On The Fountains Edge

Chapter Two

The room was pitch black and silent. Dripping of a once small hole in the roof top was all that you could hear, echoing through out the stone cold room. Emer, laid between her parents, trying to gather all their warmth they could give. "Get up!" A man with an unkempt beard and rugged clothes, banged his black pistol agents the bars of the cell. Opening the chained up door he screamed with anger once more. "Get up or I'll kill your daughter!" They tried to move, but their body's wouldn't listen. With no movement, the man ripped Emer from the two terrified parents.

"Please, I beg of you, don't hurt our child, she's only three! We tried to get up, but we just can't! You've only given us enough food four our daughter to eat, we're week!" Her mothers eyes filled with an ocean of tears. 

Pulling Emer closer to his face, he whispered. "Wan't to die young one? Well let me grant your wish." His breath reeked of whisky.

"Pleas-"

"Shut up!"

"Please don't hur-"

"Mama!" Once a living, breathing, smiling, mother, was now covered in blood. As if the world went in slow motion, her body fell, facing the stone floor.

Emer's father clenched his fist trying to hold his emotions. "You killed her, are you mad? Your boss will have your head for this!" His scream broke, he tried, but his tears wouldn't leave him.

"What boss?" The drunken guard laughed like a mad man as he threw Emer to the opposite side of her father. Taking one more sip of whisky, his face turned to a man of no fear. He had no expression as he held the gun up to her fathers head. With one little tilt of his neck he spoke with calmness. "Now die."

"Papa no!"

Emer screamed, flailing her arms and kicking her legs in bed. "Emer, its okay dear its just us. See, open your eyes, its me Valens and Angel. Everything is okay we're here to protect you, remember? No one can hurt you anymore, you hear me?" She nodded wiping her lifeless blue eyes of her tears.

Its already been a week and Emer refuses to leave the room. No matter how hard he tried, he had no success. "See Angel, I told you that  I'm not cut out for this. She can't stand to be near me, she's too scared that we are dangerous. I should just give up, I'll never get her to have a normal life as a child."

"You know, your more like a father than you think Mister Burnhard, and for that I will help you out this once." Angel slowly pulled up her dress and walked a feisty walk up the stairs. With a big bang, Angel slammed the door closed. "Alright, you need to listen to me carefully. Starting today you will leave your room, eat our food, and learn from me. I will teach you anything you want as long as you do well in the things you need to know. Now have any questions?" Frightened, Emer nodded. "Oh, you will now speak, I know you can. I hear you can speak better than any three year old out there." Angel placed her hands on her hips. "Now follow me downstairs for your first lesson."

"Why you look pleased, Angel."

"I am, cause I have a new student to teach." Angel moves aside, laying her hand flat, as if to say. 'look at my accomplishment', towards Emer who stood to her left. 

"Well, then I should leave you two, to be. I will be in the garden, picking some weeds to keep the place looking sharp. I'll see you guys at lunch." Everyone walked their different ways.

"Okay Emer, the first thing to know about being a lady is that you always say, Mam and Sir. For example, say I ask you to go clean your room, you will say, yes mam; but if Mister Burnhard asks you to do it, you will say, yes sir. Do you understand?"

"Yes Mam."

"Good, now for the next lesson. All lady's have to sit proper, so no slouching like you are now. Slouching causes bad posture and doesn't give you enough air in your lungs. Next you will ether cross your legs or sit them to the side, like all lady's should. No man or other lady wants to see your knickerbockers, so be sure to sit the way I taught you at all times. Now that you know some things about being a proper lady, lets move on to common literature."