The Lines We Draw

Chapter 2 Isolation

    Vorheese was a family name I heard many times over my stay here at the manor. The maids tend to whisper stories amongst themselves passed down from servants in different households. They say the very name "Vorheese" strikes fear into the hearts of all who hear it. That for centuries, the Vorheese bloodline has held sway over vast territories, their power flowing like a river through the veins of history. Claims stating their influence is whispered about in the darkest corners of society, and their very presence capable of shifting the tides of power. None dare challenge their authority, for to do so is to invite the wrath of a lineage steeped in secrets, shadows, and untold power. The Vorheese name commands respect and submission, for those who oppose them often find themselves on the receiving end of unfathomable consequences.

    Amongst these rumors the most spread is the tales of how each and everyone of them is sadistic and merciless in nature. These must be groundless roumors as if a family so vile as they claim the Vorheese to be could have created an angel like Catherine

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    As time had passed nearly everyday the girl from the lake would come and fetch me from the manor and take me out to where we first met.

    We played in the snow and chased after rabbits amongst the naked trees. We clumsily danced and sang songs though admittedly our voices clashed terribly causing us to bubble and burst with laughter and lose our pace every time.

    She taught me to skate as my wobbly knees shook and my body trembled like a fawn. My grip onto her held strong my skin against the soft fleece of her ever so lightly pink jacket. That color she always wore, either as small as a ribbon in her hair or as large as an intricate ballgown, it was if that color were her very essence. My mouth yelped from fear as I begged her not to let go of me while she laughed.

This was the pattern.

    Seeing her had become a habit. I guess it is difficult to realize an occurrence during it's happening. Our time together became a cherished part of my routine, a bright spot in each day. However, one day, she didn't show up. I waited, hoping she'd appear, but she didn't.

    I realized being in her presence shielded me from the burgeoning loneliness of the manor. Four days without her, four days within the manor, four days of sitting alone in my large yet empty cold bedchamber. Not even my maids came through those large doors to inquire about me nor to even greet me in the mornings. Along with loneliness came it's friend boredom. The feeling encroaching over me led me to try and find company in books. as I ambled along the corridor on my way to the library I passed countless maids and footman, some acted as if I simply wasn't there and others looked at me in disdain. Their eyes evaluating and stripping me down to behind my extravagant clothes and jewelry to who I truly was underneath an insignificant orphan with no claim to my uncle's fortune and no claim to his affection. I was finally made to understand that I was now alone in this world.

    The days of silence and solitary confinement were interupted by a knock upon my bedchamber door. Knock Knock A man's voice calls through the door

"Butler Idleman asking permission to enter Miss."

" You may" I say peering towards the large wooden double doors of my room.

I    n came a short statured man with grey hair and a strong stance. He bowed slightly and said

"Miss Elaine, the Duke summons you in his quarters."

"Thank you Idleman I will make my way over immediately please go ahead and inform him of my arrival."

    I calmly stand up and brush off my dress, taking a breath before departing from my room. I don't remember how long it had been since I last saw my uncle, these days he seldom makes his presence at the manor and when he does make an appearance he often stays alone in his quarters even going as far as dining alone.

    In an estate so large it's easy to avoid all others within it just as easy as it is to feel small and alone inside it's walls.

    As I walk through the halls my heels click along the marble floors, the sound lightly echoing through the silence. I look around at the lavish walls decorated with faded yet dark colored expensive papers, accented with leaflets of gold, reflecting the lights from the sconces.

    Since my arrival the manor's interior has been quite bare despite it's lavish nature, it feels hollow almost like a shell of something that once was. Sometimes its as if no one had lived here at all.

    I arrive at the doors of my uncle's quarters and the attendants push the door open for me without a word. I step in, the air in his room was cold, a chill running through my spine.

"You called for me Uncle?" I say

    Without looking up from his work, a quill slowly moving in his hands, he says to me

"You are aware what day is tomorrow? Correct?"

    I respond slowly almost hesitantly

"The 25th, Uncle."

"That is correct Elaine. Tomorrow is Christmas, prepare yourself well girl we are expecting important visitors."

"Yes Uncle."

"Now run off to bed child." He says waving me off with his free hand still not parting his gaze from his work.

    I go back to my room and prepare myself for tonight's rest. In my bed I stare at the canopy above me and ponder to myself. Allowing all my confusing pushed down feelings to traveling through me. The feeling of grief, missing and loving someone who no longer exists is so peculiar. My entire life was ripped out from under my feet in a blink of an eye. Though I didn't have the world's best parents they still belonged to me. Now I have no one.

   Suddenly a face floated into my minds view. Catherine. My only comfort in this world. She's like the rain after a hot day. She's the only one who doesn't treat me like the unfortunate result of my parents passing. The cold looks of hatred and the insouciant nature of those in the manor sting and kill me a little more everyday.

I turn my head to the window as a tear streamed down the side of my face wetting my hair and whisper.

"Where are you Catherine? Please come back."

I didn't notice that I was crying, I touched my damp eyelash then faded into the darkness of a dreamless sleep.