16 Exposed 0.1

After a moment of self-reflection, still unable to answer my own questions, I tried to shrug it off for now and continued to take a bath. I took a two whole hours to clean myself. I was able to bathe myself easily for my wounds had now dried up and are healed enough for me to bathe myself.

I went out of the shower feeling refreshed and comfortable for the first time in days. It was not like I was rotting for days, Vivian had always helped me in dressing and wiping myself clean. My wounds were still fresh those few days, so it required delicate attention. So I had to have help when it came to wiping myself from time to time.

As I exited the bathroom, I saw no one in the bedroom. The bed was already made and the sheets were replaced by new once. In the past few days, Vivian had always been taking care of me. I got to know her more and we bonded from time to time.

Nevertheless, I was still skeptical of her, she seemed to really hide some things from me.

I observed that she was actually the talkative type of person. However, when she doesn't want to say something, she either stays silent or smoothly changes the topic.

Years of self-isolation can really develop one's observation skills.

I glanced towards the bed and see that my bag of stuff was placed neatly beside it. Also some fresh pair of clothes were laid out for me on the bed. I quickly dressed myself first before doing anything.

I sat down on the bed right after changing into my clothes.

Grabbing my suitcase, I briefly halted to observe if there was anyone outside the door or not. After a moment of utter silence, I opened my suitcase and rummaged through my belongings, checking for anything that might be missing. To my relief, there was none that was supposedly missing.

Though I bonded with Vivian recently, I can never be too sure. She seemed like the type that was excellent at hiding things. I am unable to fully trust her until I know what it is that she is hiding.

Suddenly, I remembered about the letter that Mrs. Melrose handed me.

I neatly removed the contents of my bag and emptied it out. After doing so, I reached for a small latch at the bottom of the bag and the plastic board of the bottom of the bag creaked open.

"Ah-ha!" I said excitedly.

I reached in the gap and picked out the letter that I hid in there.

After hiding the letter from Vivian that night, right after she left, I hid the letter inside this secret compartment of my bag. I really had a strong feeling that I should not let Vivian see the content of that letter.

I was relieved that the letter wasn't out of place.

I stared hard at the letter in my hands.

"All that is in this letter is from my mother, huh?" I spoke softly.

I didn't know how to feel about this, I had mixed feelings to say the least.

I was torn between reading it or not. Recently, I told myself that I wasn't holding any grudges, and yet look at me now, conflicted between fuming or crying right now.

After sixteen years, this is the first time that I receive word from my parents.

Though it was aged and was completely fading it was still well kept.

I breathed in and pondered for a moment.

'It wouldn't hurt to see at least, right..?' I wondered hesitantly.

Just as my fingers hovered over the piece of paper, I heard a knock on the door.

"Levi? Are you done changing?"

It must've been Vivian at the door.

In a panic. I answered, "U-Uhh yeah! Just a minute! I'm s-still not yet done!"

I quickly shoved the paper back to my bag's hidden compartment and fixed my stuff so that it would look like I'm going to put away my clothes.

"C-come in!" I said.

I kept scolding myself for speaking so weakly.

The door creaked open and Vivian's head popped in.

"Hey, are you unpacking already?" she asks curiously as she stares at my stuff.

I hastily nodded and immediately regretting to do such a suspicious move.

'Great, now she'll really suspect me for hiding something. Nice going Levi,' I thought to myself.

As I look up at her, expecting a suspicious expression, she was just curiously staring at my stuff still.

I sighed in relief and cleared my throat to catch her attention.

"Are you alright? Do you need any help?" she asks as she approaches me with a smile.

I shook my head and politely declined her offer.

"Nah, I got it," I said.

She nods and gives one last once-over of the room before heading for the door again.

Just before she could exit she turns back to me with an excited smile plastered onto her face.

"Oh, right! I'm prepping lunch, after lunch I'll tour you around campus," she said giddily.

I was just about to suggest that, glad she said it first.

I nodded and said, "Yeah, sure, sounds great."

She exits the room completely and leaves me to finish packing.

I've been curious about this place. Since I'm still in no condition to escape just yet, I'll have to study this place first so that I can devise a plan of escape.

I put away my things into their respective drawers. Vivian had pointed out the closet that I'll be using. Mine was the one on my side of the room right at the foot of my bed, while Vivian's were the one on her side of the room.

I might've forgotten to mention, but me and Vivian are sharing a room. Her bed was on the left side of the room and mine was on the right. The bathroom is located on my side of the room while the exit door was located on Vivian's side of the room.

After clearing out my things, I headed out to see Vivian preparing food on the table.

"Hey, come sit down," she says cheerfully.

I nodded and headed to take a seat.

Quote of the Chapter!!!

"Accept mistakes, accept failures, accept losses, and accept your decisions."

-Unknown-

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