5.
. . .
"I think I'll stay here."
It was funny, how they both reacted the moment I pulled my mask off. Ah but, all of us went here for a mission. Priorities first, I guess. I was thinking about to whom I could be of more help, but the only thing in my mind was Violet Baudelaire.
...What an odd feeling.
Klaus was a ton of help. I couldn't help but give him my spare commonplace book, where he could start taking down notes on various information that'd help us get out of the situation we're in. Everyone's currently desperate right now, huh...
But inasmuch as I wanted to be of help to him, I couldn't stop myself choosing to be with his sister instead. Yes, it's her. The Violet Baudelaire that Jacques told me about. She's the one I can't remember, at the same time the one I can't forget...
Violet was picking up some of the things that remained unharmed in the fire, while Klaus proceeded to the burned library to gather information. I started scanning for my notes, too, as she and I talked. But what startled me was when she said, "It's so strange that you have been following in our footsteps all this time, and yet we never knew you were alive."
"I knew you were alive," I said. I was searching for them, at the same time I looked for my siblings. Deep inside, I knew they were alive... They had to be alive.
It wasn't long until she started tying the forks onto our shoes. At first I couldn't help wonder what they were for, but I remembered, she was an inventor that could make use of the simplest materials and turn them into life-saving objects. So I didn't question her any longer. After a while, when Klaus returned, and we discussed the information.
Even then when he invited me, I couldn't stop myself still from choosing Violet over helping him with books and maps, something I most likely might have chosen, should the eldest Baudelaire have been someone else but the Violet Baudelaire that wouldn't stop fascinating me.
They decided to split up, and going with whom was one of the hardest decisions a third party could decide on.
"I'll climb up the waterfall to see who's up there," said Violet, "and you, Klaus, should stay here to decode the messages left of the headquarters."
"And I," I said, stepping forward, sounding as assuring as I can be, "will help you both."
I handed Klaus my commonplace book for references, and quickly decided with whom I should go.
"I'll climb up the waterfall with you, Violet," I said without second thought, "in case you need any help."
It was something I was not able to give anyone just when help was needed most; when our home burned down. But now, at least, is the time to help someone when it's time to, and I will always be happy to assist Violet in her tasks.
I don't know if they doubted me or what when I said I'd go on helping them, so I hesitated. Nobody could be so sure of what lay ahead.
"Don't be absurd; we're all part of the same mystery," I reminded them. "So I'll help you both."
The siblings smiled. It's been a while since I felt warm and accepted inside. The two agreed, to my relief, as Violet stepped forward. With an awkward gesture, she took my hand.
Her words afterward rang in my head. It's been a long while, really.
We faced the waterfall with courage, readying ourselves for another turn of events in our lives. I held on fast, to give her the thought that I won't fail her or anyone this time at least.
"Thank you," she said, "for volunteering."