Call of the Void // t.r (ON HOLD)

Chapter 10

"I am at ease in the dark."

Eleanor slipped out of bed and creeped towards the door. She needed to get to the library undetected.

Stepping off of the last step, she gazed around the common room. The fire in the fireplace had dimmed and left the common room with a dull glow, giving her the darkness she needed.

Eleanor had plenty of experience with exploring in the dark. She knew the path to the library and could make it there without light.

A hand on her shoulder startled her as she was pulled around to find Frances standing in front of her, on the step above her.

"I'm coming with you," she whispered.

"I can make it to the library on my own," Eleanor replied. She didn't need anyone discovering her secret or why she wanted something out of the Restricted Section.

"I can get you into the Restricted Section undetected," argued Frances.

Eleanor sighed, "Fine." She knew Frances would not give up.

The trip to the library was quick and quiet.

The hallways were dark but Eleanor made it through with little difficulty.

"How can you even see?" Frances whispered from behind her, gripping Eleanor's shoulder when she nearly tripped over a bump in the carpet.

"My eyes have adjusted to the dark. I also happen to know the path to the Library."

Eleanor loved the dark. The dark was comforting, like a soft blanket of void wrapped around her. To her, it felt like if she fell backwards a cushion of darkness would catch her. The darkness would protect her from prying eyes or lurking dangers.

Frances huffed as she tripped over her own feet and stumbled into Eleanor's back.

The latter turned around to give Frances a glare—not that she could see it—and glanced around to make sure no one was coming.

"You seem to walk quite well during the day. Why is there any difference when it's dark?"

"I can't see in the dark!" She hissed.

Eleanor let out a light chuckle, "Let's go. And try not to trip anymore, the floor has enough cracks as it is."

Frances gasped and gave her a light shove before letting out a breathy chuckle.

Once they reached the library doors, Frances stalked ahead of her and unlocked them. She ushered Eleanor forward who entered the library, Frances following after her.

"Be quiet, Filch loves searching the library," Frances whispered, taking careful steps forward.

Eleanor walked passed her. With years of wandering through her house undetected, she had mastered the art of walking without making a sound. Her steps were light and her breathing steady. Not a sound was heard from her.

She ignored Frances' look and continued towards the back of the library.

"It's right through there," Frances pointed out the section closed off by a rope.

"It's not very well protected," Eleanor stated. It would be easy to get through.

"It really isn't. I'm surprised less people take books from here," Frances said with a shrug.

Eleanor stepped forward and moved the rope so that she could enter. She looked through the bookshelves for anything that would help her.

Near the end she found two books, both in Latin. She called over her shoulder to Frances, "I have what I need. We can go now."

Frances nodded and led the way out of the library. Eleanor wanted to get away from her so she could go to the Astronomy tower to read these.

"You go ahead, I have to check something," Eleanor said.

"Let me come with you," Frances suggested.

"I'll be fine on my own," she urged.

"You have a secret that has to do with those books. Let me come with."

Eleanor bit her lip, she couldn't let Frances come with. No one could know about her secrets.

"A secret for a secret?" Frances suggested with a shrug.

She sighed, "Fine. Let's go to the Astronomy Tower." She knew she would not let up about coming with and end up following her anyway. At least now she would have blackmail so Frances wouldn't out her. She wouldn't tell Frances everything, only what she would discover in these books.

Eleanor rounded a corner and pulled back in an instant, taking Frances with her.

"Wha—" Frances began, but Eleanor brought a finger to her own lips and then turned around and listened.

The rugged pitter patter of Filch's footsteps echoed down the hall. Did the man ever sleep?

The silence was broken by a loud meows followed by, "Students! Students out of bed!"

Eleanor froze, unsure of what to do, before taking off down the other end of the hallway. She turned to make a right and go back the way they came but Frances pulled her by her wrist in the other direction, mumbling, "This way."

Eleanor huffed, she knew the castle far better than herself. She sprinted after Frances, her wrist still gripped by hers.

The loud footsteps and bellowing shouts thundered down the hallways after them.

"Students! Students of out bed!" He huffed, wobbling across the floor.

Eleanor looked back, before Frances pulled her left and the two hid behind a tapestry. She eased her breathing and forced herself to become silent. Her cheeks were flushed, and she suspected Frances' were too, as she couldn't see her well enough in the dark. They had run quite far, and Eleanor didn't very well do that often.

Once the footsteps had quieted and the halls were once again silent, Frances giggled.

Eleanor looked at her with her brows furrowed, "What?"

She chuckled, "That was amazing!"

Eleanor brought her hands up, "Shhh!" She urged, her breathing still heavy. Unable to contain a small laugh, she added in a low voice, "That was fun."

"Better than," France laughed and pulled Eleanor from the tapestry and towards the Astronomy Tower.

________________________________________

Hope you enjoyed!!

I'll be starting school soon, so I warn you updates might be slower than usual but probably not until 2nd term in April.

– walkingmasterpiece xx