TAKEN TO THE GRAVE, original.

II ― always do as you're told.

28 January 1888

Nicola laid the sly gaze of hers upon Gisela as she took a deep breath. She laid the wounded fingers of hers upon her shoulders, and Gigi knew something was about to be said. 

― Dear Gisela, what happened to you? − The younger twin demanded an answer − You must answer, please!

― Must we talk about this now? − Gisela examined the question.

― Yes, Gizzie. Your behaviour concerns me. Once again, won't you tell me what gave you this... particular tone under your eye? − Nicola aimed to approach her sister's wound, but the latter seemed scared.

― Nickie... I thought you were smart enough to figure that out on your own. − She muttered.

― Gizzie... What has Mrs. White done to you?

A silence, not as long as it seemed, took over the place.

― Not much, she would punish me for my mistakes and... − Gisela almost cried, however was able to hide it.

― Gisela!

― What? I'm being real.

― You're not! What has the witch done to you, dear Gizzie?

Marion walked into the same room as them.

― Do witches exist? Papa told me they were something that Joey invented to scare me. − The youngster mentioned their elder brother. 

― Marion... They don't, please refrain us from witnessing another "incident", for the love of God! Now, me and Gizzie are having a grown-up talk, mustn't you play with your dolls? − Nicola seemed to beg, as she didn't want to wash wet sheets again because her little sister was a "scaredy-cat".

― Yeeees, ma'am... − The little one agreed, fairly annoyed.

― Now, carrying on, what happened...? − Nicola enquired.

― Well, while you were at the upper story of the house sewing the Greys' clothes, I was cleaning the hallway and the great hall when Mrs. White made her way into here. I didn't expect this, so I ended leaning backward, causing the bucket full of water to be knocked over and... she got mad and, you know the rest, I assume? − Gisela sighed.

― Sorry for having such a thing happening to you, Gigi. − Nickie apologised.

― It's not your fault, you do not need to be. − Gisela comforted Nicola as they hugged.

[...]

Nicola was rather confused. Not because something bad happened, but because something good happened. She had seen herself amongst an endless chatter that was extremely unusual for her parents and siblings to have. They were like such church-bells, as the idiom recited. Even the formerly upset and usually shy Gisela was amidst the noise! She was the only one who sat at the living room only staring the thin air ― into where her hopes had vanished ― instead of chatting and chatting.

She was already bothered enough, so her decision was to merely get up and walk away to the dormitory. As always, she'd be up for work before five o' clock in the morning.