IN OUR BONES || EXPLICIT ||

Chapter 1

As my memory rests
But never forgets what I lost.

- wake me up when September ends, Green Day.

She dropped the cherry red duffel bag on the hardwood floor with a thud and let go of the handle of the pastel suitcase near the foyer. The foyer led to the large living area which had a fireplace. The cottage was cozy yet elegantly decorated.

Huh, not a bad place to be shipped off to, she thought. The living space was adorned with a plush white sofa and a large screen LED tv set. A large layered vintage chandelier hung over her head. The floorboards groaned with every step she took further into the cabin.

She quickly took off her shoes and made her way to the room adjacent to the living room. Her eyes were greeted by a grand dining table which was ladden with red and white cover clothes.

''May I help you?''she was startled to hear a sudden small voice in the otherwise quiet house. She turned around to look at a middle aged woman who was eyeing her curiously.

'Where did she come from' was her first thought.

She opened her mouth , but was interrupted ''You must be Maddison'' the unknown woman said ''Hi! I'm Miranda. The Hudsons' house maid''. House was actually the correct description for that place. It was bigger than any normal holiday cottage, perhaps a small mansion would be it.

''Maddison avery, nice to meet you'' maddy said and extended her right hand, which Miranda dismissively and briefly shook with her left. Maddison eyed the uncomfortable clasp but kept her mouth shut. ''Come on, I'll show you to your room.'' She led her up the not-so grand staircase to a grand hallway. She stopped for a minute and gaped. It halfway led to a main hallway and then parted to an east and a west wing, all the while adorned by beautiful paintings- some were modern art and some looked suspiciously like portraits.

''Please don't lose me'' Miranda broke her out of her stupor ''follow me. I have to get started on the dinner''. With that she began walking again, not waiting for Maddison, leading her to the east wing.

''I didn't know that Luke was so-'' Maddison trailed off, not knowing what exactly to say, ''rich?'' Miranda finished for her in an emotionless tone.

Before she had a chance to say anything else, miranda continued '' master Hudson has always been the quiet kind, he doesn't like to share much''.

Way to find things out about your best friend she couldn't help but think.

Before she could say anything else, the maid interrupted her again." We're here. If you need anything I'll probably be in the kitchen or near, just holler", and with that she turned on her heels and left the room, gently closing the door behind her.

Maddison was too busy oggling the room to notice. It wasn't too lavish or really huge, but it just wasn't the usual bland that she was used to. It was more than normal and very elegant. Perfectly fitting in with the whole old rich house vibe. With a queen sized bed, an old looking wooden off white armoire and, a cream vanity, she really couldn't have asked for anything else. The room had a balcony that opened with french windows. Her room had a total of two more grand windows with graceful deep maroon curtains. In the corner there was a mahogany writing desk with a matching chair, overlooking one of the window. Parallel to the bed was a plush peach colored sofa set. Adjacent to the balcony she noticed a door, opening it, she was lead to an equally lavish barhroom.

I can stay here my whole life, she thought excitedly and went back into the room and collapsed on the oversized bed.

Suddenly her phone rang. It was a facetime. She accepted it and was greeted by the grinning face of an idiot she called her best friend.

"How're you settling in?" He said, without any greeting" you can cry about Miranda's rudeness now. I won't mind" he grinned. She rolled her eyes and said "well, hello to you too. I am fine, thanks for asking and yes just a little jet lagged" she said sarcastically. "Do i look like i care sweetheart? I am losing precious nap time here. Do you have any idea what a long day I have ahead of me, and I am using my sleeping time on an ungrateful brat" he said playfully. She rolled her eyes again and thought back to his previous question. " There's no crying. I think she is fine. Just a little-" she trailed off "harsh, insensitive, judgemental?" He asked her. Her eyes widened "gosh no! I was gonna say intense. I don't think she is that bad" she told him.
"Oh, you are in for a surprise. Just you wait" he smirked. "Whatever. When are you getting here?" I inquired. "Miss me already? I know you can't live without me, but you'll have to make do for another week. Another hold up came up" he said teasingly with blue mischief in his eyes.

Which reminded her of another thing " Again? And, oh hey! Why did you not tell me that you are filthy rich? This is like a freaking mansion". He was quiet for a second then spoke a bit uncomfortably "does it matter? I don't think so. So, tell me have you seen the gardens yet? They're like the main attraction of the house". For her everything in that bloody house was a main attraction.

"Not yet, but will soon".

It was quiet for a few seconds after that. Luke watched her with soft eyes and spoke in a gentle tone " How're you holding up? Are you fine? Do you want me to come now? Cuz I think I can convince dad to let me go early." He spoke all in one breath.

That's more like the Luke I know and adore, she thought.

"I am fine. Just actively trying not to think about it." She whispered. "Anyway, how're you?", just as she spoke those words she saw Luke yawning. "Are you tired? You know what, let's talk later. " she said.

" Thank god, and here I thought you will keep talking forever. Whateves, imma go and sleep now " then he disconnected the call before she could remind him who actually was talking a lot.

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'Subject is in place. Mixed reactions at the moment. The target is in position and the mission lookes ready to launch. All things are falling perfectly into their respective places, and all the victims seem willing. I'll have to keep an extra eye on the subject. The target is although temperamental but is predictable. Right now the only variable seems to be the subject. I am hopeful that in a week, a full behaviour and reactions prediction report about the subject will be ready. And now we wait'. The person nicknamed 'shadow' by the previous clients, typed the report and hit send.