The system didn't give me any more tasks, so I decided to celebrate and go back to my accommodations.

Usually, I would check up on Calista or Calix— just to make sure their happy ending was progressing smoothly— but exhaustion dug its claws into my skin and dragged me down. I was beyond the point of caring about anything other than my nice bed at home with a few magic stones to cool my room on this blistering day.

As the sun crawled across the azure sky, the temperature dropped until it was a pleasant type of warmth designed for young people to stroll around the square, hand in hand. They giggled and pushed each other around, away from the judgemental eyes of the adults, a temporary release from their responsibilities. It was a stark contrast to the busy streets I'd seen mere hours ago— but, perhaps, the system simply did not pay any attention to this segment as the main characters weren't present.

The thought of such a secret little place away from the system's prying eyes made me strangely happy.

I passed a young man holding his friend's ribbon above her head, a smile curving my lips as she chased him down the path, her annoyed yells betrayed by her laughs.

The man's grip loosened on the ribbon and it fluttered on the light breeze, swirling and twisting around like a snake being charmed. Without thinking, I reached out to grab it, completely forgetting I was hidden underneath the cloak.

"Woah, Lys, look!" The man exclaimed, pointing with flushed cheeks. "The ribbon stopped all by itself!"

"Do not be absurd, Ruben." Lys rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Objects do not simply stop on their own."

"I'm telling you, this one did!" He insisted.

I chose this moment to drop the ribbon and step past the bickering duo, the echoes of their argument followed me down the cobbled path.

Was I ever that comfortable with someone? I wondered, rubbing my thumb and forefinger between the webbing of my opposite thumb. Did I ever walk side-by-side with another person without a care in the world?

I hope I did.

I hope there's someone in my original world who remembered me. Who cared enough to ask questions, tear down the streets while calling my name, longing for my return. Just like how the supporting roles reacted when the main character went missing.

A humourless chuckle pushed past my lips. Deep down, I knew no one was looking. I can't even be the main character in my own story.

Rowan's words flitted across my mind. Leave the plot and help me go back to my original world, huh?

Nope, don't even think about it. I shook my head, bunching up the soft material of my dress. As I climbed the final uphill, the muscles in my legs burned and begged for a respite I could not give.

But if there is a chance you— no! Stop thinking!

Tucked in the corner of the street was an oppressive building made out of ruby-red bricks slotted next to and on top of each other in neat rows. A sturdy, metal fence ran around the well-trimmed gardens. The flowers were pruned back and detangled in an attempt to keep them from creeping across the border onto the grass. It was a harsh reminder of humanity's desire to curtail nature into the strict, parallel lines they had made. I loathed it.

I pushed back my hood. "System, I'd like to end the time of use for Cloak of Secrets."

With a soft whoosh, the material disappeared. My shoulders straightened and a newfound joy swept through me like a tidal wave. I felt dizzy with temporary euphoria and gripped the bars; the metal cooled my skin and I could settle back into reality.

The hinges creaked like old bones in a bitter winter as I pulled the gate open. I winced, squeezing myself through the narrow gap and tottered up the stoned path to the front door.

Taking a deep, steadying breath, I knocked.

Almost instantly, the door was pulled back and my landlady— the true villain of my story— peered over the side, her beady eyes scanned me as she slowly stepped out. With her hooked nose, narrowed eyes, and inky black hair pressed into a neat bun, she was the epitome of grace and elegance. Which is possibly why she always looked at me with faint horror and disgust.

"Good evening, Madame Abney," I greeted, resisting the urge to shuffle or pull away from her scrutinising glare. "I am terribly sorry for being late, but I had some urgent matter to attend to and—"

"What," Abney said, "does the sign at the front, girl?"

I swallowed back a sarcastic response. "It says Miss Abney's boarding home for young ladies... Ma'am."

"Precisely." She enunciated each syllable. "A mark of a true young lady is the way she conducts herself within society. Lateness is not a virtue, and you would do well to remember that."

I was too tired to stomach the lecture that would surely be hurled my way. "I deeply apologise, Miss Abney, but I was with Lady Calista and Lord Calix, so—"

"Ah!" As if by magic, her gaze brightened and a slow smile spread across her face at the mention of the leads. "In that case, it is completely fine. Pray tell, how are the Lady and the Lord?"

"They are very well," I replied, stepping over the threshold. "They also extend their greetings to you." A blatant lie, but one that would never be investigated in much detail.

Abney nodded and clapped her hands. "How kind! Those two have such wonderful manners. Good upbringing, is what I say. This is why one needs to have parents to be able to make one's way in the world."

I forced back a biting retort. Abney was well aware that Jia was an orphan. "I agree. I deeply apologise, Ma'am, but I feel quite faint. I shall retire to my room."

"Of course. I will ask the cook to prepare supper for the other girls, and send some water to your room." Without waiting for a response, she disappeared down the corridor to the kitchen.

I ran my hand over the wooden bannister and, gathering my skirts in the other hand, climbed up the stairs. Their ominous creaking filled the silence and I found myself taking two steps at a time to end it quicker. I could almost hear my bed calling me from my room and I leaped off the top step–

"Lady Jia," a cool voice said.

No. I mouthed, my head dropping low as I slowly turned around. "Yes?"

A woman with a smile faker than a friendly hater appeared with a small gaggle behind her. "How was your outing?"

I couldn't place her face, nor did I have any desire to, so I responded curtly, "Fine."

"Are you not going to ask how the rest of us are doing?"

You're not one of the main characters, so I don't care. "Apologies for the oversight, I am quite fatigued. How are you all?"

She sneered. "Do not pretend like you actually care."

"Okay, bye." I yawned and rubbed my eyes, stumbling to my room. Behind me, the girls spluttered and whispered, but I was beyond the point of care.

My room— or rather, Jia's room— had only enough room to fit a small bed with a mattress that sagged so low it nearly touched the ground, and a so-called closet that could only hold three dresses with the rest hanging on the side or flung on top. With the exorbitant fees Abney charged, I was expecting something a little better. But it seems Jia had been well and truly duped– or, perhaps, she was simply desperate to find a place so far from her home.

I tugged off my dress and pulled on a soft nightgown. The sleeves stopped just past my elbow and it didn't cover my knees— which probably would have made Abney gasp in horror. I hadn't bought anything new since I came into this body; I'd used every last coin to purchase items from the system instead.

Rubbing the back of my neck, I lowered myself onto the bed and leaned back against the wall. I gazed out of the cracked window and imagined leaping into the air and flying away from everything. Just soaring with the birds, high up in the clouds, with the wind in my scales and the sun on my back. No system, no plot, no more romance.

8K BREAK

I sighed and stared at my rough and dry hands. I bit my lip and decided to broach a question I'd been wanting to ask for a long time, "System, what can you tell me about Jia?"

Ding!

Name: Jia

Age: 23

Relationship status: Single

Family: deceased parents, one older brother

Allergies: strawberry, mild one to dust

"She has a brother?" I asked, astonished. In the two years I'd inhabited this body, I'd never once received a letter from any family. I'd known her parents were dead– the information had come in handy when I feigned an emotional breakdown to complete a task of gaining Calista's trust– so I'd assumed she was an only child.

One older brother, yes.

"Why are they not in contact anymore?"

According to the memories of the character 'Jia', they pursued different career paths and currently live thousands of miles away.

"So they just drifted apart? Neither of them tried to keep in contact with the other?"

'Jia' did attempt to keep in contact and sent numerous letters over the past three years.

None were answered.

So he didn't even bother helping out his own little sister? I scoffed. "What an ass."

Would you like to hear more about 'Jia'?

I hesitated, unease built up inside of me like a helium balloon. "No, thanks."

What's wrong with me? I thought, lying down on bed and staring up at the ceiling. I never used to care about the privacy of the original owner.

I traced a single crack that spread diagonally from the bottom left corner, down the wall and disappeared behind the skirting board. Flecks of paint peeled off and dusted my blanket with a white powder. I reached out and rubbed a few particles between my fingers, lost in some sort of trance with no clear beginning or end.

My eyelids drooped down and I stifled a yawn as sunset streamed through the cracked windows, elongating the shadows into grisly caricatures. I rolled over onto my stomach and curled up into the foetal position, wishing I'd put a clock in this room.

Instead, I counted out the seconds and minutes under my breath, pausing only when one of the maid's knocked and left water outside my door. I couldn't muster up the energy to bring it inside.

Despite the warm weather, I shivered and drew my blanket tighter around me, heart hammering with anticipation. Based on the darkness and the sudden quiet in the house, midnight had arrived. I was sure of it.

Nothing happened.

I scoffed and turned to face the wall, ignoring the dull pang of disappointment in my chest. What was I expecting?

I blinked.

I was no longer in my room.

********************************

Total word count: 8 505

I hope you guys liked it! 

Stay safe and thanks for reading :)