Ballad of the Bruised [ j.v ]

03

>Locket Love<

FIRST THING AGNES NOTICED as she woke up was that she was lying on a soft surface, a surface of what felt like clouds. Second thing she noticed was that all around her was the smell cinnamon and fresh pine. Third thing she noticed, due to the first two observations, was that she was definitely not dead.

Agnes's eyes snapped open as she sat up abruptly, looking around frantically. She had no idea where she was.

She sat in a large, extremely comfortable bed in the corner of a large, open bedroom. Around her were white stone walls, and large windows showing the rain outside. On her right stood a bedside table with a candle, and across from her was a series of drawers, most likely for clothing.

On the wall to the left of her was a vanity and a wardrobe, a door sitting next to it on the neighboring wall. To the left of the bed stood an empty bookshelf with a plant on top.

And that was it.

But Agnes still didn't know where she was.

Ever so carefully, she pulled the covers off of herself, and touched her bare feet to the cold floor. As she did so, she paused. Didn't she have stockings on before? And boots?

As she looked down, she realized she was in different clothes. Instead of her uniform gray dress, stockings and boots, she wore a flowing silk nightgown.

How did I...oh no!

Agnes's hand reached up to her neck, feeling for her mother's locket. When she felt it's cold metal beneath her fingertips she breathed a sigh of relief. That locket was all she had left of her old life, and she didn't know what she'd have done if she'd lost it.

"I see you're awake."

Agnes's head snapped up, only to tilt to the side in confusion. Because, before her in all of her red eyed glory, was none other than Jane. Her short figure stood in the doorway watching Agnes intently, a hint of smile painted on her lips, still coated in the deep lipstick Agnes had once found enchanting.

Now all Agnes felt towards Jane was anger.

Was Jane the one who saved her? Did she follow her to the cliff? Was she the reason Agnes lived?

Jane walked towards Agnes gracefully, and knelt down in front of her. "How are you feeling? You took a rather nasty fall." Agnes's eyes widened in rage as she clenched her fists. Her thoughts were confirmed.

Jane had saved her.

And Agnes was not happy about it.