Chapter 7: Lavinia Reconsiders

As Lavinia lay with the sheet over her head, the whispers around her got louder, until she could no longer tune them out. She could hear the snide comments from Annette worming their way into the other girls. What started as a light suggestion bloomed into an assumption, one that not even Helen seemed to argue against. Only Rosie stayed out of it. She climbed into the bunk above Lavinia's and hung her feet over the edge.

Lavinia lay in bed the rest of the day, keeping out of sight of the other girls. She did not want to engage with their accusations, nor did she want to give them any more fuel. The sheet hid the marks on her neck and chest, marks that under closer inspection, did not all contain punctures. Some were merely bruised and broken blood vessels like Lavinia had seen on factory girls who had a husband at home or a bit on the side. Lovers marks.

She had not realized how long she had been in bed when the door was opened once more. The girls swirled into an uproar.

"He just fed! Why has he sent you lot?" a girl with freckles and dark eyes asked.

"Mr. Astor is still hungry," said the guard holding the key.

"Clearly he went easy on his precious plaything," sneered Annette, throwing a spiteful look at Lavinia.

The guards stepped forward and seized Annette by both arms.

"Oh, now he's doing her dirty work? Can't call out his perverted tastes without getting drained for it?" She fought them as they pulled her towards the door but without any real motivation. Lavinia poked her head up just before the door closed and looked Annette in the eyes. There was fear in them. Petrified fear. But as the shadow of the door swung across her, the fear melted away to a blank resolution. An empty stare. The body that Lavinia heard walk down the corridor flanked by guards was not the Annette that she had staunched the bleeding for. This was a frightened girl who had tried to claw her way out and was dragged down by the same forces she sought to escape.

Lavinia knew that Annette would never come back. All the girls did. No one bothered to stay up and wait. They all went about their business quietly. In the washroom, they darted out of Lavinia's way, careful not to block the sink as she approached.

When Annette disappeared a new order started in the girls' room. It was quiet and tense. And thinning. As days passed, more girls were disposed of quickly. It became the expectation that Isaac would finish them off rather than return them for later. A few girls discussed a way out. They talked about appealing to Isaac, offering themselves to him. But the rate of disposal only picked up. After two weeks it was only Lavinia, Helen, Rosie, and the freckled girl left.

"Why is he doing this?" Helen eventually asked. "Why is he throwing his stock away?"

"He must be planning something," said the girl with freckles. "Something bad."

"Did he say anything to you?"

"To me?" said Lavinia, surprised.

"You don't think there's anything strange about him breaking years of habit, just for you, then going on a killing spree right afterward? None of that seems suspicious to you?"

"I didn't do anything! Nothing more than you have."

After that week it was only Rosie and Lavinia left in the room.

"When do you think he'll bring more girls in?" Rosie asked, sitting with Lavinia on the two beds they had pushed together.

"Should be any day. Last time he came and got us it was down to three."

"Right. Tell me again what it's like?"

Rosie thus far had avoided being fed on and Lavinia had not been called back to Isaac's room.

"The bite is painful, but after that, you just feel light, dizzy. It's not as bad as Helen said."

"It wasn't as painful for you."

"Rosie!"

"Sorry. I just… I know I'm next."

"Maybe not. Maybe you'll be last."

Rosie shook her head. "You know that isn't true. Something is up. I won't be coming back."

Lavinia pulled Rosie closer, lost on what to say but unable to argue with her. She knew Rosie was right. There was something different in the way Isaac treated Lavinia. Perhaps, she thought, she could use that to her advantage. Maybe she could protect Rosie. She wrapped her arms around the smaller girl. They sat like that for a long time, not speaking, just sitting close and hearing each other breathe slowly. Lavinia and Rosie sat that way until the telltale sounds of footsteps in the hallway alerted them to the approach of guards. Lavinia had made her decision.

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you," said Lavinia, standing.

"What are you doing?"

"Just trust me."

The door opened and two guards entered. The strode forward, reaching for Rosie.

"No," Lavinia stepped in between them. "Leave her alone."

"Astor's orders. Step aside."

"No. Tell Astor I want to talk."

"Step aside."

"Tell him that Lavinia wants to discuss his offer."

The two guards stopped. The one on the right almost smiled. "We'll pass along the message. But she comes with us."

"No-" Lavinia dove to protect Rosie but was thrown easily away.

"Lavinia!" Rosie cried as she was dragged from the room.

Lavinia was too slow getting up and the door slammed in her face. She began to pace the room, glancing at the door every few steps. She hoped she had not made a mistake, made too big of a gamble. She could not deny that Isaac had treated her differently from the other girls, but she still did not believe he actually held any affection for her. Perhaps a mere interest. But she could still use that to her advantage.

Lavinia thought back to the conversation they had exchanged in his bedroom. It was a ploy. An attempt to wind her up, to manipulate her into wanting him. Something she would not allow herself to do.

After a time, the door opened again. The guards entered with Rosie between them. She looked scared but unharmed.

"Astor would like to see you," said the taller guard. "He would like to speak with you about business."

Rosie gave Lavinia's hand a tight squeeze and released her. The guards reached for Lavinia's arms but she pulled away, striding ahead of them off up the hallway. Lavinia's hands were shaking but she kept them clasped, intending to not let herself waver. She only paused at the top of the steps, waiting for the guards to open the locked door.

They took her to Isaac's door. Unlike last time, he was waiting on the other side, opening the door the second Lavinia approached.

"Shall we?" He offered her his hand. Lavinia took it, fixing him with a glare, and let him pull her into the room.