Meanwhile, in the attic, Diana lay on the mattress, alone with her thoughts. She prayed numerous times for a way to lead a normal life. She asked for guidance and strength to navigate the challenges ahead. After finishing her prayer, she looked around the attic. It felt really empty—just an old mattress in the corner and the provisions she had brought up.
Then, she noticed the window and walked towards it, opening it wide to let in the fresh air. The view outside was beautiful and serene: a lush park with green maple trees and children playing happily. She breathed in deeply, feeling the invigorating effect of the cool air.
As she gazed out the window, her eyes were drawn to a ladder propped against the wall of the house below. The sight of the ladder sparked an idea in her mind—this could be her way to enter and exit the house discreetly. This discovery melted away her worry about having to sneak in and out of the house, and she could breathe easier, feeling calmer and optimistic.
After lingering by the window for a few more moments, Diana closed it gently, letting the fresh air settle in the room. She turned away and slowly made her way back to the mattress, her footsteps soft against the wooden floor. With a quiet sigh, she sat down, then lay back, her eyes tracing the familiar lines of the attic ceiling.
Diana lay in bed, staring up at the wooden beams of the attic ceiling. The conversation she'd just had with Daniel echoed in her mind. They had talked about almost everything they could think of, planning how she could stay hidden up here. The attic was rarely visited by their mom, but Diana knew she still had to be extremely careful. Finally, after the whirlwind of the day, she allowed herself to relax a little.
Her thoughts drifted to her past life. Diana had grown up in a small town near the Swiss border, where Sundays meant church with her family. Her parents were deeply religious, and they made sure she attended every sermon. Those lessons about kindness and compassion had stuck with her. Even as a child, she always wanted to help others, whether it was carrying groceries for the elderly or offering a shy smile to someone who seemed lonely.
She had always thought that kind people made the most friends, that compassion naturally drew others in. But over time, she'd learned otherwise. A tear rolled down her cheek as she took a shaky breath and wondered if she could still be Aiden's friend, as they had been since they were young. He'd always understood her, never pushing her to be someone she wasn't. Their friendship had been her one safe space, the place she could just be herself without fear of judgment or loneliness.
As the thoughts and emotions became too much to bear, Diana felt herself starting to doze off, the weight of everything pulling her into an uneasy sleep.
Daniel descended the attic stairs, his mind still processing the conversation with Diana. When he reached the kitchen, the aroma of curry welcomed him. His mom, Carmine, had prepared one of his favorite meals. They sat down to eat, and he appreciated the warmth and comfort of being home.
As they ate, Carmine broke the silence. "Have you thought about getting back into badminton?" she asked casually. "I know you haven't had much time for it lately."
Daniel shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. "I haven't really thought about it."
Carmine smiled softly. "You always seemed to enjoy it. It's good to have something outside of school to clear your head." She took a bite of curry before adding, "I miss seeing you play."
Daniel gave a small nod but didn't respond, poking at his food.
Carmine watched him for a moment, her smile fading into something more thoughtful. She set her fork down gently, her voice softening. "You've been quiet lately. Is everything alright?"
Daniel froze, his fork halfway to his mouth. "Yeah, I'm fine," he mumbled, trying to keep his tone casual. "Just... normal stuff."
Carmine's eyes lingered on him, concerned but not pushing. "You can always talk to me, you know that, right?"
Daniel swallowed and nodded, feeling the weight of her words. "Yeah, I know."
After dinner, Daniel made sure to take another portion of curry, sneakily placing it in a bowl and thanking his mom for the meal before heading back upstairs. He opened the attic door and softly called out, "Hey, Diana..." but quickly stopped as he realized she was asleep.
Diana was curled up on the mattress, facing away from him. Her hair spread out across the mattress like tree vines, giving her a peaceful, almost ethereal appearance. She looked serene, her face relaxed and gentle in slumber.
Daniel gently set the bowl of curry next to her, careful not to wake her. Just as he was about to leave, he took a moment to observe her. There was a softness to her features that made her look endearing, even in sleep. Drawn by her tranquil appearance, Daniel found himself creeping closer to her. He pulled the cover up to keep her warm, feeling an unexpected surge of protectiveness. As he watched her sleep, he couldn't help but think about the strange circumstances that had brought them here and the mystery that surrounded her existence.