Between the trees (kinda open)

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle entered the forest a bit out of breath. She knew the spot wasn't far off. "It's a clump of trees around here somewhere...." She said more to herself then her friend. She looked in a bunch of trees, "No, too small." and another "That's not it either." Finally she spotted it. "Come on this way." She carefully stepped over some roots and around brush until she stood next to the cluster of trees.

[Adara Snow]

Adara followed blindly, her hand still clasped in Anna's, partly for comfort, and partly because her mind was entirely elsewhere. She was in shock, in denial, and it was taking most of her thought to reason through everything she'd heard, making excuses, possible misunderstandings, anything so that she didn't have to change her feelings about Emilian.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

"It'll be okay Adara. Michael will come and we'll know what's going on. I'm sorry, I really am." Annabelle tried to comfort Adara, but also herself. She didn't like being left in the dark, and she was really worried for Michael.

[Adara Snow]

Adara released Anna's hand and sat on the ground, careless of the dirt staining her fine robes. "I won't believe it of him, I can't, Anna!" And yet she was able to say as much. She was able to voice her worries. Did that not mean that she believed it after all?

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle joined Adara on the ground, keeping her voice low and listening for noise of someone coming. "Remember what I said about trust Adara? I trust Michael more then any of my other friends. He's told me some very personal things when he could have just kept them to himself, things that he didn't know how I'd react to. He wouldn't lie about Emilian to me. I promise you that."

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael rushed down the lawns and quickly found the place Anna had said they would go. He came through the trees and wasn't able to stop himself collapsing on the ground beside Anna and taking her into his arms. For a few long seconds he buried his face in her hair, he had been so very worried for her. He pulled back and took her face in his hands, searching her eyes, "He didn't touch you?" he asked, just for the moment forgetting the presence of Adara.

[Adara Snow]

Adara sat quietly, hoping for the moment to disappear. She wanted Emilian, wanted him to touch her and tell her that everything would be all right. A noiseless sob bubbled up from her throat, and she buried her face in her hands, unable to feel happy for Annabelle just now, and ashamed of herself for it.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

"No, Never. What's going on Michael? Who is he?" Annabelle completely forgot about her friend at the moment, just thankful that Emilian hadn't hurt him.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

"Thank God," he said under his breath. He glanced back at Adara but kept his main focus on Anna. He ran a hand through his hair, "He came because of that damned letter. I've not been able to talk to you since I sent it or I would have told you. He was supposed to look after me when I was younger, he was never a good person. When he came here he went straight to all the girls he could find," he said the last part with disgust on his face. "He raped someone, that's why I was so worried that he may have tried something with you." All of the words came out very fast and he had to stop and take a breath.

[Adara Snow]

One soft, choked cry managed to work its way out at the word rape, now that she knew what it meant, at least a little. She didn't want to hear this. She didn't want to know. She needed her journal, needed an escape from everything. Adara pushed soundlessly to her feet and took off the way she had come with Annabelle, careless of becoming lost.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle was shocked at what Michael said and her attention immediately turned to Adara to see her climbing to her feet. "Adara!" Instinctively Annabelle cried out to her friend and stumbled to her feet, trying to catch her before she got to far. It was bad enough hearing such things about someone she'd just met, she couldn't imagine how Adara felt hearing them.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael groaned lightly and pushed himself to his feet. That letter had been more trouble than it was worth. He followed, easily catching up to Anna. He couldn't see Adara for the trees. "Adara!" He didn't feel as strongly about getting her back as Anna did, he was more concerned with keeping Anna safe. But if it was important to Anna, he would try his best to convince that girl of staying away from Emilian.

[Adara Snow]

Adara lifted her robes to run, trying to pick her way over roots and through brush, but she didn't know the forest, and it was difficult to see with tears in her eyes. She didn't want to talk, didn't want to sit and listen to Anna and Michael, something she wanted so badly, but could not have. Something Annabelle had said she could live without, but didn't need to. She ducked out of sight and ran unseeing toward the castle.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle reached the edge of the forest and peered out into the darkness, trying to make out where her friend had ran to. Giving up hope, she dropped to her knees and rubbed her hands against her cheeks. Tears were on the verge of falling, she'd never felt so small and helpless before.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael ran out a few steps from the edge of the trees, calling the girl's name again, but she was lost to his eyes. He cursed lightly under his breath and turned back to Anna. He kneeled down in front of her, putting a knee on either side of her and reaching out to hold her. He cradled her head to his shoulder and kissed her temple, "We'll figure something out."