The Gothic Rose

The Ballroom Prince

I awoke the next morning exhausted and worn. I could hear the pit-patter of the raindrops full of water and gleaming with darkness, falling to the floor at the foot of my bed.

I slowly opened up my weighted and dreary eyelids and looked up and out of the hole in my roof to the sky that was full of black clouds; they were blind sighted by all the raindrops falling and floating to the cold, wet ground below.

I sat up in my bed. The memory of last night's incident coming back to my still confused mind. Even though so much was racing in my head, I had to remember that I had things I had to do that day. The mansion was becoming a mess, ever since I started doing nothing but read gothic horror and romance stories a week ago.

I crawled reluctantly out of bed and threw on some work clothes. Not my normal taste of black with red hearts, red thread or red stars. Just plain blue shorts and a black tank top.

As I walked downstairs, I grabbed the bucket and mop and walked into the kitchen. As I was filling the bucket with water from the faucet, I remembered a very distant life...

I was around 4, living with my parents. Dad was busy at work and mom was home taking care of the house. It was a small little thing, two bedroom one bath. A decent kitchen, one car garage, huge backyard which consisted of a small blow up pool, a garden, a gated off area for my bunny Herriot, as well as my favorite thing, a huge redwood tree. It covered half of the yard; even though I was four then I had already climbed half way up the tree three times. I was deeply proud.

That day mom planned on mopping the tile floor in the kitchen, I was so enthusiastic, always wanting to help her out. I was very impatient that when mom set the bucket on the floor I quickly dipped my little mop in there. Without thinking I wound up knocking over the bucket in the midst of my task spilling soapy water everywhere. Mom just looked down at me and smiled. Quickly saying, "It's alright sweetheart, just makes our job easier!"

The fond memory left me with a smile as I began and finished mopping up the anciently stained kitchen floor. I wiped the sweat off my brow and looked at my job. The floor was normally strewn with dirt and grime that had built up over the years of neglect. Now it was shiny, polished, almost new looking as though it had never once seen a bad day.

I looked at my watch and realized that I had spent three hours cleaning. I put away the mop and bucket and quickly filled the kitchen sink with water and soap.

I hate having to wash clothes by hand; however, it is the pure joy of living in an abandoned mansion. There is no electricity, only candles and water (which is supplied by a home water supply.)

I gathered the small pile of clothes from the bathroom next to the kitchen and began scrubbing. I had to get them washed and out to hang within the next hour, or there will not be enough sunlight to dry them before nightfall.

I managed to get everything done right on time. I slumped down on my sofa, spewing dust in all directions. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"Well it does look much better, my lady."

I swiftly opened my eyes to see the man from last night in my living room. I sat up, and stared with eyes full of fury at him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him.

"Purely visiting, my lovely rose. I have been watching you all day, nesting with the other bats within your rafters. Your cleaning intrigued me that alas," He yawned, "I did not get much sleep today."

"You've been spying on me?" I narrowed my eyes. "You must leave now. You are not welcome here."

"No, no dear, I was not spying. Like I said, I was intrigued that I could not stop myself from watching your movements. But, if you wish me to depart then I shall. Will I see you next nightfall?" He turned his eyes to me. They were full and bright. Like emeralds piercing my flesh with a green lava-like heat.