Returning to the normal daily routine that we previously had, was a relief. I found comfort in knowing what was going to happen next.
I glanced out the window at the late summer sky splashed with reddish-orange colors. Loitering at the soup kitchen had become a new habit in order to avoid Mason. Leaving bright and early was another habit that I had picked up, also to avoid bumping shoulders with Mason.
" We are done for today," Ellie sighed as she stepped out of the kitchen, with lazy steps, and followed my line of sight.
" Beautiful isn't it," She dolefully added, leaning onto one of the tables, with her arms crossed over her chest.
" Yes," I whispered, placing the last tray on top of the others, letting out a shaky sigh.
" You don't have to stay this late every day," Ellie took my hand in hers and patted the back of it," But I'm grateful that you did," She added, smiling at me.
" I know. I want to," I was trapped between a hammer and an anvil at home. Plus, Celeste lived in the quarter, and after a brief search, I was nowhere near finding her.
" I should go. You should go too," Ellie said as she pushed herself off the table, rummaging in her dress pocket for the keys.
" Have a good night," I said as we made our way out of the soup kitchen.
" Good night Lily, " Ellie said as she turned around to lock the door.
Sliding in the driver's seat, I put the car in drive with no intention of going home. Celeste was my priority since the book I had found in the library with the help of my little friend was only the tip of the iceberg. And since he randomly appeared whenever he felt like it, I was left with no other alternative than to search for Celeste the old-fashioned way.
After a good two hours of blindly going up and down the dirt roads in the quarter, I called it a day. All I knew was that she lived on the edge of the quarter. I needed more. Finding Deedee crossed my mind, but then again I would have to walk into the wolf's den to get that information. I wasn't sure if it was worth it. Could I even approach them on my own? Once again, where would I even begin?
Pulling in front of Northenhay, I turned off the engine and leaned back in the chair. I had no desire to go in.
Reaching to grab my backpack and the courage I needed to step through the front door, I stepped out of the car and made my way towards the door.
It looked quiet. I knew Enid would be fast asleep, but I had no clue about Mason.
With light steps, I made my way through the foyer and into the corridor leading to the bedrooms.
When I stepped inside the room, I was relieved that I had made it without bumping into Mason.
Kicking off my shoes, I slipped into my pyjamas as fast as I could. I was wrecked after a long day at the soup kitchen and yet another day where I played the cat and mouse game.
Exhausted, I climbed into bed and fell asleep before my head even properly touched the pillow. As much as the piqued my insatiable curiosity, my frequent trips to the white plains had to wait for a day less tiring.
A beam of bright light shining through the french windows was my wake-up call. Springing on the bed, I gasped. I had overslept. Without further ado, I jumped out of the bed and hurriedly pulled on the first thing that I came across. I wasn't sure what time it was, but regardless I had to leave. It was Saturday. The very same cursed Saturday when Mason and Enid were going to Arcadia.
As I rushed my way through the corridor, tying my hair up in a ponytail since I skipped showering and everything else. I halted my steps at the loud chatter coming from the foyer. I recognised Enid's voice, Mason's, and Thaddeus's but there was another that I hadn't heard before.
Leaning against the wall, I pondered whether to wait until they left or just step out, say good morning, and leave. I had no idea what time they would leave and I was already so late.
Puffing my cheeks, I pushed myself off the wall and stepped into the foyer.
" Good morning. I see that you finally decided to wake up," Enid amusedly said, as she buttoned her riding jacket.
" Good morning" I grumbled under my breath. gripping the strap of my rucksack.
" I'm late. I should get going," I said as I made my way toward the door and glanced at the brown-haired girl, leaning against the wall, looking at her nails.
" Where to?" Mason asked, making me halt my steps. To my knowledge, he wasn't stupid. He already knew where I was going.
" The soup kitchen," Nonetheless I indulged him with an answer over my shoulder before I gripped on the door handle to open the door.
" Harriet is already there, and so is Louis," He cleared his throat, shoving his hands in his tight riding pants, and I could already feel the heat rising through me at an incredible speed. I heard him, but somehow my brain was more interested in the bulge showing in his trousers than the words coming out of his mouth.
" I see. Why?" I asked after a few moments of silence, for some reason everyone had gone quiet.
" Harriet needs the money," He casually answered, whilst Enid fidgeted with her jacket and boots.
I turned on my heels, and locked eyes with him, " One extra pair of hands doesn't hurt," I said turning around and opening the door to step outside.
" Where is the car?" The car was not where I had parked it the night before.
" The tin can is being serviced," I swallowed the knot lodged in my throat when I felt his presence behind me, and bobs of sweat began forming on my upper lip at the closeness between us.
" Why don't you come with us," I heard the brown-haired girl ask and felt the rucksack slipping off my shoulder.
" Lily, meet Whilemina. Morston's riding champion," He said as he took a step back, placing the rucksack on the floor.
With the corner of my eye, I caught the girl pushing herself off the wall and sticking he thumbs into the belt loops of her riding trousers, very arrogant looking.
" Pleased to meet you," I shyly said as I turned around to face them.
Whilemina hissed a breath through gritted teeth and shook her head," You can call me Will, or Mina. Whichever you fancy, I don't mind." She tipped her chin and winked at me, impishly grinning.
" Will for the love of god, would please behave like a girl for once in your life," Thaddeus was quick to reply, exasperated.