The next chapter (Excerpt)

My intention was to have this chapter published much earlier today, but a few things came up and I wasn't granted the time I thought I'd have. It's nearly finished, but I'd still like to do better on it than I did on my last chapter. I know there's room for improvement with tit, so for now I'll post a short excerpt from it. I will have it out by tomorrow though, no matter what comes up. It's about finished already, but I want this to be a better chapter than something I just wrote in a day. I want to work on it a little longer so I can honestly say I didn't just rush through it (much).

Major Arch would often look down at the lands he owned and sigh, his eyes had a far off look to them and he no longer told her stories unless they were exact accounts of the historical events he wanted her to memorize. He would choke up when she asked him about his own experiences in the past. She couldn't’ make heads or tails of the situation. Why would her Uncle become so withdrawn as of late? From his employees, his storytelling that he loved most… his own niece? It felt as though he was slowly turning his back on her. She began it felt alone in the halls that laughter once rang clear through. Now she only heard his pen scratch away at important documents. He threw himself into his work, becoming weaker and weaker, and she just didn’t understand what was happening. Why would he suddenly stop caring for his own health? Did nothing matter to him anymore that he would neglect his health and the only family he had left? He was all she had left too and it felt so much like abandonment how he was treating her.

It astonished her how much her Uncle Arch had changed. She missed his laugh. She missed his stories and his advice. She wasn’t a child anymore true… but she still needed him, and he wasn’t there it seemed.

So she woke up that day determined to leave the house for a day. She would have to figure out what was going on with him tomorrow. He asked her to leave him alone and let him work. He had cancelled any and all her lessons that day, so she was free. That was what she thought, until he stopped her at the door.

He swiftly reached the entrance hall, and somehow managed to do so without her picking up on it. “What do you think you’re doing?” He demanded, his eyes narrowed in accusation.

“Oh.. um. I was going to go for a walk. I-is that it alright?” She had been certain before that he would not mind, but she was no longer so sure she should have left without asking him. “I wasn’t aware I was doing anything wro-”

“Well-” he began to say, before her words sunk in. “I suppose you’re right… I never said you couldn't leave.”

Fluttershy gave a sigh and began to open the door once again.

“That’s why I’m telling you now, you are to stay indoors today. I’m working on something important right now and I want you at arm’s length so I won't have to worry.” It was Fluttershy’s turn to look incredulous. “Uncle? What’s wrong?”

“Absolutely nothing, my little niece. What makes you think something is the mater?”

Fluttershy found it hard to take his answer at face value when her wouldn’t look her in the eye. Her Uncle had always been able to keep his face devoid of emotion when he wanted to, so why did he keep his fear so evident? “Uncle Archie… are you in some kind of danger?”