Underland Chronicles: 2 - The Reaper's Gate (A Gregor the Overlander FanFic)

Chapter 16

[Author's note: Trigger Warning. This chapter talks about suicide. You can skip it if you wish.]

~ PANDORA

"Excuse me?" Came a voice from inside Nerissa's area of the palace. Pandora didn't recognize the quiet, high-pitched tone.

"Come in," Pandora called, sitting up, stretching, and then walking from the bed to the doorway. She had been so tired that she failed to notice she was still in the clothes she was wearing the day before.

After she had left the war room, Pandora went straight to the High Hall, where Frederick had said some Regalian official had a register filled with names of Fount survivors. She insisted they let her help those survivors who had found refuge in the palace.

She was given a copy of one page of the register, and the task of assigning those on her list to a room on the fourth floor of the palace to rest for the next few nights. With so many names and so little rooms to work with, Pandora took a few minutes to organize her thoughts before she started calling names and showing them where to go.

Luckily, there were a few spinner volunteers who had gone through several rooms throughout the palace and constructed makeshift hammocks in corners and thick blankets on floors. Pandora got the opportunity to house more people in rooms due to the extra accommodations, almost like the rooms were upgraded to dorm rooms with bunk beds.

Just as she was finishing up and turning in her list back to the registry, Nerissa had gotten news of Pandora's arrival and had come to see her. Nerissa offered to share her suite in the palace, located near Luxa's. Pandora was pleased that she had such a great friend during such crazy times. She was also grateful, for she had completely forgotten to ask for a space in one of the rooms for herself!

"They retrieved a package for you," said a little boy who walked over to the doorway to meet Pandora. "From your home," he clarified. He held out a large yellow envelope.

"Thank you," Pandora reached out to take the gift. The boy smiled, nodded, and left Nerissa's quarters.

Reading the outside label, Pandora was happy to see Rose's familiar cursive handwriting. She opened the top of the envelope quickly. There was more than one letter inside; one had an envelope and stamp, the other was just a folded piece of paper. She removed the paper first, wondering for just a moment why Rose would enclose some mail that came for her. She laid the rest of the envelope down on the foot of her bed.

Dear Pandora, Pandora couldn't help but silently read it in Rose's voice.

I wasn't sure how often those messengers come to check if I've left a note, so I sent this a bit early... Happy birthday! It was almost her birthday? Days seemed to go by quickly in the Underland without her noticing. It also didn't help when her visions jumped between past, present, and future.

Living with you these past few years have brought me nothing but joy. You remind me so much of myself when I was younger. I wanted to give you something very special for your 23rd birthday. At first, it was very hard to come up with an idea! It's taken me some time, but I've managed to track down something wonderful. I just know you'll love it, dear! Pandora didn't notice anything else besides the other letter in the envelope. It must have been something small near the bottom that Pandora didn't see yet.

I'm sorry to say that this cannot be a simple, happy note, but, like most things in life, it is bittersweet. At this sentence, Pandora's smile disappeared. She steeled herself for whatever Rose was about to unfold in her letter.

A few days ago, I came across some unfortunate news. Your school project partner, Damien, was found dead the other day in his car. Dead? Pandora was shocked! It was just a short time ago that they had been working together, Damien flashing his perfect smile at her behind mountains of research at the library. Even though she had discovered part of his dangerous past, the one Professor Cleary warned her about, could bubble easily to the surface, she couldn't help but feel disheartened by the news. After all, he was trying to change. He didn't deserve his fate. How could he have died?