The Fall by Bethany Griffin

Author:Bethany Griffin
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2014-08-25T21:00:00+00:00

71

MADELINE IS SEVENTEEN

I watch the coach roll away, moving much more slowly than it arrived, and then I lean down to remove the bit of ivy from my ankle. It’s a strain similar to what I’ve planted all around the base of the house. I feel faint. This is not good. I’m too far from home to have one of my spells.

I stand and take a few steps. It isn’t so far, the moors are fairly flat, and then there’s the forest of saplings. Maybe some of the servants will be coming along this way. They’ve never had to carry me from beyond the grounds, but I’ve collapsed in the house, on the grounds.

I force myself to keep walking as far as I can, watching for a glimpse of the house, until my strength fades away. I force one foot in front of the other, and then I fall.

“Madeline, dearest Madeline . . .” I look up into an expanse of blue sky and the even bluer eyes of Dr. Winston. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

I try to speak, but my mouth feels like it’s stuffed with cotton. My dress is wet, and so is my skin.

“Can you stand?”

I cannot find the strength to shake my head. Or speak.

“Of course you can’t. I will carry you. Everyone is searching for you. The servants, the doctors.”

And my brother? Surely Roderick is searching for me as well.

I close my eyes, and Dr. Winston lifts me. As we trek back to safety, with his strong arms cradling me, I am uncomfortably aware of each movement of his body.

“I’ve found her,” he calls. I feel shadow on my face and dare to open my eyes. The shadow of the house moves over my skin like something alive.

He carries me over the causeway. I imagine the tarn parting as we pass, like the Red Sea.

The servants line the entranceway, like they do when Roderick makes one of his dashing returns. They watch me solemnly. I cannot tell if they are happy or sad that I have been returned. As we cross the threshold, I find it easier to breathe. Dr. Winston carries me up the stairs, and everything goes dark.

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