A Tale of Wretched Occurrences: The Beginning

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓔𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽

“Boss, I have three kinds of buttercream frosting for you to sample,” the hook-handed man says as Count Olaf forces you and your siblings to walk through his front door. “One’s vanilla, one has a hint of nutmeg, and the other’s a little lemony.”

“I told you never to say that word,” Count Olaf growls. He pushes you and your siblings aside and grabs the tray from the hook-handed man. “Take the orphans upstairs to their bedroom. They’ll stay there until Friday. I have no use for them before then.”

“Except to cook dinner,” the hook-handed man says, a hint of hope in his voice.

“We’ll order takeout.”

“We’re going to find out what you’re up to, Count Olaf,” Violet says confidently as the hook-handed man pushes you up the stairs.

“We know you’re trying to steal our parents’ fortune,” Klaus snaps.

“And we’re going to prove it!” you shout.

“Let me eat cake.” Count Olaf sighs, picking up the fork.

The hook-handed man follows you up the stairs and to your room. He slams your door open and practically kicks you inside. As you all straighten up and regain your footing, he stands menacingly in the doorway, leering at you. “Get into your pajamas and say your prayers. Unless you’re atheists.”

“You can’t just keep us in here,” Violet argues.

“You know who says that? Prisoners.”

Klaus tries to reason with him. “Listen to us. Count Olaf is–”

“No, you listen to me, little boy. The only reason Count Olaf hasn’t torn you limb from limb is because he hasn’t gotten your fortune. But ask yourself this: What reason does he have to keep you alive after he’s gotten the money?”

He walks out, and, after a couple tries, grabs hold of the knob and slams the door shut.

“This is terrible.” Klaus frowns.

“Awful,” Violet agrees.

“Horrendous,” you decide.

“Hawo,” Sunny gurgles, which means, “Ghastly.”

“What’s going to happen?” Violet asks.

“I don’t know. But I know what I’m going to do. I’m going to stay up all night with a book.” Klaus’s voice is full of certainty and anger as he pulls the nuptial law book out from under his sweater vest.

You, Violet, and Sunny squeeze together on the bed. But it’s not as crowded as it normally is, because Klaus is in the makeshift hammock Violet made out of spare curtains she found in the ballroom. You want to help him, but you doubt you’ll be able to stay awake much longer to be of any assistance. But you know Klaus. He’ll be able to find out all he needs to know by night’s end to rescue you and your siblings from this terrible predicament.

㊋㊋㊋㊋

Early the next morning, Violet shakes you awake.

“Klaus is gone,” she says. “I think he’s already gone to confront Count Olaf.”

“We have to go help him, then.”

You both get dressed in a rush, then run downstairs, leaving Sunny in the bed. Count Olaf, his troupe, and Klaus are all gathered in front of the dining room doorway. Klaus sees you first, and comes up the stairs to meet you halfway up the bottom staircase.