The Turning

1.

    It was a pitch black night.  A girl begins to run towards a car.  She turns the key and is off down the pathway.  She stopped at the front entrance waiting for the front gates to open.  Nothing happens.  In a rush, she gets out of the car to push the gates open.  As she walks back to the car she sees something inside.

-

    "A memorial service for Kurt Cobaine was held today in Seattle two days after the musician was found dead of an apparent suicide,"  The news woman spoke.
    Rose turns off the television.
    "That's not how fancy nannies dress,"  Rose says to Kate while she picks out an outfit.  "Come on, I'll take them,"
    "I'm a private tutor,"  Kate says throwing her clothes to Rose.
    "Okay.  Least you could do leaving me without a roommate,"  Rose replies folding her clothes.
    "I'm sorry for the short notice they- they need me tomorrow,"  Kate says.
    "What about your class?  I thought you loved those kids,"  Rose says.
    "I do, but... the school's the one that put me up for it,"  Kate says grabbing a cup from a counter and putting it in the kitchen sink.  Kate sighs.  "Look, I couldn't say no, okay?  A few years ago this little girl lost her parents and then now her nanny just abandoned her,"
    "So you're ditching me for a seven year old,"  Rose replies.
    "You don't know what it's like to grow up without parents,"  Kate says with a serious look on her face.
    "Okay,"  Rose replies quietly.
    "And I love teaching, but... I wanna make a difference y'know?"
    "So... you taking those with you?"  Rose asks looking at letters.
    "No, I think I'm looking forward to have a little break from these,"  Kate says grabbing the letters.  "She's been having a bad spill lately. But I'm going to see her tomorrow and say goodbye," Kate explains while packing.
"Here," Rose says handing Kate her headphones. "Now you're gonna be okay when you're up there thank god,"
"I'm going from twenty five screaming kids to one little girl. How hard can it be?"
Kate begins to walk to a room to get her younger sister y/n.
"You ready?"
"Yeah," Y/n replies holding her suitcase.
Kate had to take her younger sister since she was her only guardian and their mother was mentally ill.

-

Kate and Y/n both walk into a building to say goodbye to their mother. They enter a indoor pool room. The pool was empty since it was where their mother was painting.
"Hi Mom," Kate says while Y/n stands behind her.
They both walk down the pool stairs to where the mother was.
"What are you working on?" Y/n asks.
"Hey, what about if we move your stuff back to the art room?" Kate asks.
"So... we're leaving today," Kate smiles a little. "For the... the new job. Remember when I told you about that little girl, all alone with her housekeeper,"
"Little girl?" Mom asks looking at Kate. "All on her own?"
"Yeah," Kate nods.
"That's a big responsibility," Mom replies.
"I know. I can handle it, just like I've been raising y/n." Kate says her hands closing into fists.
Mom sighs and smiles. "You both look... nice."
"Thank you," Kate says smiling back.
"Here, take this. It'll keep you warm," Mom replies handing Kate a painting of her and y/n.
Mom walks over to her other art supplies and starts sketching.
"Okay," Kate whispers looking at y/n's direction.
They both walk over to their mom to give her a hug.
"Love you," Kate and Y/n say leaving the room.

-

    Kate drives through the front gate as it opens.

y/n pov

I sigh.
"This can't be real," I whisper looking at the mansion.
Kate parks and we both walk up the front of the house. Kate knocks on the door. No response. We hear crows fly by. I ring the doorbell. Still, no response. We both start exploring around the mansion and end up in the garden. I see dolls heads in a fountain.
"Flora leaves her toys everywhere," Someone says attending the garden. "Don't be surprised if you find a little mermaid in your toilet,"
Kate sighs while I keep looking around at the garden. A women appears.
"You must be Kate," She says.
"Yes, hi. This is my younger sister y/n," Kate replies.
"Come along," The woman says walking away.
"Oh- Are you Mrs. Grose?" Kate asks.
"I am," She replies.
"Oh it's so nice to meet you," Kate says as I follow behind her.
"And it's just the two of you here?" I ask.
"Cleaners and the Gardener come in every couple of weeks but yes it's just me and Flora while Miles is away at school. And this is where you'll give Flora her lessons," Mrs. Grose explains while she walks in a room. "Have you ever been a living governess?"
"No, no. Not since the eighteen hundreds," Kate chuckles.
"Is that a joke?" Mrs. Grose asks.
"No, no. Not a funny one," Kate says. "This is my first live in job,"
"Ah, well I hope you know what you're doing. The children are very special, Kate. They're thoroughbreds," Mrs. Grose replies. "Now come along. I have something on the stove,"
Kate and I follow her.
"It's so quiet," I say.
"All the better to hear you when you get lost," Mrs. Grose replies.
Kate scoffs. "Is that a joke?"
"No," She answers walking into the kitchen.
"Mmm. That smells so good," Kate says.
"I made this soup for Flora's father when he was her age," Mrs. Grose explains.
"Oh you've been with the family for that long?" Kate asks. "That's quite commitment,"
"It's an honor, is what it is," Mrs. Grose quickly states.
"And may I ask how the parents died?" Kate asks.
"They died in a tragic car accident. Just outside the gate. Flora saw the whole thing," Mrs. Grose says.
"That's awful," Kate answers.
"Yes it is. And it's hard for the children," Mrs. Grose speaks quickly.
"Well, growing up without parents is..." Kate clears her throat. "Our father left when I was Flora's age so," Kate continues.
"Is that so?" Mrs. Grose replies while making some soup.
"I'd love to meet Flora. Where might I find her?" Kate questions.
"She's down at the stables. Just take the path around the back." Mrs. Grose clarifies.
"Uh, may I?" Kate asks gesturing towards the fruit bowl.
"Of course," Mrs. Grose responds.
Kate and I begin to walk around the back to find Flora.

{1103 words}