Christopher shook his head, the black ringlets on his head bouncing mildly. "I can't."Waverly huffed and stood up, throwing her arms in the air. "Is that all anyone ever says around here?" "It wouldn't be ideal," Christopher stated, crossing his one leg over the other and placing his arm along the back of the couch. "Sawyer is completely focused on the Lunar Eclipse and his duties. He doesn't even answer my calls, let alone –" "If you want an answer, I need to see him," Waverly said defiantly, emphasizing the 'need'. Christopher observed her briefly, calculating his next move. Then, he grinned. "You drive a hard bargain," he replied, waving his pointer finger in her direction. Despite his proud and elated countenance, Waverly remained composed and straightforward in her approach. Christopher snickered while he rose up from the seat. "Okay, I'll try my best. Just please, stop looking at me like you want to murder me." Waverly let go of her tension and laughed as her body r

As soon as Waverly entered her room, she threw her bag on the ground and sat at the couch cross-legged; the box of jewels still on the coffee table. She leaned forward and reached for the box, holding it in her lap. Even after having it in her room for almost a week, she still couldn't grasp the delicate detailing of the carvings on the exterior. Becoming more entrenched in the history of Trinity Mountains and the Crimson Shadow's, Waverly began to wonder about the story behind the box and how many hands it had passed through before reaching her own. She glided her hands across the surface, appreciating both the artistry and memories that must've been attached to it, and then she opened the lid. Still inside were the jewels and gold that Sawyer had left for her. Although the box had remained in Waverly's room all of this time, she had not opened nor seen the contents since the day they were brought to her. She picked up the ruby necklace that was on the top of the pile, placing the

"Get. Out.""Sawyer, I—" Sawyer's eyes narrowed and his body was tense. "Freedom does not mean you can enter any room you please." "I didn't mean—""I don't care what you meant!" he yelled; his voice booming off of the walls. "Do you think just because I let you out of the basement, you can just go wherever?!"Sawyer's eyes were staring directly at her, their colours protruding more than they ever had. His body was tight, the veins popping out from his arms. Waverly's body shrunk inwards, and she lost all ability to move. "I—" His fists let go and his face relaxed once he witnessed the terror in Waverly's eyes. He placed his head into his hand. "Look...just go." Waverly's mind reverted into itself and she felt as if she was having an out of body experience. She had never experienced anger like this. What was he hiding that could cause him to become this way? She felt so close to the real truth, it was almost tangible, and as usual she was being pulled back into oblivion. I

Rather than returning to her room, Waverly made her way down the basement staircase through the familiar hallways. She passed each room before landing on the final room, which consisted of a wooden door frame and a stained-glass middle. She turned the doorknob, which opened immediately, and walked inside. As soon as she entered, she saw the window where she used to spend her days in isolation. When she looked down, she noticed four circular indents in the carpet where the chair used to sit. All of the additional furniture that once filled the room was gone and the only items remaining were the old wardrobe and the table. Waverly sat on the bed and took off her shoes using her heels. She tucked herself under the covers, her conversation with Sawyer still playing in her head. She couldn't process how disdainful he was being. As a sacrifice herself, Waverly understood the fear and horror that comes along with being chosen to meet the Crimson Wolf and although she knew the truth behind t

As the next day began, Waverly hopped out of bed and changed her outfit, making her way out of the room to the entry. She grabbed her coat, which now hung proudly in the closet beside all of the other resident's outerwear and tossed on her runners. While she was tying up the last lace, Sawyer walked out from the living room looking at the tablet in his hand. He caught Waverly's figure out of the corner of his eye, bent down fixing her shoes. "Where are you headed?" Waverly jolted up, startled at the sudden voice coming from in front of her. She threw a hand to her heart and saw Sawyer chuckling. "Oh God," she mumbled. "Make some noise next time."Sawyer coughed. "There." Waverly stood up and grabbed her bag off the hook. "Gee, thanks." "So, where are you going?"Waverly slung her bag over her shoulder, stopping short of the door. "I was thinking about heading into town to sight see." "Hmmm," Sawyer said while he swiped once on the tablet. "Well, have fun." He started