My angel

Chapter 1

It's dark, and cold. No light from any cracks, not even from underneath the rotting wood door. Water drips through a crack in the ceiling. I don't even have to look around to understand where I am. I'm in the cellar.

Master was angry. The memories come flowing back. I had tripped, and spilled master's tea. He was angry. He punished me, until the pain forced me into unconsciousness. I look down at the fresh wounds on my body. It appears I have been unconscious for about two days. Maybe even three. Master will be here soon to burn away any trace of pain from me. He likes me...perfect. Master wants no mark on my face, although I don't understand why.

I'm not perfect. My silver hair falls around my body, all ratty for I have not brushed it. Dirt stains my face and clothing. My grey eyes look around the black room from my heart shaped face. I would say my unusual hair and eye colors would be from lack of sunlight.

I have never been outside. I do not know what grass, or leaves, or even what bark feels like. I do not know what pure sunlight feels like. I do not know what snow feels like. I sometimes feel like a small child, unknowing the wonders of the world.

the door is slammed open, thrusting me out of my thoughts. Master glares down at me from the door way, and I instantly respond. I move to my knees, my body bending over, and I stare at the ground. The floorboards creak as master walks to me. I see his boots stop in front of me. We don't move, him staring at me, and I looking down.

"Stand." He growls. I comply, standing quietly, but still staring at the ground. He grabs my chin and forces me to look at him. His piercing blue eyes look at me greedily. His brown hair falls over his face in long locks, stretching just past his right eye. I would say my master is handsome, but he has nasty scars on his face. One coming from his chin and over his mouth, ending just under his nose. Another One trailing over his eye, down his cheek, and curves as it disappears in his hair. His 'business partners' call him Two-faced Jackson.

"Have you learned your lesson." He asks, eerily soft. "Yes master. Thank you for showing me my wrongs." I whisper automatically. He nods and releases me. "We are moving. I want my room packed by tonight." He orders and walks back upstairs. "Oh, and if you don't finish, you will be locked In here until we move." He finishes and walks out, leaving me shaking.

He knows I won't finish. That's why he told me. Master won't give me any information unless he knows it's going to happen. I scurry upstairs, hoping to get a start.

The sun is high in the sky and I can presume it's about two o'clock. I rush to master's room and start.

~~~~~~

The sun is just dipping below the horizon when I pack the last of the clothing. I look around master's room. Somehow, I finished. The linens have been stripped, I have packed all of master's clothing, and I have cleaned out his washroom. I sigh in relief. I won't be locked in the cellar.

I turn around when someone clears their throat. Master stands in the doorway. I bow my head. "I have finished, master." He says nothing. I think he is looking at my work. "No you haven't." He says finally, and my heart drops. "I wanted the furniture dismantled, also."

I gulp. "I-I'm sorry, master. Please forgive me." He roughly grabs my hair and picks me up. "I sick of your fucking mistakes, slave! Shape up, or I will make sure your position is worsened." He growls. Unshed tears prick at my eyes, but I refuse to cry. "Yes master. I'm sorry, master." He drops me, and kicks my stomach when I hit the ground. I cough blood. Master glares at me in disgust. "Clean this up then go to where you belong. We will leave in three days." He storms out of the room, leaving me shaking and curled up.

I slowly sit up, and whimper. Master is in a bad mood. Something must have happened. I stand, and try not to fall over. Stumbling to a trunk I reach in and pull out an old washcloth. I walk to the stain and thank the almighty God that his room is wood floored.

I clean up and deposit the cloth into the laundry. The room is dark, the only light source is the red rays of the sun. It's most likely the last rays I will see for a long while. I lavish in it as long as I can, before I have to 'go where I belong'.

I walk downstairs, and back into the dank, dark cellar, where only the rats keep me company. I haven't eaten anything I days, and I won't eat anytime soon. I at least have water to drink. I am lucky master is as merciful as he is. I have heard horrors of others having less than I.

I shut the door behind me, hearing the familiar click of the lock. I am plunged into darkness. I am lost, I realize. The darkness is my friend, and the warm sun is unknown to me. I have known no sweet or kind touch. I have no one. I am no one.

I curl up as this thought crosses my mind. In other words of my dark thoughts, no one would miss me if I died. The thought is sickening, but somehow comforting. No one would cry if I died. No one would miss me, or mourn over me. No pain would be shed if I just stopped existing.

it isn't a thought I should be having, but...it's becoming more appealing. I wouldn't have to be here, in pain and fear. I would go somewhere better. The only issue with my plan is that dreaded 'but'. I would be happy if I died, but another poor soul would take my place. If I died, I wouldn't have to fear this place, but how do I know somewhere better lies beyond the clouds? I don't want to know the answers to these questions.

the cold of the room bites into me. it hurts almost as much as when the rats become hungry. The mustiness in here is suffocating. I wrap my hair around me, trying my best to keep warm. It does little, but I really couldn't care. The rags master has given me are ragged and torn In Some places. I rarely get better clothes, but these at least cover me up.

the door is softly opened. Looking up, I see it is Mary. "Master told me to bring you some food..." She says softly. Mary is the only one kind to me here, since it is just us. She walks to me, her blond hair bouncing softly in ringlets around her dull green eyes. They were once such beautiful eyes, but master hated the gleam in them, so he wiped it away. She walks to me and sets down a tray of stale bread. "I also snuck you an apple." She whispers and pulls a gleaming apple from her side pocket.

I thank her softly. "I don't know what I would do without you." She smiles a little. "And I to you." She walks out of the cellar, and I wish I could run after her. She shuts the door.

I gingerly pick up the apple, afraid it will vanish in front of me. Slowly, I take a bite, and almost moan in pleasure. It's ripe and juicy. It's the first food I have had in a week. Sadly, though, it is gone too soon. I reach down and pick up one of the bread, and slowly bite into it. It's hard, but it's food. That too is gone too soon. My stomach rumbles in protest. I have learned to ignore it.

I have nothing to do, but I have gotten used to it. Slowly, i open my mouth, and start to sing softly.

"London bridge is falling down!

Falling down! Falling down!

London bridge is falling down!

My fair lady!

Build it up with iron and steel

Iron and steel! Iron and Steel!

Build it up with iron and steel!

My fair lady!"

My eyes slowly start to close. i cant...hold....out... i drift into welcome sleep.

I am in a small room. The walls are a deep navy blue, with a little desk made of mahogany in the center. The room seems familiar, like i have been in here multiple times.

I walk to the desk and open the top right drawer. Inside are two black chess pieces. A king, and a knight. Gingerly, i pick them up.

"Found this room, have you?" A smooth voice asks me, sounding amused. I turn to see a magnificent man. The first thought to cross my mind is "Angel..." I whisper. His raven hair falls softly, ending just under his blood red eyes. He wears a long tail coat, and stands tall. "An angel, am i?" He asks, letting slip some ironic humor. "I am no angel, madam. I am simply..." His eyes flash so briefly, im unsure if i saw it or not. "One hell of a butler."