Unmasked

Chapter 19

~unedited~

Chapter 19:

As the ride grew longer, the number of my father's old workers shrunk leaving only a handful left, including Harriet and I.

I have yet to speak to her or to anyone, I don't think I can ever speak again, if I do I'll only cry again. The event of this morning will always make me cry again. Always.

"Mary?" Harriet attempts once more to speak to me but I don't respond. I've been in the exact same position ever since we left whereas the others have moved since more room has been made.

For each worker that gets taken away another piece of me dies inside. These were the people that helped raise me, that worked in the name of my father, and I didn't even learn any of their names. Am I just as bad as my mother?

My hands ball into fists as my tears land on them.

Why? Why did have to go like this?

"...will take whatever servants you have left!" I suddenly hear of voice outside. I didn't the carriage had stopped.

Whatever outlines I see of Harriet and the others when I look over is also listening to the voices on the outside.

"Are you sure? There isn't that many and usually the ones left over are the ones less useful," it's the man that own the carriage's voice.

"You heard us the first time! Don't make us repeat ourselves!" An unfamiliar loud male voices responds menacingly.

"Alright, alright man," the carriage bounces, "I'll follow you to drop 'em off."

The carriage begins to move again.

For the first time I look at Harriet and the others fully, we've all just been bought.

~*~

"All you are without homes unless provided to you by your worker," the man reminds us coldly. He's tall, seemingly old aged, and wears nothing but black which makes me question what we were all just bought into.

"Meaning you show us all gratitude for taking in such unwanted help but nonetheless, you're still needed, so do what you're told and things will be easy for both of us." We stand in a grass field, a building just behind the man a few feet away. Light rain hits us all and all I truly desire is to go inside and find my place so I can get the most rest I can, before I get to work again.

We all stay quiet, now with the proper lighting I can see how many of us are left exactly which counts to eight including Harriet and I. The only other person I recognize is Matilda but other than that I know no one by name.

"You," he points to me and I look at him, "looking to be the youngest you work inside."

I look at Harriet out of the corner of my eye, this will be the first time we'll be really separated. She seems unfazed, maybe I shouldn't worry.

"What are you waiting for?" He snaps and this time I really look at him. I could count his probable age by the number of lines in his forehead, whatever hair he has left is now growing white, and whatever smiles he may have had are now long gone. This man has a dark story that I wish not to know.

I move forward towards the faded out building and enter through the only door insight. The room I enter is squared shape, has a stone floor, a drain in the center, and racks and shelves lined up along the walls. I don't know what room this could be but I take advantage of the drain to wring out any excess water I may have on my clothes and hair and proceed forward.

I enter what seems to be a hallway where I see this house's workers scurry over back and forth through. All of them are wearing different uniforms; all of them different from mine.

"You," this time a girl who seems a lot younger than me says. She can barely reach up to my chest and is wearing a maid's outfit much newer and cleaner than mine, "wait there."

She scurries off to the right and I'm tempted to follow but I stay put, soon she returns with clothes in her hands.

"Put this on," she tosses me a maid uniform as well, "a different uniform for a different section you're working in, this looks like it'll fit you."

"But where can I-?" I begin to ask, holding up the uniform a safe distance away from my still wet body.

"Down the hall to the left at the third door there's a change room, I have to go now!" And she leaves.

When I enter I notice the room is draped ceiling to ground in a gold fabric with no windows.

This is a change room?

I take off my uniform and wring out my hair on it. The uniform slips on effortlessly, it feels so clean and warm, like its hugging my body.

The door opens slowly, behind it, there's a woman not much older than me with pale skin, dark hair, and very dark eyes.

"Don't get too comfortable yet, your day has just begun," she looks at me sternly, "you're working for the king now, meaning your job has gotten twice as meaningful and twice as hard now."

"Th-the king?" My voice barely audible as I ask.

"Come with me, I'll tell you everything you need to know-" she turns.

"But I already-"

"No, trust me, you don't," she looks over her shoulder and her eyes meet mine, "like I said, you're working for the king now. Everything is going to be different from what you know."

I look down.

"Now, hurry up, my name is Mariah, think of me as your boss."

"Okay," I begin to follow her.

"And another thing," she says as we make it out into the hallway.

I look up at her as I try to catch up to her speed.

"Things are rather difficult for the prince right now so I'd be best to stay out of his way, which goes for all of us, alright?"

My heart races, "I will."

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Hey guys, sorry this is not a exciting chapter but I need more build up. To be honest, it's getting harder and harder to write this story as it progresses. Whatever the case, I will finish it... I will try. For the least.