Secrets Intertwined

I

He still recalled that day as if it hadn't been that long ago. He didn't need to recall the feeling he felt that day. He felt it every day. He had failed to protect her.

"Here you have it!" Shouted the driver of the carriage, coming to a halt.

Jackson and Logan both jumped out and thanked the driver, handing him several coins. Logan turned to say something but was cut off when Jackson began to push him towards the Council House.

"Tell me in a minute. Let's just get in first."

Jackson reached up to grab the grand door knocker but before his hand even made contact, the doors swung open to reveal a little old lady.

She gave Jackson the creeps and from Logan's uncomfortable shuffling, Jackson knew he felt the same.

"This way," was all she said starting down the hallway.

Jackson and Logan exchanged a quick glance and hurried off after her, closing the door behind them.

Their worn shoes slipping on the marble floors, Jackson and Logan didn't have enough time to appreciate the grandeur of their surroundings, too focused on staying upright and following after their guide.

They were led up two staircases and into the hallway before the lady acknowledged their presence again.

"Wait here," she ordered her bony finger pointing at the floor. She disappeared off into a room Jackson knew to be the main meeting room.

"Jack," mumbled Logan quietly as to not be overheard, "I didn't think the carriage ride was going to cost that much. We won't have enough for the ride home."

Jackson sighed and shrugged his shoulders, "We'll just have to work that one out when the meetings over. President Elijah may lend us a carriage."

"Are we talking about the same president? President Tight-Arse? The only way to get any money off of his would be if we were to pry it from his cold, dead fingers. Plus, we're not just some charity case, Jack."

"Get over yourself, would you rather walk all the way back home? If-"

"Crap."

Jackson and Logan both looked up from their little huddle to see a girl standing a little way down the corridor.

It was strange to see someone walking around the Council House. In all his times here, Jackson didn't recall ever seeing anyone just walking around.

Both Jackson and Logan remained motionless as the girl began to walk towards them. She looked familiar yet like no one Jackson had seen before. Her waist-length hair hung behind her, swishing from side to side as she walked. A scarf covered her nose and mouth but from his position, Jackson could see she had dark eyes, so dark he almost thought they looked black- but he assumed he just couldn't see properly due to the lighting. What really caught his eye was the scar running down her face. It started in her hairline on the left side of her face and ran down, circling around the end of her eyebrow and continued on into her scarf.

And even despite her peculiar, dark look, Jackson almost thought her recognised the girl, yet he couldn't remember where from. Surely, he'd remember someone so... obvious.

It was like her name was at the tip of his tongue.

"Excuse me."

Jackson snapped back to reality and saw the girl had stopped just in front of him; he had been too caught up in his mind to register what was going on.

Jackson watched as she pushed a strand of hair behind an ear decorated with metal.

Another strange look for someone who was walking around the Council House.

Remembering himself, Jackson, as well as Logan both stepped to the side, letting the girl- no, young lady- walkthrough.

"Thanks."

Both men turned slightly to watch her walk out the corridor, to watch her bow before closing the door.

"Did she look familiar to you?" asked Jackson as he turned to look at Logan.

"Huh? I don't think I've met anyone with a scar like hers," replied Logan, stroking his own face.

A noncommittal grunt came from Jackson, as he began to slowly stroll down the corridor.

Rubbing the back of his neck, he scanned his memory for any recognition of the unusual girl. She had looked at him in a way that stirred deep-rooted memories that no matter how hard he tried; he couldn't pull to the surface.

Logan jogged forward to catch up with him and as he opened his mouth to say something, he was cut off as the old lady, re-emerged and cleared her throat in announcement.

Logan closed his open mouth and gave a single nod, before glancing over at Jackson. The two shared a worried look and the thoughts of the girl vanished from Jackson's mind as they trailed after the old lady.

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