Second half of Chapter One!Maxwell While Charlie’s at work, I find myself bored. A useless human emotion. I laugh at the thought. I can hear her now, ‘like a lost little puppy.’ The thought brings a smile to my face. And then an abrupt, way too loud ring that fills the room wipes it away. My phone lights up on the coffeetable. I can see Grace’s number on the screen. I answer it after the sixth ring. “What’s so important that it can't wait Grace?” “What are you doing that’s so important? I thought Charlie was going back to work today?” “Nothing, she is at work, but I’m starting to despise your call, because you never seem to have anything good to say.” “That hurts, really...and it’s true.” She says thoughtfully, “because” she draws out the word and takes an extremely lengthy pause, “there’s a change in plans.” “How big of a change?” Was this really necessary? What the hell is going over there? Silence. “Grace.” I shout at her. The words quickly tumble from her mouth and at firs

CharlieBeing alone here is like playing house with an enemy. If you’re not watching your every move, someone is. There is no safe place. Benjamin may appear to be on our side, my side, but he only does things to benefit himself. I wonder what benefit he’ll be getting from this.Hours go by with me pacing the floor after Maxwell leaves. Sitting down feels like defeat or compliance and I’m far from complying. What was Maxwell thinking? What were either of them thinking?I debate about sending meaningless texts to Maxwell, but what use would that be. He won’t be coming back. It gets darker and before I know it starts to gradually get lighter. The rising sun brings an ache to my bones, a restlessness that only Maxwell can get rid of.A knock lightly taps at the door snapping me out of my fog. “Charlie.” Benjamin calls from out in the hall.I stay silent for a second, but I reluctantly let him in in the end, because where else would I be besides trapped in the room he picked for me.“I wo

CharlieI would love to sit and wallow in the room all day until it was time to leave and a small part of me believes that I could. But as the rest of the day goes by and the sun sets, the longer I’m left alone the more my mind races. Why is he leaving me alone for so long? Benjamin didn’t seem like the type to give anyone space especially after making them extremely uncomfortable.Against my better judgment, I decide to leave the confines of the room. Sneaking around the halls of the house is an excitable danger that I shouldn’t dabble with. Danger wasn’t something to toy with, especially when that danger involved Benjamin.Every corner I turn I expect to run into him, his glare and slick words that will take this as some sort of enjoyability, an invitation to include me, socialize with me, which is the last thing I want. There’s a darkness in him and it resides in someone else, it’s the same darkness that Maxwell had in his past and little bits are still in him today. It makes me sh

CharlieThree firm taps rap against the door. I’m starting to despise these knocks. “Charlie.” A familiar voice calls.I rush to that stupid wooden door as if it were a lifeline. “Grace.” Her name comes out on my exhale of breath.The excitement from her arrival is short lived. “It’s almost time.” She makes the briefest of eye contact with me before looking down the hall. Left then right and left again. “Slyvester will get you when the halls are clear.” Before she leaves she squeezes my arm. “We’ll see you soon.”It feels like eternity waiting for Slyvester to come get me. Are there that many people? Or do they not care for being on time? I remember those that showed up late to parties or clients that didn’t stick to the timeline. Would the council allow such a thing?The knocks that finally bang on the door are heavier than the others. I open it to reveal the doorman. He lingers in the hallway quietly waiting for me. “Follow me,” is all he says before retreating down the hall.I’m no