Set In Stone chapter 3

As the weeks passed we fell into a routine. One with as little of contact as possible between the two of us. The only time we saw each other, was when I woke him for the night and help him ready, and at dawn when I helped him ready for bed. Other than that it was like living alone, some days I felt as a if I was a ghost trapped in my own tomb. The only thing that kept me going at first was the letters my sister sent regularly, but over the weeks and the months, they began to dwindle. At first the spoke of how she loved me and missed me and appreciated the sacrifice I made for her, but the last few I had recieved talked about her new clothes or the boy in her class she liked, before stopping without so much as an "I love you'. I had to ask Beaumont after the second letter why my sister never spoke of the fact we had been tied up and shoved into the car, being the ever elusive figure he was he shrugged his shoulders and walked away from me with complete indifference, before stating 'maybe she forgot' as he walked from the room. That was officially our last talk, with the exception of any rules or orders he gave me.

 

At the six month point the letters stopped all together, I was depressed to say the least when week after week went by and nothing else came from her, and I couldn't help, but wonder if maybe I was just another thing she 'forgot'. That loneliness was almost too much to take.

 

Which brings me back to this moment, sitting in front of the window in my room, soaking up the last bit of the days sun. As I sat watching the sunk sink lower, I began to get up and dress for the day.

 

As I finished pulling my hair back into a bun, I glanced at the clock. It was getting close to time. Running my hands down the front of my shirt to straighten any wrinkles out, I stood at the door preparing. That's when I felt it, the suddenly loss of control over myself. My hand rose to turn the door knob, and my body stepped out into the hall, shutting the door behind it.

 

This use to really bother me, but anymore it doesn't. My body was on autopilot, but my mind was free. To say that I developed an overactive imagination, was an understatement. The only time I ever payed attention to what my body was doing was the times I was near Beaumont, those times I was on high alert, after that first night with him, I never could drop my guard.

 

If Beaumont ever had any feelings, he didn't show them. Everyday was treated with the same indifference as before. As I laid his clothes for the night across the foot of his bed spreading them out so they didn't wrinkle, he began to stir. I then moved to the bathroom, and began to draw his bath. As I awaited for either an order or a dismissal, I noticed Beaumont staring at me. It was the first time in weeks that he had so much as acknowledged my presence.

 

"You may go" Came the order, my body once again moved out of the room and towards the hall, and the stairs. My body was only released once my feet crossed the threshold to the kitchen. Once I again was in control I began to routine of making myself something to eat. I was into preparing something for myself, that I never noticed the figure standing in the doorway.

 

"It's rude not to acknowledge someone when they enter the room" A deep voice called out from behind me. I jumped at the sudden intrusion of my privacy. Placing a hand over my racing heart, I turned to the door. I had been more into my own thoughts than I had realized, and I could only assume he was here to get onto me for wasting too much time.

 

"I apologize sir, I was unaware that you were there" I never brought my eyes to his, nor did I fully look at him. Those two sentences we shared, had to be the most conversation we had shared since the first day, other than when he gave me orders, but even then I never spoke in return.

 

"That much was obvious" He muttered from his perch in the doorway. I had yet to resume my cooking, so that left me standing awkwardly in front of him.

 

"Continue on" He commanded with a guesture to the counter holding all my breakfast item.

 

"Sir is there something I can do for you?" I was more than concerned over the fact that I still had control over my own body, that a million thoughts flew through my mind.

 

"I simply needed to inform you of some things, but by all means continue with your meal" He took a seat at a stool across the counter from me, while I nervously began to prepare my breakfast.

 

"Did you want some, sir?" I questioned while, still never fully looking at him.

 

"No" He spat as his face turned up in disgust. I nodded but made no more offers or conversation, simply waited for him to speak his peace and leave.

 

"I recieved a letter, and it seems my younger brother is getting married. That being said me and you will be leaving for a trip in a few hours." He spoke as he stared at me never caring that I didn't return the gaze.

 

"Ok, I'll hurry through my chores than go pack your case, how long will you be gone, so I know what to pack sir?" I had finished my meal and was sitting down to consume it.

 

"WE will be gone for a week, the house is plenty clean, be sure to pack both of our formal wear" He commanded as he stood to leave the room.

 

"Formal wear? Sir I have no formal wear" I was mentally going over the closet that had been provided for me and nothing in it struck me as formal.

 

"Check again" He spoke as he walked out of the door sounding bored as usual when he spoke. I quickly ate and cleaned the kitchen before moving to Beaumont's room to prepare for his trip. He had actually made it fairly easy for me as he had set out all the clothes he had wanted packed, and set out the suitcase, all I had to do was place the items in the case. I was surprised at his help, in the six months I had been with him not once had he helped me in any way.

 

Sitting his bag in the hall, I then moved to my room and began to pack my items. I was surprised to find a silver dress hanging in the back of my closet. I couldn't help, but scold myself for never noticing the dress before. Looking at it now I realized it stood out greatly amongst the black dresses and white shirt/black skirt sets. The silver heels, set with my black flats, also surprised me, I guess I had been more than a little unobservant in my closet. Once all my items were packed and readied I moved my suitcase to the hall beside Beaumonts and awaited further instruction from him.

 

I didn't wait long. He never spoke only grabbed his bag and motioned with his finger for me to follow him. I grabbed my bag and followed in silence, once outside and at the car, my bag was taken from me by the driver as Beaumont locked the house up. He soon joined me in the car and we drove for hours in silence, neither of us making any effort to talk, me only because I was compelled into silence.

 

Four hours after first entering the car we had arrived. It was late into the night, and the outside was dimly lit, so I couldn't tell you anything about the outside, all I can say, is that my bag was handed to me and Beaumont led me to the house's entrance. The inside was beautiful from what I saw of it, which wasn't much, most of the house seemed hidden in shadows, barely any light was allowed within the house. Beaumont handed me off to a surley looking man, who led me down a dark hall to a small room.

 

"This is your room, stay here til you are called tomorrow. Your master will not be needing you til then. You are to be prepared for the wedding by 8, no later" He commanded, then left leaving no chance for questions or explanations.

 

I was more scared than anything, I had no idea what to expect about tomorrow, and no one to explain anything to me. Laying out my dress, I changed and prepared for bed. Taking in the surroundings of my small room. I suddenly was shocked at the lack of comfort provided by the room. My room back at Beaumont's seemed so more elegant and luxurious compared to the scant accomadations, that I was just given. The room was little, I easily moved from one side of the room to the other in four strides. The stand up closet was the largest thing in the room. The small twin sized bed offered no comfort, as it's stained pillows and threadbare comforter, looked every bit as bleak and sad as I felt. The bathroom attached to the room, continued the theme of dark and small, containing only a shower, toilet, sink and mirror. Laying down in bed I turned off the table side lamp, and extinguishing the only source of light in the room. As the dark engulfed me, I let my thoughts drift back to Beaumont's house. It was every bit as dark, but somehow in the last few months it had become home. It was by far the most stable and safe place I had lived. I had become accustomed to the groans and creaks of the house, the dips and nicks in the floors and banister were now familiar. The loneliness in the small room, was over whelming. I was always alone, but here I didn't even have the sounds of my master down the hall to break the loneliness. Closing my eyes, I wished for something more, and immediately regretted it, what was the point in wishing for what couldn't be. The next time I closed my eyes, I didn't wish for anything other than to be back in my room. Some place familiar.