Papillon

Trapped Inside

                I feel as if I am drifting away on a cloud. I could smell a sweet aroma surrounding my body as it finds its way into my soul. Never in my life did I think I could feel so weak and powerless. I just can't fight this...

                "Wake up!" A voice shouted.

                I gasped loudly and opened my eyes and found myself back on the steps outside of my new "home". Standing before me was an older woman who I assumed was another servant here. She shook her head in disgust.

                "Finally," she continued. "How unsightly you are. Have you no shame? Slacking off already and you've just arrived. Tsk tsk."

                "What the," I said. "Why am I drenched?"

                The old lady scoffed. "You were asleep! I had to wake you up somehow. Don't you know the chickens need tending to? And the pigs need to be fed? If you continue to slack, I'll just have to inform Master Henry and you'll never see the light of day again!"

                “Master…Henry? Who is that?” I asked.

                She scoffed again and rolled her eyes. “You don’t even know the Master’s name? Who do you think you are working for?”

                Could she be talking about the masked man? So that is his name, I thought. Suddenly I remembered the garden scene. I could still hear the beautiful melody playing in the back of my mind and the man who played with such passion and emotion. As I recalled leaning on the fountain with my eyes closed, a question popped up – How did I get back here on the steps? I don’t remember walking back at all. Or did someone bring me back? Could it have been him…or should I say, Master Henry?

                “Did you even hear a word of what I just said?” The old lady continued.

                “Ah, yes! I apologize.”

                “Good,” she said. “Now get to work. I’m leaving.”

                “Please wait!” I shouted.

                “What now?”

                “Can you please tell me your name?” I asked.

                “You can call me Madame Francene.”

                After she walked away, I felt my body getting cold. It must have been because I was still drenched. I looked down at the bottom of the steps and saw a bucket on its side with a bit of water still inside. That must have been what she used to wake me up. I leaned over to pick it up and set it up properly. A sudden breeze blew through me and I could smell a familiar scent. But it wasn’t coming from the flowers. It was coming from me. I sniffed my shoulder and then looked up at the direction of where the garden was and I finally figured out how I was back on these steps. Just the thought of it made me blush. I wrapped my arms around shoulders and I could hear my heart beat racing. He couldn’t have, I thought.

                The next day came and when I opened my eyes, the sun was already up. I gasped and quickly got up. I got dressed and realized there was no sink to wash my face and so I put on my shoes and walked out and down the steps frantically looking around for a sink. Finally I spotted one but it was right next to where the pigs were sleeping. I sighed and walked over to it while trying to avoid stepping on the animal droppings.

                I was disgusted at the condition of the sink. You could smell a foul stench coming from the drain and the entire sink was covered in disgusting gunk. Scared to even lay a finger on it, I took out my handkerchief and used it to turn the handle and out came rushing water. I screeched a bit at the loud noise of the rushing water but after turning it down a bit, I had a sigh of relief.