After about fifteen minutes of riding on a dusty, rocky road in the carriage, the mansion finally came into a full view. Every intricate detail was there; Anna was awed. This was where she would be housed? Her heart skipped a beat as one thought, and one thought only, entered her mind, 'This is what your life could've been like if you hadn't messed with that squirrel.' She knew this tiny voice that had been inside her head for as long as she could remember was right. This was probably how Derek was living right now. Maybe, Anna started to ponder, just maybe, there was a new baby there. She couldn't help her curiosity.
The carriage door was opened by the driver, and no one moved. Anna was about to, but the girl who had been smacked grabbed her hand before she stood. Sir Rafaelli got up and carefully lowered himself to the cobblestone ground. Then the boy got out, followed by the girls. Anna was the last one to exit the carriage. They stepped inside into a magnificent hall, where the other girls split up and began their duties. Anna was lost; she didn't know what to do.
"Elaina, tell her what to do and where to go, now!" Sir Rafaelli snapped. A girl, the one in the carriage, who had been smacked, stepped forward.
"Come," she said, "Let's get to work." The girls were silent as they walked up the extravagant stair case. Anna ran her hand up the sleek banister, enjoying the cool, smooth feel of the oak running along her palm, instead of making conversation. Elaina was probably sixteen or seventeen. She was beautiful; her hair was a lovely golden color, and it reminded her of sunshine. Her eyes, were a crystal clear blue, with deep passion in them. She had a slim, womanly figure, and was quite attractive. Anna noticed something shiny on the older girl's left hand - a ring. Curiosity overwhelmed her once again. It was on her ring finger! That was the ring that women put their wedding rings on!
"Are you . . . ma- marr- . . ." she, for some odd reason, was unable to just choke out the word married. Maybe it was this girl's insane beauty that struck her, but whatever the reason, Anna knew it was childish, and was ashamed.
"Married?" Elaina chuckled. "No, not yet. I'm engaged. To a wonderful man. Sir Rafaelli's oldest son, actually. We fell in love when I first came here. Sir Rafaelli isn't pleased with our love, but we won't live here. We will live on his estate. Our wedding will be in another two years. All the maids and servants are invited." she smiled, seeming as if her head was in the clouds. Anna felt happy for this young bride. Maybe she would find love here too?
A few hours later, Elaina had run off to tend to the wilting roses in the garden, and had left Anna all alone in the kitchen, scrubbing the floors spotless. The chefs came in to prepare dinner. The head chef politely asked her to leave. She obliged, and went to the closet that Elaina had showed her. Everything was in here; she replaced the bucket she had been using and closed the door. She no longer knew what to do, again. She felt like a dolt, and it wasn't pleasant. A girl about her age, noticed. She approached Anna, her eyes obviously studying the scars on her face. Anna had almost forgotten about them; no one had stared at her in forever. She wasn't self conscious about the flaws until this girl showed up.
She studied Anna's features, like no one had ever done. She more or less scrutinized them. Anna wanted to disappear. But instead, for the first time, she stood up for herself. "Can I help you?" she asked.
The girl looked down. She didn't speak. Instead, she shrugged. Anna was confused. "Excuse me, but can I help you?"
Just then, Elaina came running up the halls. She looked at the girl. "Anna, this is Mary. She is deaf, and can't speak either." Elaina turned and waved to the girl, but didn't say a word. Anna felt bad. She looked down, ashamed. Noticing her younger friend's embarrassment, Elaina noted, "Mary can read and write. That's how we communicate with her." she smiled, hoping to reassure Anna that it was okay.
Mary smiled and waved to Elaina, stared at Anna, and then hurried off down the halls. Anna looked down, and Elaina thought she was upset. "What's wrong?"
"She stared. At my scars."
"Well, you are new here. Of course, everyone is going to look for a few moments. But eventually, when people get to know you and your story, they won't mind them any more. I have already begun to forget about them." Elaina smiled. "Well, let's continue our chores, shall we?"
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For the rest of the night, Anna wondered about Mary. Was she born like that - deaf and mute? Or did something happen to her, like, a disease? Did her parents abuse her, or was something wrong with her brain? These questions and more flowed through Anna's brain. She was curious, and knew it. Mary seemed nice enough in her writing. But yet, none of it had been directed towards herself. It was always other servants and maids, the ones who said hello to her when passing, even though they knew she couldn't hear. They seemed nice too. Just like Elaina, who, Anna realized, was her only real friend, let alone person, that talked to her here. She would have to keep her close.
Anna had been placed in a large room. The others complained it was tiny and cramped, but compared to the orphanage rooms with tons of kids in an incredibly confined space, this seemed like a suite. There were nine other girls in the room, including Elaina and Mary. Elaina let Anna have the empty bed next to her own, and Mary slept by the window. Elaina had explained Mary liked the window because she could see out at night. She was interested in science a great deal. The seven other girl's names Anna didn't know yet, except one. Elaina had told Anna to stay away from Eliza. She was rude, and promised to hurt anyone if they did her wrong. No one had been harmed by her; that was why she was still there. Anna knew, deep in her heart, not to mess with her, still.
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The next few weeks went past in a blur to Anna. Everyday was the same; wake up, breakfast, chores, lunch, chores, dinner, chores, bed. It bored her but she couldn't do anything about it - nor did she dare. She would continue this bland pattern; she had a place to stay, hot meals, and warm clothes because of it. One day, she was in the closet looking for a rag, but couldn't find them. It was probably Rose, Sir Rafaelli's seven year old daughter. She was always messing with the servants and maids. Mary stepped in. Anna waved and smiled. Mary grinned, and pulled out a piece of parchment. 'Hello' it already said. Anna wrote back on it with a quill Mary handed her. "Hi. I'm Anna." Mary read it, smiled, and walked away. Anna smiled. Mary hadn't stared, and she had spoken to her! For the first time, she realized, she had a conversation with Mary. It was small, yes. But still, it was a step forward.
Anna went out into the garden to tell Elaina that she had spoken with Mary. But Elaina wasn't by the rose bushes, where she normally was. It worried Anna, but she figured Elaina was elsewhere doing someone else's chores.she walked thorough the estate, the gardens, and the stables, but couldn't find her anywhere. A girl Anna recognized as Beth, who always was with Elaina rushed past her, as if she had a place she desperately had to get to.
"Excuse me, where is Elaina?" Anna asked, politely.
"You haven't heard?" retorted Beth, her voice shaky, and impatient.
"No, what?" she asked, her breath quickening.
"Elaina was kidnapped, and now her fiance is here. I have to be the one to tell him. Please, if you excuse me, I must go now." At the first part, her voice caught in her throat.
In shock, Anna managed to squeeze in one more question. "When? What is Sir Rafaelli doing about it?"
Beth looked at Anna with mournful eyes. "Last time anyone saw her was a week ago. We are trying to keep it quiet; if Sir finds out, he will think she ran away with her fiance. Then he will punish us all. We are going to speak with Joshua to see if he can tell his father, and have him not beat us. I really must go." And with that dreadful news, Beth hurried off, wiping a tear that had slipped down her cheek.
Anna was, once again, alone.
