Gracie leaned against the window frame, watching Akeno below.
Akeno had tossed a small stone at something Gracie couldn't tell what then crouched and started doing… something. Whatever it was, the angle didn't let her see.
"What is she doing?" Gracie murmured, resting her elbows on the frame and cupping her cheeks in her hands.
Then Akeno turned around.
For a brief moment, neither of them moved. Then Akeno raised her hand and waved. Her lips moved and she said something but from this distance, Gracie couldn't hear a word.
Gracie just smiled a bit and waved back. And when she did, Akeno was stunned as if shocked and looked away.
"Huh?"
Gracie hesitated, about to call out to Akeno but then she turned around. Akeno paused for a moment then waved her hand, her lips slightly apart.
Gracie slightly raises her eyebrow. What is she doing? Should I wave back or?..
After a pause she backs off from the window.
She sighs as she sits on her bed. Well, that interaction was weird.
She reached out to the mattress below the pillow, and pulled out a note book from under it.
She doesn't open it but lays on the bed with the notebook beside her. Should I write that down? Sure that was weird but, won't it be weirder if I wrote about her without asking?
Gracie nudged the blanket with her foot, lifting it up just enough to tuck her arm beneath it.
"... Miss Alina. I wonder what she's doing." She asked herself but didn't get out of the covers and snuggle to the pillow, "Probably something… weird."
Saying that she giggles to herself.
She yawns. "I woke up early this morning. Too early." Her gaze drifted back toward the window, though Akeno was no longer in view.
The thought that had been nagging her since this morning resurfaced, sharp and insistent. "How did she even get past the barrier?"
Gracie turned in the bed, looking up at the ceiling. "Let's see… I'll just make guesses… The barrier was weak. Yeah! That'll make sense…" She let out a short, frustrated breath. "Ah… Maybe not."
No way the barrier could be weak. Gracie scratched her nose. Should I ask Miss Alina…? Nah. Probably shouldn't.
She snuggles deeper into the blanket and closes her eyes. But every time before she dozes off she opens her eyes.
She could hear almost every noise inside the cottage. Even the unidentified ones from Alina's room.
Gracie scratches her notebook. What if she is like me? Could it be possible?
Gracie got out of the bed and walked out of her room. Just a few steps later she reached a room without a handle on.
She stands in front of the door, hesitates a bit but knocks on it. "Miss Alina. May I come in?"
The door opens. No noise, no sound. Gracie lightly scratches her neck before she enters.
Inside Alina was curled up in bed, blanket up to her jaw. The windows opened. The room was furnitured. A large paper roll to the side of her table. Ink bottles and sticks of sharp and dull edges were on the wooden table which had turned a bit black due to the Ink.
The door closes behind Grcaie "What is it Dear?"
Gracie stands by her bed "Um… So, there's this one doubt I have–" "Come sit here" Said Alina as she patted the space beside her and got in on her elbow.
Alina pulled down the blanket just enough for Gracie to properly see her face. " What is it that you want to talk about?" She softly smiles as she asks.
Gracie sat on the bed beside her "A-about the new girl. You know. She somehow crossed the barrier." She glanced at Alina.
Alina nods, "And?" Gracie averts eye contact, "What if she is just like me?" Their eyes meet again. "Could be. Don't worry about it. I'll look into it."
Alina smirks as she sits up. "You're worrying too much, dear." lightly pinched Gracie's cheeks but she didn't resist.
"Where is she right now?" Alina asked as she continued caressing her cheeks. "Outside."
"Let her be. And you go get some rest. Okay dear." pats on Gracie's back.
Gracie looks down at the floor and stands up, and approaches the door.
"Oh one thing." Gracie turned back to look at Alina. "Could you go and get the clothes? There will be a storm today." A storm? Really?
"Oh, okay. I will." She nods and ss she said it the door opened on its own.
For a moment, Gracie glanced back. Alina had already turned to face the wall, the conversation clearly over.
The door swung open before her, and as she stepped through, it clicked shut on its own.
"Why is she like this?"