Daring Further

Chapter 2

The night passed without incident. The next morning, while it was still dark outside, Vanessa heard a rustle outside her window. It was loud enough to wake her up, although she was a light sleeper anyways. She laid in bed, her eyes still closed, listening for the noise again. It may have just been a tree branch brushing against the window, but she had a strange feeling that she could not explain. She couldn't shake the sensation that it wasn't just a tree branch. Although she didn't hear the noise again, the feeling got stronger and she sat up. She decided to go check the window, just for her peace of mind- she knew she was being silly but it would make her feel better to check.

She got out of bed and lightly tiptoed to the window. She peered out of it but couldn't really see anything in the darkness. Her heart beating rather quickly, she opened the window and stuck her head out. The chilly spring air hit her face and she took a deep breath of it. Twisting her neck around, she stared into the darkness. It was perfectly still- there was no wind. Suddenly, she shivered and the feeling that something wasn't quite right came back, stronger than ever. She shut the window with a snap and ran across the room to dive back into her bed, and then pulled the covers over her head.

She continued to listen for any noises that might give away the presence of whatever frightened her, but the morning continued to be silent. When she heard the servants beginning to move around and prepare for the day, Vanessa climbed out of bed. The sun was just beginning to peep over the horizon and the sky was fading from a dark blue to a lighter blue. Still clad in her silk pajamas, she pulled her boots from the closet and a pair of socks from the day before. Still barefoot, she tiptoed out of her room and down the stairs.

She slid down the banister as she usually did when she wished to sneak out- the stairs, though grand, were old and creaky. Fanny had not yet risen to begin her baking and cooking, so Vanessa crept through the kitchen and out the back door. She sat on the stone porch and hurriedly pulled her socks and boots on before running along the path through the garden. Now that it was lighter outside, she was no longer nervous and she dismissed the alarm she had felt earlier as a dream.

The sun made the sky glow a pastel pink, with purple hues mixed in. Vanessa sighed with delight as she ran to the back of the mansion where the great forest lay behind the fields of grass and horses. She used to come out to the forest quite often, and she knew it well. There was a small, bubbling brook that she discovered. It lay off the old trail, past a great oak tree she had named "The Giant" when she first discovered it. This was one of her favorite places- she was the only one that knew about it and the only visitor the brook had. She liked to think it was as lonely as she was.

"Hello." She chirped to no one. A few birds flew overhead and a squirrel chattered at her, perched on a branch of the Giant.

"I just know that today is going to not go well." She sighed. "Such a perfect morning can't help but be ruined." She stared gloomily at her reflection in the brook. Then suddenly, without explanation, she shuddered as a dark feeling enveloped her again. She stood up nervously, scanning her surroundings. It seemed normal. She didn't see anything that made her uncomfortable. For the first time, however, she realized how alone she was and how big the forest was.

"No, stop it. You're scaring yourself for no reason again." She said aloud to calm her racing heart. She hurried back to the path, though, and kept looking nervously over her shoulder. That's when she heard it- a clear and distinct rustling sound, much like the one she had heard that morning. She wheeled around. "Who's there?" She demanded.

The sound stopped immediately and the silence pressed down on her. She couldn't hear the brook, the birds had stopped flying overhead, and even the squirrel had quieted. "Answer me. I don't appreciate being stalked." Vanessa said, attempting to force some humor into her voice.

Although she couldn't see anyone, she could feel a presence, just like she had felt a presence that morning. Oh gods, please don't tell me I'm being haunted.

After casting one more look around the woods, she jogged down the path at a fast rate, her boots making loud thuds that were only amplified by the silence around her. Her discomfort increased as she got closer to the mansion- she broke into a faster jog before all-out sprinting through the gardens and into the kitchen before slamming the door behind her. Fanny looked up with surprise.

"My goodness child, you look like you've been chased by a ghost! Is your headache better? The servants told me last night you got one of them again. Did you enjoy your morning run? You haven't gone on one in a while. Here, take off those heavy boots, come sit by the fire, it's a cold morning. Only out in your silk pajamas! Child, you need to be wearing a sweater on mornings like this. Here's some nice tea to warm you up, I'm making a nice coffee cake, so you just sit tight, dear."

Vanessa smiled, the fear leaving her heart as the motherly cook chattered over her, scolding and loving on her by turns. She sipped the warm tea gratefully after stirring some honey and cream into it. The cup warmed her fingers and she sat back in her chair with a contented sigh. The rich smells of cinnamon and sweetness filled the kitchen and Vanessa breathed it in deeply. It wasn't long before Maia came into the kitchen. She had checked Vanessa's room and after finding her charge missing, knew that she'd most likely find Vanessa outside or in the kitchen.

"Well, look who's up." Maia remarked. "I usually have to pull the covers off to get you out of bed."

"That's because I hate getting up when it's cold, but it's spring now, the weather is getting warmer." Retorted Vanessa. Fanny chuckled.

"Gods almighty, it's too early for this. I've got to make pies and start the roast and perform magic in this kitchen today, and you two will be wearing me out." She waved a wooden spoon at them disapprovingly before dipping it back into the strawberry jam she was making and gave it a stir. She pulled the coffee cake from the oven and placed it on a rack to cool.

"Why are you making so much food?" Asked Vanessa through a mouthful of frosting. Fanny chased her away. "That's for the coffee cake, child, leave it alone. We have guests coming over tonight, important ones I should think. The master asked me to prepare one of the finest ducks."

"He's here?" Vanessa asked with huge eyes, momentarily stopping her from sneaking more frosting.

"No, but he's supposed to arrive by dinner tonight with the guests. It was sudden news, we only heard last night." Fanny replied.

"Oh." Vanessa said, losing interest. He was probably just bringing some business partners.

Maia turned to Vanessa. "That means you have to be on your best behavior." She warned.

Vanessa made a face. "That means a nice dress, doesn't it? And those annoying heels that I'm constantly tripping on?"

"You wouldn't trip on them if you actually paid attention to where your feet go. And yes, it means you have to be presentable as a lady." Maia scolded.

Before Vanessa could argue more with Maia, Fanny cut her a thick slice of her coffee cake. "Don't argue and I'll let you have all the frosting and butter you want, dear." She begged. Vanessa immediately gave Fanny her most innocent look. "I won't argue, Fanny."

"You spoil her, Fanny, too much sugar and fat is bad for her. I want her to keep her figure."

"Let the child be, Maia, she couldn't put on weight even if she tried. She has good genes." Fanny remarked ruefully.

"Aww, Fanny, but you're perfect. You're the nicest hugger there ever was." Vanessa said, throwing her arms around her and sniffing the warm, spicy scent that floated off Fanny.

"Aww, child, just for that, here's another slice. Now eat up and go do your lessons, or whatever it is that Maia has planned for you today." Vanessa nodded obediently and trotted after Maia, slice of coffee cake still in her hand.