darker_london | London in Trouble (Camellia) (Reply)

It was Sister Sheila who burst into the office and frantically grabbed Camellia's arm, shaking with fear. And really...nothing was more disconcerting than a frantic nun... "Lia! Your room!"

"My what?" Camellia stood up and she took Sheila's hand gently. "Sheila, you should sit down."

"Your room, Child! Someone went in there and they caused an utter catastrophe!"

Sheila did have a penchant for overstatement, but even if that was what this was, someone had still been in her room and that was never a good sign. Especially not now that she had Father Bianco's personal files hidden in her underwear drawer...yes, it was an obvious place, but she did live with priests and nuns! "Goodness gracious!" Camellia yelled, which is as close as she ever got to swearing. She ran out of the office, across the grounds and into the stone building her room was in. Sheila followed her, as quickly as her rotund body allowed, puffing the entire way.

Camellia's mouth fell open as she surveyed the bombsite that was her room. "Oh...oh no." Her things were everywhere. The covers and mattresses had been pulled off her bed and yes...the contents of her underwear drawer were strewn all over the place. "Oh sugar! Sorry, Sister." She apologised as the nun appeared in her doorway, breathing heavily. "They messed up everything!" Quickly Camellia rushed to her drawer, but sure enough...the files were gone. "No! That rat!"

"Who! What? Rats?!"

"No!" Camellia turned to look at Sister Sheila and she frowned. "Is Father Dragonetti still here?!" She growled. "He did this. I know he did."

Shelia shook her head. "He left a few hours ago, said he he didn't need our hospitality any longer."

"That horrid man!" Camellia's shoulders drooped. "He got Father Bianco's files. I can't believe he'd steal them!"

"You shouldn't assume things like that, Child." Sheila glanced past Camellia, into the girl's room. "We'll figure out what happened. Come on, I'll help you clean the mess."

Camellia nodded, but the minute she turned to begin the lengthy process of cleaning her room up, another figure appeared in her doorway. "Lia, Sheila...I need you."

Camellia looked up at Father O'Keefe and she frowned. "Is everything alright, Father?"

Father O'Keefe shook his head. "Fires. All over London. They're everywhere. We're going to be needed."

Camellia reached for Sheila's hand and she nodded, the mess her room was in, completely forgotten. Her heart felt like it was breaking. More fires. More destruction. When would it end. When would London be out from under this storm cloud of fear?