The Endowment of the Red-Eyed Demon

Chapter 4

I brushed the salt off the windowsill onto the floor beneath, not paying it any mind. It became easier and easier as my bottle of brandy became lighter and lighter.

I took the clothes from my bed and tossed them back into my trunk. Again, I paid it no mind, assuming it had been the man in an attempt to be helpful. At least in my trunk, I wouldn't have to pay his 'helpfulness' any mind.

I looked into my trunk, spotting a gift from my brother inside. Amos, I assume because he thought he was being kind, had gifted me a bible several weeks before. He told me that it would 'aid me in finding my way out of the darkness'. I told him that it surely would if I set it on fire.

I set the book on the bedside table, setting several framed photographs beside it. I had only a few, all of my mother or my brothers and their families. I appeared in none of them. I suppose they had not wanted me to ruin the photographs.

There was a knock on my door, and I moved quickly to hide my nearly empty bottle from the intruder.

"Yes, who is it?" I asked.

"Beggin' your pardons, sir, but dinner is bein' served now." The groundskeeper called from the other side of the door.

"Very good, I'm on my way then," I said, closing and locking my trunk.

I followed the man to the dining room, where my mother was already waiting. She paid no attention to my entrance, her hands were clasped together as she silently went over grace in her head. I sat across from her, waiting as she finished her ritual.

"What is this?" I asked as I looked at the dull food on the china plate.

"It's beef, bread and potatoes, sir." He explained.

"Is this all we have?"

He nodded. I scowled as I looked down at the food in front of me and dismissed the man.

"What do you think of this, mother? It's hardly up to our usual standard. You couldn't have hired a chef to come while we're here?"

"It will have to make do, Huxley. Let's hope we won't be here long."

"What are we even doing here, mother? You tell me you're sick, but you won't tell me what with. You act as though being here is good for you, but you hope to leave. Why are we truly here? Why won't you give me any answers?"

"You're always asking questions, Huxley. Can you not just appreciate that we are here? Look around, there is so much history here!" She said, cutting into her portion of the tough meat. "I remember the night I met your father here. My father was hosting a dinner party here, and your father and your grandparents had been invited. I was nearly twenty, and the only child in the family who was unmarried, so father wanted me to marry and move away. He had been talking to Matthew's parents for several months, so everything was already arranged. I was so nervous; I didn't know if he would like me. He was already quite an influential man, having completed his education and beginning a law firm. I had heard he was strong and stern, so you can imagine my surprise when I found he was as nervous as I was!"

"I've heard the story before, mother. You don't need to repeat yourself."

She ignored me, a gentle look of happiness on her face as she reminisced. She carried on with her story, "Well, we talked all night, and I found that he was not nearly as terrifying as I had thought him to be. We were married two months later, and then we were blessed with your brothers and you."

Her look of happiness faded as she continued, "I was happy to have married your father, and all those years I've spent in the city were lovely, but I do wish those years hadn't kept me away from here for so long. My family was here, and I so rarely saw them after I left. Skhizein Hall is a part of our legacy, I never should have stayed away from it."