~ * ~ * ~

Zinnia Trotter had to have been dreaming.

That was the only way to explain why Ellie was in class that afternoon. Not only that, but it seemed like she was actually focusing on the lesson. She took down notes. She asked Gaurin clarification questions. When Gaurin randomly called on her, she formulated thoughtful responses. She seemed like she cared for once.

At the end of class, Zinnia went over to Henrik's desk. "Is it okay if they come over again today? Agatha's tooth is Linden's latest obsession."

"Yeah, of course. My mom's beginning to think of them as her second children." He lowered his voice, "is something up with Ellie? She was weird when I came over last night."

"When isn't she weird?" Zinnia whispered back. She glanced over at Ellie. The heiress was talking to Gaurin, probably trying to get another explanation for one of the concepts she was having trouble with. "I think this is the strangest I've seen her, though."

"Maybe something happened to her."

"No, I wouldn't think that far." She replied. "I'm certain this is all part of some ulterior motive of hers. She's crafty."

"Is she?"

"You don't know her like I do."

Henrik hummed in thought. He dumped his notebook into his bag. "I've got to hurry out of here if I wanna catch the kids. I'll see you later, Zinnia." He left out the door, following the other students who were filing out.

She put her notebook away. Zinnia didn't expect to see Ellie standing in front of her when she looked back up. "Erm...hi?"

"Do you wanna hang out?" Ellie smiled.

"I can't, sorry. I've got plans." Zinnia waved her off. Had Ellie conveniently forgotten the way she treated her the other day? She practically insinuated that she was as heartless as her father. "How about a rain check?"

Ellie leaned into her personal space, a move that would have been intimidating if Zinnia weren't taller than her. "I don't wanna be home right now. Can't you help me with that?"

"Like I said, I already have plans. I'm seeing some friends. You'll have to try someone else." Zinnia took off, leaving the school. Much to her chagrin, Ellie refused to take no for an answer. She stayed right on her heels.

"I'll join you. I'm sure your friends won't mind."

Zinnia whirled around to face her. "It's a private gathering."

"Look, I know Theres hates me but it's about time she got over that, huh? I know I said some stupid things but she deserved them."

"Ellie..."

"We might as well make up."

She decided to take the out Ellie provided. "Theres isn't ready for that. She's never been the forgiving type."

"Let's shake up her life, then."

"Ellie, I'm sorry, but I'm going. I'll bring you up to her and see what she says then." Zinnia said. "Don't follow me."

"Fine." Ellie drew out the word.

Ellie could act as surly as she wanted for all Zinnia cared.

Zinnia went onwards to Arntzen District, making sure to go a windy way that didn't make her path so obvious in case somebody was watching her. The streets were a familiar and welcome sight. Dark, dingy, and undesirable. She kicked a trash wad out of her way. 

The smell, on the other hand, was another story. Mafalda Street stunk of waste. Someone must've relieved themself in the alley by Gracja's house. How pleasant.

Two men traded puffs of tobacco back and forth. They hung out on the stoop next door, their eyes shutting blissfully whenever they took a drag. Perhaps there was more than tobacco mixed in their shared pipe. Absent of any sweet notes, it wasn't a product Zinnia recognized.

She knocked on the door, two-knuckle style. Lucio pulled her in and shut the door so fast she almost fell over.

"What's wrong?"

"What's the Heiress doing here?" Lucio brought Zinnia over to the window.

Across the street, Ellie Navarrete stood, looking all too clean and vulnerable. She looked straight at them.

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Zinnia covered her face with her hands. "This can't be happening."

"Get rid of her before Noemi wakes up." He pushed her back towards the door. "Fast, fast, hurry, hurry, go." Lucio opened it for her. She raced down the steps and went straight over to Ellie.

"You have to leave." Zinnia reached out for her arm. Ellie batted her away. "You shouldn't be here."

"I knew you weren't going to see Theres," Ellie said. "But I never thought you'd be going to some weird house in Arse End. What are you doing here?"

"Rat's End," she corrected. "And it's none of your business."

"Those guys are smoking and I'm pretty sure someone took a dump over there. Why are you here?"

Zinnia looked back over at the window. Lucio stared at her, his lips pursed harshly. "I'm visiting someone."

"That guy? What the hell? I saw the way he pushed you."

"He was freaking out because you're here! Your presence scares people. He doesn't want to get in trouble." Zinnia said. "No one wants to get in trouble. You're scaring everyone here."

"Which means they've got something to hide." Ellie placed her hand on her hip. "Why would you be visiting these people? Is this your way of acting out? Pushing back against the world?"

"W-what?"

Ellie shoved Zinnia's shoulder. "Trying to get yourself killed?"

"I'm not. Ellie, you have to get out of here."

"I'm not leaving until you tell me what the hell you're doing here."

It had to be magic. The way that Ellie always got what she wanted. That pushy, overly entitled attitude. Zinnia looked back at Lucio. He hadn't moved, still staring. Still watching and hoping that Zinnia would get rid of Ellie in time.

"I'm..." Zinnia breathed in. "You'll really leave if I tell you?"

"Yeah, and you better not lie to me."

"I'm buying drugs. They're cheaper here than at the apothecary." Zinnia settled for telling her that.

"You're what?! You're a drug addict?" Ellie brought her hand to her mouth. "No...no way. There's no way you're a drug addict. A-are you? Is this my fault?"

"No! I'm not addicted to drugs."

"You're in Arse End. This is where druggies go. Did I do this to you? Is this because of me...? Zinnia, you have to stop!"

"It's not because of you."

"Hey, girls!"

Their attention snapped over to the doorway of the house. Noemi waved at them. Lucio wasn't at the window anymore. "Why don't you continue your conversation inside? You're bothering the neighbors."

That clinched it.

This wasn't a dream.

It was a nightmare.

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A/N: The latest chapter of Redwood Crossing, Chapter 16, is now up on its main site. Voting on that chapter will end this Monday at 11:59 PM EST. Visit the main site to vote now.

Comments on the main site are very appreciated, and help encourage the writer.

The next RRL update will be Chapter 9: Escape.