Detention (ASOUE)

Chapter Twenty Eight

The sun had dropped fully, taking both the light and warmth with it, and I shivered in my thin t-shirt. Had I been given warning, I might've put something a bit more sensible on. But it's not every dinnertime that your mother whisks you away to interrogate your neighbours about an injury that doesn't exist. 

Despite my hesitations though, I had no choice but to follow as my mother stormed down the road and towards the Baudelaire household, which loomed out of the darkness with such a dramatic presence that I almost expected lighting to come forking down behind it. Alas, the sky was clear, making the stars the only witnesses to the events that were about to unfold. That was, unless Rosemary was peeking out of her curtains again, which I could almost guarantee she was. That woman was like a motion detector; set off by every passing car and pedestrian that dared enter her line of sight. 

The familiar Baudelaire door came too quickly, and I gulped as my mother completely ignored the fully-functioning bell and instead went for banging on the door so hard I was surprised it didn't splinter. Luckily, it was opened quickly, and there stood Violet, looking slightly alarmed.

"Hello," she said, her eyes flickering over to me for a second, as if making eye contact with me might shed some light on the situation, "Would you like to come in?"

"No we would not," my mother snapped, "Where's your brother?"

"Oh! I'll... go and get him for you." 

Violet glanced towards me again and I gave her the best version of "help me!" I could muster with my eyes alone. Then she hurried up the stairs and left us on the porch. A slight breeze was enough to make me erupt into a fit of shivers, helped along by the fact I was a little terrified about my mother talking to Klaus. He was in no obligation to lie for me, again, but I really hoped he did. I didn't want to think about what might happen if he didn't.

There was a creak on the stairs as someone began descending them, and then, to my surprise, Mrs Baudelaire appeared in front of us. 

"Good evening," she said, a tight smile pulled across her lips, "You'd better come in out of the cold."

For a second I wondered if my mother was frozen, or just too stubborn to enter the house. But, since her appearance meant everything to her, she put on her best award-winning smile and stepped into the house. Mrs Baudelaire closed the door behind me and gave me a quick pat on the shoulder, something that didn't go amiss by my mother. She didn't say anything about it though, and headed up the stairs. Once we reached the landing, Mrs Baudelaire ushered her towards one of the rooms.

"We'll talk in the living room, I think," Mrs Baudelaire said with a smile, "away from the children." Then she added to me, "The kids are in the dining room. Last door at the end of the hall."

My mother glared daggers at the wall, obviously annoyed that she wasn't getting her way. She had wanted to interrogate Klaus, yet she had been presented with his parents instead: two people she absolutely hated. And all she could do was be polite and respectful because she was in their home and cared too much about what people would think if she actually spoke her mind. 

All of a sudden, the daggers were turned on me, as if daring me to follow Mrs Baudelaire's instructions. There was no other option for me though, so I nodded and headed to the last door at the end of the hall, walking slowly to make it look like I hadn't been here only hours before and already knew the way there.

Mrs Baudelaire was right, and I found Klaus and Violet sat at the dining room table, their little sister, Sunny, sitting near the same window I had thrown myself out of. All three heads lifted as I closed the door behind me, and Violet leapt up to throw a blanket around my shoulders.

"I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, "I know your mother asked for Klaus but she looked so angry I was afraid she might rip him limb from limb! So I told our parents instead. I hope I haven't got you into trouble!"

I gripped the the blanket tighter around me and shook my head. "It's fine. It was probably the right thing to do."

Violet gently pulled me towards the table and poured me a cup of tea, something I graciously accepted. There was nothing like a hot drink after being out in the freezing cold.

"What is this all about? If you don't mind me asking, that is." Violet said quietly.

"Rosemary saw me here and snitched. I said I was helping Klaus home because he hurt himself." At the mention of his name, Klaus' eyes flicked towards me and I suddenly felt bad for lying. I thought it would've got me out of trouble but instead it just dragged the Baudelaire's into it. "Sorry," I quickly added.

He just shrugged. "I would've gone along with it." 

"Well I hope our parents go along with it to!" Violet frowned. "Otherwise you'll be in more trouble Isadora."

"No, she won't bring it up now. Not to your parents. She'll probably just make up a different reason why we're here." I sighed. "No offence, but she doesn't like you guys very much, your parents more so-"

"We gathered," Klaus butted in.

"-but she wouldn't actually start an argument or say anything to them. She'd rather keep on everyone's good side. So I don't really have to worry about their conversation. She's probably asking your parents about silverware or something."

"I wonder what happened to make her hate us," Violet said.

I shrugged. "I have no idea. She's never put a reason to it." I sipped my tea. "Sorry, I feel like we've ruined your evening."

Violet instantly shook her head. "Not at all, right Klaus? You should come over more. Maybe in better circumstances next time, though."

 I couldn't believe my mother's unprecedented hatred had kept me from meeting such nice people. They had been our neighbours for as long as I could remember and it was a shame knowing that we might've grown up as friends had we been given the chance.  The Baudelaires had been nothing but nice to me despite my mother painting them as demons, and even though I knew after this was all over I would have to go back and face my mother again in another argument, I couldn't help but enjoy myself. 

We drank more tea and talked. It was mostly Violet and I carrying the conversation- Violet asking me questions and me answering them- but Klaus added something in every so often. Sunny drank a glass of milk at the table and occasionally said some random words or sounds which the other Baudelaires translated for me, and overall we had a nice time. I almost forgot about my mother sitting next door, acting polite and kind but seething on the inside. Almost.

We were just laughing at something Violet had said when the door opened and Mrs Baudelaire was stood there with a smile.

"Isadora," she said, "Your mother is waiting downstairs for you."

"Oh, thank you."

I thanked Violet and Klaus for the tea and the blanket and then left the room, thanking Mrs Baudelaire again. Then I descended the stairs and locked eyes with my mother. The anger practically rolled off her and I gulped as she wordlessly threw the door open and strode out. Having no other choice but to follow, I hurried out behind her, trying to ignore the the feeling that was crawling up my skin: the feeling of the calm before the storm. I couldn't help but think that round two was only just beginning. 

A/N: Why did I decide at the last minute to change the plot?! I actually annoy myself because I had this chapter written and then changed my mind and rewrote it in an entirely different direction. This is more of a "setting up" chapter than anything else but I hope it was still enjoyable!

I hope you're all keeping well and being safe. My work is closed now so I'm currently just staying at home, which I don't really mind doing but I wish it was in better circumstances. I know a lot of people at my work are glad to be having a holiday but it's hard to enjoy yourself when you know it's only happening because a lot of other people in the world are suffering.

Sorry to bring the mood down!! I know all you see and hear these days is about COVID-19, but hopefully soon enough it'll all be in the past. 

Please, please stay safe and stay at home as much as possible! And thank you once again for reading! I really appreciate all of you, I hope you know that! See you next time :)