Chapter 9: The Whispers

Anna paced the beach, shoulders hunched, eyes darting to the sea, and sometimes to the sand beneath her feet. She was making herself a trench with all the pacing she had done. It had been a few hours since.. She decided to call it a second garden incident.

Damn that garden. First I get beat there, now this. I'll take the second incident any day though. I'm glad Kristoff isn't here though, he'd smack me for this.

Anna stopped her pacing and she let out a loud sigh. She had to go back, but how would Elsa react? Coldly? Awkwardly? Would she act as though nothing happened and go about her day? Was Anna the only one having a panic attack here?

She sucked in a deep breath, trying to relax herself, and burying her toes in the warm sand helped her a little. Anna told herself that the only way to know is to go back. That is if she would buck up and fly back.

"Alright. I go back and just play it cool." She ran a hand through her hair and put her shoes back on. Effortlessly she jumped up, flapping lazily to get into the air. Time with Rapunzel had done her well, and her wings had grown much stronger. She could knock a group of people down with a hard stroke. And she could launch herself with could fly much faster than any angel could in the Guardians.

It only took a small fifteen minute flight to the garden. She shuddered, then she shoved the memories aside and jogged for the house. Elsa was probably back to her lesson in Geography. Since she was only technically on break. Anna took that for a sign to head for the room and take a nap until dinner.

She might have to worry about awkward glances at Elsa but she wouldn't miss dinner. Even if it was usually scraps, or leftovers. She opened the door to Elsa's room feeling pleased with herself momentarily when she didn't get lost.

Elsa must have had the same plan because she was in the room. The blond jerked her head to Anna the moment she opened the door. Together they stood frozen, staring at one another.

Both girls were having a debate in their head as how to play this off. Anna herself couldn't stand the tension, she could feel it in the air. Not only that, she could still smell the fading hint of arousal on Elsa. That wasn't helping her sanity, and so she backed up and shut the door.

Anna stared at the wood door, scratching the back of her head, trying to figure out what was next. The door opened quickly and Elsa darted from the room. Or she would have if Anna wasn't in the way.

Anna stumbled and grabbed onto Elsa's arm to stop her fall, but Elsa couldn't hold her weight and they tumbled. Anna found herself on the ground, hands on rather beautiful hips, staring up at a blushing Elsa.

How many times is going to happen? I have my own personal psych to keep up.

Anna bit her lip, thinking of what to say or even what to do. She couldn't just shove Elsa off, that would be also stopped her was Elsa's thighs tightening on her sides like she was tensing to get up. So she settled for just staring up at Elsa who looked lost. Her eyes were clouded in thought, and Anna noticed when she bit her lip Elsa's shifted her gaze to them.

Then Elsa was scrambling off of Anna, her face looked like a tomatoes it was so red. Anna sat up and leaned on her elbows, "So-" Elsa cut her off, she was now wringing her hands, looking at the wall.

"We forget about this all. That's it. Do you understand Anna?" Elsa was looking at Anna now, her eyes were swirling with fear and Elsa looked like she was trying to hide it behind a mask. Elsa bit her lip and turned away, "I… I have business to attend to, and a lesson. Do what you will."

Anna continued to lay there for a moment, watching Elsa walk away, and her eyes couldn't help but notice the extra sway in her step. Why was she born an angel, or flier, whatever she really was. After cursing who ever decided this was her life, she got up from the ground.

Anna walked down the hall in the opposite direction of Elsa and she decided to visit the library. Her steps echoed down the massive halls and it sounded loud to herself, and it seemed emptier than usual.

Did I take a wrong turn? It's so creepy down this hall.

Her ears strained to pick up any sounds, her heart started beating faster, and she felt her palms grow sweaty. Her instinct screamed at her to run and she wanted to know why.

She noticed a painting down at the end of the hall. It looked out of place with a picture of feathers falling from the light. Not to mention it was the only massive picture at the end of the hall.

She heard a small wisp of a sound, like a whisper. It called her closer and obeyed, walking towards the painting. The whisper only got louder, but it muddled like she was underwater.

"What is it?" She asked the painting, pressing her hand to it gently. She heard a slam behind her and she whipped around looking down the hall. The hall itself seemed to grow darker and it grew longer. Looking as if it would never end.

Anna groaned and held her head, the whisper now a commanding roar. But she couldn't understand it, what it wanted. Her whole body started to tremble and she started to retch.

"LEAVE!" A deep roar broke through the whispers, and she jumped, nearly tripping over her feet running down the hall. Her wings frantically flapping, as if they wanted to fly, but she didn't have the space to actually fly.

All the doors started slamming open and closed, the hall shook, and she chanced a glance back. The whole wall that held the painting at the end of the hall seemed to move in. As if closing in and the hall grew shorter. She could see the turn where she originally came from. Spots danced in her vision and she could hear the whispers again.

Holy test tubes! I'm going to die in this freaky hall way!

She jumped around the corner, tripping over her own wings in her haste to get away. She fell to the ground gasping for air, crawling quickly on her hands and knees. She heard another slam and when she looked back the hallway she entered was gone.

Anna rolled onto her back, closing her eyes, and thought she heard a deep laugh before she let the darkness consume her.

xXxXx

She woke up to a maid shaking her arm lightly, the light outside had long faded. How long had she been out? She flinched and sat up with the help of the maid. "What.. What time is it?" She held her pounding head and rolled her shoulders.

She let her wing stretch up, since the hall wouldn't allow her to stretch outward, and then she curled them in again. Letting them pop and lose the stiffness. "It is almost time for dinner. Miss Roe requested I help look for you since you haven't been seen all afternoon. She was worried. What were you doing down this empty hall? If I am allowed to ask."

Anna stopped her stretching to stare at the maid, repeating the conversation. One she didn't believe Elsa was actually worried, especially after today. And two did a human just ask her if she was allowed something?

"I was looking for the library and then I got lost. I fell asleep after a while of looking." She smiled at the maid and got to her feet. When did she go down the hall? Eleven? Dinner meant that it was almost six o'clock.

Her belly rumbled in anger when her brain figured out how long she was passed out. She put aside the worry about the hall incident. It had to have been a bad dream, or something. Whatever the case was, she wanted food right now and possibly a bathroom. She would ponder if what happened was real or not later.

xXxXxX

Anna entered the large dining room where three plates were set up at the table. That confused her, who was their guest? Anna painfully noticed Elsa's absence and she figured Elsa was taking her sweet time for dinner. Mrs. Roe always entered the room last, so Anna sat on the ground near Elsa's seat, though she did distance herself further than usual.

Does this mean no getting handed food from Elsa anymore? I can't live on the crap Mrs. Roe demands I eat. And what the hell was up with that hallway? Did I dream it all?

Before she could worry more Mrs. Roe and Elsa entered the room from different doors. Elsa took her usual seat to the right of the head of the table. Mrs. Roe looked calm, but Anna could feel the anger coming off her body. Anna ducked her head when Mrs. Roe kept coming for her.

Anna went over everything that she could have done to piss off Mrs. Roe. The only thing she could think of was nearly humping her daughter in the garden. Anna whimpered when she felt Mrs. Roe grab her by the arm and forced her to stand.

"Mother, what are you doing?" Elsa asked, her voice cracking a little, she was wringing her hands again.

Mrs. Roe pulled Anna towards the other side of the table where the third table setting was. "Since you think this creature so important to dismiss business with Mr. Slade, I think she can sit with us at the table." Mrs. Roe sounded calm and relaxed. Too relaxed and Elsa stood up, getting a bad feeling about this.

"No its alright mother-" Elsa tried to fix things, because anytime someone had her mother's attention, it usually ended bad.

Mrs. Roe shoved Anna onto the seat, her hands placed firmly on her shoulders. "No I insist she sit with us. Sit down Elsa." Elsa sat down with a thump and Anna gave Elsa a questioning look.

"So.. Anna, what is so special about you?" Mrs. Roe asked moving to stand beside Anna. Anna clutched the fork in her hand tightly, looking like a deer in headlights. She cleared her throat and looked Mrs. Roe's cold blue eyes.

"S-special ma'am? N-n-nothing at all." Anna bit her lip, having a hard time keeping constant eye contact with the lady.

"Then tell me, why is it Elsa devotes herself to you?" Mrs. Roe was tapping her foot, arms crossing waiting for an answer. "Well?" She asked impatiently, eyes narrowed to slits.

"She doesn't devote herself to me Miss. She just takes care of me. I am the pet, am I not?" Anna felt an instant pain on the back of her head. She rubbed it, hoping to take some of the pain away. Things never really hurt, but lately her head was a weak spot.

"Don't get smart with me. I want to know. What is it? Hmm?" Anna got the feeling her mother knew something she didn't. Anna thought hard, what brought Elsa back to her?

"Mother I just thought it wiser that you talk with Mr. Slade. It wasn't my purpose to insult him by leaving him the moment Anna returned." Elsa looked like she was going to puke and a light sheen of sweat covered her forehead. Mrs. Roe turned her gaze to Elsa, disappointment clear in her eyes.

"You thought.. No you did not think Elsa! Never dismiss someone for something as silly as this." When she said this, she pointed to Anna and you could hear the hatred in her voice. For Elsa, or for Anna, no one could tell.

"I will fix the problem with Mr. Slade and his wounded pride. I will make the deal and I am sending you and your 'oh so precious' flier to visit with Aurora. Hopefully she rubs off on you. I want you there because all the daughters of well known company's will be there. I want you to make friends with all of them." Mrs. Roe took a deep calming breath, clasping her hands in front of her.

Mrs. Roe sneered at Elsa, and Anna never saw a more ugly look on someone. "Lets hope she can fix the disappointment you are. And be lucky I can't teach you a lesson tonight Elsa. Go pack up, you leave at dawn. I don't want to see your face until you actually learn to not disappoint me all the time."

Elsa got out of her chair so quickly that she almost knocked it over in her haste. Then she stiffly left the room, holding her head high. But Anna saw the tears in her eyes, and the way her lower lip wobbled. Anna made to stand but Mrs. Roe grabbed her jaw, pulling her closer.

"I saw you two." She spat out, looking disgusted. "I will let it slide this time only because I can't the whole city knowing my daughter is involved with.. you. It would ruin me." She squeezed tighter and Anna felt her empty belly roll.

"But- we didn't- there wasn't- how much did you see?" Anna asked, and that only earned her a vicious glare.

"I saw enough of you two laying out on the garden. Sickening. Never took my daughter for one to lay with an animal. You better be on your best behavior tomorrow. Keep it in your pants, the whole time you are there." She shoved Anna hard and she tumbled off the chair. Mrs Roe looked like she was holding back the urge to just kill Anna and be done with it. Anna gave in, knowing she wouldn't be able to win.

She nodded so hard her chin hit her chest, "Yes.. yes ma'am! I promise. Nothing." Mrs. Roe nodded like she was pleased with Anna's answer and sat down, pulling a cloth napkin out and put it on her lap.

"Now go. I am tired of constant issues revolving around you two. Shame I can't get rid of you because the public loves Elsa and her 'cute little flier'." Mrs. Roe shuddered. "If only they knew the truth. But they won't. Not ever." Anna nodded like she agreed and then she left the room as quickly as she could.

She forgot about the hallway incident and she could feel the burn of Mrs. Roe's hateful and disgusted gaze all the way across the room.

An: OOOOOO Visit to Aurora's home and other new rich folk. Yay? Mysterious hallway as well?