Worlds Apart
You push away from the wall, realising that the meeting in the Great Hall was probably called because of the visitor. If you hurry, you might be able to get to the Great Hall before the tutors leave.
You walk along the corridor back to the Great Hall, in time to see the other clones leaving it. The tutors file out after your sisters and then pause, looking towards you. You stiffen slightly, but the Guardian stays at your back - a strong, almost comforting presence.
A woman leaves the Great Hall after everyone else and a jolt of surprise goes through you as you recognise her face. It's the same one you see every time you look in the mirror - if you discount the long, jagged scar that runs down one cheek.
As soon as the woman sees you, she speaks quietly to one of the tutors and then makes her way towards you. You stiffen slightly, suddenly struck with the urge to turn and run away. You don't move, however, and stand your ground.
The woman pauses in front of you and glances at the Guardian before focusing on you. She spots the book in your hands and reaches out to take it with a smile. "Thank you for bringing this to me," she says. She seems about to say something, but then pauses, glancing around at the others before looking back at you. "Can we speak privately?"
Slowly, you nod - and follow the woman as she leads the way to an empty room, walking inside after her.
The woman turns to look at you and then glances at the Guardian, narrowing her eyes at him. She then turns to you. "Does he have to be here?"
You walk along the corridor back to the Great Hall, in time to see the other clones leaving it. The tutors file out after your sisters and then pause, looking towards you. You stiffen slightly, but the Guardian stays at your back - a strong, almost comforting presence.
A woman leaves the Great Hall after everyone else and a jolt of surprise goes through you as you recognise her face. It's the same one you see every time you look in the mirror - if you discount the long, jagged scar that runs down one cheek.
As soon as the woman sees you, she speaks quietly to one of the tutors and then makes her way towards you. You stiffen slightly, suddenly struck with the urge to turn and run away. You don't move, however, and stand your ground.
The woman pauses in front of you and glances at the Guardian before focusing on you. She spots the book in your hands and reaches out to take it with a smile. "Thank you for bringing this to me," she says. She seems about to say something, but then pauses, glancing around at the others before looking back at you. "Can we speak privately?"
Slowly, you nod - and follow the woman as she leads the way to an empty room, walking inside after her.
The woman turns to look at you and then glances at the Guardian, narrowing her eyes at him. She then turns to you. "Does he have to be here?"