*****CHAPTER 8

ALCOT'S POV
 
Oliver faithfully accompanied me as I strolled around the garden of the castle, feasting my eyes on the beautiful autumn colors of the greenery. I could still remember those days when taking a walk in the garden used to be a form of therapy for me and took my mind away from the worries of my own mind. Now, it had become a repeated form of boring routine.
 
"I wish there was somewhere else I could be." I finally voiced my opinion to Oliver. "I want a change of environment. The garden is beginning to get tired of me already. "I can feel it."
 
At first, Oliver kept silent, and after what seemed like a minute, he replied.
 
"My Lord, I know of a place."
 
I gave him a look that permitted him to go on.
 
"It is a bridge, My Lord." on the east side of the fortress. It has been abandoned for many years. It is quite a beautiful sight. "I think you might like it."
 
"A bridge."   I repeated after him. I had never heard of a small abandoned bridge before.
 
"Yes, My Lord. It has a calm wave of water flowing beneath it, and the greenery is a heartwarming sight. "Even though I have only been there once, I am sure you would like the setting." I listened as Oliver fed me the details, a part of me already intrigued by his description of the place. Knowing Oliver ever since we were little and began to serve in the palace after the death of his father, who was a close friend of my father, I trusted him with my life and never doubted him the tiniest bit. I was certain that whatever he had said about the bridge was the honest truth.
 
"I guess I'll have to see for myself." I replied with a sigh and continued my walk through the garden.
 
 
…………
 
The bridge was just as Oliver had described. The cool water that flowed beneath the bridge was calm and undisturbed. The flowers and greenery that spread around the bridge were beautiful to watch, and even though it was already nighttime, I wasn't the least worried that something weird and creepy might try to attack me here. In fact, it felt even more relaxing, and I wished I could remain here for the rest of the night.
 
For the first time in forever, I took off the face mask that acted as a second skin on my face, and I allowed myself to breathe freely like I hadn't done in a very long time.
 
I had disguised myself in a hoodie and found my way out of the castle after getting a descriptive map from Oliver. I had followed the map, and it had led me here. The abandoned garden that didn't look abandoned Instead, it looked like it had secluded itself from the rest of the world and only called those it wanted to feel its presence. Although I doubted it, it called. I wasn't one of those good people who should be called to a place as heavenly as this. My dark side could quench even the brightest of lights.
 
As my hands felt around the beautiful marbles of the bridge, my fingers paused as they met with a soft, paper-like texture. Curiosity took a better hold of me, and aided by the loyal gleam of the moonlight, I was able to see a piece of paper folded into a rough ball. I reached for it and picked it up. My eyes inspected the ball of paper, and I concluded that there had been someone else here too. There was someone like me who came here to have a moment of solitude and escape from the real world. Somehow, the thought of someone else visiting this place breaks the reality that anyone could see me this way, without a face mask. Anyone could see my face. They could see what I really looked like. Immediately, I slipped on my face mask again with a deep sigh of disappointment escaping my lips. I guessed I would never have that freedom to let my face be free of this mask ever.
 
I finally unfolded the piece of paper to see handwritten words inside. It looked like a letter. I fold it again, holding my curiosity in check and restricting myself from prying into something that wasn't meant for me. I fixed my eyes back on the gently flowing waters again in a bid to take my thoughts away from the piece of paper, but it was a failed attempt as my mind kept drifting back to the writings inside. The curiosity in me heightened, and not being able to control myself any further, I bit my bottom lip terribly and reopened the letter again. With my heart heavy with guilt, I read the letter nonetheless.
 
Dear waters,
 
It's me again. Even though it has only been a week since I last visited you, it feels like an eternity.
 
I have been busy. really, really, really busy. My father gets on my nerves every single time. My mother's health is deteriorating. Snow is being a bitch, and Pearl is still, well... Pearl.
 
And me?   I'm still doing all I can to get food on the table. My father has refused to work, and all he does is drink and gamble as always. I am sure you are tired of hearing the same old stories from me again and again. I wish there was more to say. But I am sorry, there isn't. I have nothing interesting going on in my life. There isn't a boy I like. There isn't a girl, either.
 
I am a boring girl. I know that. But at least you are the only one who cares to listen to my stories. I know this because I can feel you listening to me whenever I ramble. You always listen to me, and that is comforting enough. Although sometimes I wish you could reply to me or, better yet, hand me some coins. Hehehe.  Just kidding.
 
But seriously, I'd love that. Hehehe.
 
Ps: I promised to get Pearl some nice new shoes. Hers is old and worn out now. I hope I can get her a better one. Wish me luck.
 
I guess I'll have to say goodbye here. There isn't much to say anyway. It's always the same old stories. Hehehehe.  Goodbye, waters.
 
Love,
 
Mae.