Chapter 6

• The early morning light streamed through the old ratty curtains, and reflected off a poorly place broken mirror, which shunned under the table and right at my face.
• I got out from where I had the worst sleep of my life, it left me in even more pain and my back even cracked when I stood up straight.
• “Oh dare child, you need to run to the master’s mansion, get to cleaning. I heard that he was arriving toady.’’
• Even though I nodded, I still frowned. Not understanding why I had to kill since no one was at the other mansion, the place was also spotless, so it made no sense to have me there slaving away like this.
• But I didn’t dare to make an ounce of complaint leave my mouth, simply because I didn’t want to end up like Leni. And who knows, she might be dead by now. If not, then she must be a broken piece of mess.
• I gulped down the almost sour milk, and almost choked on the crackers that didn’t have a crunch before running to the supplies closest for a broom, mop and clothe, then dashed out through the back door and across the courtyard.
• I paused after noticing a gate that was wide open, no one seemed to be tending to it, and I thought it might just be my slice of freedom.
• I looked around and noticed Serena off in the distance. I could even make out the smirk on her face, making me know that if I ran, it would be my head.
• When I got to the ‘master’s’ mansion, I noticed someone had tracked muddy boot prints all over the marble floor, leading to the first step of the grand stairs. There was a rancid, and after following my nose, I found a pile of dirty pots in the skin.
• I frowned, not understanding where they came from, because no one was here.
• “You made a good choice just now, but I was hoping for you to run. I don’t mind punishing two lowly humans at the same time. Anyway, I made a mess, so get to cleaning.’’
• I was confused as to why she did this.
• “It is to prepare you for what is to come,’’ she said with a smirk. “My brother is quite messy, so this is your training, to have you prepared.’’
• I turned away from her, and turned the pipe on, tending to start the dishes first, but I felt Serena grabbing me in the hair. The next thing I knew, my face was being slammed down on the side of the sink, and I could feel blood running down my face as it was split open.
• “Never do that, once I am here, you are to always face me. Understood!’’
• “Yes ma’am,’’ I said, and head my head low.
• Serena left, and I went back to facing the sink, looking for something to get rid of the blood.
• I watched Serena walking away through the tall windows of the mansion’s kitchen, the sunlight was casting a soft glow over the rows of dirty copper pots and gleaming marble countertops.
• I submerged my hand in the warm soapy water, scrubbing a pile of dishes that seemed endless. The steam rising from the now hot water clung to my skin, and the constant clatter of utensils and the ticking of a nearby clock was grating my last nerves.
• I wiped away the blood before it could get in my eyes, while blinking back tears.
• My fingers soon became raw and pruned from the scalding water, and my back ached from the long hours of standing.
• I had been working since the early hours of the morning, moving from one task to another with little respite.
• I glanced at the clock mounted on the wall, its ticking a relentless reminder of how much time had passed. It was still early, but I already felt the strain of the day’s labor. My clothes, though provided for me, were ill-fitting and stained from various tasks. I had tried to tidy myself up, but the dirt and grime of the work seemed to cling to me no matter how hard I tried.
• My thoughts kept drifting to my situation, how I was locked under a cellar… being captive with my family and a few others, then sold into servitude. All of the was greatly disheartening, I had a promising future ahead of me back then. With my mother being a lawyer, and my father an ex-military, turned prosecutor. I could have been well on the way to become a doctor like I had dreamt of.
• But look at me now, having been forced into this harsh life. Cleaning room after room, for creatures that were nothing but fairytales just a few years ago.
• A voice interrupted my thoughts. “Girl, hurry up! Come help me get lunch ready, word of the master coming home early got back to me. We need this down as soon as possible, so food is ready for when he gets back.’’
• The man then began to babble.
• “I have already done cleaning the kitchen,’’ I told him.
• The man frowned, his no-nonsense attitude coming out. He even hit me with a wooden spoon, and I felt as if to splash water on his with apron.
• I have heard that he was the head of us servants, having his own little room and could command us around to do whatever he wanted us to do.
• He was a stern man, at least from what I heard. But to me, he just had is head up his ass because of his position.
• They told me that his eyes were sharp, and constantly watching. His commands left no room for error.