Black Thorn

Chapter Two

Rose gathers the skirt of her velvet red, with black lace, dress in one hand, she holds onto her black carpet bag tightly with the other. She takes steady strides as she walks up the path leading to Black Thorn Mansion, her heart palpitating all the way. It had been so very long since she had been in the Westwick moors, let alone Black Thorn Mansion. 

Her black boots thud loudly against the cobblestone path, the dark storm clouds loom overhead, making an already dreary day even gloomier. Wisps of her black hair had fallen loose and blow in the slight breeze, squinting her lavender color eyes she trudges forward, not once looking at the dull surroundings behind her.

She sits her bag on the front step, after hesitating a moment she raps her fist on the large dark brown, almost black, double doors. They are very large doors, large enough for a fifteen-foot giant to enter at least. Everything was large on Black Thorn, most likely Philips Thorn's reminder to the villagers that he had everything they could dream about, at least that's what Rose thought to be the most likely explanation.

The doors come open with a loud sound, followed by several low creaks. Phelps, a man who had worked for the Thorn's for as long as Rose could remember, is the one to greet her. If you could call it a greeting. His face was long as per usual, a rather gloomy person. But, then again, this land makes everything gloomy.

"Miss Thorn, you're back where you belong. Can't say I'm surprised, we all knew you'd come back."

"Well, I can see you're happy to see me." She says sarcastically, she had been taught as a young girl that a lady with her standing doesn't give into sarcasm. But, as she saw it, rules be damned. Who has the right to deem what's the proper way for young ladies to act?

"Come this way. Your father will want to see you immediately."

"Sure he does," She mumbles under my breath.

Rose makes her way across the large marble floor, her shoes tapping loudly. She looks up at the grand double staircase before her. The dark wood of the banister shine brightly from being cleaned often, thick maroon carpeting covers the steps. She makes her way up the right side of the staircase at a fairly moderate pace.

Her eyes go over the entire house below, it's immaculate just as she had always remembered it being. Several paintings are displayed on the wall the whole way up the stairs, each painting absolutely straight and without a speck of dust. The long hall stretches for what seems like miles, the entire wood of the hall walls are carved beautifully, it is in the shape of roses, thorns, and vines, just lovely detail etched over the entire surface.

She passes by several black colored doors in the hall until she reaches the fourth on the left, her father's office. For the first time she takes a deep breath, she finally notices that old scent again. That deep musty smell that permeates the walls of Black Thorn, the smell of rotting, wet cloth and mildew.

She reaches to knock on the door. After bracing herself against the doorjamb, she decides it's best to just go in.

"Ah, Rose." He says less than thrilled. 

"Father" she replies respectively. She keeps her head down as she speaks.

He sits with a smug look on his worn and wrinkled face, "Still a scared little rabbit I see. What's the matter, girl? Too afraid to look your own flesh and blood in the eyes when you talk?"

She raises her head, her eyes glare at him with hate boiling just below the surface. "No, that's not it at all. You know the saying don't you father? If looks could kill, well, I thought I best not to take that chance."

"Still just as disrespectful as ever I see, you are an ungrateful child."

"What is there for me to respect? Or to be grateful for?"

A loud knock on the door disrupts the conversation, or should I say, argument.

"Come in." Calls out Christopher in a booming voice.

The door opens and in steps a young man wearing a clean suit and well made, but slightly worn. shoes. His suit is all black as are his shoes. His pine green tie and white undershirt stand out boldly amongst the dark clothing.

"Mr. Colton this is my..." he says the next word begrudgingly, "daughter, Rose Thorn." He looks over at Rose, "Rose this is Mr. Colton. He's a business associate of mine."

"Pleasure to meet you." Mr. Colton says softly as he kisses the back of her hand softly.

"The pleasure's all mine" she replies. She turns back to Mr. Thorn "I'll be in the library if I'm needed." Again she turns to Mr. Colton, "Please excuse me, Mr. Colton." 

She smiles to herself on the way out.