The Great Fall

Chapter 2: Part 2: Uncertainty

Wow…

This garden is gorgeous! I mean, it’s obviously a bit overgrown, but I guess that’s expected.

*Grace approaches the house. A laid brick walkway leading to the door. She peeks inside the window, but it’s dark. No sign of movement, she decided to push the front door.*

Well, here goes nothing… I really hope no one is here. I mean the door is unlocked… so, am I really “breaking in”? Okay, Grace! Just do it. There is so much dust in here! And, it’s smelling pretty musty… but, this house is beautiful! Why would someone just leave it here? Focus. We’re searching for answers here, Grace.

*Grace makes her way up the staircase and comes to a door at the end of the hall.*

An office? I haven’t really seen anything like this before. But, sure enough… there’s a desk, bookshelves, a seat beneath the window… I wonder what all these papers are.

*Grace starts rummaging through the papers on the desk. Maps and documents in a language she’s not familiar with. Grace comes upon a locked drawer, when she hears a door slam. She cowers behind the desk, with her back against the drawers.*

Someone’s here?! Oh no… I could’ve sworn I wasn’t followed. Listen, Grace… how many people can you hear?

*Grace listens intently, holding her breath, afraid to move.*

Ugh… I can’t understand what they’re saying! What language even is that?! Okay, I hear two different male voices and a female voice. So, three people. Oh my gosh… what if they come up here? Why did I come alone?! Please, Grace… it’s best that you did. If something happens, at least no one else will get hurt because of you.

*Grace remembers that the seat below the window lifted up.*

I could probably fit in there… there is literally nowhere else to hide. Okay, let’s do this.

*Grace begins to stealthily crawl across the floor towards her only hope of staying hidden, when the floor creaks beneath her. She gasps, stops moving, holds her breath and listens.*

Grace!! Stupid, stupid Grace!! Way to go… give yourself away why don’t you? Wait… is someone coming? Move quick!!

*She hurries herself into the cubby and closes the seat on top of her. Trying to steady her breath, which felt a hundred times magnified in the silence.*

“What was that?” (The female questions). “Well, there is nothing here.” (The first man said). “It’s an old house, it’s bound to creak and make noise as the wind blows.” (The second man piped up.) …

“Wait, (the female said) look at this. Who moved these papers?” … “Oh, don’t be ridiculous. Samson was here earlier. He probably moved them.” (The first man said.) “Let’s go, the circle is waiting for us. We can’t be late!” (The female said.) … “You’re right. Your paranoia always makes us late. Let’s go!” (The second man said.)

*Grace listens as the three strangers make their way down the steps and waits to hear the door close. She breathes in a deep sigh of relief and lets herself out of the cubby. Careful to avoid being seen from the window.*

Well, that was close. I wish I knew what they were saying! I want to know what’s in that locked drawer. But, I feel like I might need some reinforcements. I won’t be able to decipher the papers and figure out what language those people are speaking without Jake tailing me. I mean, he can help me access those books without the leaders finding out… but, then I’ll have to tell him what it’s for. Plus, Cain is the one with the lock picking skills. Ugh… I hate this. How am I going to talk them into this one? I don’t want to give away my secret escape… Maybe, I can convince Cain to take us the way we left the last time. It’s worth a shot. I mean, those were people!! Do they know about us? Do our leaders know about them? How are they surviving outside of the compound? Whatever, Grace. Just take this picture for proof when you’re talking to Jake. Let’s go home.

*Grace, grabs a parchment that has foreign words and a “circle” drawn on it. She slowly makes her way down the stair case, looking all around before she darts out the door behind the overgrown bushes in the garden.*

Ah, the woods. I never thought I’d feel safer here than somewhere else… How am I supposed to help cook for the festival when I have all of this on my mind!

*Grace reaches the secret entry point to the compound. She makes her way inside and to her surprise, there is someone waiting.*

“Jake! What are you doing here?!” … “Well, I’ve been looking everywhere for you… and, I know that sometimes you come here after fights with your Aunt. Did you really not know I was here? I’ve been talking to you this whole time, waiting for you to come out.” … (Okay, Grace… so, he obviously doesn’t know you left the compound… play along.) … “No! I’m sorry, I, uh, fell asleep. I just needed some time to think and I guess the time got away from me. Listen, Jake… there’s something I want to talk to you about.” … “Well, can it wait until after the festival? We have so much to do to prepare!” … “I guess so, but if I find myself too anxious, I might just tell you any way!” … “Haha! Okay, Grace. Deal. Now, let’s go. You’re supposed to be cooking.”

* Jakes takes Grace by the hand and leads her back towards the shack. As they’re walking, Grace looks back at the shed and sighs.*

Soon. I’ll be back soon.