Tucked behind a wall is where we ended up, close together as Charles' breath was heavier than mine. He still had my small hand gripped with his eyes glued elsewhere, behind the wall, watching out for people. He was more on edge than I was.
I tap his shoulder and he jumps, finally glancing over at me, "Bloody Hell, that scared the mess out of me." My eyes widened, I hadn't heard Charles speak in that tone so I was rather surprised. He quickly covered his mouth turning away while mumbling a few words, "Mon Dieu, est-ce que je viens vraiment de dire ça ? (My Gosh did I really just say that?)"
My head turned to the side and I glanced down the hallway myself, locking eyes with Charles when I turned back. "Oh Coquelicot, hi..." He glanced down at our hands, turning a bright cherry red. "S-sorry", I pull my hand away rather confuzzled by his actions. "Are you okay? You seem troubled more so." I say in a whisper and he nods, hands going to his face, "Yes, yes I'm just shocked is all, I apologize for my outburst I'm just-did that really happen?" His face looks more so horrified, his gentle smile being replaced with something else.
It's new to me, but I respond to his question with a nod, "Yes, I'm sorry you had to see that and you don't have to apologize for your outburst." I slide down the side of the wall with a sigh, "I'm used to much worst."
He slides down next to me, touching my shoulder, "But you shouldn't be and again I'm sorry you already have enough on your plate with the yelling I just-when I heard that... It made me want to check on you and then I heard something downstairs-!" "That's when you saw me?"
"Yeah."
It was silent for a second before I interrupted it, "Sorry for interrupting you", "It's alright honestly I'm just glad to run into you, is your arm feeling better?" I rubbed it and tilted my head, "Yeah thanks to you really, thank you again, Charles."
He smiled, "Of course anytime", he faced forward relaxing his shoulders, "By the way if you don't mind me asking, why were you downstairs?" "I got hungry, and there weren't any maids around so I went myself." I lied, which made my stomach swirl, I said that lie too quickly for my liking.
There's a part of me that still isn't ready to tell him everything yet. I bury my face in my hands, trying to process that fact, Charles leans closer. "I see, well sorry your late night snack got interrupted."
I shrug, "Well not entirely because you're here so that's nice, it's new to me to have company like this but.." I trail off glancing into his deep aqua eyes, my mouth drops and I turn away.
I hear a sigh come from him, "Well I hope I can be good company." He yawns with a stretch, "Do you mind if I lay down for a bit?" I shake my head, "Go ahea-" His shaggy hair plops onto my shoulder, his eyes closing as he lets out a deep exhale.
"Thank you, Victoria." My eyes water at the sentence and I smile to myself, "Anytime Charles." It means a lot, just hearing a thank you, makes me feel nice, to help someone else, someone that is within my reach.
I lay my head on his, drawing upon a frown, I wish Rene' was within my reach. Then I could tell her about Charles and all the things that happened so far, even hear her side on what happened to her. I glance up at the ceiling, I just hope she's okay.
I shut my eyes too but lightly. I can't have us getting caught here, it would be
trouble for both me and Charles but-I yawn opening my eyes for a second.
Just darkness, and quiet mostly, there is a little rustling but mainly it's as quiet as a mouse. I look back at Charles, the small bags under his eyes still there but fading a little. His soft face reminding me of a storybook character.
I reach my hand out to touch it, but stop short dropping my hand to the floor. I'm glad he's at-least getting more sleep but I never expected it under awkward circumstances.
I flush a little at the thought, my face warm until a set of steps spook me. The steps being closer than I'm comfortable with. It seems like they're right next to us, going quiet for a while until they turn back around.
My brown eyes move toward my room further down then back to Charles. We got to move. I poke him on the arm, but he doesn't budge, so I poke him again and again. "Goodness Charles please." I tap him on the head and he groggily opens his eyes. "Wha? What happened where-!" I put a finger to my lips, "Shh, they can hear us."
He still seems fairly asleep but nods sitting up. "Ah sorry, we better go then." He scratches his head with another yawn, "I'll sneak down the hallway and if they catch me I'll just say it was sleep walking." He gives me a smile.
"Goodnight Coquelicot", he waves heading in the opposite direction and I wave back, "Goodnight Charles", I reply back softly.
After that he disappeared into the night, and I did too. Carefully moving down the hard floor and reaching my room. I creak open the door and shut it behind me, still having the note tight in my grasp.
I take a deep breath, feeling relieved to be back in my own room. I look up to my bed and head over to it. Putting the now crushed note under my pillow. "I'll read you in the morning." I say to myself, *Creaaaak* my head spins around. Someone opened the door.
"Lady.Victoria are you innnn hereeee?" Large eyes turn to me, a wide smile popping into my view. "Ah there you are."