Milthorne Manor [#Wattys2016]

Chapter 2

As I pass through the already-open door, I can't help but observe the knocker. Teeth bared slightly, the lion's head that holds the handle watches me with menace.

A chill goes down my spine.

I shake myself, and force my feet forward, trying to stuff down the irritation that Darling Mummy forced me into a place like this.

It's better than a public school. It's better than a public school. It's better than a...

My mental repetition of the mantra I've been trying to convince myself with trails off suddenly.

Blinking in an attempt to force my eyes to adjust to the gloom, I find a room lit by the flickering light of a chandelier. Winking and playing with the shadows, the candlelight from above draws my eyes to the room itself. To the tune of the screaming wind and the occasional drip of the wax falling from on high, my eyes widen at my surroundings.

It is a spacious room, the walls lined with long-dead animals, their glassy eyes trained right on the door. They are on the walls, the tables, and some of the larger ones are even standing, posed, on the cold, stone floor.

But that isn't the most unnerving part.

Bones are tucked around the room. Skulls of mice, birds, even a badger decorate the entryway. My mouth goes dry as I notice a specific one. Grinning back at me from between the legs of a growling ermine sits a human skull.

I gulp, my throat suddenly dry.

"Welcome to Milthorne Manor, I assume you're Edith?"

Tearing my eyes away from the smiling skull, I lift them to the immense staircase just beyond the macabre decor. A young woman gracefully floats down the steps, her fiery hair streaming behind her as she smiles at me.

"I'm Natalia Corsiv, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm one of your senior dorm-sisters, I was sent to give you a quick tour before showing you to our room. Do you have any questions so far?"

Checking to make sure my mouth isn't hanging open, I quickly unruffle myself, and offer her a chilly smile.

"What an unusual place. How long have you been here?" I ask politely, trying to contain my shock, while extending my hand as I meet her at the foot of the stairs. She takes it gently before responding,

"This current semester will be my third here at Milthorne. Quite a first impression, isn't it?"

"Quite." Sensing my emphatic sarcasm, her lips twitch into a sunny smile before leading me up the stairs. As she does, the words carved into the arch above them capture my attention.

"What does that say?"

She glances up to confirm the topic of my question, before looking at me with pained eyes.

"It says 'à la folie.' A French phrase, meaning 'to insanity.' It's an old toast of sorts, and the school's maxim."

I can't ignore the chill that seems to creep into the air around us as she explains.

Abruptly, she shakes her head and smiles, the strange moment dispelled.

"Come, I have lots to show you before lunch, which will be served at two o'clock. It seems a bit late, I know, but after today it will be at promptly at noon. Headmistress Milton decided it was best to take into account the long journeys that several of the girls have had today." Lowering her voice, she adds, "I would recommend coming a few minutes early to every meal, Headmistress Milton can't abide young women who aren't punctual." I nod to signal my understanding, grateful for the knowledge.

"Is there anything else I should know?"

"Well, let me think..."

My attention is drawn from her voice as I glance over my shoulder, back to the cavernous foyer. A jolt of shock rakes its talons down the length of my spine at the sight that greets my eyes.

The dead animals seem to be watching us, their expressions hungry.