Fox

I can't express how relieved I am to see other students. Paranoia still lurks in my system. Every time one of my other relived-looking classmates runs up to me I tend to jump. I apologize rapidly right after I accidentally elbow someone in the stomach. All she did was try to hug me from behind.

My guard is still up. I'm still wary that this could be a trap. Speaking of guards, tons are roaming the halls. That could indicate that this isn't a trap and defense was called in to help. They either stand by the walls or direct students into the mess hall.

Some people are still wearing their formal attire from last night. Suffering is written all over them. It hurts me to see their mascara-stained eyes and slumped postures. I probably also look like a mess. However, I'm not wearing my dress anymore.

My fingers idly play with my long sleeves. At first, I was mad at Robin. He betrayed us by leaving the room. Confusion also swims with my fury. I have no clue how he got into my room but he now scares me a bit.

A small part of me is grateful for the new clothes. But I also feel awkward wearing this outfit that doesn't match. Robin had also grabbed a shirt that was too big for me. My hands are covered by the sleeves. He didn't grab shoes, either. My flats do me well but I feel bad for Eden who is walking around barefoot now. It wasn't until this morning that she found out her high heel had snapped.

Other people are wearing normal clothes as well. I guess that means a lot of them stayed protected in their rooms. I don't think I would have risked that. If it were up to me, I probably would have tried to leave the castle.

My group follows a small crowd into the mess hall. I'm convinced this isn't a trap. I'm really trusting my intuition. There are not many people here compared to what we used to have. It's a sad sight. I wonder how many royals were taken last night but my heart aches when I think of the subject.

Even more guards are in this room. So is food. My stomach growls, reminding me how hungry I am. It isn't fresh food. It might have been extra from last night or an emergency stash. Either way, I'll take it.

"There's the head lady." Eden nudges my side and directs me to where she's sitting. Even more guards surround her. The head lady looks terrible, I notice. I can't imagine how much devastation she feels.

We must have arrived on the later side. Right as my group sits down at the table, the lady walks up to the podium.

The room is empty of chatter. A sad energy fills it.

"I have gathered you here on this devastating day to talk about a few things," She starts, her voice reaching all around the large room. All eyes, including mine, are on her. "There is no denying something very tragic happened last night. This was all unexpected. But, I don't want any of you to feel any more fear. Of course, that might be hard. Special defensives have been called and they are investigating the event."

Robin, beside me, makes an odd movement. His hand twitches, as if something shocked him. He lifts it to cover his mouth and tries to pretend it didn't happen. He glances at me. Usually, he holds my eye contact but he flinches away immediately.

I brush it off and turn my attention back to the announcement.

"Let's all take a while to grieve the ones we have lost but look back towards our future. Those of you who do not wish to stay here any longer are welcome to leave. There will be transportation open for the next week. You are also welcome to go home for the upcoming holidays and come back if you choose to. We invite you all to stay here, but we understand that is a hard thing to ask."

She goes on and on. I pay attention to every word. Trying to gather as much information about the event as possible. The head lady does not give any information about it, though. She preaches how we should all go back to normal life and that this won't happen again. I don't believe I can rest without knowing this group of awful people isn't paying for what they did.

The main announcement has ended and questions from students are now being answered. Misery fills me because I don't know what to do. I'm torn between endless decisions.

"Eden," I get her attention and shift so we're facing each other. I keep my voice low. "What do you think we should do?"

Eden looks as clueless as me. She takes my hands in hers. We sit quietly, weighing our options. "We might should go home and tell our parents what had happened. I doubt they would like us to stay in this school," Eden suggests. She's right. I can't imagine what it would be like not knowing your children are at risk of this sort of thing.

But on the other hand, I don't think we should leave. This feeling of restlessness won't leave me until I know those royals are safe. This is a risky idea but I want to find those students. I can't do that back at home. I will have to stay here.

"What's wrong?" Eden questions my silence. My eyes flicker away from her face. My mouth opens and closes. I debate whether or not I should offer my idea. "We should stay here." I finally say. Eden looks surprised but she hears me out. "I mean, don't you want to know what happened? This is dangerous but we should try to help. I want to help. I understand if you want to go home." I'm basically rambling. Words and ideas spill out of my mouth.

"Okay. If you really think we should stay, we can stay."

I embrace Eden in a soft hug. I know this was a difficult idea to suggest but I'm glad I have someone to stay with me.

Arlo clears his throat. I forgot there were other people around us. "I think I'll stay too." He says and gives a small smile. Eden hugs him next.

"Robin?" I place my hand on his shoulder. Robin's head is turned to the front of the room where the head lady is but his eyes don't blink. He is as still as stone except for his fingers. They pick at each other, digging into his skin. I say his name once more and he slowly snaps out of it.

"Are you staying here?" Softly, I ask him when his attention is on me. Robin's gaze drops to the table.

"Yeah," Robin answers hoarsely. His reply is slow and quiet. Nodding his head, he looks at me again. "Okay," I answer, "I'm glad."

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My head buries deeper into my pillows. My pillows in my own bed. It has been declared safe to roam the castle again. Though, I don't think I'll ever stop being paranoid.

My warm covers and thick pajamas make my body temperature increase. My body demands me to toss and turn. I'm not going to get any sleep. I sit up and rub my tired eyes. Let's try again. This time I push one of my blankets off my bed. I rearrange my pillows. I have a habit of sleeping with decorative pillows because I like to be surrounded by them, but I push them off too.

I shift until I find a position I believe I can stay in. My head falls back down. I feel a weird material scrape my skin. My eyebrows pinch together. I bounce back up. My hand reaches in all directions to find my lamp. Once I have some light I look into my bed.

Where my head just was, is a letter. The envelope sits by itself. There is writing on the front but it's too dim to see it. I take the paper in my hands and raise it to the light.

Fox.

My name is scribbled on the outside in tiny cursive. I kick off all my covers. My footsteps are quiet as I try not to wake Eden up. I dig through my desk to find a letter opener.

The paper is crumbled within the envelope but the words are still visible. There are only two sentences. Out of fear, I don't look at who signed it right away.

Meet me in the library tonight. It's unlocked.

Please,

Robin.

Why would Robin want me to go to the library at this time? I wonder if he's there right now. I went to bed pretty late. How did he even get this letter in here? My mind flashes back to when he grabbed my clothes out of my room. I shiver. This is terrifying. I don't like that he knows how to get into here.

My stomach tells me not to go. Anxiety is basically screaming at me. But my curiosity is too strong. I really want to know why Robin wants me to go to the library. Maybe I can just stop by. I'll also bring a dagger.

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Tons of important decisions are made here. Glad I'm not in her shoes, I am the most indecisive person I know.

I would like to thank you if you've made it this far. Chapter 1 feels so far away so it's amazing if you have come this far.