Go to Hell (on hold)

SEVEN

The next day I was giddy in anticipation to see Owen in the garden. He might not have been particularly kind to me, I was exited to spend an hour with him all the same. He wasn't one of the boys. He didn't have the kind of power over me that they did, and for that I felt I could actually breath around him.

Karen brought me laundry to fold, then more when I finished the first basket. It was nothing but towels and tablecloths. I'd had much more difficult tasks in my mother's house. With nothing else to do, I folded four baskets of laundry before lunch.

"I don't have any more for you," Karen said when I asked. "Not unless you want me to start firing people. Do you know how to sew?"

"Yes, I can definitely do that."

"Alright, I'll bring you something. But do it slower this time." Although her tone was harsh, she spoke with a wink and a smile, and I gave her a grin in return. She left me to my lunch of salad and tomato soup. I ate only a few bites before my excitement wouldn't let me eat anymore. Karen brought a bag full of torn clothes and a sewing kit. I plowed through them despite her warning, and sat on my bed staring out the small window until I noticed everyone retreat back inside. In a few more minutes, only one figure stood among the roses. Owen.

I crept down the stairs and through the halls, careful not to be seen by anyone. My feet crunching against the gravel alerted Owen of my presence, and he turned from where he knelt down to clip a dying leaf. When he saw me, his lips turned down in a small frown.

"I was hoping you wouldn't come," he said and went back to clipping the roses.

"I don't get to leave my room all day, this is the only chance I have to be outside," I replied, trying not to let a smile slip onto my face. The air was cool and held the faint fragrance of roses. Although it was overcast, the clouds were thin and bright, the sky a pleasant light gray.

"This garden is so beautiful," I remarked, hoping the compliment would lighten Owen's mood.

"So," Owen mused, "if you could leave your room more, you wouldn't be inclined to come bother me?"

"Maybe. But I can't exactly ask to leave." Owen nodded to himself, but said nothing. He continued to tend the roses in silence, and I followed him down the path.

"Why is no one allowed outside at this hour?" I asked and I gently stroked the petal of an imperfect rose Owen cut.

"Because I don't like to be distracted while I work."

"Am I distracting you?"

"Hardly. Don't flatter yourself."

"Then it shouldn't be a problem if I continue to come here?"

"I wish you wouldn't. You're not as interesting as I thought you would be."

"I can't help how interesting I am. Besides, I thought you didn't want me to talk."

"I don't."

"Then how can I be interesting?" Owen hummed disapprovingly in response.

"Why do you speak to me like this?"He asked after a while.

"Like what?"

"You talk freely. Like you aren't afraid of me."

"I suppose it's because I'm not. Compared to the other boys-- compared to Mr. Blackbourne-- you aren't frightening."

He pursed his lips. "Mr. Blackbourne is rather terrifying, isn't he."

"Yes. I- I haven't met him yet, but I hope I never do." He frowned again.

"You should go, Ms. Sorenson. The hour is nearly over." I thought about asking him for more roses, but I didn't think Gabriel would let me get away with it unscathed a second time.

"Okay. See you tomorrow, Owen."

"I hope not." I waved to him and he went back to clipping roses, not even glancing my way as I went back to my room.

That night at dinner, they boys were tense and far too quiet. I was wearing a burnt orange dress tonight and hated it. The pure fury on Kota's face when Gabriel had presented me to the room made me want to crawl into a hole and die. Again.

"Sang," Kota spoke up,"there's something we need to talk about. Mr. Blackbourne has decided your punishment."

My eyes flashed up to his, then Luke's. Luke smiled reassuringly at me, but my heart roared in my chest. I was going to be tortured.

Skinned alive.

Boiled and fried.

"What is it?" I whispered, trying and failing to keep my voice steady.

"You will be required to spend two hours each day with one of us." I blinked. This is not what I expected. It was so much worse.

"Okay," I said. At least I would get to leave my room. Maybe Owen spoke to Mr. Blackbourne and requested this. I would have to thank him tomorrow.

"Seems like more of a punishment for us," Gabriel grumbled.

"I'll go first," Luke volunteered as he smiled at me. "We can go out for breakfast."

"That sounds wonderful," I breathed, beyond thankful that it was Luke. He'd at least be kind to me. A servant entered and approached Luke.

"Master Taylor, your guests are here."

"Great. See you guys tomorrow. Sang, I'll pick you up at nine." I nodded and grinned at him. "Hey, ladies."

Five giggling blonde girls poked their heads in the dining room entrance and waved at us. I grinned back at them, even though they made me a bit uncomfortable. Dr. Green stared at them for a long minute, before pushing himself up from the table.

"Care if I join you?" He asked Luke.

"I don't see why not. Ladies, are you alright with Dr. Green joining us?" The girls cheered and laughed, beckoning Luke and Dr. Green over to them.

"I have a boo boo that needs medical attention," one of the girls said, her voice breathy. Dr. Green and Luke ushered them out and the dining room grew quiet again. Kota stood.

"I'll escort you back to your room, Sang. If you're ready for bed." His tone left no debate that I needed to be ready for bed now. I followed him out, but I stopped him with a hand to his arm before we assented the first flight of stairs. The taunt muscle of his forearm flexed beneath my fingers.

"Kota," I said. "Could- could I maybe have a book? Please. I'm not quite tired yet and I'd like to read, if that's okay with you." I looked away. It was a stupid request. He was going to say no. I could stare out the window if I wanted entertainment.

"Of course, Sang." His voice was surprisingly gentle. "Anything you want." He took me by the arm and pulled me into a study with a whole wall lined with book. Kota pushed his glasses farther up his nose. "I would take you to the library, but it's on the other side of the house." And he wanted me in bed quickly.

I selected two titles I recognized and one I didn't. Kota grabbed a few more, mostly science fiction and fantasy going by the covers . He then took the books I held from me and hauled everything up the three flights of stairs it took to get to my room. Kota carefully set everything on my bed and turned to me.

"I'm sorry about your punishment," he said, his brow furrowed.

"It's fine, there are worst things. At least it's not torture in the physical sense."

Kota cringed. "I'll make Gabriel behave."

"I don't think anyone can make him do anything. Will Mr. Blackbourne be on the rotation?"

"No! No, you won't go anywhere near him." Kota paused by the door. "Goodnight, Sang."

"Goodnight."

He left with a soft thump of the shutting door. Two hours and one hundred pages of The Hobbit later, I closed my eyes and tried to get some sleep.