Emily Peterson

You know that deep feeling you have in the pit of your stomach everytime you keep a secret? That ache to tell someone and to rest your shoulders, to spill all the details and feel well again? Most people say they don't, because they're so used to the feeling that it doesn't seem so distinct anymore. We all keep secrets, whether they are dark ones or simple white lies. Secrets aren't meant to be told, because then they wouldn't be secrets. That's how we live. Every. Single. Day.

"I-I have to tell you something too." Both Jacob and I say at the same time.

In an instant, Mike gets up. I watch as the books all fall into a pile in front of the closet.

"Well, I um... How about you go first Emily?"

What? I stay silent, not wanting to speak. 

Thing is, if I don't get this over with, then my family...

"Well, um... not to disturb you, but I kind of need you to come with m- Who am I kidding? You're a prince... I shouldn't bothe-"

"No! I'll do it! Anything you need." Mike says, cutting me off.

Jacob gives him a quizzical look.

"Well, I um... can't tell you at the moment." I stammer nervously.

Why me? Why now?

"Mike, I need to talk to you, alone." Jacob says, dismissing me.

I quickly walk out, regaining my composure.

Breathe, Emily, Breathe

Why does all of this have to happen to me? I didn't even do anything!

I sigh, turning around and walking towards the stairs.

This is never going to work, I'm just going to en-

"Wait! Emily!" Mike runs after me, grabbing my hand.

I look up to his deep brown eyes and feel my ears turn red.

Damn you for being so handsome.

"When do we leave?"

.

.

.

.

I hurriedly stuff the rest of my necessities into a small satchel. I don't have much, so it fits perfectly.

"Ready?" Mike asks, handing me a dark black cloak.

I take it in my hands, feeling the strange material.

"Yeah, let's go."

We both put on the black cloaks, leaving through a small exit near the maid's quarters.

"I hope nobody sees us." Mike says, dashing through the hallway. There is a hint of sarcasm in his voice...

I follow him, stopping when there is suddenly a noise.

Footsteps.

"Wai-"

"Yeah, I hear it too. I'm not deaf you know."

I scoff, signalling for him to be quiet. We both stand still as I peek at the corner.

There is a broad figure lumbering towards us, carrying a long slender object in his left hand.

"It's a-"

"-guard, yeah I know." Mike finished cockily, reaching for his sides, as if he were going to unsheath a sword.

"What are you doing?" I say, keeping my voice to a minimum.

"You have eyes, don't you? Watch."

I watch in surprise as he gets up, walking straight past the guard. He doesnt even notice when he slips a hand in his pocket, pulling out a key. Mike suddenly turns around, looking at me and putting a finger to his lips.

I brace myself as the guard walks past me, expecting him to see me and arrest me, but no. He simply walks past.

When he is far away enough, I sigh in relief, eyeing the Prince. He is simply leaning against the wall, watching me with a smile on his face.

"Heh, you should have seen the look on your face."  He says, smug as ever.

"Yeah, okay. We should go now." I try to hid my face as I flush in embarrassment.

"Right." His voice suddenly softens as I stand up and walk past him.

I quicken my pace, footsteps softly echoing against the carpeted floor.

"What brings such haste?" Mike asks, matching my pace with ease.

"Family matters."

I realize how stupid that sounds. Dragging a Prince all the way to-

Wait... where am I even going?

I suddenly feel a sharp needle-like sting on my left calf. I stop to look at my legs, seeing that nothing is there.

"Anything wrong?" He asks, stopping.

"N-No I thing I just got stung by... something."

White flashes from behind me, catching us both by surprise. I whirl around, expecting a sorcerer or some kind of wizard to attack us.

It is merely a small sheet of paper with words written on it, accompanied by what seems to be a necklace.

I edge towards it carefully, suspicious.

I'm inclined to just snatch it up, but you never know.

Without warning, the necklace floats up towards me.

"What the..."  I flinch, backing up.

I gasp when it shoots towards me, wrapping around my neck.

Sighing in relief, I no longer worry that it is going to suffocate me.

"It looks nice on you."

I forget that Mike is standing there.

"Thank you..." I don't know what else to say, so I just pick up the paper and keep walking.

My eyes quickly skim over the paper as we speedwalk. The words confuse me.

Directions. You'll need them

-Your Brother

It was nearly written, nothing more nothing less.

Was the necklace a guide of some sort? I look down at it, the gems glittering and sparkling in the dim light. I'm sure this is no kind of lagniappe. My brother- I frown at the thought- wouldn't have the least bit of consideration for me.

"You coming or what?"

Im so wrapped up in my thoughts that I don't even realize we are outside. He somehow managed to open the gate without anyone noticing, not even me.

"Uh... -yeah" I stutter, walking towards the cluster of trees called a forest.

"So, what's the plan?" He asks as soon as we are deep in the trees.

"We have to get to... my brother's...house?" I don't even know where I had to go. I just knew I had to bring him to my brother so my 'family' could be free.

I mean it's selfish, but... what else can I do?

"Do you even know how to get there?"

I look down at the necklace, half expecting him to fling a million questions at me, but he doesn't.

"Yes, I kind of know... Well, I have a guide."

Supposedly.

"Then lead the way. I doubt we have all day, if this is serious enough to concern me."

I scoff, almost irritated by his arrogance.

"We have enough time, you're not that important."

I know, lies everywhere. He's probably worth more than I am in every which way. He's the key to keeping my family alive. Although prince Mike is strange... it's in a good way.

Ahhh

*Stretches*

It's been a while hasn't It? I'm currently out of my country (Vacation, yay!) So the internet is very cruddy. It took me a while to write this because I was going to change the whole story, but almost ruined it when I forgot a very important piece of information. Sooo, the story will go on and finish in about a few chapters. As I said before, (probably not here) I am currently working on a big project with a friend, so I will try and get TPP out of the way so I can put all my efforts on that and continue on with an idea I had.

Well, I hope you all enjoyed! [Realizes I didn't say Hey Guys]

Hello! Hey guys! Don't forget to vote!

And don't forget me...

I have been gone for a while...

But I'm still here...

Thx 4 Reading!!!