Glorify Bad (ON HOLD)

Chapter Twenty - Temptations

        Corrine entered the attic that morning after Max had gone to school. She had hoped the antibiotics had worn, since she had been feeling a bit hungry. As she entered, she saw Albert knelt down by the chair with a steaming bowl in his hand. Lydia was fully away, though seemed a bit drowsy as Albert placed a spoon to her lips.

“Albert, what the hell are you doing?” Corrine narrowed her eyes, staring at the bowl of what looked to be oatmeal in his hand.

“What good is she if she starves to death?” Albert said she scooped another bowl full.

“How did you get her to eat?” Corrine asked since the girl had claimed she would rather starve.

“I came up here to check on her and she asked me for breakfast.” Albert shrugged. Lydia kept quiet, too busy enjoying the first meal she had had in days.

“I never eat this much.” Lydia muttered to Albert. “I usually… throw it all back up.”

Albert observed her rather skinny legs, seeing it was quite apparent.

“Would you like some juice? We have apple juice, orange juice, grape-“

“Jesus Christ, Albert. We aren’t running a fucking luxury bed and breakfast. Feed her the damn oatmeal and be done with it.” Corrine said harshly, boggled by him servicing the girl.

Albert looked at Corrine, pursing his lips slightly. “Of course, Ma’am.”

“I’m going to take a bath.” Corrine massaged her temples as she stepped back to the attic stairway.

“Why do you listen to that bitch?” Lydia asked, struggling to keep herself awake.

“I have been her service my entire life. She’s… my master.”

“You’re a dog. That’s how she treats you. She has you do her dirty work.” She winced in pain, slightly shifting her shoulder backwards.

Albert stared at the bandaged wound on her shoulder. “I would never betray her.” He grabbed another spoonful, placing it to her mouth.

Lydia ignored the gesture. “You could leave. You could go off somewhere and find someone who will love you. You don’t have to stay with her.” Lydia breathed.

Albert had already thought of this notion before in his lifetime.

He shook his head. “Ma’am treats me well.”

Lydia chuckled, though the vibrations in her chest caused her to cough deeply, spitting to the floor.

“You could release me.” Lydia told. “We could slay this bitch together, call the police and-“

“No.” Albert threw the metal spoon in to the bowl as he stood to his feet, making pieces of oatmeal fly to the ground. “She is my master. I will serve her until I die, and it will be an honor.” Albert spoke angrily as he turned to the staircase.

“You’ll go straight to hell with her.” Lydia managed her raise her weak voice, just enough for him to take notice.

Albert turned to her with a frown, thinking for a moment before leaving her once again in the frigid attic.

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“I have a horrible feeling about it. I couldn’t sleep at all last night and I feel like a zombie.” Nora spoke as she walked Caleb to his first period. She had been regretting the grave digging project, and hoped the bad feelings would diminish soon.