She opened the first drawer on his desk , and among the fountain pens and rubber bands , she found what she was looking for . He had bought the lighter specifically for its resistance to wind . How beautiful the flame looked , dancing so delicately as she blew on it , but never going out .
“ Miss Adeline ,” Mrs Bunson stood in the doorway , her old grey eyes wide . “ What are you doing ?” You mustn ’ t burden her with your problems , Adeline . “ Nothing ,” Adeline said , even as she held the lighter to a folder , watching the fire catch hold of the edge . “ Nothing at all .”
“ What is this silliness ?” Mrs Bunson came up behind her and grabbed the arm holding the lighter . “ Stop this nonsense immediately !”
Adeline tried to pull her arm free , but Mrs Bunson clung on like mould .
“ You must stop this now ,” Mrs Bunson said , glaring at her .
Gone was the expression of the dull cow , replaced by something else . Something behind her eyes . Something deeper . Did she not look and sound exactly like Edward ? That same scathing glare now . Was it not possible that after all that time she had spent around him , he had found a way to penetrate her mind ? Yes , like wasp larvae controlling the caterpillar , using it to protect them . Crunch crunch , little Adeline . Can you hear me chewing ? Yes . Was the crunching not coming from her as well ? From inside Mrs Bunson , where Edward had laid his eggs so long ago .
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