Daughter of Blood and Nightmares

6: The Trash Is Out

Ms. Winston hollering my number jolts me awake and I can't help but to groan in protest.

The sun is barely peeking out from behind left over storm clouds. It's too early to be awake, let alone functional. I quickly slip into my mediocre hand-me-downs, glancing at the pile of still soggy, mud crusted clothes in the corner of the room. Ugh. Just thinking about touching them has my mood crashing to rock bottom.

I'm the last one to meet Winston at the bottom of the stairs, seeing as I was wandering the woods rekilling Number 6 in the middle of the night, I'm not too quick on my feet. Not to mention I had to wash myself up before I faced the curious eyes. Addison briefly glances at me before Winston draws all of our attention with a sharp clearing of her throat.

I can only imagine what she wants with the three of us. I wouldn't be surprised if Addison and I were in trouble, I'm kinda already in trouble and may have inadvertently got Addison in trouble too, but in trouble with Gina, the sweetest and most normal girl at the Manor is throwing me off.

Ms. Winston stares at us in silence for a few seconds. Those cold blue eyes meeting each of ours. Addison's quirked curiosity, Gina's frightful gaze and my annoyed glare, which she hovers on the longest. Please don't bring up last night, please don't bring up last night.

"You three will be going to town today. Here is the list," She hands the piece of paper to Addison, "and the money," she then proceeds to hand the money to Gina, "the items are not discretionary, they are all necessary. Do I make myself clear?"

Out of the corner of my eye I see Gina and Addison nod in acceptance, but there's no stopping my sour mood from spilling out, "No. I thought I was banned from town after my wandering off." I want to say that I demand to be punished for last night, but I bite my lip keeping the words trapped not acknowledging I misbehaved and knowing all too well that this is indeed my punishment.

"I agree, you shouldn't be allowed to go to town, but Addison is insisting you accompany her and Gina. I can't imagine why." I hear her unsaid words. Why would Addison want a reckless firecracker with her in a very vulnerable position. A public place.

"Me too." I mutter under my breath. I catch Addison twitch and if I wasn't untouchable, I'm positive she would've swatted me.

Winston looks at me, she contemplates something but I'm not quite sure what. She moves her eyes over onto Gina and Addison not even giving me an inkling on what she's worried about. It couldn't possibly be my well being. "Do be back well before dinner...or else I'll add cooking said dinner to your chores."

"Go right ahead," I shout into the room, "I would rather cook, clean this pigsty of a house, wash and fold everyone's laundry, maybe get a headstart and dig the next grave than have to go to town."

Her face turns red, but I can see the slack jaws of Addison and Gina, so I know it isn't just Winson that I shook. Once again, I have overstepped. When Winston finally talks her lips are in a firm unmoving line. "I think you've done enough in the graveyard. Do as you're told, Nineteen and be on your best behavior. It's not just your wellbeing at stake."

Her words hit me harder than they should. There are things out there, things that are searching for me and now I have two other people to look after. Two very oblivious girls that have no idea what they could be walking into if the wrong people find me today. Not that Winston cares too much because she's still forcing me to go.

"Fine." I huff and take off to the front door leaving Addison and Gina behind.

I'm already out the front gate by the time they join me. As Addison comes up alongside me I mumble, "I hope you grabbed the baskets before you left." She slams said basket into my gut. "Thanks." I grunt out.