I'm outside Emma's bedroom door, pacing, while Mariam is inside talking to Emma. I hope that they work out Emma's problem so that I don't have to be worried that Emma will explode again. The first time was enough for me.I'm so confident that Mariam will solve this that I don't listen in on their conversation. Also, it would be rude to be in on such a private conversation. I probably wouldn't comprehend all of Emma's feelings, anyway. I just have to wait and see what happens.So I do. I wait.And I begin to get nervous when Mariam and Emma don't come out of the room for over an hour. I gnaw on my bottom lip and sit on the ground, my foot jiggling. Richard comes around to see if everything is okay and I have to wave him off. He understands and says he'll come back later if things are still unresolved.But things eventually do get resolved. Excited, though I'm not entirely sure why, I jump up from the ground as Emma's door finally opens. Mariam steps out of the room and holds out her ha
The next few days pass as if there's a fog over the household. We're all forced to stay indoors, by Richard's insistence, and with every day I grow agitated. There are more guards around, more experienced guards, and security is up to oar. There are periodic check ins through earbuds and Steve has really come out of his shell. Though security is tighter than ever, and it's a good thing, I feel like an animal in a cage. Mariam tries to hang out with me but her presence only makes me feel more suffocated.Wisely, Richard offered the gym for me to use to get rid of my excess energy, and I used it while Emma read silently in the corner of the room. Her and I managed to come to a mutual agreement that we'll be together at all times but stay out of each other's business. It worked, but I still got the feeling that something was bothering Emma. She'd give me odd looks over her book while I worked out and would quickly avert her eyes when I turned to her. It frustrated me to no end but I didn
My laces are tight and I've adorned my favorite jacket. Emma and her friends are putting on warm clothes and shoes while I move the cameras in the backyard to give me a blind spot that I can sneak the girls out through. It's too easy and I promise myself to tell Richard about it when I come back. By the time I'm ready to go, so are the girls. I shut off the lights then usher them all into the darkness of the backyard. All we have to do is make it to the privacy trees and we'll be free.Adrenaline makes me giddy. I haven't snuck out of a place in forever, and I have to admit that doing it now is a little exciting. Nodding, I push the girls into a straight line and motion for them to follow me. We give the pool a wide birth so the pools lights donate catch us, and we hurry to the other end of the yard, nearer to the trees. All of the guards posted here are near the hedges and nowhere else, so it's relatively easy to run about without getting seen. Another thing to tell Richard when I ge
Security goes into a frenzy as the girls and I step through the front gates. Mariam and Richard have been alerted via ear bud and the girls are ushered inside, surrounded by guards, while I stay out front to talk to Steve. He notices my wounds but doesn't react since I'm not making a big deal out of them. I tell him how we snuck out much too easily and that he should bulk up near the privacy trees. I also suggest a more advanced camera system for the house and bring up my idea about motion sensors in the backyard. Steve nods along, mumbling his agreement."Caaaaas!"I wince at Mariam's holler and smile gratefully when Steve gives me an apologetic look and hurries away. I steel myself for Mariam's oncoming storm, feeling a burning sensation in my shoulder. My wound must be healing."Cas!" Mariam stomps up to me, her eyes on fire. "Are you insane? My God! You snuck out of the house, so stupid. You're job is to keep Emma safe not take her into danger!""I know," I mumble.Mariam breathes
Water droplets drip onto my shirt and soak into the material. I pat my hair dry then shake it out, making a funny noise with my mouth. I've been spending all morning pumping myself up for the talk I promised myself I'd have with Emma. My shower ran long as I tried to figure out what I might say, and I came up with moot.Sighing, I brush my hair off my forehead and head out of my bedroom. I'm still not entirely sure what I'll say to Emma, but I think I can fake it long enough for Emma to get her feelings out. Hopefully she'll keep talking and all I'll have to do is listen. By the end, if everything goes well, Emma will have vented and I'll feel better knowing I won't have to walk on eggshells.I arrive before Emma's door and remain still, listening for signs of life. Sometimes she's downstairs before I'm awake and ready but this morning she's still in her room. I hear her reading, the soft hush of pages turning telling me so. I don't blame her for not being out and about yet. She proba
I keep my lips sucked into my mouth as I head downstairs. Somehow I feel as though if I keep my lips hidden, no on will be able to see Emma there. It's stupid but it makes the knots in my stomach loosen enough to know that I'm hungry. I don't feel the need to vomit anymore.As I step foot into the dining room I spot Mariam's profile, and I immediately spin around. I may be hungry but I'm not that hungry. Unfortunately, I wasn't fast enough."Cas?"I still just outside the dining room and hold my breath. I know I'm out of Mariam's line of sight and maybe if I pretend I'm invisible it'll be true."Cas, I know that's you. Come in here."For a second I actually contemplate running away. But I sigh, knowing I can't hide from Mariam forever. I have to deal with this and take my punishment. Gathering my strength, I turn around and square my shoulders, then walk into the dining room. Mariam is sitting at the dining table, Richard across from her, but there's someone else sitting, too. I pause
Unsurprisingly, I find Emma in the library, her nose in a book. I'm quiet as I approach and Emma doesn't look up. I don't think she knows I've found her yet, and I'm a bit nervous, so I remain just outside the room, watching. Emma's put her hair up in a messy bun, stray strands strewn about her face, and she has her bookmark between her teeth. Her eyes remain in the same spot on the page in front of her and her bookmark is getting more punishment than it deserves. Her anger at her father is clearly nowhere near being over. The news about our entourage probably isn't helping at all.Scratching the back of my neck, I slowly step into the library, almost expecting a harsh glare and the command to go away. It's my job to monitor Emma all day, every day, but I'd give her space if she needed it.I clear my throat to make my presence known and Emma's head jerks up. She stares at me, her bookmark held between her teeth. I scuff my foot on the carpet and stick my hands in my pockets. "Uh... Wh
Snorting, I jerk awake. Drool is stuck to the side of my mouth and I wipe it away while I blink the sleep from my eyes. My body feels exhausted and dehydrated, and I remember that I had been crying. Face hot in embarrassment, I swivel my head around to try to find Emma, hoping she's not laughing at me and my momentary crack.There's no one around but I hear noise coming from the bathroom. I sit up in bed and run a hand through my gnarled hair. "Emma?" I try, my voice husked with sleep.The toilet flushes, then the tap starts. "In here," she calls out. "Hold on." Some more noise- her drying her hands, blowing her nose- then the bathroom door opens and she steps out. A smile is on her face and she looks rejuvenated. I probably look a mess. "Finally awake, huh?" she chuckles, walking over to the bed."Uh, yeah," I say, cautiously. Emma's acting weird, and not her normal weird. She's gazing at me too sweet. "How long have I been out?"Emma lays down beside me. "A few hours. Terry's checke
My stomach feels empty as I watch Mariam pace in front of Emma's house. Gravel crunches under Mariam's feet and she can't seem to stop adjusting her glasses on her face. I know she's worried about me, she has to be, but there's no way for us to communicate. She probably things I'm still off dispatching the man behind Emma's assassination attempts. I finished almost an hour ago, but I'm not ready to see everyone yet. So, I'm sitting beside the mansion's gates, hidden by early morning darkness.I scratch my arm and crusted blood flakes away from my skin. My mind replays what I had done earlier and I sigh, knowing I'm going to have to face everyone soon if only to tell them there's a hell of a mess to be cleaned. But at least Emma's safe now. Safe enough, at least. Roger is still a threat in my mind and I don't want him anywhere near Emma. I don't care that she's his daughter, he doesn't deserve her, not after what he's done.My fists clench as I think about all the things I want to do t
The speeches seem to last a lifetime, and they all have the same ending. 'Please donate', 'have a good time', 'enjoy the night.' I've finished my food already, as has everyone else at the table, and I'm counting the thorns on the roses of our table centerpiece. I wonder why the thorns were left alone, making the roses that much more dangerous.Finally, the last speech finishes and there's a round of applause. I clap, too, just to follow along, and survey the room. The atmosphere returns to how it was before- the dancing and drinking- and I wish I could enjoy this night along with everyone else. Now that there's nothing to stop her from talking, Mariam turns to me, her expression an odd one. Her jaw clenches and she takes a glance at Emma, who's sipping at a fresh glass of water. I gulp and scratch the back of my ear just as Roger excuses himself. He doesn't seem to have noticed Emma and I dancing and I thank the heavens for small favors.Mariam's eyes trail Roger as he stops to talk t
I'm allowed to sleep in since we don't have to leave until late in the night, and I enjoy every moment of it. My bed is so comfy that I don't want to leave it. But then Mariam knocks on my door and ruins all the fun. Antony lets her in, giving me a nod, and I sit up just so I don't have to hear Mariam hound me."Time to get up," she says much too cheerily, opening the curtains. The sky is already darkening outside and only the bare minimum of light seeps into my room.I groan and scratch my head, looking Mariam up and down. She's wearing a cobalt blue pencil dress that's perfect for her petite frame. I've seen her wear it once before a long time ago."Am I the only one not ready?" I croak, getting out of bed."Emma's finishing up right now. But yes, you're basically the last one. We have enough time, though."I pad to the bathroom and start the tap so I can wash my face and brush my teeth. "By what you're wearing, I'm guessing I'm supposed to dress up."Mariam fills the bathroom doorw
Emma's stomach began rumbling mid make-out and I didn't want go any further, so we head downstairs, Terry and Antony in tow. My lips tingle oddly and my fingers itch to be linked with Emma's, but I don't want our relationship to be known, or whatever it is we have together. We're not dating but we're definitely more than friends. Kissing buddies, maybe.When we reach the kitchen Emma rummages around the refrigerator for something to eat while Terry, Antony, and I stand around, giving each other a wide berth. I haven't seen Mariam or Richard since coming down from my room but I'm sure they're lurking somewhere, waiting to bombard Emma and I with a few choice words. Mariam would probably want to make sure I'm getting along with the new guards, too.I snap out of my thoughts when Emma offers me some of her sandwich. She's holding it out in front of me, urging me to take a bite. I heat and glance at Terry and Antony. They haven't reacted to the cozy way Emma is being but I still don't lik
Snorting, I jerk awake. Drool is stuck to the side of my mouth and I wipe it away while I blink the sleep from my eyes. My body feels exhausted and dehydrated, and I remember that I had been crying. Face hot in embarrassment, I swivel my head around to try to find Emma, hoping she's not laughing at me and my momentary crack.There's no one around but I hear noise coming from the bathroom. I sit up in bed and run a hand through my gnarled hair. "Emma?" I try, my voice husked with sleep.The toilet flushes, then the tap starts. "In here," she calls out. "Hold on." Some more noise- her drying her hands, blowing her nose- then the bathroom door opens and she steps out. A smile is on her face and she looks rejuvenated. I probably look a mess. "Finally awake, huh?" she chuckles, walking over to the bed."Uh, yeah," I say, cautiously. Emma's acting weird, and not her normal weird. She's gazing at me too sweet. "How long have I been out?"Emma lays down beside me. "A few hours. Terry's checke
Unsurprisingly, I find Emma in the library, her nose in a book. I'm quiet as I approach and Emma doesn't look up. I don't think she knows I've found her yet, and I'm a bit nervous, so I remain just outside the room, watching. Emma's put her hair up in a messy bun, stray strands strewn about her face, and she has her bookmark between her teeth. Her eyes remain in the same spot on the page in front of her and her bookmark is getting more punishment than it deserves. Her anger at her father is clearly nowhere near being over. The news about our entourage probably isn't helping at all.Scratching the back of my neck, I slowly step into the library, almost expecting a harsh glare and the command to go away. It's my job to monitor Emma all day, every day, but I'd give her space if she needed it.I clear my throat to make my presence known and Emma's head jerks up. She stares at me, her bookmark held between her teeth. I scuff my foot on the carpet and stick my hands in my pockets. "Uh... Wh
I keep my lips sucked into my mouth as I head downstairs. Somehow I feel as though if I keep my lips hidden, no on will be able to see Emma there. It's stupid but it makes the knots in my stomach loosen enough to know that I'm hungry. I don't feel the need to vomit anymore.As I step foot into the dining room I spot Mariam's profile, and I immediately spin around. I may be hungry but I'm not that hungry. Unfortunately, I wasn't fast enough."Cas?"I still just outside the dining room and hold my breath. I know I'm out of Mariam's line of sight and maybe if I pretend I'm invisible it'll be true."Cas, I know that's you. Come in here."For a second I actually contemplate running away. But I sigh, knowing I can't hide from Mariam forever. I have to deal with this and take my punishment. Gathering my strength, I turn around and square my shoulders, then walk into the dining room. Mariam is sitting at the dining table, Richard across from her, but there's someone else sitting, too. I pause
Water droplets drip onto my shirt and soak into the material. I pat my hair dry then shake it out, making a funny noise with my mouth. I've been spending all morning pumping myself up for the talk I promised myself I'd have with Emma. My shower ran long as I tried to figure out what I might say, and I came up with moot.Sighing, I brush my hair off my forehead and head out of my bedroom. I'm still not entirely sure what I'll say to Emma, but I think I can fake it long enough for Emma to get her feelings out. Hopefully she'll keep talking and all I'll have to do is listen. By the end, if everything goes well, Emma will have vented and I'll feel better knowing I won't have to walk on eggshells.I arrive before Emma's door and remain still, listening for signs of life. Sometimes she's downstairs before I'm awake and ready but this morning she's still in her room. I hear her reading, the soft hush of pages turning telling me so. I don't blame her for not being out and about yet. She proba
Security goes into a frenzy as the girls and I step through the front gates. Mariam and Richard have been alerted via ear bud and the girls are ushered inside, surrounded by guards, while I stay out front to talk to Steve. He notices my wounds but doesn't react since I'm not making a big deal out of them. I tell him how we snuck out much too easily and that he should bulk up near the privacy trees. I also suggest a more advanced camera system for the house and bring up my idea about motion sensors in the backyard. Steve nods along, mumbling his agreement."Caaaaas!"I wince at Mariam's holler and smile gratefully when Steve gives me an apologetic look and hurries away. I steel myself for Mariam's oncoming storm, feeling a burning sensation in my shoulder. My wound must be healing."Cas!" Mariam stomps up to me, her eyes on fire. "Are you insane? My God! You snuck out of the house, so stupid. You're job is to keep Emma safe not take her into danger!""I know," I mumble.Mariam breathes