Chapter 35: Merry's room

"Let's not talk about this anymore. When we find answers, we will decide what to do after that." William said wanting to end the discussion.

Following that conversation, all of them just sat in the living room, in a complete silence for about ten minutes.

Merry couldn't bear this awkward silence. She glanced towards the clock on the wall, it was around half past midnight.

"I am going to my room. I need to wake up early tomorrow. I have a session with Mrs. Miller in the morning."

Merry excused herself and went to her room.

The rest of them actually wanted to talk further but after knowing what the other was thinking regarding the situation. It became a little hard for them to bring up the topic. So, they too decided to end the day.

Everyone went to their room without a word.

Cole knew that Merry would be sad, as she was the one who initiated the conversation.

Thus, he made his way towards Merry's room rather than just going to his room.

KNOCK! KNOCK!!

"Merry!"

(No sound..)

"Are you asleep?"

Cole thought maybe she had already gone to bed so he was about to go back to his room. Just then...

"Come in."

Merry opened the door.

"Did I wake you?" Cole asked.

"No, I was just sitting down. Did you need something?"

"Nothing in particular. I just wanted to talk to you."

Cole followed Merry into the room. He had been in her room a few times, but it still amazed him, how neat and clean it always looked. There was not much furnitures in the room, only a bed, a bedside table and a single seater.

The bed was made so properly, it seemed like no one had ever slept on that. Apart from the bed, the room itself looked like a room of a hotel despite not being luxurious.

"You wanted to talk about something?" Merry asked while sitting on her bed.

"Yeah." Cole replied somewhat awkwardly.

"Do you plan on standing the whole time?" Merry said when she saw him, just standing infront of her.

"Yes.. No, I mean.. I.. I am going to sit."

Cole's stuttering brought smile on Merry's face. He swiftly pulled the one seater in front of her and sat down.

"So, what were you saying?" Cole asked rubbing his hands on his knees.

"What do you mean? It was you who had something to talk, remember?" Merry asked getting puzzled.

"Oh! yeah.. yeah, I have something to talk to you."

"What's wrong? Why are you acting so weird?" Merry asked not understanding.

Cole had nothing to answer, his mind was blank. He initially wanted to talk to Merry and comfort her. He knew the earlier conversation with others, had hurt her as she had expectations of getting positive reaction and maybe formation of plans for searching further information.

But as soon as he entered her room, he felt hot. It was as if the temperature of the room had rose. He could feel himself sweating in the back of his neck. His pulse rate was rising. His brain couldn't think of any words.