For the rest of the day, Annabelle kept to herself. At this point, she had no idea what to believe. Could Mr.Hornblower possibly be more focused on spending his days with The Duchess then finding a way to aid Mr.Kennedy's recovery? The only thing Annabelle was sure of, was that she was the only one, at the moment, who wanted to help Mr.Kennedy. If she had to do alone. Then she would do it alone. As everyone slept, Annabelle quietly tapped against the wall.
"Mr.Kennedy, do you hear me, sir?" Annabelle asked.
"Yes Charles."
"I only wanted to say. I am going to help you get well. Even if I don't recieve assistance. I will be sure that you are fit to escape."
"Is this for your benefit, Charles? Or mine?"
"Yours, sir. Unlike many here in this prison, I recongize the fact that you are ill. You need to be cared for."
"I may be beyond saving."
"No, sir. You're not. I know you're not."
The next morning, everyone went outside and Annabelle decided to stay with Mr.Kennedy. She wanted to get him to eat above everything, he needed some nutrition. As she held a spoonful of stew to Mr.Kennedy's mouth, he turned his head away.
"You must eat. This is the only way you'll get well."
"I'm not hungry."
"Well then, let me see your wrists."
Mr.Kennedy showed his wrists to Annabelle. She could now see just how thin he was. Carefully, she gripped onto his wrists and was able to fill the bones.
"Indeed, you aren't. You're starving. Listen to me. I don't ask much of you. I'm only asking you to eat. If not for your sake, then for mine. Please. One small bite."
Mr.Kennedy sighed and allowed Annabelle to feed him.
"You are very caring, Charles. How do you know so much?"
"Well, I suppose it comes naturally. After all, a young woman should know how t-"
Annabelle realized her error and her eyes widened with fear. Did Mr.Kennedy hear her? How she hoped not. Judging by his face, however, he had heard her. Loud and clear.
"A woman? You're a woman?"
"Of course not."
"You cannot speak as though I were halluncinating."
"You're right. I can't."
Annabelle sighed and laid the bowl down. She stood up and began to pace.
"Charles, I would never tell anyone. If you have a secret then you-"
"My name is not Charles, Mr.Kennedy. My name is Annabelle."
Annabelle let her hair down and turned to Mr.Kennedy.
"Annabelle Elizabeth Williams. I'm a woman, Mr.Kennedy."
"Well. I am glad you finally came to your senses."
"You mean you knew?"
"Annabelle, I've always said that a man is more like their father. Stubborn and selfish. A woman, however, is more like their mother. Tender and caring. No man can care for me as you have."
"Thank you, Mr.Kennedy."
"Call me Archie. Please."
"Archie, I don't know what to think anymore. It seems as though everyone is changing. Mr.Hunter is planning on a escape, he doesn't matter who he hurts. Mr.Hornblower is becoming just as selfish as him. While Oldroy just seems to be...Oh, I cannot bare much more."
"You worry yourself over so much, Annabelle. In time. God will handle it all."
"I pray every night that this war will end. That everyone will be exactly as I remember. Why does change happen, Archie?"
"It happens because of this war, Annabelle. It's changing me so many people. In so many different ways."
"Even me."
"How so?"
"Back in England, I was surrounded by so many possible suitors. So many, that I had found myself unable to breathe. I hated it. I hated being treated like I was some type of award. Now, since I have met The Duchess. It's as though the tables have turned. I'm not saying that I want to go back to England, I only want to find myself. I don't want to be called beautiful, I want to believe that I am. What kind of girl wishes to run away and join the Navy? I'm somewhat of an odd sort, aren't I?"
"No. You're loyal to your country. That is something that very few girls care about. You should feel lucky. It's a blessing."
"No! It's a curse. I shouldn't be focused on guns and sailing. I should have my mind occupied on marriage and fearing that I would turn spinister."
"You? A spinister? Who would dream of it?"
"I fail to see humour in this situation."
"You're unique, Annabelle. Don't change who you are. Or what you are."
"What am I, Archie?"
"A sailor in His Majesty's Navy. You're also the most bravest young woman I have ever seen."
"Thank you. Anyway, I'd better return to my cell."
As Annabelle stood to leave, she reached for the bowl of stew. Archie grabbed her by her arm.
"Leave it. I'll finish it soon."
"Very well."
Annabelle kissed Archie on the forehead and then left the cell. Soon after she left, Archie took the bowl and dumped it on the ground.
As Annabelle was about to reenter her cell. She heard the sound of voices. It seemed to be Mr.Hunter, but she could hardly hear the conversation. Quietly, Annabelle began walking around the prison until she could hear more clearly. She finally recongized the voices as Mr.Hunter and Oldroy. All she could do was listen. What she heard was most dissapointing. Oldroy and Mr.Hunter were planning on an escape. Together. Of course, Annabelle expected this behavior from Mr.Hunter. She just never thought that Oldroy would be capable of such an act.
During the evening, Annabelle laid in her bunk. Oldroy was getting ready for bed.
"Annie, you need the fresh air."
"I enjoy the cell. More so than I enjoy mutinous talk."
"Where's this coming from?"
"I heard you speak to Mr.Hunter. I heard every single word."
"Give me a chance to explain."
"No Mr.Oldroy. Nobody would be able to explain mutiny. Though I'm aware that Bunting tried to excuse himself."
"It's not mutiny. It's survival."
"Is it? Ever since this war began, Mr.Oldroy, all we have done is survive. Everyone should be pulling together. Not plotting something that could put everyone's lives in danger. That includes me. If you and Mr.Hunter were caught..."
"I never saw it that way."
"Mr.Oldroy, you are aware that I value your friendship. More so than I do others. If it weren't for you, I don't know how I would've been able to cope with the death of Mr.Finch nor the death of Edward. You and Mr.Styles and Mr.Matthews have saw me through so many trials. Do not put our friendship on the line. I beg of you."
"All right. All right, I'll stay away from Hunter."
"Thank you."
Annabelle hugged Oldroy.
"Thank you."
A few days later, Annabelle decided to go outside since Archie was resting comfortably for the time being. It was a pretty warm day, and because of this, Annabelle felt a bit tired. Heat always tended to make her a bit exhausted. Soon, two guards came by, they were carrying baskets of fruit. Fresh fruit it seemed. The Duchess was with the guards. One of the guards laid one of the baskets down.
"These common ninnies have allowed me to pick some fruit for you. From its orchids."
With that, The Duchess handed a ripe peach to Mr.Hornblower.
"Her grace is too kind."
"Oh stop, it was the least I could do."
"Well, come on, men. Three cheers for Her Grace."
Mr.Hornblower led the three cheers, but the men did not seem to want to cheer this. All expect Matthews and Styles. The Duchess and Mr.Hornblower left. Styles approached the basket and picked up a piece of fruit, only to have it taken away by Mr.Hunter.
"They're feeding this stuff to us to make us bleed. It's English beef we want, and English beer!" Mr.Hunter said.
Mr.Hunter began stomping all over the basket, squashing the fruit. Finally, he threw the basket down into a hole below. Annabelle didn't know if she should have been dissapointed or completely amused by the fact that Mr.Hunter was acting as though he were a child. Later in the day, everyone returned to their cells. Styles and Matthews went by the window, just as Mr.Hornblower was returning from his walk with The Duchess.
"A lucky dog, he is." Styles said.
"Mr.Hornblower is thinking on something. You mark my words. He is." Matthews said.
"He's thinking of something, all right. It just don't concern us. He's thinking how can be board our legs up, that's what he's thinking on."
"Mr.Styles, no more of this talk. We'll be free when Archie is fit."
"Archie, is it? When did this start?" Matthews asked.
"Oh, I was caring for him. Well, we began to talk and-"
"You told him, didn't you?" Styles said.
"Not in so many words. He figured it out mostly on his own. He's a very intellectual young man."
"Intellectual? You've taken a liking to him." Styles said.
"Not in a romantic sense. I value his friendship, however.You cannot say that it's wrong."
"It's not. We just hope you know that he is rather unfit. He may not recover." Matthews said.
"That's absurd. Even now, he is resting comfortably. He'll be well enough by the end of the week. I guarntee it."
At the end of the week, there was a terrible rainstorm. Annabelle hated the sound of rain and thunder, and Matthews could sense it.He went over to Annabelle and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"I've always hated the rain. I have no idea why. Be it the sound or sometimes..."
There was a sudden clash of thunder, Annabelle gasped and clutched onto Matthews.
"It will pass over quickly." Matthews said.
Annabelle suddenly heard banging and Mr.Hornblower yelling for help. Fearing something was wrong with Archie, Annabelle stood on the tip of her toes and peered through a small window. She saw Mr.Hornblower rushing from his cell with Archie in his arms.
"Annie, what is it?" Matthews asked.
"It's Archie. I think he's sick. Something must be wrong. Mr.Hornblower has just carried him out of here. I must go to him."
"Not now. When the rain has stopped as well as your racing heart." Matthews said.
After Annabelle calmed down and the rain ceased. She was taken to where Archie was staying. Mr.Hornblower was with him, but he seemed to be resting. Annabelle sat on Archie's bed and placed her hand on his brow.
"Archie, wake up. Open your eyes."
Archie opened his eyes and smiled upon seeing Annabelle's face.
"Annabelle..."
"Don't speak. Save your strength."
"I apologize for letting you down."
"No, you haven't. You've only frightened me. Had I had any notion that you were starving yourself more so than I was able to notice. I wouldn't have left your side."
"I feel perfect."
"You cannot fool me, Archie Kennedy. I know you are suffering from a fever."
"How do you plan to heal me, Annabelle?"
"By caring for you. Both me and Mr.Hornblower will see you through this, just as you saw us through our trials."
