I stared out the car window at the imposing grandeur of the house before me. The taxi driver glanced back with a warm smile, sensing my nervousness.
"Need any help with your bags?" She asked, blue eyes twinkling. I shook my head and thanked her, quickly grabbing my lavender backpack and blue duffelbag from the seat beside me. I had to do this before I could back out. The cool air buffeted my shoulders, bearing the smell of rainstorms. My wispy grey sweater could do nothing to save me from the chills running down my spine, nor could my long socks and black skater skirt. My combat boots did their job though, crunching on the gravel drive and up the brick pathway.
The main doors loomed above me, hiding under a pristine white stoop. I would like to join it in it's mahogany cowering, but instead I took a deep breath and rapped on the door. I waited for another moment, listening to the wind howl in the majestic eaves of the building.
The door abruptly opened, revealing a severe, steel-haired, very old, woman.
"Rosemary?" She rasped, looking me up and down disapprovingly. I shrunk under her gaze and gave a small nod. a dark lock fell into my dark eyes and I quickly swept it away.
"Here to see Mr. Blackwell, I presume?" She continues to stare, ice blue eyes staring into my soul. I gave another nod, trying to stand a little straighter. She stepped aside and allowed me to enter the hall. Twin staircases flowed up to the second floor, white marble clothed in forest carpets. The entire room glistened with cleanliness and grandeur, a color scheme of deep greens and golds. I held back a gasp but couldn't stop my eyes from wandering around the room. "You may call me Miss Gail, I'm the head maid here at the manor and you will follow instructions from me. I'll be taking you to meet Mr. Blackwell after we finish a tad of paperwork," she finished this with a grimace that I was able to empathize with, and then took off down a side hallway. I hurried to keep up with her, dropping my duffel by the front door.
We came to a stop outside of a small office and I was ushered in. The walls were wallpapered in dark magenta patterns, reminding me of the rooms of the 1800's displayed in museums. I sat down in a chair also fit for an exhibit and quickly straightened my spine with a glance at Miss Gail. She nodded approvingly from her seat and passed me a single of paper and a pen.
"I'm aware that you've already viewed the other documents and signed. I apologize for certain... vagueness, but Mr. Blackwell insists on keeping his... subjects in the dark. This paper is just a reassurance that you hand over your cell-phone and all other methods of communication you have with the outside world. Reviewed letters will be permitted, but any unapproved communication will be forbidden and punished by removal from the estate. Is this clear?" She explained, all manners and punctuality.
"Yes, I understand," I spoke clearly, knowing that this was required for me to live this life. She nodded gravely and held out the pen. I signed.
I winced as I rapped on the office door. The sound seemed to echo down the quiet, dim hallway where Miss Gail had left me.
"Come in," a muffled voice responded from the other side. I took a deep breath and eased open the door, tip toeing into the room. He sat at a large desk, his green eyes glancing up at me momentarily, then back down at his work, a strand of chestnut hair falling into his eyes. I held my breath and stood as still and quiet as possible, hoping that I might melt into my surroundings.