Luna

Chapter 21

Mask (n.)
1. a covering for all or part of the face, esp, for disguise or protection.
2. a likeness of a person's face moulded esp, in clay or wax.
3. a disguise or pretense.

(v.)
1. cover with a mask
2. disguise or conceal

The moment I accepted his offer of accommodation, I knew I had to do something about my emotions. Today alone, I have had — what? Four or five meltdowns? Whatever the number, I don't trust that I'll be stable if I don't wear a mask I've been forced to put on for the last few years.

When I escaped the hell hole I was in, my expectation was to live a free life. A life free of pain, torture, and fear. A life free from the constant need to hide. A life where I could be free to discover the wonders of the world, and most importantly, a life where I was free to discover myself. Instead, I find myself subjected to a life of torture, rejection, responsibilities, and more masks than I originally had.

"I'll show you to the room you'll be staying in," Lucia's bitter voice fills the rather awkward and uncomfortable silence.

"This way Hope," she says as she gently grabs my arm and leads me up a rather large staircase.

"Are all the houses here like this?" I ask as I look around in amazement, and I can't help but wonder if all the houses in the pack are this massive and drop dead gorgeous.

Smiling, Lucia looks around a little with a slight nod. "Maybe not as extravagant as this, but more or less so."

We walk up the rest of the stairs in silence while I admire the details on the crown molding along the ceiling. This place is absolutely breath taking.

"Aurelius' room is in the west wing of the house," Lucia informs me as we reach the top of the staircase into an area that almost looks like a foyer. "Let's take you as far away from him as possible."

Making our way to the east side of the building, she takes me to the furthest room in the wing. It's positively luxurious. It's rather large and comfortable with a big bed facing a beautiful fireplace, a chaise in the room, two side tables on either side of the bed with lamps on top of them, a desk with a chair, and a storage bench thing at the foot of the bed. The colours in the room are all neutral, which makes the gold industrial chandelier in the centre of the room pop. Did I mention I love design magazines? She who shall not be named, used to stock up on them and I have read them over and over again until the pages on the only sort of entertainment I had were worn and on the verge of falling out. It's the room I would have only ever dreamed of, and now I actually get to sleep in it.

"It's beautiful," I whisper loudly.

Leading me inside, Lucia briefs me on where I can find the bathroom and closet, then shows me how to light the fireplace if I felt the need to. It apparently gets a little chili here in the evening, but I really don't mind the cold. I prefer it actually. For some reason, it reminds me that I'm still alive, and I take much comfort in that reassurance.

"You can come over to my house for breakfast and dinner. Aurelius never has the time to cook, so he has a bad case of bachelor fridge; that's if he has anything in it at all," Lucia informs me. "Speaking of food. It's time for me to start cooking. Are you okay to stay here? You can rest up, and I'll make sure to bring you some food later, along with your belongings."

"If its okay with you," I state. "... I will come down for dinner. What time should I be there?" I'm tired, and would really love some time to sleep. But the thought of sleeping without tucking Emily in leaves an unsettling feeling.