Misery

Chapter 3

I felt his large hand as if it was imprinted in my back, feeling him guide me down the large yet dark hall from my 'room'. I looked around to see nothing on the walls; no details to prove that this was a home. He walked beside me, with him looking straight ahead as he walked me out of the long hall, only leading me into a grand living room. My eyes widened as I stepped onto the large, detailed carpet, leading towards the large fireplace with one chair beside it. My hands gripped the wool blanket tighter around me, as if to protect myself from the atmosphere. I then looked to my right to see two long couches, deep red and untouched. I looked to my left to see a large archway, leading to a room with only one thing. A grand piano. I felt his hand off my back as he walked to the fireplace, sitting in the large chair, looking at the fire. I stood completely still, looking at the carpet under my feet. I then jumped as I heard the boom of Harry's voice.

"Hans, come here! HANS, COME HERE NOW!" Harry screamed.

I looked frightened at him before I heard footsteps rushing towards the giant room. I turned to see a old man in a suit, standing completely still, looking at Harry with no expression. Harry acknowledged him before the man looked to me, giving a respectful bow. I gave a small smile at him before I looked to Harry again, seeing him looking down as he sat by the fire. Harry then looked to Hans, gesturing at me. Hans nodded, taking one my shaking hands. He looked down at me for a second before walking me out of the large room, taking to out towards the foyer where elegant furniture stood and huge double doors led to the outside world. I stared at those doors, thinking if I got close enough, my escape could be easy, but I felt Hans grip my hand a little tighter in his.

"I should be the one to welcome you. The master isn't very civil." He said.

"No kidding." I muttered, walking up the stairs with Hans.

He gave a small chuckle, holding my hand as we walked up the stair way, where I saw more details of the house. Paintings hung on the walls of men, some old, some young. I then saw a portrait of Harry, but he looked different... happier. I kept my gaze on the portrait, standing completely still. I stared quietly at the light grey suit on him, with a ivory tie about his pale neck. I noticed his curls on his head portrayed perfectly in the portrait, his green eyes somehow glowing like they do in real life. He sat alone in the portrait, a small smile about his lips, none like I've ever seen.

"The master sat ten hours for that. Not good for asking a teenager to sit for a portrait, you know." He chuckled, looking at the potrait. Suddenly, his smile faded. "That was years ago." He muttered, taking my hand again.

I looked confused as he pulled me into a bedroom, the bed with a thick, light golden bedspread, with endless decorative pillows along it. I then looked to the nightstands on both sides with dim lamps lit to illuminate the room. I looked up at Hans before he took my hand yet again, pulling me towards a large door, opening it to show a walk in closet, filled with clothes as if for a woman. I looked around at the expensive clothing and then up at Hans. He gave a light smile before taking a step back.

"This is all yours now. The master wanted me to get this room ready before you got here... so this is where you'll be staying. Does everything look comfortable?" He said, stepping from the closet.

I looked around in general shock before I stepped out, looking at Hans. I then nodded, looking about the room before I looked to him, slowly smiling. He smiled just the same and gave a respectful bow with his head, then he stood straight and looked at me.

"The master requested you find a gown for dinner tonight. Until then, you are to remain here. There is a washroom and you just have to use the intercom system if you are hungry. Just press the button and I will answer. I will get you before dinner starts." He nodded before walking to the door quietly.

I nodded and looked around the room again, hearing the door close. Once I was alone, I took off the wool blanket, setting it on the perfectly made bed. I slipped my hands in the back pockets of my jeans as I walked towards the bathroom, looking at the porcelain that covered the room. I closed the door behind me as I stripped of my dirty clothes, standing naked on the clean floor. I then stepped into the tall shower, looking at the dial as I turned it to the left, making warm water fall out onto me. I sighed and closed my eyes, running my fingers through my long hair, the water soaking it. The warm water soothed away all the aches on my body and temporarily putting my mind to ease. I then opened my eyes as I grabbed the red shampoo bottle among many others already supplied for me. I opened the bottle and let some of the gel fall on my palm, inhaling the sweet scent of pomegranate. I then ran the gel through my hair, massaging my scalp as the scent filled my senses.

I then grabbed the bottle of body wash, pouring some of the light gel on my palm before washing my skin, the tasty scent of coconut all over me. I stood under the warm water, feeling it completely rinse me. My hands rang through my hair, with me feeling more refreshed than I have in a long time. I stepped out of the shower, finding a deep purple towel to wrap around me, going towards the sink, finding a hair dryer already set out for me. I plugged in the dryer before feeling the hot air blow through my hair, almost burning my scalp. I tried to cover every inch of my damp hair with the hot air, making it softer and dry. Once my hair was dry, I walked towards the closet, opening the door to walk inside, then the light turned on, showing the rows of clothes.

I looked to see casual and formal wear, then I remembered Hans told me to find a gown. I bit on my bottom lip as I went to the formal rack, seeing a dress in almost every color. I smiled lightly before I looked through each dress, some more elegant than others. I then found a light teal gown, simple but something I couldn’t afford. I took it off the rack and laid it on my arm. I then looked through the drawers to see what I could find, picking out a simple white bra and panties for underneath. I then set it all on the bed, slowly dressing in the underwear before slipping the gown on. I turned to the mirror, seeing how I looked. I smile lightly, letting my hair fall down my back. The dress fit my form perfectly, the color perfect against my pale skin. I actually looked beautiful.

I looked to the clock, seeing the time. 6:30. I took a slow breath before I brushed through my long hair, seeing it now smooth and straight. I made one final spin in the mirror, for some reason, wanting to impress Harry… the master; despite what he has done so far. I looked at myself before I heard a subtle knock on the door. I bit on my lip as I walked, barefoot under the dress, thinking I’m able to get away with it. The door slowly opened with the sight of Hans, looking at me with a smile.

"Miss Eden, you look divine." He smiled.

I smile lightly at him, seeing him still in the suit he wore before. I moved from the door way and offered his arm to me. I smiled lightly at him before I bent my arm with his, walking with him back down the large hall with the portraits. I then walked down the stairs with him, my steps silent due to nothing on my feet. I then made it to the end of the stairs before Hans gripped my hand a little to stop me, looking down at me.

"Miss Eden... I must warn you...once you go in, do not speak unless you're spoken to, and sit in the seat across from the master." He said.

I didn't feel like a guest, more like a prisoner. I nodded quietly before I walked silently from Hans. I gave him a small smile before I walked from the foyer to the dining room. I looked surprised as I walked into a room filled with candles, displaying a subtle scent of cinnamon. I stood completely still as I saw the long dining table, filled with food that could feed a third-world country to put it bluntly. I then looked to see Harry, his back to me. He then turned around, looking me up and down.

“Wonderful for you to join me, Eden." He smiled with a dark smirk.