April 3rd was a day Armando thought would be like all his other days. That was until, he realised he was in a bed, a real bed. He sat up and looked around as memories of the day before flooded back. A woman had taken him home, cleaned him up and helped him settle into her home...his home. He stood and looked around, searching his blank room. The wallpaper was black and covered in dahlias. The furniture was a deep, rich brown and covered in intricate designs. A knock on the door snapped him back into the moment.
"Armando, it's nearly 10 in the morning. I need you to come downstairs and eat something. How are you feeling dear?" a woman's voice said, muffled by the black door covered in pastel yellow stars.
"I..I'm okay ma'am!" Armando said, opening the door. A woman stood there, every inch of her body covered except her hair and face. She wore a long black dress with an apron over it, her hair tied back was a deep purple ribbon. She looked young at first but her eyes seemed empty and sad.
"Good morning Armando. Clean up in the washroom and join me for breakfast. Run along now child." she turned gracefully and glided down the hall, disappearing for Armando's sight. Noticing how hungry he felt, he quickly washed his hands and face before following the smell of pancakes and running down the creaking staircase.
"Hi um...what should I call you?" he asked, sitting down at the fully set table. Georgina looked over, her eyes wide and harsh.
"You shall address me as Ms. Wells, madam or ma'am. Nothing else unless I give you permission. Am I clear child?"
"Yes ma'am. Crystal clear." she gave a faint smile and nodded. Armando began to eat, only finishing half his food before standing.
"Armando, meet me in the parlour, I need to discuss the house rules with you. You must obey every rule to the letter or there will be strict punishment." Georgina began to walk, signalling Armando to follow. They walked through the hallways, portraits hanging from the walls. Soon they reached a well lit room with antique furniture and a fire place against the back wall. She gracefully sat down and gestured to the seat across from her. "Sit."
"Yes ma'am." Armando sat down, staying tense.
"Rule one, the first door on the right is my room. It is forbidden to enter under any circumstances. Rule two, you will never have any people over into my house without my explicit permission. The door of your room must be kept open three inches whenever you have guests in your room. Rule three, meal times are at eight in the morning, noon and six at night. I expect you in the dining room at those times every day. Rule four, you must bathe four times a week, every week. Hygiene is very important to me. Rule five, never dig any holes on my property. My groundskeeper will notify me if you do."
"Yes Ms. Wells, of course Ms. Wells." Armando said, listening to her tone of voice. She really was serious.
"Good. I have some errands to run as usual. Henry, my groundskeeper, will be outside if you have any needs. I expect you on your best behaviour. Until I exit the house, I require you to stay in your room. Henry will knock two times on the door once I'm gone." At that, the woman stood and glided off into the house, going upstairs to her quarters. Armando sat there for a moment before going to his room to wait.
Soon, two knocks came from the front door and Armando stood and left his room, going to explore the oddly built home. A room filled with jars of herbs, spices and dark liquids was found first. The walls were painted a deep purple, an altar against the far wall. Antlers rested on the altar along with two wooden statues painted green and brown.
"Not gonna ask.." Armando whispered, backing out of the room and closing the door. "I live with a creepy lady in a creepy house that has a room of witchcraft..amazing.."
He found a courtyard on the other side of the house that required him to go through a door built into a bookshelf in the library. Dahlias grew all around a small fish pond in the center. As Armando was heading back through the library, he saw a figure standing in the dark. It's eyes reflected the light, making them visible. They were wide...owl-like eyes. The young man backed away and saw the figure run out of the room and disappear into the house.
"Who..who was that.." Armando asked himself. After a few moments, he shook it off as his eyes tricking him. "Just nerves..just nerves..no one but me and Ms. Wells..right?"
