Chapter five Nightmare

Everything was dark, the night sky is void empty of any stars, the moon shines lonely half full. Covered by thick forest tress and brushes, obnubilate clouds covers the eerie forest. The night is obscure shapeless presence lurks through the night. Looking around I make nothing out, bright golden wide eyes shines, sited on a tree root, it stared unblinking. Hooting out loudly flapping its wings it fly's away.

I chills runs through my spine. The place looks lucid.

A low growl sounds vibrating through the night, I look back a shadow approaches it's huge form dominating leaving me in dismay. My feet moves own it's own accord, I move fast down the muddy path. Brushing pass rough tree truck, turning left and right with no direction, fear starts to creep into my bones, everything closes in.

A howl rings out, birds scattered around crying into the night, am racing down the forest my heart down my throat. Stumbling down my own feet, I trip and fall landing on my arms, an animalistic growl reaches my ear, I dare not look back.

Frozen in shock, my hands are trembling, my eyes wide afraid. I stay still, it moves closer I could feel the fur brush down my arm, it's hot breath touches my skin, saliva trail down my hair to my face. Closing my eyes tightly, my breathing is shallow, pressing down a scream, biting into my cheeks. It growls again stating it's threat.

I could feel it move back slowly steeping away, it howl loudly into the night.

Standing up, I race down escaping momentarily.

I don't know for how long, my feet carries me, I see a clearing out front, jade green shines mystical.

Racing through the clear field, I reach the middle, before I can take another step, my feet refuse to move, like an invisible hold am stuck. Pulling hard on my foot, I try to move but find it difficult. A huge shadow moves menacing towards me, trying hard to pull, lifting my feet with my arms trying desperately to run.

The half moon shines illuminating the four legged breast, pitch black fur blended with the darkness, sharp fierce long canine reveled itself coated with saliva, the beast opened its mouth huffing out a ragged breath.

I try to scream but it doesn't sound out, like an internal battle it dies down. Only reaching my own ears. Stalking closer, it encircles me from a distance, pacing back and front. Prowls crush down on the ground, the beast neared closer towing over my standing form.  screaming out internal. Blood red eyes stares back only inches away, I scream out again, it growls dangerously.

Moving for an attack it goes for my head.

I wake up with a start, my heart is beating like have run a marathon. Light slips into the window, I sigh softly relived and grateful for the light.

Touching my head lightly it throbbed, groaning out loud have found my voice. Sitting up straight on the rectangular mattress, white wall paper surrounds the room, the air heavy with disinfectant. Laying back gently down and overwhelming sense of safety washes over.

Closing my eyes that same murderous eyes flashes by.

Am heading back to the servant quarters after being discharged, Ebere walks closely by my side casting worried looks. Staring into space, every slight movement and clatter makes me jump out from my skin. We passed by only two guards stationed at a door front, the same terrifying feeling creeps into my bones, the same old insecurity of death luck's by, the same feeling of being in my former village matches arrogantly into my life once more.

My fist form unyielding balls. Servant busy themselves cleaning and working absorbed into there task.

We reach my door step, neither I nor ebere speaks, she seemed to be struggling to say something, her pixie face scrunch out in distaste and worry. When she finally meets my eyes, I'm scared also. She tries to smile seeing my face reaction, I don't smile back in pretence and only frown.

Huffing out a long breath she speaks

"You are to start tomorrow"

I know theres more she wants to say however she hesitate awhile.

"What is it"? I demand hissing the last word

"You are being assigned to a new work"

My heart stops wondering why the sudden charge.

She dragged the suspense more, I'm annoyed and try to speak but she beats me to it.

"Upstairs" was the only word she pronounced.

"Ebere stop this nonsense" crossing my hands, I urge her to speak up.

"Upstairs, your new job is to clean the Alpha bedroom" A long silence falls

Her words brings an unknown leap of joy to my  heart, it jumps up at the mention of his name.

"Is that all? " I questions trying to sound nonchalant about the matter.

She shakes her head chastising me.

"This is a rarity, a young maid, new one for that matter being assigned personally to clean his bedroom is unheard of." She pause for a while then continued.

"You talk like it's nothing only the big mummy is allowed to do so. However you were privileged enough to get the opportunity.

Do you know the implication?" She thunders.

Absorbing her words, I don't know what to think. Why would he assign me personally?

"I'm afraid for you Vivian" she continues lowly.

"There's nothing to be afraid of" I assure her

But she doesn't look assured and tries to speak but stops herself. 

" You would need help, preparation on how to act" her voice holds a new edge.

I hum in response, we both step into my tiny room, she sits on the bed, joining her the bed lowers by our weight.

"My mom was once a Big mummy" she starts off

"What's Big mummy"?

"Experience servants those who have been here long, gained the trust of the Alpha is given the privilege of big mummy. They are governor over the servant and slave in the mansion. We have five Big mummy presently. You have met one already".

"So I'm an exception"

"Yes basically"

"Why isn't this a good thing" I ask

"This mansion isn't all that one can see with there necked eyes"

She continued"It isn't wise to be singled out among the other servant, it's best to remain unnoticed and stay low. You would drag unwanted attention" she ends with a warning.

Pondering over her statement, i try to think of something.

"Can't I refuse"? My voice sounds uncertain.

She mocks me and hissed at my stupidity.

"You are a magnet of danger. Are you aware of that"? Her brow moves higher dramatically.

Bowing my head down my fate seemed to be written down in stone.

We stayed up till the candle light dried out. Lecturing me about the job, my brain is full with do and don't.

Ebere snores gently by my side the rectangular bed hardly contain the two of us. Her body is pressed with mine as she snores softly, the air is humid, only a small window is opened above the reading table. My eyes are wide awake, staring at dim room. The outcome of tomorrow leaves me weary and scared but also excited for the opportunity. Sighing into the air I try to sleep.

When I was little I only aimed for one thing, which was how to survive and live simply. I begged my way through every meal, begged my way through a job and a life.

Till I was old enough to lift a pile of water over my head and balance it gently without spilling. I started to work, a new determination to survive grow a fire fueled by desire. Ironically I begged myself to an almost death, I wondered perhaps if it was a silent prayer.

Taking the steps slowly carrying a bucket filled of cleaning equipment, my hair covered with a long shawl, the stairs are high reaching the third floor, huffing out a breath, I reach the last flight. Moving down the marble tales floor, my footsteps echoed down the lonely hall, beautiful antique painting and vas covered every wall. Turning left following the directions Ebere said her alto voice sounds through my ears, never look him in the eyes it shows disrespect, head bowed shoulder straight.

I walked hunched back turning right, facing two large wooden. Huffing through my noise, I lift my hands slowly and knock, the door open own it's own, I step back from the cursed object. Gathering my wits, i enter the room.

Spice filled my nostrils an alluring pull drags me In. Controling myself I look around unsure of what to do next. He wasn't here, a large king size beds centers the room with white creamy sheets, the curtain was pulled closed, the place looked clean enough, only some few shirt scattered around the bed and floor.

Walking inside dropping the bucket down, my eyes wondered around the furniture, it's decorated with the same fashion as the hallway, a large black canvas with no definite shape just formless figures hangs by the corner. I'm itchy, trying to peep straining my neck,my eyes are glued on a small room with papers littered everywhere.

Cracking sound of door opening makes the hair on my neck stand up, jolting up and I stand straight with my eyes on the floor, spice and clean aftershave fills the air, moving my eyes towards the source, tying a white towel down his lower hip, I deep v line is exposed runs down the low hanged towel, my eyes wondered up, his abdomen is bare droplets of water slips his tone muscular chest, it all muscle lean dark muscle.

Moving my eyes up, I'm horrified and quickly look down shyly.

He walks by without a word and moves to the dresser.

Turning my back to his, I create some  decency. It feels like hours till he finally speaks.

" I'll be in my office" with those words his gone shutting the door behind him.

 

Standing there alone, releasing a long breath, my heart still beating widely. The image of his necked chest makes me squirm. Inspecting the room once more, I start to clean, starting from the bed, I move down to cupboard dusting ever corner and tight space.

Wiping down on the glass window, the door opens slowly for the first time since today.

"You can leave for today" his cold unfeeling voice leaves a unwelcoming tangles through my skin.

He walks away like a ghost soundless. Once am done, I pack my things together and head for the door.

Walking back the same route, trying hard not to dwell on his behaviour, here I was thinking I'm special so foolish of me to assume such.