Chapter 0320

Looking around, I searched for another exit. There was another door further down, but it was more barred than the first, not just latched but also wedged with a piece of wood.

Okay. So the doors were out.

Giving up on the doors, I looked along the banister instead.

There. An old oak stood nearby with long, sturdy-looking branches. If I crawled up onto the banister, I could reach out and catch one of the limbs. Then I could climb down.

It wouldn’t be the most delicate maneuver. I’d likely ruin my nightgown and my thin slippers, but ruining a few pieces of delicate clothing seemed a fair trade for not freezing to death.

I used to climb trees all the time when I was a kid. This wouldn’t be any different than that, right?

Like riding a bicycle, once you learn, you never truly forgot. At least, that’s what I hoped.

I climbed up onto the banister, and reached out for the tree. I put some weight on it. It didn’t creak or cra ck. Safe, then.

Carefully, I lifted myself up onto the branch, then shimmied closer to the trunk. Once there, I began the arduous process of descending. The balcony had been on the second floor, so the ground wasn’t too far. This gave me more confidence than it should have.

I jumped down to the next lowest branch. I had not tested the weight this time.

half, and down,

something. I grabbed handfuls of leaves, a few acorns,

someone called

I braced myself.

loud thud sounded.

ground was a lot softer than I

opened my eyes and found myself on top of

I rushed up to my

each word a pained grunt.

+15 BONUS

his feet. I grabbed him by the elbow to help him up. “I’ll live,” he said, and dusted

one else was around, not even Brian. And Julian was still wearing his day’s clothes,

I like to walk and clear my head,” he said. He looked up. “Piper, why were

the second floor. “I had

“Why in the world were you on the balcony

gotten a note…” My cheeks began to burn. The embarrassment that had dissipated with the fall returned tenfold. Of course, of all people, Julian would be the one to rescue

truth, he’d never let me live it down. But why lie would I even

meet someone

be Nicholas.” He crossed his

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