I lay on the bed sideways, looking at the picture of the nightmare room. My head is full of thoughts, overunning each other like wild vines, twisting into nowhere. Was I taken from the abbey? The book- why did I make such a promise? Especially with the warning don’t let him destroy you. Frere Mueller had started to say something- was it my real name? My name… could it really be Anna?
“Anna…” I say it out loud, trying to see if it fits. I look at the picture on the wall. “Anna- what happened there?”
My thoughts are interrupted by the sounds of Mireille and Uncle arguing again. I hear the bedroom door slam behind me and I turn my head to look at her. She looks at me and shakes her head. Sitting down heavily on the bed, she takes off her boots and throws them against the closet door.
“Still not speaking?” she twists back around for a moment, then snorts in disgust. “Fine. You’re just as crazy as he is. No wonder the two of you get along.”
I feel a surge of anger well up in me, but refuse to respond. I don’t want to get into a fight about Uncle again.
I roll to my side so I can watch her get ready for bed. Her movements are shortened by anger; she jerks her nightshirt down over her body quickly, returning my gaze without speaking.
She turns and stuffs her boots into the closet, then slides the doors shut. She leans on the door and sighs.
“You used to look at me differently… I guess the honeymoon’s over.” The anger is gone from her voice. She walks to the nightstand and picks up her purse.
“What- what does that mean?” I ask, shocked.
“Nothing.” She opens her purse and takes out the telegram from Droger, reading it again. She closes her eyes and shakes her head.
“Nothing…just foolishness.”

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