To Have & To Hold

Chapter 9: The Help

Now that all the guests had disappeared and morning sunlight filled the rooms and corridors Jaiden felt as though he had entered a completely different house. The home he had fallen asleep in was crowded, wrapped in an oppressive atmosphere with dark corners and creeping shadows. As though he had been moved over night he now found himself wandering the halls of a museum.

It had that well-lit, empty feeling, with its high ceilings and long corridors. Walls full of undoubtedly expensive artwork, cabinets that lined the walls carrying all manner of vases, ornaments and statuettes. A feeling of sadness swept over him as he imagined the artists had wanted to share their mastery with the world, only to have these pieces put up in a house where (until recently) only one resident could actually admire them.

It reminded him of that one time, many years ago, when he and his siblings had spent half a day decorating the Christmas tree. Once they were done they had to hurry to catch the tram as they wouldn't even be spending the holiday at home. For some reason he had felt incredibly sad that the tree would be all alone with no-one to even admire its fading beauty as it slowly starved to death.

Back in the present the two young people, carefully walking the long red carpet, seemed to shrink in this decorative hallway that threatened to go on for miles. Fortunately it didn't as Stella, experienced navigator as she was, found the stairs they had walked the night before within a matter of minutes. Jaiden followed at a short distance, wondering what these halls must 'look' to a mind that had never seen anything.

"Down these stairs we go," She informed him as her hand found the banister without faltering. As expected, her feet knew exactly where all the steps were.

Obediently, more so than he had imagined himself to be while still on the train ride over, he followed her in silence.

Watching her move with confidence he wondered if it was only because she had learned where everything was over time or if she would have the same amount of certainty making her way through the town's streets. Pushing the thought out of his mind to move things around in her room to test her he reminded himself that, although it would be an interesting experiment, his life and well-being lay in her hands.

That meant that her health and happiness was directly linked to his own.

Descending the stairs they heard nothing and saw no-one. It wasn't until they walked in to the dining room that Jaiden spotted other intelligent life forms in this barren wasteland of a house; a servant was busy setting the table for breakfast. Two plates sat on either side of the table.

He didn't need to ask where he would be seated as one of the plates had a set of silver-colored bowls beside them; his food and water trays. He gave them a withering stare once he though the servant was no longer looking at him.

Stella approached the table and arrived at her chair. She halted when she heard the chink of silverware being placed on the other side of the table. Raising her eyes she turned her gaze toward the sound.

The servant, caught by her unseeing stare, stopped in his tracks and waited.

"Good morning, Clarence." She said in a bright, pleasant tone.

Bowing ever so slightly, 'Clarence' was once again able to move.

"Good morning, miss." They stated blankly before retreating from the room.

Clarence and Jaiden made eye contact just as the servant headed out the door. He wasn't sure what the look on their face was meant to be. It lay somewhere between pity and disinterest with a tinge of bemusement.

What ever it was it made Jaiden's temper flare up. Not that this was noticeable on the outside as the Cambles were experts at keeping emotions hidden. Instead it was more of a private fireworks display.