Chapter Three - An Unexpected Ally

                Savannah was twirled around the ballroom for what seemed like hours. Many people approached her with congratulations and she did her best to kindly accept them and then excuse herself. She hadn’t seen Joey all evening and it was really starting to worry her. Had he been discovered?

                Edith, who hadn’t stopped beaming all evening, pulled Savannah away from her current circle of strangers. “Wonderful, isn’t it?” her breath stung Savannah’s nose. Just how much had she had to drink tonight?” “Just wait dear, in six months’ time we’ll be back on top. It’ll be as if last year’s failure was completely erased and we’ll finally be given the power we deserve.”

                This intrigued Savannah. Last year’s failure? Power we deserved? “You think so?” she pressed. Maybe she could get a little information out of her. Edith’s eyes shone mischievously as Edith pulled her by the wrist out of the ballroom and into the foyer they had originally entered.

                “Of course! I tried to tell your father his plan was going to fail. If we wanted the crown we’d have to pursue a more tactful and complex approach.”

                “I couldn’t agree more.” Savannah lied. So Edith wanted Savannah to take the crown.

                “You,” she tapped Savannah’s lightly in the center of her exposed chest. “You are the key to our success.” Another tap,” You are going to bring glory to our family.” A final tap, “And you are the one that will take down the Nottingham’s once and for all.”

 

                Snug between silky sheets and a thick blanket, Savannah lay awake in her bed. Edith’s words repeated in her head, You are the one that will take down the Nottingham’s once and for all.

                Savannah squeezed her eyes shut. She hadn’t been able to find Joey before Edith whisked her away into the carriage and back into their mansion. Maybe he’d gathered information helpful to their situation. Not to mention she needed to share Edith’s motive.

                A light tapping on her window stole her attention. Slipping out of bed she dragged the curtains open slowly with her right hand.

                “Joey!” she whispered, fiddling with the locks until it released. Joey slipped in soundlessly.

                “Where’d you go earlier?! I turned around and you disappeared!” she shoved him hard on the shoulder. “I was freaking out! Not to mention got engaged to Michael who is a Prince!”

                He lowered his eyes for a moment. “I’m sorry. I was pulled away and sat at a table in the back of the ballroom. And I did see your engagement. Quite a way to end an evening, huh? I’m guessing Michael isn’t our Michael?

                Sadly, Savannah shook her head.

                “I didn’t think so. But, on the bright side I was able to charm a couple ladies into getting some information. Ladies of this age love to gossip.”

                Savannah scoffed. “Charmed?”

                “Well apparently your family is new here. They moved about five years ago and since then they’ve been weaving their way into the castle. Some people have grown suspicious after your fathers attempt to bribe someone in the castle, but not many people have heard about that. You can thank your stepmother for that. She’s a smart one. As soon as she found out what your father had tried, she left him. She told him that the best option was to infiltrate from the inside. She wants to use you.”

                I nodded, “She told me after the ball.”

                “Basically, after your marriage to Michael, she’s planning to have the King and Queen killed. There is a small group of supporters thinking that the Nottingham’s have had the throne for too long, and want a new face for the kingdom. After that you’d take care of Michael and then boom, your family is the new face of Eddington.”

                Savannah slowly sat on her bed. Edith was going to kill Michael’s parents? It seemed at the ball that everyone liked the King. Hell, she even thought he was a nice man. He didn’t seem unfair or harsh. What really unsettled Savannah is that she was supposed to murder Michael.

                “There’s no way I can do that Joey,” she whispered.

                He sat beside her, resting his arm around her fragile body. “There’s more.”

                “What else could there possibly be?”

                “Your brother is alive.”

                Her heart sank. Donnie was alive? Her thoughts overwhelmed her and suddenly she felt ill. It seemed as though the world around her was spinning. As if someone was pounding a hammer against her brain. She sought relief that wouldn’t come.

                “Get out.” Her voice was barely audible.

                “Savannah--”

                “I said, get out!”

                Joey opened his mouth to object, but Savannah cut him off. “Dear God Joey, if I you don’t leave right now I’m going to scream. I want to be alone.” She knew she was being a bit harsh, but he’d just dropped a bomb on her world. A bomb he couldn’t quite understand. Her brother was alive. All that she wanted to do right now was run to him and never let him out of her sight again.

                Joey stood, leaning down and kissing Savannah on the cheek. “I know how upset this is making you. I just ask that you don’t do anything rash. We’ll find,” he paused unsure if he should even say his name, but decided it would hurt her more if he didn’t, “We’ll find Donnie in the morning, together. Goodnight, Savannah.” And with that, he slipped back into the crisp night.

                Savannah lay back, her thoughts still racing. Right now she swore she hated Joey, but he was right. If she ran around this house screaming for Donnie, her stepmother would definitely know something isn’t right. She had to be strong. A silent tear slid down her cheek. She pulled the covers back over her, laying on her back staring at the window Joey had just left through. Donnie was alive. Knowing that tonight would be a sleepless one, she let herself get lost in Donnie’s memory and prayed that this Donnie would be exactly like her Donnie. She wasn’t sure she could handle it any other way.

 

                Savannah sat tiredly at the dining table. As to be expected, this particular dining table could seat about twenty. It was thick and coated in a deep cherry wood stain. The long rectangle was empty except for Savannah at the head of one side, and Edith opposite of her. An empty place setting lay between the two of them. This baffled Savannah. Normally you’d think you’d sit a little bit closer, but in this case the space was much appreciated.

                “Your lazy brother seemed to skip out on breakfast, again.” She sighed, buttering a piece of toast with a thick, shiny knife. “I tell you Savannah, I’m not sure how we’ve got so far with him holding us back.”

                Savannah sucked in a breath. Surely she wasn’t about to suggest that she poison her own brother as well! But before she could probe for a deeper meaning, Donnie walked in behind Edith stealing any kind of words Savannah was attempting to form, except “Donnie,” she whispered.

                He passed Edith with not even a glance in her direction, “You were saying?” Sitting in the middle of Edith and Savannah, he kept his gaze on the toast in front of him. “What exactly am I holding you back from, Edith?” he spoke with venom in his words and Savannah had to bit her lip not to smile. It reminded her of his quick wit and relentless sarcasm she missed dearly.

                “Never you mind, child. Your sister and I were just having an adult discussion. Clearly beyond your capacity, Donnie,” she didn’t skip a beat. Savannah had a feeling this was how Edith and Donnie’s relationship was; hateful and sarcastic.

                Donnie looked up at Savannah for just an instant their eyes met. It seemed her bewildered expression puzzled him. She willed herself not to cry, but her mind was racing. She wanted to close the space between them and hold him tight. She wanted to apologize for not stopping him from walking that specific night. She wanted to tell her how much she missed him.

                All too soon Donnie looked away. Savannah couldn’t help but notice him shake his head slightly before returning back to his toast and jam. “You’re exactly right, Edith. I couldn’t hardly keep up with such an elegant woman as yourself. In fact, I don’t even think I deserve to be in the presence of such an aristocrat. Please, excuse me.” Donnie looked back at me for a quick moment before lodging the toast between his teeth. His chair made a sharp sound as he pushed it back, gave Edith a small bow, and left the room.

                “Always a pleasure,” she grimaced, sipping on her tea. “Like I was saying, your brother is causing ripples in our plan.”

                “Oh?”

                “Yes. We need to make sure that he doesn’t do anything to damage the progress we’ve made.” She sighed. “Savannah, I think it’s in both of our best interest if maybe you spend some time with him. Try and make him see how this would benefit him, as well. Maybe if it comes from someone other than myself, he’ll be more willing to listen.” Even from across the table she could feel Edith’s glare upon her.

                Savannah nodded, pushing away her untouched breakfast plate and rising. “Never a better time to start than the present,”

                Edith’s head cocked to the side, like a curious dog would. As Savannah approached she grabbed her wrist devastatingly tight. “Remember Savannah, this is our last chance. It is vital that Donnie play a part in this. We need to stand united. If even one part of our front falters, it would lead to devastating results.” With that she released Savannah’s wrist and smiled warmly at her, completely contrasting her previous behavior. “Now your brother is probably out back by the river. Work your magic,”

                Savannah didn’t hesitate to stumble out of the dining room in search of Donnie.

 

                There was an eerie fog that blanketed the river. Savannah clung to her black wool coat as she approached the rickety dock. When she saw a tall figure standing at the end, she felt relieved. She searched the “back” of the property for what seemed like hours. After the help of a random gardener (in the middle of winter?) she was finally pointed in the right direction.

                Donnie stood at the end of the dock with his hands shoved deep in his matching wool jacket. He was about a half a foot taller than Savannah and had wild blonde curls. Savannah remembered how she used to tease him because of them. She always said it made him look like a mad scientist. But here, they fit him. As if sensing her presence, he turned abruptly on his heels facing her.

                The dreary gray tone outside allowed Donnie’s bright green eyes to take center attention. She was so lost in them that she blurted out, “You know, I’ve always been envious of your eye color.”

                He looked puzzled. “My perfect sister, jealous of me? Now that’s interesting. Tell me, why dearest Savannah, would you be jealous of my eye color?” The insensitivity in his voice startled her, but something told her to press on.

                “Because Dad said it was the same as Mom’s. I had his eye color, you had hers.”

                His eyes seem to study Savannah for a long moment, analyzing what she’d just said. “What year is it, sister?”

                Savannah blanked. She knew it clearly wasn’t in the two thousands anymore, but she hadn’t quite figured out what year it was exactly. She had to think of something quickly! Her hesitation seemed to be a good enough answer.

                “Edith is watching. I’m assuming she sent you out here to talk some sense into me, am I right?”

                Savannah just nodded.

                His lips twitched up slightly. “Typical.” He sighed. “Pretend to be giving me a lecture.” Donnie’s request baffled her, but for some reason she trusted him and began awkwardly gesturing in what seemed like an authoritive manner. “Now she can’t hear you, but she’s definitely watching. So when did you get here?”

                “Uh..”

                “It’s okay Savannah, it’s me. I’ve been here since I died.” He spoke so simply about something so tragic. It made Savannah freeze, before Donnie reminded her Edith was watching. She placed her hands on her hips. Thank god her back was to her or else they’d really be royally screwed.

                “What’s going on Donnie?”

                “I’ll explain later. When did you get here?”

                She hesitated. “Last night, but where exactly is here?”

                His eyes widened with sadness. “You died?”

                “No.” She blushed remembering the events that led up to how she got here. Most of them she was uncertain of herself, but she wasn’t exactly about to spill that she was in a closet, with a boy that wasn’t her boyfriend, practically making out.

                “Listen, we can’t talk here. But I’ll find you later and I’ll explain more then.”

                “Joey Buckweed is here, too.”

                “What? How did-” He stopped himself, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I will get a message to him, and find you. We’ll figure all this out Savannah, I promise. But you have to be careful. Edith is not a good person. Do not trust anything she tells you. Just go with the flow for a little bit longer. I’ll find you, okay?”

                Savannah nodded, unsure of what else she could say.

                “But for now I have to go. Edith will want to know how our conversation went. Tell her that you think I’m turning around and will be no threat to the plan, got it?”

                “Yes.”

                “Good. Now I’ve got to go. Remember what I told you.” He pulled me in for a quick hug before heading back towards the house. Turning around, I saw Edith standing on the edge of the gardens, watching.

                “Donnie!”

                He turned.

                “I’ve missed you.”

                “It’s good to have you back, sis.” He smiled before heading back to where ever he was going.

                I looked back to where Edith was to find she’d disappeared.

Author's Note

Any predictions are welcome.

Reviews

[Cheshire]

Pretty much the same as in the last few chapters, just noticing a general lack of emotion in the characters, try to visualize what they are going through, the things they are experiencing. It is an interesting story, I won't deny it, but it would be an AMAZING story if you were a bit more descriptive about what was going on. Tears, laughter, shaking limbs, weak muscles, blank stares, etc. Readers want to FEEL what the characters are feeling, no matter what feelings those are. It helps them connect with the characters and get drawn into the story much more deeply.