Let’s pick off where we left off last time – halfway through Chapter 2: Truth!
Annabelle and Dimitri
Quick Recap: When I wrote last, we had just gotten to the discussion between Dimitri and Annabelle. Like I said before, not much about their relationship is yet given away at this point. We know there is some sort of friendship there between them. Not much more can be inferred on a basic level.
Okay, there’s some more about their conversation. Throughout the book, we see Annabelle as the sort to keep things in. She’s not too open with her feelings unless she’s around someone she trusts completely. Remember, she walked past her employees saying that she was fine and not to worry. Annabelle didn’t stick around to answer questions.
However, when she meets Dimitri, though it’s not explicitly said, Annabelle feels safe enough to let Dimitri see the extent of her emotions regarding the events the night prior. We’ll see more examples of other times where Annabelle feels safe enough to confide in someone.
Also, one last detail. When I was re-reading my manuscript, it became rather obvious to me that Annabelle probably should’ve gone to the hospital. Why didn’t she? Well, I just couldn’t figure out a way to put it in there and keep the story flowing. Therefore, Annabelle, being the strong, independent woman she is, came to work even though she probably shouldn’t have. Oh, well.
Depression
Following the rather tense argument between Annabelle and Dimitri, the tone of the chapter takes a dark turn. Annabelle is left alone to her depressing and frightening thoughts. This is also perhaps the only time I really describe the physical characteristics of a character. Usually, I focus on the eyes of a character, leaving the rest up to the imagination of the reader. Also, I just don’t like describing the characters too much in detail – I feel like that’s the least important part of the story.
Now, back to the heartbreaking scene.
It felt right that after going through such a traumatic experience and having been through about two years of Nazi occupation Annabelle would have some sort of breakdown at some point. This day and the events of the night before proved to be the breaking point for Annabelle. She feels as if she’s had enough of all the (excuse my language) crap she’s endured.
Her confidence is all a facade. The strength she once had is all burned out. All that remains is her beauty. Her thoughts take a dark turn and her eyes settle upon a razor. For a couple of moments, her mind contemplates self-harm, but alas, her will to live was stronger.
The chapter ends with Annabelle sinking to the ground, sobbing her eyes out, the weight of everything washing over her.
So, that is the end of the chapter, however, I don’t think it would be fair to end it just yet.
Ever wonder what Actualités Dietmar looks like, or well, at least, what I imagined it to be?
Let me take you through some sketches I have!
Here is the ground floor:
Going from left to right, I’ll describe what I was thinking. On the left side, I imagined there being a room solely dedicated to printing the newspapers. There is also a back exit/entrance that serves as an employee entrance and also for newspaper boys to enter as well. Moving along to the right, we enter the writing room – which is also doubling as an entrance. Along the bottom wall, there are a couple of blocks, which represent bookcases. The first one on the left is the secret bookcase that leads downstairs.
Upstairs
Now onto upstairs. Here we find Annabelle’s office and a storage room. I have no idea what is in that room even though I created it. Anyways, Annabelle’s office is big, having a lovely desk in front of three large glass windows. It also has a full bathroon in it, though perhaps, on further reflection, it would be more plausible for it to just be a powder room. Also, finally, it has a large table surrounded by bookshelves.
Basement
Oops. I may have just noticed I wrote the words upside down, but the words aren’t too important. The basement is where the resistance works, which can only be accessed by the secret door behind the bookcase, as well as the tunnels leading out into tunnels under the streets of Paris. Yes, there were tunnels running underneath the streets of Paris during WW2 – they were a part of old catecombs that ran underneath the city. In my fictional story, there are tunnels that connect to the basement of Actualités Dietmar. There are two old printing presses and several tables along the wall. These tables can be moved around depending on what they’re doing.
Did you enjoy Chapter 2? What was your favorite part? Also, does Actualités Dietmar look like you think it does? Comment below how you saw it!
Until next week!
L.A.