I narrowed my eyes as I watched the ripples in the lake.
"Right," I said aloud. I pulled my arm back and then flung it out, releasing a small stone from my fingers. I counted the skips it made as it bounced across the water.
"That was seven this time!" I cried, hopping in place with excitement.
"How'd you do that?"
I turned in the direction of the voice and saw a girl standing on the dirt path nearby.
Part II - Without a Path to Follow
I clutched my sketchbook to my chest, my grip growing tighter as I paced about my room. Oh, just do it already! I thought. I stopped and narrowed my eyes, looking through the doorway across the hall where Alice's study was.
Read morePart III - Meaningful Ways to Pass the Time
"Once more!" said Elli, sharply.
"I can't do it!" I complained. "My fingers are too small to reach the last key!"
"No, they aren't," said Elli, placing my hands into position. "You need to think about what you're going to play before you play it. Now, once more!"
Part IV - An Apple a Day...
knock, knock
I held my bag with both hands as I stood at the door of Elli's small, honey-coloured cottage. As I waited, I listened to the symphony of an invisible orchestra of birds hidden away in the trees nearby. The shadows on the ground appeared and disappeared as clouds passed over the sun, while a pleasantly warm wind caused my hair to float about.
Part V - A Rose and a Larkspur
I woke with a start. Ripples of thunder unfurled like a long, red cloth being rolled out with great force. It was still dark out. I sat up and listened. A minute passed with only a few little rumbles. I began to lie back down when a loud crack jolted me. I sat up again and clutched the duvet to my chest. Groping to my left, I found the lantern and turned it on. I looked at the window, whose curtains were still drawn. The thunder continued.
Read morePart VI - A Party
"Oh! Mary, darling, come look at this!"
"..."
"Mary?"
My nose was pressed to a glass aquarium. I heard Elli calling my name, but I didn't fully register what she was saying. My wrist was taken roughly, and I was forced away from the aquarium.
Read morePart VII - Farewell, Gloucestershire
My white buckled shoes clicked in slow intervals as I walked, clutching my bag as tightly as I could. A gust of wind came through, and I squinted, shivering from the cold. I pressed on, hearing the sound of childrens' voices growing louder.
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