The Keepers

Chapter 4

"Now, my dear, you've had quite a day." Donatella stood from her chair and extended her hand. "If you agree, I think it's time we turned in for the night."

Putting her tea aside, Josie got up and took the woman's hand. Instead of walking back toward the foyer and taking the grand staircase, Donatella led her to a hidden panel tucked in the corner of the parlor.

Opening it with the pull of an unlit, brass sconce, she revealed a set of spiral steps leading both up- and downstairs.

"This way is much faster," Donatella called over her shoulder as she started toward the second story.

Obediently following, Josie noticed the candles periodically dotting the wall flickering on at their approach, before promptly extinguishing themselves after they passed. She would have been more worried about this unusual occurrence if she weren't so dizzy from continually going round and round. Taking measured, deep breaths, she begrudgingly headed upwards in the narrow space, her shoulders occasionally brushing against the too-close walls.

When they finally exited into a wide hallway next to a shiny suit of armor, Josie swore she would only take this route again if it were absolutely necessary. Saving a few seconds of time in getting upstairs wasn't worth the discomfort.

Overcome by a sudden bout of fatigue, Josie discreetly yawned as she followed Donatella's tall frame across the blood red carpet, amongst the mahogany paneled walls, and under tapestries and paintings dotting the twisting corridor. They turned right and left and right again – or was it left – before stopping in front of a tall door that looked like all the others they passed.

"Here we are." Donatella pushed the door open and stood aside, letting Josie go in first. "This will be your room for the duration of your stay."

The girl stepped inside and stood mesmerized by the luxurious accommodations.    

This single bedroom – reserved just for her – was large enough to fit her London home's parlor, kitchen, and pantry with room to spare. Flames danced in a fireplace here, as well, shedding just enough light to clearly observe the room's most important features.

A massive, canopied bed with at least twenty decorative pillows stood in the center of the adjacent wall. There was a dressing table with a mirror, two wardrobes, and a separate sitting area with shelves full of books.

Josie was just about to ask Donatella whether all of this was really just for her when the woman spoke again. "If you don't need anything else tonight, I will leave you to get some rest. Good night, sweet Josie." And with that, she ducked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Josie yawned again. Because no one was around to see it, she didn't even politely cover her mouth with her hand this time.

After quickly changing into the crisp, white nightgown lying on the bed, she scrubbed her teeth at the washbasin, brushed the tangles out of her hair, and climbed under the covers.

Falling asleep to the sounds of the crackling fire in the hearth combined with the tapping raindrops on the windowpanes, Josie didn't consciously hear the subsequent whispers, but they did haunt her dreams.

Come back to us. The same faint, female voice carried across the room, gliding along a cool wind, which escaped through the chimney. Come, Josie. Come back, now.

Josie tossed and turned uneasily.

Darkness enveloped her, and she had trouble breathing. She struggled against an invisible enemy, flailing her arms to shake off an unseen resistance.

It was futile.

Soon she was choking, unable to free her nose and mouth from the water suffocating her. She just sank deeper and deeper into a black abyss.

Come back, Josie.

The girl woke with a start. Jumping out of bed, she ran to the dressing table and vomited what looked like tea, but tasted like mud into the washbasin.