Are You the Villain Destined to Survive?

Adaline's throat stung from sucking in the cold winter air as she ran across the field near the row of trees near the academy walls. She had followed Miss Sidero again to her secret meeting place but this time she was caught. Looking behind her, the shadowy figure of a man chased her, seemingly floating above the ground. He kept getting closer and closer.

Adaline struggled out of the deep snow and onto the cobblestone path. She nearly tripped but rushed straight for the boys' dormitory front doors. She pulled on the handles but they wouldn't open. She screamed without words but no one came to investigate.

After a few more seconds of shouting, Adaline gave up and rushed towards the girls' dorm. As she ran, she looked left and right. There wasn't a guard in sight. Glancing behind her again, the man was almost upon her. She could see the black slits in his yellow eyes though the rest of his face was hidden in darkness.

Adaline screamed again, crying out Waldo's and Miss Ribbon's name but neither appeared. She tried to enter the girls' dormitory but those doors were locked as well. She was trapped. No other buildings' doors would be unlocked and no one was nearby who could help her. Where could she run to?

Despite not having a plan, Adaline rushed around to the back of the dorm. As soon as she hopped off the side rail, the cloaked man leapt up the stairs, nearly snatching her. She could feel the tugging at her skirt as she dropped five feet.

As soon as she rounded the back of the building, she froze. Laying unconscious on the ground was Waldo and Miss Ribbon. They weren't just unconscious, they looked as if they'd been beaten. Bruises and scratches were on their faces, hands and arms. Their clothes were ripped into ribbons, hanging off their bodies.

A large shadow cast the butlers' bodies into darkness. Adaline spun around and her pursuer was reaching out with large hands, blood running down his fingertips. Adaline crouched down and covered her ears, screaming.

Something soft hit Adaline's face repeatedly. She opened her eyes to find Princess Marietta standing over her with a harsh glare. "How can I sleep with you screaming and moving about?!"

"I was?" Adaline blinked.

"You kicked so much, the headboard banged into the wall several times. I'm surprised it hasn't broken yet." Princess Marietta dropped down on her bed, adjusting her pillow.

"I was having a nightmare," Adaline realized, sitting up.

"One would think you were being murdered. I'm surprised your attendant isn't here to settle you down." Princess Marietta pulled the blanket over her shoulder and rolled over. "Don't talk to me anymore."

Adaline laid back against her pillow. That's right, tonight Miss Sidero was probably meeting with the mysterious man again. Yesterday Waldo had approached Adaline in the dining hall with news about the person who Miss Sidero met with two weeks or so ago. He was certain that tonight a meeting would take place again.

Miss Ribbon was currently at the tree line in disguise to hopefully spy on the protagonist's conversation and glean some information about her relationship with the man who used strange magic. Waldo couldn't do it since the man saw him the last time and fled. He would be able to recognize Waldo's presence, something any competent magic user could do-according to Miss Ribbon.

Adaline probably had the nightmare out of fear. Hopefully nothing would go awry and Miss Ribbon could return safely. If both Waldo's and her presence were now known to the mysterious man, it would definitely be impossible to capture him.

Adaline lay awake for a very long time. She finally dozed off but was soon awakened by a light. She squinted to see that the sun was rising. Princess Marietta had left the curtains open last night so she could "see the stars". Adaline rolled over and tried to fall asleep again but it was futile.

With a sigh, Adaline sat up. It had been a while since she'd lost sleep. More sleep would surely be lost if Waldo and Miss Ribbon weren't around to help Adaline. No. If her butlers weren't around, Adaline would likely be the villainess and have no trouble sleeping at all. The only thing that would likely keep her up would be any scheming.

Adaline rubbed her eyes. She tried to find a positive about getting up but there was none. It was too cold outside. She didn't want to socialize with anyone, not even her friends. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to find out how Miss Sidero's meeting went last night.

Princess Marietta yawned and stretched before rolling over. Was she waking up? Adaline quickly laid back down. If she feigned sleep, she wouldn't have to hear the princess's squawking first thing in the morning.

The lock turned in the door and Princess Marietta's attendants quietly tiptoed into the room. Adaline had her back to the center of the room so she could only guess that they were preparing their mistress's outfit for the day before waking her.

Adaline slowed her breathing to help her facade of being asleep. After a quiet moment, there was a groan from the princess. After a few more seconds of grumbling, Princess Marietta nearly shouted, "I am awake! Quit prodding me."

Princess Marietta was quiet as she got ready for the day, barely barking at her attendants. Adaline watched the light from the sky slowly move the shadows further down the wall beside her bed. Princess Marietta's shadow blocked the light and Adaline watched her silhouette move about. It reminded her of when she was younger and Alexander would block the candlelight with his hands to make figures against the wall. They were sloppy representations of animals and objects but it always made Adaline laugh.

Finally the princess left. Adaline let out a long sigh. Before she could decide what to do with her day, Miss Ribbon nearly burst in the room. "I have news M'Lady!"