"What?" Abel asked, feeling the hope that had tumbled into his belly begin to rise again.
This time, it was Hilsa who looked around the hall keenly before proceeding in a hushed tone.
"We run away," she said flatly, not even bothering to look at him.
Abel could've laughed at the absurdity of the suggestion.
"Run away? Are you even serious?"
"Shh!" Hilsa flinched.
He noticed, however, that she retained her determination.
"You've got to be kidding... say we do that, guess what would happen to the house?"
"Nothing," she stated plainly.
Abel couldn't tell if she was even taking this seriously.
"Nothing?... Did you forget everything I told you? And how do we run away when we both have court to attend?" Abel began. "And for God's sake, don't say we won't be attending."
"Well, we won't."
This time, Abel actually laughed — a low, sarcastic laugh.
