Late Creative Thursday // C.C.C.WC :: Chapter Three

Hey, guys!
So sorry this is late. I started writing it on Wednesday, but was so busy doing other things I couldn't finish and publish it. And I was away yesterday 9am - 9pm, so I couldn't finish it and publish it then either :) So here it is, even though it's a bit late...This is Chapter Three for Celia's Writing Challenge. Click here for more information on the challenge and click here for the Chapter Three post.

-----------

Chapter I

Chapter II

Crow stumbled through the streets, running and tripping, never looking back at Grace's street. He'd just wanted to make sure Rosie was okay with doing the watching shift - he hadn't expected to bump into...her. When she feel into him, he forgot how to breathe. She felt so warm and comforting and normal against him for that second she was pressed against him. His heart had been beating so fast, she must have felt it. But then the moment passed and she was looking at him, but not seeing him, seeing a stranger, her eyes sweeping right over his face, not so much as a glimmer of recognition in her eyes. She didn't remember him. At all.

He entered the forest and tripped over a tree root, falling painfully to the ground. He cried out, but it was his heart that was hurting. He pulled himself up, scratching his hands on the rough bark of the tree he was clinging to.

Crow stared at the forest around him and let out a sigh of relief. He knew where he was. He wasn't too far now. He picked a leaf that was dangling in his face out of his hair and headed straight on, deep into the forest.

***

Around an hour later, Crow arrived at the base, panting from his uneven trek through the woods. He'd only gone that way once before and even then, it hadn't been for long - he'd cut away from the trees onto a different street. Wiping his forehead, he dragged his feet towards the old house, his feet feeling like weights on his jelly legs.

He pushed open the door, feeling the hidden camera in the old wood and smiling. This house might look like nothing to anybody passing by, but to him - to them - it was home. The familiar sound of the squeaking floorboards was so comforting, Crow wanted to break down and cry about Gracie, like a toddler would in the arms of their mother.

Instead, he pushed forward, lifting open the hatch in the living room, hidden by a thick rug. He put his foot on the first step when he heard a creak coming from upstairs. Subconsciously, his hand fell to the blade hanging from his belt. Closing the hatch slowly, he began to climb the rotting staircase, hopping away from the creaky and weak areas of wood. He stood in the middle of the landing, dagger in hand. He was perfectly still, listening for any noise - another creak, a rustle of clothing, a muffled breath. Another squeak came from the room opposite Crow. Stiffening, he crept forward like a cat. Holding his dagger tight, he leaped into the room, blade swinging at the girl standing there. She jumped pack, gasping as the knife glided through the air past her, slicing a thin cut along her upper arm. She shouted at him, "Stop it! What on earth do you think you're doing, you stupid idiot?!"

Crow squinted at the girl, focusing on her instead of the warnings in his head, "Intruder, intruder, danger, enemy, intruder, intruder, intruder." He dropped the dagger, hearing the metal clatter against the hard wood floor. He covered his mouth with his hand. "Wait...Rose?"

Rosie glowered at Crow as she dabbed at the cut on her arm. She winced and he lowered his hand, biting his lip. "I'm so sorry, Rosie. I thought it was...one of them," his voice turning into a harsh whisper on the last three words.

She looked up, understanding obvious in her eyes. She nodded, and sat down on the floor. Looking down, Crow saw paper scattered everywhere, drawings and maps and notes covering the floor like a rug. He crouched, watching Rose work. Her long black hair hid her face like a curtain, a few curls falling across her back. She was wearing shorts and a vest top - her long tan legs and sharp shoulder blades were visible. As she sketched on a new piece of paper, he could see the muscles moving under her skin. She glanced up at him, her brown eyes warm and twinkling. Blushing, he looked away. He didn't want to giver her any false ideas. Gracie was the only girl he cared about...But what if she never knew who he was?

Glancing back at her, he spoke. "So, wh-" He broke up. His voice had turned deep and hoarse. He cleared his throat, "What are you doing?"

Rosie tucked a curl behind her ear, keeping in in place by sticking a pencil there as well. "Drawing,"

Crow rolled his eyes, "Ha ha."

She stuck out her tongue at him, before picking up a blue pencil and sketching a curve on a new piece of paper. "I swapped shifts with Scout. I told him I wanted to make some plans," she gestured at the papers, "Maps, sketches of the various rooms, drawings of the house. I thought with plans, we could make a strategy, and find the best places for people to keep watch. What do you think?"

She took the pencil out from behind her ear and swept her hair over her left shoulder. it fanned out like the feather's of a raven's wing. Crow picked up a drawing of Grace's house and then another sketch, a bird's-eye voice of her bedroom. "I think it's great. It's...Yeah. It's great. Good idea, Rosie,"

She smiled. He touched her shoulder lightly and she winced. Blood dripped onto a map of Gracie's area, splattering dots onto random locations. Pulling back his hand and ignoring her blood tracing a path from his palm to the crook of his elbow, Crow looked at her cut. It wasn't too deep, but it was still oozing blood. Rosie bit her lip - it obviously hurt a lot.

"I'm really sorry," He took her hand and pulled her up gently, "Let's get you to Rhea and the doctors."

Well, I hope you enjoyed! So sorry it's late. I'll be posting the next chapter tomorrow and then I'm up to date!

----------------------

Want to do it too? I'm sure it's not too late....

Thanks for reading ♥

P.S. 37 followers? When did this happen?! Thank you all so much, it means the world to me every time somebody clicks Follow This Site. I love all of you. When I started this blog, I didn't really care how many people followed me, but it's so lovely to know that I have 37 people reading my words, commenting on my posts saying lovely things. I really do love it when you comment - every word from you beautiful readers is a burst of joy in my heart. :) Love you guys so much! ♥