Chapter 0001

Scholarship.

Exam.

Those two words echo in my head as I scan the paper that appears on my phone screen. I tally up the questions that I do know right now, but they're few and far in between. The majority of the paper is hard for me, and tension increases in my frame with every question I don't know.

I knew I should've spent more time repeating-

"Dinah!"

The scratchy sound of my name tearing through the quiet air makes me jump, my phone flying up, and I fumble to catch it.

Naturally, it clatters to the ground. Wincing, I pick it up, shoving it in my pocket as I hurry out of my room.

"I'm coming!" I call down, descending the steps fast

The mansion is old, and the wooden stairs creak occasionally under my feet. The needlessly wide hallway is immaculately clean though, and I find Tina standing near the living room doorway.

"Is it the night dose again?" I raise my brows as I approach the frowning housekeeper

She sighs, face sagging with tiredness, making her look older than she is, "She just doesn't listen to me."

I pat her shoulder in an attempt at comfort and reach for the door of the living room.

It's an expansive square, chilled against California's heat. The wallpaper is an old, dull white, but the furniture is in mint condition, arranged with an elegant sense of décor. In an armchair by the empty hearth, I find the person I'm looking for.

"Mrs. Gaines," I say as I close the door behind, voice chipper, "What are you doing?"

The old woman looks up from the heavy tome on her lap, and hurmps, ignoring my question as she turns back to reading.

I've been her caretaker for the last three years, so my ability to mind her demeanor is basically in the negative. While my 17 year old self would be distraught at the older woman's blatant disdain for my presence, I'm now well aware that she's a splendid actress. She's long since accepted that she won't be able to drive me away like she did with all her other caretakers.

"Tina is wearing herself thin worrying about you," I tell her lightly as I move to pull the curtains from a window "You really could stop tormenting her, you know."

The sun is going down, and the sky is a splash of orange and red. Away from the hustle of big cities, we moved into this mansion four months ago, with its gardens stretching against yards of earth. The closest town a twenty minute walk away.

Mrs. Gaines' son is my employer. Since he lives in England due to work, and they have no other relative to care for his aging mother, he was forced to look for a caretaker.

I'd been desperately looking for a job at the time, and one like this, which pays well, is safe and respectable, was a literal miracle. I later figured I only got the job since every other person who tired didn't even last two weeks.

"She could stop treating me like I'm going to die any minute," Mrs. Gaines mutters, eyes narrowed to slits behind her reading glasses "If it were up to her, she'd strap me to a bed."

Laughter comes easy to my lips "True. But she worries about you, that's why."

"Worry," She scoffs "Like that son of mine. Worry that suffocates."

I calmly move to grab the three bottles of supplements from a table, and move over to the hearth. Tina has already placed a glass of water on the mantle, probably after having exhausted all her pleas for Mrs. Gaines.

"But worry nonetheless," I crouch down in front of her, holding the supplement bottles like a peace offering

Her nose crinkles, and a map of wrinkles takes over her face. I've seen her pictures in the previous house, black and white. She used to be a stunning beauty, and even at the ripe age of 78, one can tell that.

"They leave a disgusting taste in my mouth," She scowls

"Easily solved," I grin at her, "I'll make you your favourite cardamom tea. With milk."

She arches a brow in challenge, "And honey?"

"Sweetener."

With a huff and silent acceptance, Mrs. Gaines closes her book and takes the supplement bottles from me. I stand to my feet and hold out the glass of water for her.

"Disgusting," She grimaces as she hands me back the bottles, and I go to place them back in their box at the table

It takes me a moment to register my own chuckle, and I turn to the door once more, "I'll get you the tea then-

"How's your family?" Mrs. Gaines' voice cuts through mine, "Is your mother alright?"

I still on the spot, caught off guard by the sudden question. I got the job for Mum's surgery, to remove a tumor in her brain that we had no clue existed before she collapsed one day.

I needed a whole year's worth pay in advance for the surgery. Of course, Mrs. Gaines wasn't going to pay me unless I came clean about my reasons.

"Everyone's good," I say, voice softening, "Noah's adjusting his work with community college well, and Emily started Senior year of High School a while ago. Mum's health is getting better every day."

Mrs. Gaines regards me with pale blue eyes, "And you?"

I can sense the other question behind that.

What would become of you when everything changes?

The thought that she's worried about me warms my heart.

"I'm looking into colleges," I tell her, a hint of excitement leaks in my voice, "But I'll be here for the next 6 months, of course."

"Good," Mrs. Gaines turns back to her book and I excuse myself to hurry to the kitchen.

I find the utensils and materials from muscle memory alone, and I've just poured it in a cup when my phone pings.

Noah's Arc: Wanna talk?

"From home?" Tina walks in and I nod, "Do you want me to take that to Mrs. Gaines?"

"Thanks. I'll be back in a while." I flash her a smile, "Don't miss the chance to call Mr. Zimmerman while I'm out."

She flushes red, "We're just good friends!"

The kitchen door leads me right to the gardens, and night air greets me, crickets eager to provide white noise to the scene. Yesterday's rain left a humid note in the atmosphere, and the earth is still a little damp under my feet.

"Dina'!" I turn to the side as Isaac approaches, likely on his way to main gate for night shift, "Goin' to that haunted place again?"

"It's not haunted. It's just quiet." I say, my grin exasperated

The middle aged man adjusts his licensed rifle over his shoulder, "I reckon you be careful there. That place gives me shivers."

I nod, "I will. Good luck for your shift."

He waves at me one last time, before disappearing around the wall and towards the main gates. Taking a deep breath of the night air, I make my way to my spot.

Behind the rows of trees near the back stone wall, an old well sits, the wood that covers its top old and flimsy with age. I found it one hot afternoon the month we moved here, and ever since, I like to sit on the wide stone ring that marks its opening.

Tina, as well as most of the house staff, thinks the well is haunted. I find it hilarious to tell them I hear voices there sometimes.

Now I sink down on the cool stones, fishing out my phone so I can call home.

"Hey, baby brat," Noah's voice reaches me

I crinkle my nose even though he can't see, "We're only two minutes apart."

"Give me the phone," Emily's voice, "You'll pester her until she drops the call!"

"Guys, just put it on speaker."

They ignore me, bickering until Mum reprimands them.

They each say their piece, telling me of their vastly different days. Noah had an order of three double espressos in the cafe today, and the guy who placed the order then proceeded to down all three.

Emily tells us about the worst maths teacher they could've possibly had, and how she wants to borrow a dress of mine to wear to a friend's birthday party.

Mum tells me about continuing her tutoring job, and how much her students entertain her by their antics.

I laugh, I smile, I quip responses. It's the highlight of my day, when they all talk like this, excited and hopeful and moving forward.

"What about your day, darling?" Mum's voice reaches me, "How are your preparations coming along?"

My ribs tighten around my heart. Everyone moves forward every day, and I...

I swallow thickly, "Same old. The sample tests are a nightmare though."

"You say that and then always score better than me." Noah says with exaggerated disappointment

"Not like it's hard." Emily snickers

I hear her squealing then, and I can just picture my twin holding her in a headlock.

My breathing eases up a little.

"I have to finish reading the samples," I tell Mum, "And I haven't had dinner yet. Call you tomorrow?"

"Be sure to sleep on time," She tells me, "The weather's changing. Is it still warm over there?"

"Yep. California." I grimace

"New York is a freezer already," Noah adds in, "I envy you."

"Can I borrow the blue dress?" Emily asks quickly

"Yeah. Just don't go off with weird guys," I laugh, "Love you."

A chorus of "Love you too" reaches me and the call ends.

A hollow little silence fills the air around me.

Six months...

I find my head tipping back to look at specks of the sky from between the tree branches. After what feels like a lifetime, there are only 6 months left.

Mrs. Gaines will move in with her son six months from now.

Tina will finally get married- to the right person this time, since Mr. Zimmerman simply adores her.

I'll be back home with Noah, Emily and Mum.

Then I'll get that scholarship in Hungary, and in a few months and start college.

And finally, finally, finally life will move forward.

I allow the possibilities of the future to pour over my heart, and it thumps a little faster as excitement unfurls in my chest.

I imagine going to Hungary, being part of a class again, making friends, going places. It makes me get to my feet, doing a little victory dance I haven't done in ages.

"I'm gonna go to college, gonna go to college," I hum, grinning stupidly, "I'm gonna have friends and something to say when mum asks how my day went."

I do a spin, a giddy laugh escapes me, and I think it's alright. Six months is no time at all.

"I'm gonna-Aaaaaa!"

-Whatever words I was going for dissolve in an instinctive scream, as my feet slip on the damp earth, and I scramble for purchase, fall forward, crashing into moldy wood and through it.

Right into the well.

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