Storm and Silence (FANFIC)

3. Locked Up and Lazy.

I continued doing this for a week. And then she hounded on me.

"It's been months since you've been appearing and disappearing! Where have you been going off to, young lady!?" She yelled one Wednesday morning, just as I was leaving. I gulped and faced my predator.

"It actually hasn't been months since I've been appearing and disappearing from this house. In reality it-"

"Where have you been off to Lillian?" she repeated viciously and I swallowed. Never had I ever been afraid of her! Why should I be? I knew that I shouldn't push her either. But she just didn't, or rather wouldn't understand...

"I err... I've been places."

"Care to elaborate?"

"Er.. No." Stupid! What have you said!? Aunt Brank's eyes widened and she put her hands on her hips.

"What do you mean no? I order you to tell me!" I cringed a little at that but she mistook it as me being afraid of her. Ha!

"No, means no. I don't want to tell you where I've been." I said, drawing myself to my full height and meeting her eye. There was a pause. And then she pointed upstairs.

"Room. Now!" My mouth dropped open. No! She can't! Blast, what have I done!?

"W-what!? You can't lock me in there!"

"I can, and I will! Now get in there!" Grudgingly and whilst grumbling unladylike curses under my breath, I stomped upstairs, Aunt Brank in my wake. She pushed me into my room and then slammed the door shut. A few seconds later I heard the clicking of the lock and sighed.

"How long?" I croaked.

"I'll see." And with that she left. I collapsed onto the floor, my legs unable to take my weight. What have I done? I was supposed to be out there, helping the men look for my employer! I could only pray that she'd decided to keep me in my room for a day or two.

How wrong I was.

* * *

One week.

One entire week she kept me in my room. I was still fed. Oh yes, I was. But with each passing day, I gave my dearest aunt a death stare. If only looks could kill, she'd be dead by now. But sadly that wasn't possible and my aunt was still alive.

I tried getting out through the window, but she had managed to bolt that too. All I could do was rage internally and stare at the ceiling. How can she do this to me!? Admittedly, I didn't tell her the truth, but how could I? And she didn't even acknowledge my distress the night I came back. She thought it was all just an act.

"Ugh! I've just about had it with that woman! Curse you!" I said shaking my fist at the door. I let my hand drop at my side. It was no use. As much as I wanted to be out of this damned house, I wasn't allowed. Not yet.

Suddenly, I heard a little jingling of keys and then a click. Footsteps receded away soon afterwards and I heard nothing. Is this it? Am I free again? I thought, slowly getting up. I walked to the door and grabbed onto the doorknob and turned it slowly. The door opened. Yes! I stepped out onto the threshold and breathed a huge sigh of relief. I wondered what time it was. I turned back towards my room and looked out the window. Judging from what I could barely see from where I stood, it was well into the afternoon. I turned away from my room and stood at the top of the stairs.

Now what? I was finally free of my little prison, but I hadn't really thought of what to do. I thought about it now, and decided to go back to those water guards and ask if they'd found him. I went down the stairs as quietly as I could and reached the front door. I opened it and winced when it creaked. Opening it even more, I managed to slip through and close it behind me. I let out a breath I didn't know I held, and set off towards my destination.