Farryn

Chapter 3- Part 1

Farryn knew it was little more than a stroke of luck that would get her this job, but she couldn't help but feel proud of herself. Before dinner, Iris showed her the childrens' rooms, all joined in the middle, and introduced all three of them to her. "Luisa, she bites. Lucas throws things, and Luis likes to fight me. And his siblings. Everyone, really."

When it was finally time for dinner, Farryn helped get all three triplets dressed, and then waited in the nursery as they went for dinner. "My Lady likes having the children around for meals," Iris explained, somehow carrying all of them in her arms. Farryn sat silently on the rocking chair and waited.

The room was eerily quiet. Luli had gone down to the kitchens hours ago, and she considered going to check on her but decided against it. Iris had told her to stay put, so she would, for now.
She got up and tidied up a bit, straightening the carpet and putting away a few toys. Then, she headed for the window, pulling it open to get a break from the stench of baby powder. The night air was cool, and she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.

When Farryn opened her eyes, she found someone staring right at her. With a yelp, she stumbled backwards. The eyes followed her, half-shielded in the darkness. Then, the figure stepped forward, and Farryn nearly swallowed her tongue.

It was Serval, staring at her silently. Her eyes bulged out of her skull, and a trail of blood trickled from her pursed lips. Farryn backed away, shaking. "Leave!" She yelled. Serval stepped closer, and for a moment Farryn thought she would climb in through the window. But she just stood on the other side, staring.

"Leave me alone!" Farryn screamed. "Go away! Give me peace, you- you-" She darted forward, slamming the window down. She's not real. Farryn pressed her eyes shut. She's not real. Breathe in, out. In. Out.

She stood there, eyes closed, shoulders shaking as she held back tears. Serval was gone. Serval was dead. She was free.

Not free. Not yet.

"Felicia?"

She jumped, wiping her face quickly. Iris was standing in the doorway with her arms crossed. "My Lady would like to see you." Farryn nodded, a bit too quickly, and hurried out after Iris. As the door clicked shut behind them, she glanced at the window one more time. Serval still stood there, staring in.

The halls were quiet as they walked, and Farryn forced herself to redirect her thoughts. She couldn't show up frazzled and panicked. If she knows you're hallucinating, she'll never hire you.

She turned her thoughts to the murder Iris had spoken about. It didn't sound real; more like a Drama you'd read in a book or see at the Theatre. A lowly servant, in love with a Lord. She wondered why she'd done it. Normally, it was the other way around. The Lord would have his way with a servant, and then have them killed so the story never got out.

"Your hair is a right mess," Iris said suddenly. 

Farryn turned to her. "My apologies. We've been travelling, and I hadn't the money to buy myself any amenities."

"There's a powder room over there. Use the brush and tidy yourself up a bit."

Farryn headed for the powder room and did as told. She ran the brush through her hair, dabbed a bit of powder around her underarms and ears, and stared at herself in the mirror. Focus. Smile. She wouldn't mess this up.

She studied her face. Her skin was darker than it had ever been, and her eyes were heavy, but she looked healthier than she remembered looking, ever. She was out and about now, doing things, getting closer and closer. Somehow, she felt more alive. It made sense. Serval's house had always felt more like a Death House to her. "You can go there, and be comfortable until the sky takes you," her mother had whispered to her, trying to explain to her daughter why her father had disappeared, and why she would have to disappear too.