Hands

Elanor M. Hayes

Good-morning..! I think to myself as the sun shines in through my dorm blinds. I've been up all night mulling over a letter I had sent. It's scary for me to do such things. People scare me and the thought of them being angry because of my question...sounds horrid. My letter.. I wonder if he's replied.

I sit up in a panic, I rush to my door. A letter sits planted on the wooden floor slipped through the mail slot. It's tilted to the left ever so slightly. The seal, it's obvious it's a reply. A reply from him. I lean down and firmly pick up the letter and quell my shaking while opening the golden wax seal. The envelope has a large folded hand-crafted paper and another smaller piece. I pick up the larger piece and set it aside, the smaller one slips out of the envelope onto the wooden floor-boards. I pick it up hastily in fear it would slip between (it was probably fine but god do I worry..). I flip it around in my hand and it reads, in very neat cursive 'This letter should come with a small bag, if you don't have it check outside your door my dear you won't regret it. -Dr.'

By the gods it is from him.

I knew already, I knew but it's settled in my brain as I step cautiously to my door. I haven't even read the letter yet, what if he's gotten angry with my question and has now sent me a beast to take my head.

"Oh,, why did I ask.. why, why, why ?? Elanor you fool! He won't take a woman as an understudy! He's sent his cat after you for dinner!" I whisper-shout to myself as my hand grips the door knob.

I then remember, those are all rumors simply started by the college.

There's no way a cat can come back from the dead! Or with shapeshifting abilities as a matter of fact!

I giggle to myself for being so odd, it's merely a story, nothing real right?

Right.

I open the door, and a large bag sits at my door. I pick it up and it makes the sound of coins?

"Why does it sound.. like..?"

I open it rather quickly. "Money..?!"

At the bottom of this royal purple bag is Italian lire... over a thousand of it I'm sure! enough to buy my own home if translated to shillings.

Why though?? Why??

I must read the letter, it has to add more context! I rush to the small table where I had placed it.

I quickly open the letter and, in the same fancy cursive it reads;

'Ms. Hayes, pleasure to hear from you! I see you've heard from me after attending the same college! Your letter was beautifully written and, I can tell you have a fire and passion for science the way I do. Just by how you gush about needing to know more. You feel as dissatisfied as I did when I was ex-communicated. I'm thrilled about you reaching to me of all people for assistance. I will gladly accept you into my home and teach you everything. I've even sent the money for you to travel to my little villa in Italy. You'll love my family dear, the Cardinala's will be pleased to have you.

Sincerely, with much joy

-Dr. Luka Cardinala '

My heart skips a beat when I read his name. This man scares me, more than any doctor or nurse. He scares me than any politician or royal. I've been told my whole time here that he would tear me to pieces and use me for experiments for the sake of science. Yet, my need to learn pulls me along. I need to learn more than this shoddy place can teach me. I grab the bag once more, it's velvet soft under my palm. I spread all the Lire across the counter and begin to count.