Through My Eyes

Chapter Twenty-Two

Tell me what you think of the trailer!!

I am tempted to say that I have no idea as to how much time passes while I am in here. However, Master Phillip regularly sneaks in and informs me of how many times the sun has risen and set. I have been held hostage here for three days now. Master Phillip tells me of what is happening in the house and makes sure to sneak me food at least once every day.

The sun has risen for a fourth day when Master Phillip eases himself into my prison, locking the door behind himself with a key he managed to obtain from somewhere. He is holding a few sheets of paper and a quill pen. Today, he has an air of frantic joy about him. I am sitting, backed up against the wall, just like I have been these past days.

"Eloise, my dear, what a beautiful day!" Master Phillip sings. "My, my, what a wonderful world we live in!"

I sigh. "Master Phillip, need I remind you of my situation?"

I am back to calling Master Phillip by his name. I have not called him Father since Emmanuel forbade me to.

Disgruntled, Master Phillip huffs, "I was talking about nature, not the people who exist beside it!"

Shaking my head fondly, I gesture to the papers. "What are these for?"

"Oh, yes!" Master Phillip sits on the ground opposite me. "I have something very important for you, something that will make you forget all your worries and take away all your pain! You won't even remember where you are!"

"Master Phillip!" I chide softly. "Please, stop beating around the bush. Tell me!"

Master Phillip beams and then takes the topmost paper from the pile and says, "This paper... is a letter from Damon."

My heart lurches into my throat and I reach out to grab it, snatching it from Master Phillip, my eyes devouring it hungrily.

Dear Eloise,

I am sorry I have not been in contact with you earlier. My attentions have been diverted elsewhere, in my efforts for your rescue. I am no longer at Kempston Manor and neither is your dear Mary. We are both in a village just five miles away from Stonegate.

I hope you are well. Emmanuel is not being too much of a brute, is he? If there are any problems, please tell me. I will do everything in my power to get to you as soon as possible, I will not allow you to be in any more agony. I will save you. Remember that, Eloise. Hold that near to you, when you lose all hope.

The plan is going well. So far, everything has been going smoothly. It will take a little time for me to get to the point to where I am ready to come and get you. You have be patient, Ellie. We both do.

I miss you. It pains me so much every day, when I awaken and face the fact that I have to spend another day without you. But we will be together soon, that I promise you, my love. We will be together without a threat over our heads and a price at our names.

Please reply to this letter. Master Phillip will ensure I receive your response. I love you, Eloise Jane Kempston. I love you more than the night sky loves the moon. I love you. I will see you soon, if it is the last thing I do.

Yours, Damon

I look tearfully at the letter and then clutch it tightly to my chest. This is the closest thing I have to Damon's voice, to his thoughts. I will treasure this with my life. Folding up the paper neatly and evenly, I tuck it securely between the folds of my skirts, where Emmanuel or his family will never find it.

Wiping my tears roughly, I hold my hand out to Master Phillip. "Master Phillip, I will write my response now."

"Eloise, write whatever is in your heart but do not reveal to him your predicament. It will worry him and he will rush himself. You do not want anything unfortunate to happen, right?"