The Dollmaker

XV.

Tears slipped down Annie's cheeks as she begged for help. Her brother had chained her to the servant's whipping post and said he wouldn't free her 'til Saturday came. Arms aching from being held up for so long, she cried and begged the servants to free her. They looked heartbroken and afraid, but they knew that if they freed her they'd be punished, so they quickly ran away and ignored her.

One servant sat at Annie's feet, though, giving her feet a gentle massage. Clara had compassion on  her mistress and refused to leave her side.

"It's all over," Annie cried, tears and snot running down her face. She couldn't wipe them away and it bothered her. "I tried to take my life into my own hands and it failed..."

Clara massaged the sore balls of her feet and gave her a comforting shush.

"Everything's going to be okay," she smiled softly.

"No, you don't understand!" Annie cried, thrashing. "He's going to go to Vincent's house to hurt him. The poor man never did anything, and now he's going to die!"

Clara's brown furrowed and she tried to hush and calm her mistress as best as possible.

"Well, he's the madman, miss. He won't be able to hurt you anymore..."

Annie shook her head and let out an agitated moan. Nobody understood.

"He isn't mad. He draws sketches of the dead people so people can remember their faces and they're not forgotten. He's so kind and gentle, and he's a tad odd, but he's really thoughtful and innocent. There's nothing weird in his house, he's just a little depressed because he's lonely. I wish people wouldn't judge others so!"

Clara nodded, trying to understand, but Annie knew she didn't. Nobody would know anyone until they truly met them.

"I don't want him to die..." Annie sighed.

Clara finished the left foot and began to work on the right. She sang a hymn and comforted her mistress as she sat in agony, arms blazing from being held upright so long, and her feet aching from standing on her tiptoes. It had only been five hours...

"Mistress, I'm allowed to let you down to go to the restroom..."Clara said quietly, leaning in. "I could let you down and escort you there. You could say you were ill and sit in there a while..."

Annie's heart leapt for joy at the amount of grace and sacrifice Clara was offering her. If Clara was found out she would be punished badly, perhaps not fed for days, but she was still willing to risk it. Annie nodded and sniffed.

Clara slowly let the rope down and her arms fell to her side. Standing normally had never felt like such a blessing. Her arms and legged screamed in pain, but she gritted her teeth and kept her mouth shut while Clara escorted her to the bathroom. They were almost there when the doorbell rang, and Clara allowed her to answer it quickly. Hands aching, she reached for the doorknob.

Vincent stood before her, a bag in his hands. His face was wild in horror when he saw her, though, and he instantly dropped the package, pulling Annie close.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice breaking and hurt. "Did your brother hurt you?"

Annie's heart was overwhelmed with surprise and fear and joy. She hugged him, crying again until she could hardly breathe. Clara stood in horror at the sight of him, and shrunk away.

"No!" she moaned. "I could let you go to the bathroom, but I can't allow this. I can't let that man in here. Miss Annie, if Jason comes back -"

"Clara, go fetch some tea," Annie instructed, pulling Vincent into the parlor. Clara stared and didn't budge. "Now!"

Vincent immediately pulled his jacket off and wrapped it around Annie's shoulders.

"You're freezing!" he exclaimed, rubbing her red hands. "What happened to you?"

She yelped when he touched her bruised, raw wrists and she could see the complete heartbreak on his face. His eyes filled with tears and he swatted at them so they wouldn't spill.

"Vincent, you have to leave! Jason found out I'm not leaving with him on Saturday and he's out looking for you. He's going to hurt you! Maybe kill you..." Annie begged. "Please leave. Leave and run away. "