Everything was so beautiful. Before coming to the Institute, Tallulah had not celebrated Christmas before. She had never wrapped up gifts in gift paper and never received more than an evening’s meal which then again usually consisted of hot soup and unseasoned meat. There was so much glitter in the room that Lula thought she was on a different planet entirely, and the silver garments of the other people – herself included – reflected so much light that they looked like stars in the sky. But there was one particular thing that attracted her interest. She was almost embarrassed to see for herself, so she manoeuvred to the bar first – though without taking a drink – to the banquet and then to the presents that lay behind and next to a tree, thinking herself incredibly clever while doing so. What would be inside? It had to be as magnificent as this room. It had to be worth more than the clothes she wore, perhaps worth more than all the expensive dresses combined. Tallulah scanned the room like a rogue planning her attack and when it seemed that everyone was distracted she crouched down and promptly opened the gift, flushing as she saw what was inside.
“It’s…” The disappointment must have been evident in her features too. Was it really all for nothing? It made no sense to her. “It’s empty… Why would they be empty?”
