodded and slipped into bed, shuffling as close to the wall as he could. The atmosphere was tense as Kathleen got in beside him, leaving a gap of a few centimetres between them.

"I've never had a girl sneak out of my room in the morning," he admitted, his teasing tone piercing the layer of awkwardness between them.

Eased by the familiar banter she rolled her eyes, barely concealing the laughter in her words. "Oh no, the boasting will be incorrigible. Although...it's Cameron's room so really he's granted the same bragging rights as you-"

"How strange," he interrupted with false cheer, "I suddenly feel tired."

She switched of the lamp," oh yes, very unexpected."

The room was plunged into darkness. Only the sound of breathing could be heard. Despite the startling impropriety of the situation she felt herself begin to relax. Her heart beat slowed in tandem with the soft breaths of the presence beside her. Kathleen let her eyes flutter closed in surrender as her senses engulfed her in the comfort and softness of the fabric. As the teens succumbed to the seduction of sleep the awkwardness faded from their bodies and they began to curl into one another, magnetised in their sleepy state.

Cameron rolled over, squinting through the night to see their silhouettes merged and unmoving. With a small smile that never showed by day, he settled down for the night. He thought briefly of the dumb luck of his roommate and the frustrating blindness of the girl until his own breathing began to slow. Before long he joined them on the journey down the river to the city of dreams.

* Tab Hunter (1931-2018) - An American actor & teen idol in the 50s. He was considered as a teen 'heartthrob' but rumours of homosexuality spread, especially in gossip magazines. He came out as gay to the public in a 2005 memoir which detailed his experiences as a closeted gay man in Hollywood.