The Truth of Oliver Fray

The Elinettes

"Dana!" Dana's mother yelled. Dana scurried from her bedroom to her mother who was in her room getting ready for the day. She always had orders for Dana. Dana had chores that she had to accomplish or else a beating from her mother. That would not be something that she would choose.

"Dana, we will be having company over today. The Elinettes will be coming over for dinner at 6. I want the house cleaned and spotless. I will be gone for the day doing business that needs to be done. I expect that you do as I say and have the house clean and ready by the time I return. Am I clear?" She said in a strict voice.

"Yes ma'am." Dana replied quickly.

"Oh, there is no need for you to call me ma'am I am not your master I am your mother. Call me mother from now on. I do not wish for you to address me as ma'am again." She said.

"Yes mother." Dana replied remembering to use the correct term that she told me to use.

"Now, go away. I'll be leaving soon." She said as she turned back towards her mirror and fixed her curls.

"Yes mother." Dana replied as she left her mother's room.

Dana walled down the dark hallway. The hallways were always dark. Mother never let the lights be turned on in the hallways. Dana always got lost in the hallways. Even though she has lived in the house for so long she still managed to get lost or get confused and she would have trouble finding her way back. Dana trailed her fingers along the trim on the walls. The wood was smooth and it felt soft on her finger tips. Dana remembered when she was little and when she used to run down the hallways feeling free and like nothing in the world could kill her happiness. Although she was mistaken. Her own home often felt like a prison more than it comforted her. The dark hallways became less interesting and more dull. The wallpaper was a dark green color with dark red details that made patterns of many different kinds. On the floor were dark tiles laid out in a pattern that is very unnoticeable. At the end of the hallway you reached a grand staircase that led down to the main floor. The main floor consisted of the dining room, This is where most meals are served and where they are ate. Next there is the kitchen which is located right next to the dining room. Also on the main floor is the main living area. This is where most guest would stay before dinner was prepared. Also on the main floor is a ballroom. Many dances used to be held there now it is just empty and the doors are never opened and it is only cleaned every few months.

Dana walked over to her closet next to the kitchen. This closet contained all of her cleaning supplies. She used this closet all the time. She always had stuff to clean. Dana grabbed her supplies and got started.

Dana scraped and scrubbed the house clean of anything the Elinettes or her mother would find displeasing. Dana sat down once she was done and admired her work. She admired the shine from the table and the sparkle from the floor.

Dana heard a door slam shut and she quickly got out of her chair. The noise had come from her mother. Dana quickly rushed her supplies into the closet and locked the door. She stood up properly by the door to the dining room.

"Have you cleaned what I have asked?" She asked Dana.

"Yes mother. I have." Dana replied.

Her mother walked into the rooms inspecting them. She walked around slowly her eyes wondering to catch a spot that wasn't as it should've been.

"Very good. I am impressed with what you have done. As a reward you will not have to serve or work for the rest of the day. You may go to your room." She said.

"Thank you mother!" Dana replied excitedly. Dana hurried off to her room. She was hoping to get some rest for she wouldn't be so tired in the morning. Dana changed into her night clothes and snuggled into her thin sheets. Dana slowly fell into a light sleep.

Dana heard a nose. The noise had awoken her from her sleep. Dana listened carefully. She heard the voices of Mr. and Mrs. Elinette. Dana stayed as quiet as she could for she could listen to their conversation.

"We haven't seen the Frays for so long. There house was abandoned years ago and we haven't seen life in that house for years." Mary Elinette said."Are they still devastated over their son's actions?" Mary Elinette asked.

"That's what it seems like isn't it? I would act the same way if that was my child." Dan Elinette replied.

"You can't blame them for leaving town." Mary Elinette replied.

"Let's talk about something else. It's no use talking about other people's boring lives." Dana's mother had said.

They started to converse over other topics. Dana wondered why her mother hadnt gone along with the Elinettes, talking about the Frays. Dana shrugged it off and she curled back against the wall at the side of her bed and closed her eyes. She tried to go back asleep, to go back to the only place where she didn't feel the torture from life.