Maisey's Escape

Arabella, drolled on about Kangaroo Paw plants in botany, while Mother rocked in her rocking chair in the corner, supervising as she embroidered. I know Arabella didn't mean to prattle, but she loves teaching botany the most. She wishes to be a natural remedy doctor. That was if she wasn't a governess of course.
Beside botany, Arabella taught; reading, writing, arithmetic, French conversation, history, and geography. She then taught, and expected me to practice pianoforte, needle work, drawing and etiquette.
       Arabella travelled with us to Australia from London when I was seven. Arabella was twenty at the time. She was our maid until I needed a new governess. (After my first governess was fired from her old teaching methods.). Now Arabella is twenty-six and my governess, maid and friend. We came for a job for Father. Without Father's income now, and only his will money, I have decided I will only get simple garments, and stick to the dolls I had before he died; so that we aren't waisting money. Once I am old enough I can have some of Mothers elegant dresses.
"Maisey. Are you listening Maisey?" I had to rattle to attention from my thoughts.
"My dearest apologies Arabella. Shall we continue?" I ask innocently.
"Miss Maisey, this is the third time this week. It is Tuesday. Is something bothering you? More than your usual daydreaming." This is why I like Arabella. She made sure I was okay. She is much better than my first governess who resembled a toad with lips so tight they could've burst at any minute.
Mother peered over at me from her embroidery, curios of my answer.
"I am fine thank you Arabella. I just got lost in thought. Do forgive me?" She tilted her head and showed a sweet smile.
"Perhaps we should begin our-" she began before a rock the size of a toddler ripped through the drawing room. Mother dropped her project as she stood in shock. Arabella had her hands on her chest, barely missed by the rock. My heart scrambling. Mother hoisted her skirt a little as she rushed over to the window and peered fearfully outside. I too went over to a window and looked out.
It was sunny and hot, however clouds painted with grey swept across the sky, soon to cover the sun. Trees crackled as a cyclops as tall as two gentleman crashed through. The grass is dead, and on our land we have trees surrounding on three sides of the field. Our house is to the left side of the plot with open space for the horses, who are currently in their stable. The horses! I hope their ok.
"Mother! The horses! What if their hurt?" I always care for the animals first.
       The Cyclopes' torso was bare. He had almost no teeth, and the ones left were almost rotted away. Uneven matted hair sat at his soldiers.His body is fit and unclean. I feel I can smell him from here. He had what I believe is horse hide clothing on his wrist, and as a kilt like garment. His long finger nails are a shade of green, brown and yellow. His grey eye wondered around. The cyclops spotted Mother and I at the window and went back to the edge of the woods to pick up more rocks. Mother and I turned from the windows, Arabella standing stiff in front of us.
"Quickly,"Mother ordered,"grab a few possessions and meet me at the stable. Go through the back. I have dealt with a cyclops' before, and they wont stop until we are dead." As she spoke she hurriedly packed some belongings into a briefcase:her sketchbook with drawings of Father, as well as Grandmother and Grandfather's heirlooms.
      I questioned what she meant by her saying she had dealt with cyclops' before. I didn't even know they were real until today. I have heard of magic before, but Mother said those creatures are long gone. The moment humans began hunting them, killing out generations of myths. How has Mother dealt with them before if they shouldn't even be alive?
       Arabella snapped to attention and hurried to her room before coming out a moment later with a bundle of stuff in her arms. Mother raced over with a bag for Arabella, and then hurried me along.
"We do not have time for dilly-dally." Mother scolded.
* * * * *
       I chose out my two favourite dolls, Millie and Esmeralda. I kiss the heads of the three porcelain dolls I am leaving behind, and promise them I will be back tomorrow. I also grab some other things I could not bare to loose or get broken. I grab my necklace with a photo of mother and father in their own frame cases. Mother came through the door and yanked my arm so quickly and hard, I lost grip of my pendent and it fell onto the wooden floor-boards, cracking on impact. I try to get it, but Mother was already racing me to the back door. We hear a crash as window panes shatter and another rock comes in, falling on the grand piano.        
* * * * *
       The dirt and rocks crunch under our feet as we quietly make our way to the stable. Just next to the dunny by the side of the house. Mother stops us by the edge of the house as she checks to see the cyclops. She whispers "Clear.' and we get to the stable. "Now I know it is un-lady-like, but to avoid being seen, we are going to climb into the stable from behind." Mother whispered as she gripped the back of the stable fencing and began to hoist her self up and over.