When Hell Comes (#wattys2017)

Chapter I - Katey, Imaginary or Not?

*AN: I don't want to bore you with long descriptions or the likes thereof... But this is important!!! Stacey's story takes place under the reign of Queen Victoria, United Kingdom. It is best known as the Victorian era (1837-1901). The precise year would be 1884. This was also why I used the NKJV translation of The Bible as reference (As an artist/graphic designer this was the most inspiring era to study and I absolutely love the art from this era! It still influences every project I work on, and it also creates the perfect backdrop for my story).

I hope you found the prologue intriguing, and that my version of the beginning (as Stacey's history) didn't upset you a bit too much. As I stated in the 'Story Details' section, this book is merely fictional and does NOT portray my religious beliefs. Any quotes to The Bible is merely used as reference in this story; and this book is NOT religious...

To break the rules, you must know them well, first... I hope you as reader enjoy the first chapter and will look forward to the many more yet to come.*

Anastacia Celine Feuerborn stood in front of her mirror, stiff as a rod as her maid in waiting laced her corset - tightly, but with enough room to breathe, as her asthma required.

"I'm not COMPLETELY helpless... I could lace my corset myself, but since Emily so dramatically insisted, how could I refuse her this 'honor'?" Stacey thought sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.

Emily scolded her for this childlike action: "Miss Feuerborn! With behaviour like that, you may never wed!!!" and laughed at herself then, knowing that marriage - or the lack thereof - pleased Stacey more than any other man ever could...

With an exasperated sigh, Stacey yet again made this request: "Em, do me a favor and stop with this 'Miss Feuerborn' rubbish - please, Stacey would suffice." Emily nodded before obliging "Yes, Miss Feuer-". Stacey's cold gaze stopped her mid-sentence, so she rephrased her sentence: "Yes, Miss Stacey."

"Good, you're progressing." Stacey said with a mock stern look before both girls laughed at her mimick of her tutor's 'praise'.

"Miss, you're going to be late to breakfast if we keep at it." Emily chided.

"Very well, French braid updo then?" Stacey inquired as she delicately applied powder, and mascara to her already pale face. She sat on a stool, facing her vanity table as Emily's experienced hands gently braided her mass of dark, vivid red hair into a stylish braid.

The bodice of her violet-plum dress suited her frame well, and magnified her ample cleavage to look its absolute best. Amazing what a good corset can do... Stacey stared at the sophisticated lady that was reflected in the mirror. For once, there were no dark circles framing her azure eyes - a side-effect dreary London had on her asthma.

She hadn't had an 'episode', as mother would call them, since the move to Feuerborn Manor. It seemed the pollution here was less than closer to town. Her mind drifted to the previous house they had occupied - she only missed the window seat in her old room where she would get lost in a Charlotte Bronté novel for hours on end...

"Miss Stacey! Breakfast is in ten minutes!!!" Emily exclaimed as she took a look at her watch. Stacey got up, hastily thanked Emily for the beautiful updo and swiftly descended the two flights of stairs before entering the dining room where her parents were already seated.

Her father got up and pulled out her chair for her while complimenting her appearance with "Anastacia, you look delightful this morning!"

Stacey replied with "Thank you, Papa. You look quite dashing yourself." In a raspy voice. Her chest ached, and she quickly took a gulp of water before greeting her mother: "Good morning, Mama." Her mother replied with "Good morning, darling. Are you having an episode? Need we call for the doctor this morning?"