Wicked Little Things

Chapter Two

         “Welcome, Master Logan,” one of the staff members said as she stepped forward and shook his hand.  “I’m Mrs. Morrison.  I’m the head of the staff here at Willingham Estate.  I do hope you’ll find your accommodations quite suitable, and I do trust you’ll let me know if there’s anything you should require.”

          Logan looked at her in disbelief.  He had never been spoken to so formally.  After his mother’s death, his father used to hire young, attractive governesses for him.  Logan was quite proud of himself for making sure they never lasted long.  His father grew tired of having to interview so many girls for the position over time that he finally decided to send his son off to boarding school.

          In the last two years, Logan had attended five different schools.  All of them expelled him for pranks he pulled on both staff and pupils alike.  No one seemed to be safe from his practical jokes.

          He focused his attention back on the stern looking woman standing in front of him.  He thought his eyes were playing tricks on him because despite her stern demeanor, he thought he caught a glimpse of kindness in her eyes and a slight smile spreading.  It was almost as if she didn’t want any of the other staff members to see it.

          It took him a little while to realize that the staff parted into two lines; one on each side of the steps leading to the main entrance of the looming house.  He nearly jumped when he noticed that Mrs. Morrison had a hand outstretched; encouraging him to go up the steps.

          Logan had just started going up the steps with Mrs. Morrison following closely behind him when he saw something move in the corner of his eye.  He looked up at one of the upstairs windows overlooking the main entrance and saw what he could’ve sworn were two children looking straight at him. 

          The young boy and girl didn’t make any attempt to break eye contact and continued watching him as he entered the house.  Logan shuddered and nearly tripped over the last step.  He didn’t know why there had to be so many steps and wondered how his grandmother was able to come and go when she wanted to.

          The butler reached out to catch him and asked if he was alright.  Logan barely heard him as he looked up toward the window again and saw no sign of the children that had been standing there only moments before.

          “Yes, I’m fine.  Thank you.”

          “Very well, Master Logan.”

          What was going on with this “Master Logan” thing?  No one had ever called him “Master”.  Before stepping through the doorway, Logan asked the butler, “Who are the other children staying here?”

          Many of the staff drew in sharp breaths hearing him ask that.  The butler looked at Logan in confusion, “Why, Master Logan, you are the only child here at Willingham Estate.  I can assure you there are no others.”