Embedded Files
Untitled Story: Chapter 1
by Sylvia Renda
Caroline stood outside the gates of the giant manor, bag in hand, she walked up to the door and rang the doorbell twice. This was her new home. With a new master. She had heard bad things about him; that he was cruel and didn’t pay much attention to the children who lived and worked there for extra money, and he was a bit crazy.
The door swung open and a girl a bit older than Caroline grabbed her by the hand and pulled her in.
“Hi there, my name's Iona! I’m basically the leader of the kids here! What's your name?” the girl said enthusiastically, shaking Caroline’s hand.
“C-Caroline…” Caroline stammered, taken aback from Iona’s energy.
“So why are you here?” a small, younger boy asked Caroline. He whispered. “I’m here because my Mom sent me away, Iona’s here because she was orphaned and Lily,” he pointed to a girl about Caroline’s age, “she’s here because Master Graves found her on the streets almost dead!” the boy sniffed, wiping his nose with his sleeve. “My name is Simon..”
“Is the Master as bad as he sounds?” Caroline asked timidly, the children exchanged glances, fidgeting.
“Well uh that's for another day I say we go get you settled in in your room!” Iona exclaimed cheerily, taking Caroline by the hand once more and dragging her towards the spiral staircase.
“Is there a Mistress?” Caroline asked quietly as she unpacked in her room, folding her clothes into the drawer.
Simon giggled. “No, I don't think Master has any interest in women, he’ll barely leave his room, let alone speak to anyone- he talks to himself though, at night. I can hear him through my wall…all night...Every night. I don’t think he sleeps…although-” Simon sniffed, “sometimes he abruptly stops talking and there's a thud; I think it means he’s passed out from being too tired…or something….”
The next morning the children were preparing breakfast when Iona walked up to Caroline. “Why don’t you bring Master Graves his breakfast?” she asked, handing Caroline a tray. “Just knock and leave it by the door…he doesn’t come out ... .like ever…..I think…” Iona instructed.
Trembling slightly Caroline took the tray and headed upstairs. The Master’s study was located on the third floor at the end of the hallway, she knocked on the door, left the tray on the floor and scurried away. As she walked down the stairs she could hear the door creak open and slam shut. Caroline got back downstairs and sat down at the table.
“So did you see him at all?” Simon asked excitedly.
“No….? Was I supposed to?” Caroline asked uneasily.
“No not really but sometimes we see his arm or something ....probably the most you’ll see of him, heh- although sometimes he does get really social, and comes downstairs for a few days, then disappears,” Lily laughed, taking a bite out of her toast.
Simon started to laugh, which quickly turned into a cough, which turned into a coughing fit. Iona stood up and carefully lifted the small boy.
“Easy there just breathe, here drink some of your water,” Iona soothed, rubbing Simon’s back. Simon coughed for a few more minutes before eventually stopping.
“I can’t wait for you to hear how Master Graves talks! It’s so funny; he can’t pronounce his S sounds right so it’s a th sound instead!” Simon said to Caroline.
“Simon, you shouldn’t make fun of him! He’s paying us after all!” Iona snapped, sitting down again.
“I know but it’s funny to listen to, and what's better is that it gets worse the more frustrated he gets!” Lily giggled.
“Enough making fun of the Master’s lisp, he can’t help it!” Iona said, irritation in her voice. Simon shrugged and returned to eating his salad.
The children went about their day doing chores and cleaning up the manor. But that night Caroline was going to see something she wished she hadn’t.
Caroline tiptoed her way through the hallway towards the bathroom. It was late– like past midnight late. Then she heard the creak of a floorboard. Slowly she turned around. Her blood ran cold.
There in front of her was a pair of bright red eyes, glowing in the darkness. Caroline couldn’t move. She wouldn’t dare move. Who the hell has red glowing eyes? Caroline thought to herself.
Then, a lantern illuminated the hallway. And now she saw who the red eyes belonged to. A man, short and skinny, with blazing red hair, streaked with black and white, extremely pale skin, and bright red eyes. On his head were a pair of goggles you would see on a stereotypical inventor. He was also wearing a black waistcoat with red linings. Caroline noticed he was leaning heavily on a long wooden cane with a ruby on top. His leg was slightly crooked. Caroline stared at him; he stared back his eyes wide.
“A-are you Master Graves?” Caroline said uncertainly, as she shuffled her feet, the man- possibly the master– stared at her for a moment.
“Y-Y-Yes-th I-I-I a-a-am M-m-mas-th-th-er G-G-raves” The Master stammered fidgeting with his hands, “A-and Y-You’re th-th-uhh new g-g-girl?” Caroline stared for a moment before nodding. The Master stared at her a moment before limping towards the staircase “H-ave a a a a a a good good good….er….H-H-have a g-g-good night..” He stammered before disappearing up the spiral staircase.
Caroline went to her room right after that. She lay awake in her bed for the rest of the night. She couldn’t get the image of the Master’s face out of her mind. Those red glowing eyes, pale skin and oddly red scars were now burnt into her mind. Then his leg came to mind; was he crippled like that because of an accident? Or was he born like that? But those eyes- those terrifying, terrifying eyes…
“Caroline!! Caroline! Wake up please!!” Simon's voice rang out as he pounded on the door.
Caroline groggily sat up “Oh come on I was just falling asleep..” she groaned. She could hear Simon sneeze from the other side of the door.
“The Master is gonna come down for breakfast today!! He rarely does that!” Simon rasped, clear on the verge of a coughing fit.
Caroline stumbled out of bed and put on her day clothes, brushing her hair and pulling on her boots. She felt a pang of dread coursing through her. She walked down the spiral staircase but had to stop halfway as the Master was slowly making his way down the stairs. She passed him quietly, he jumped, startled by Caroline’s sudden appearance. His face turned red “Ap-ap-ap-apologizes!” He stammered “I didn't didn't didn't didn't didn't didn't mean- didn’t mean to didn’t mean to do that…”
Caroline stared for a moment, then continued downstairs, finally sitting down, after a few minutes the Master limped down, joining them at the table and pouring himself some tea. They stared. They began eating in awkward silence.
“I-I-I-I c-c-came d-d-oown here t-o tell you that to-to-to-day I will be t-t-t-t-t–t-taking you to the doctorth f-ff–for you-r a-a-a-a.annual checkup,” The Master finally stammered his finger tapping against the table rapidly. His head jerked to look at Simon, “Es-sp-sp-sp-s-spcially y-y-you.”
Simon scowled and opened his mouth to protest but instead ended up sneezing. Lilly giggled, Iona sighed, Caroline shifted. There was an awkward silence. The only sound was the Master tapping his finger against the table and the scraping of silverware on plates. Finally Simon broke the silence.
“Are you going to get fixed, Master?” he asked innocently. Iona shot him a warning glance.
“P-p-p-plea-se j-just f-f-f-finish eating,” The Master said ignoring Simon’s insensitive comment. Simon looked up, clearly not pleased with being ignored, coughed again, the Master jumped.
The Master stared, Iona kicked Simon under the table. Simon jumped slightly staring at Iona.
“What was that for?” he asked, glaring at her.
Iona whispered harshly “It was for the insensitivity of that comment- the Master can’t be fixed he’s not a machine!”
The Master watched his gaze shifting from Simon to Iona to Simon again-- then Caroline.
“N-n-new g-g-girl…w-w-wha-what's-your name?” Master Graves stuttered, still tapping his finger on the table. Caroline’s mouth opened but the words caught in her throat. The Master stared, expecting an answer, but nothing came out.
“Uh her name is Caroline, Sir,” Lily eventually said after a moment of awkward silence.
Eventually the children finished breakfast and Lily cleared everyone’s plates. The Master unsteadily got up and limped to the entryway, glancing out the window. The first snow of the winter was starting to fall.
“Y-y-y-you sh-sh-sh-th-shou-should put put p-put o-o-on your j-jack-jackets,” the Master stammered “W-wouldn’t w-w-w-want y-y-you c-cetching c-c-cold…or making a a a a a c-c-cold wor-worse.” Master Grave’s foot was tapping rapidly now.
“Uh Apologies Master, Sir, but we d-don’t have coats…” Lily said hesitantly. The Master stared, blinking slowly- Caroline noticed how he blinked like a snake- one eye then the other.
“Th-th-th-there’s c-c-coat’s i-i-i-in t-t-the c-c-c-clo-closet” The Master stammered, hobbling over to a nearby closet and opening it.
There were many coats in the closet, each child took one out and tried it on- all of them fit like a glove.
The Master chuckled, a hoarse sound, as he looked at them, “Y-y-y-y-y-you sh-sh-th-should s-s-thee the a-a-attic it has-th p-p-plenty of of of of clotheth for k-kids like you,” he stuttered.
The outside was a snow-covered wonderland, Caroline noticed the Master gripping his cane tighter than usual. His eyes sometimes glanced in every direction as if looking for someone. Simon who has been sulking and mumbling about being overlooked suddenly skipped up to Caroline.
“You just can’t talk to him can ya?” he said grinning, Caroline noticed he was missing a few teeth.
“N-no! Well sorta,” Caroline tried to reason, glancing at the Master who glanced back jerkily, his eyes wide, though it was hard to tell- Caroline swore his eyes were glowing. He looked pained as he continued to walk, probably from his leg, Caroline decided. The Master started mumbling incoherently to himself occasionally using his free hand to fidget with the hem of his sleeve.
The walk to the doctors was relatively quiet after that. As they started to near the village square, Caroline noticed the Master grew more fidgety, he glanced around, his eyes glowing. Once they arrived at the doctor's office the children and the Master all walked into the small waiting room. The Master checked in with the nurse who was seated at a desk, then sat down, his foot started tapping immediately.
“Master, why are you always f-fidgeting?” Simon asked innocently, the Master stared “N-n-no r-r-r-rea-rea-reason- I th-th-think,” he said with a confused look, “W-w-why d-d-do-do y-you ask?”
Simon chuckled “heh doo doo.” The Master scowled, returning his gaze to the floor, his foot tapping even more rapidly, if possible.
Simon’s laughter stopped when the nurse walked in, asking for him, he got up, dragging his feet across the floor. One the door swung closed, and the Master, who had ceased his fidgeting when the nurse entered resumed tapping. The waiting room was silent other than the sound of the snow outside, which had escalated into a full-blown snowstorm, and of course, the tapping of the Master’s foot. Caroline shifted in her seat, Iona shot her an awkward smile, Lily tucked the back of her shirt into her skirt. It was quiet. Very quiet. Half an hour later Simon came out, looking grumpy, he handed the master a bag of medicine.
“This is for my cough,” he mumbled before sitting down and crossing his arms. Iona went in next, entering the examination room much more confidently than Simon. She returned in half the time of Simon’s, then Lily went in. Caroline noticed the Master was getting more fidgety every moment, taking on and off his gloves, repeatedly running his hands through his hair, chewing his lip, and his foot still tapping. Caroline sat in silence, Simon sneezed, the Master jumped.
Finally it was Caroline’s turn for the doctor, she entered the examination room, and the doctor began the procedure, asking her name, date of birth, and so on, then began examining her for anything unusual. Eventually the doctor said she was in good health and sent her on her way. In the waiting room the Master was nowhere to be seen. Caroline opened her mouth to speak, but Iona cut her off.
“The Master was freaking out and went outside, he probably looks like a snowman by now, or he’s just to oblivious to realize he's freexing” the Irish girl said to Caroline, who nodded.
“Is he– er will he be ok?” Caroline asked, Lily shrugged.
“Probably,” Lily answers “Plus we should be going, no one else needs a check up.”
The children stood up and headed to the door to leave, they filed out into the snow. There was a faint red glowing figure then the master came into view.
“I- hello c-c-ch-ch-children,” Master Graves said shakily, his grasp on his cane tightening as he struggled to keep his balance on the slippery cobblestone.
The walk back to the manor was quieter than the walk coming down. Simon kept slipping on the ice, so Iona lifted him onto her back. The Master glanced at them for a moment before returning his focus onto the path. Once they arrived home, the children were grateful for the warmth the manor provided, although Master Graves didn’t seem to notice the change in temperatures, retreating to his study upstairs, muttering to himself.
Simon watched the Master retreat, then blurted out, “I told you he was weird!”
Caroline stared at Simon, he grinned, Iona sighed.
“Simon, many of those things you said to the Master were not really...nice….” Iona said awkwardly.
“How so? It’s all just true,” Simon stated, shrugging off his jacket, and hanging it up in the closet.
“Well it is…but you know how unpredictable he can be sometimes…” Iona sighed.
“And we all remember Adam don’t we? Well except for you Caroline,” Lily said, her eyes wide. Simon and Iona went silent.
“Who’s Adam?” Caroline asked. Iona shifted uncomfortably, Simon suddenly became very interested in the wallpaper, Lily bit her lip. Reading the room, Caroline figured out it was probably not the greatest idea to pry.
Iona, sighed, then said “Well, we’d best be getting to our chores…maybe tonight we can stay up late and tell stories!”
The children all left without another word, all going to do their differently assigned chores. Caroline was polishing the windows when there was a knock on the door. Caroline didn’t know if she should answer it or not, it was her first full day, this wasn’t reviewed yet, she stood there, the doorbell rang, Iona came running.
Iona was talking to herself, when she ran to the door “I wonder who it could be- the Master almost never has visitors…it could be a tax collector…”
SImon popped his head out of the entrance to the parlor, “The one with the dogs?!” Iona stared, then shook her head.
“Well, let's just see who’s here!” as she opened the door, the winter air came in. Caroline shivered, then froze as she saw the figure on the doorstep.
He was taller than the Master, and his shoulders were broader than the Master’s , and he was almost completely different. His hair was light blue with streaks of dark blue, no white, and was slicked back neatly. For clothes, he wore a white shirt with a blue vest over it, black pants, and black shoes. He smiled as he looked down at the children.
“Hello there is this Henry Graves’ residence?” the man asked. Iona looked at the man, who looked back, smiling.
“What are you, his cousin!?” Simon blurted out, Iona pushed him back.
“Yes, this is Master Graves' residence. How may I help you?” Iona said, trying to keep Simon away with one hand and using the other to lean against the door. The man looked down and finally spoke, pulling out a piece of paper as he did.
“I believe your Master is looking for an assistant of sorts?” the man said casually, handing the paper over to Iona. The paper was a flier for a job as the Master’s assistant, “I believe I am suited for it.” the man commented, Iona looked at the date on the bottom corner of the flier.
“This is from fourteen years ago,” Iona said dryly. The man looked up staring into space for a moment, his eyes twitching. Iona looked up, “So….can I help you with anything?” Iona repeated.
The man seemed to be losing his patience but only slightly, “Yes I’d like to meet your master for this interview,” he said through gritted teeth. Iona stared blankly, then sighed “Come on in.”Iona opened the door and the man came inside.
“Oh goodness! Where are my manners? I’ve forgotten to introduce myself. I am Mr. Derby Knight, and you must be?” Derby smiled at the children who stared.
"What type of name is that?" Simon looked Derby up and down "Your parents must have really liked horses."
Iona tensed at the mention of horses, then a thudding sound came from the 3rd floor, followed by a slamming door, and some stammered yelling. The children froze, Iona let out a shaky laugh.
“That’s…just Master Graves ... .uh we,” she gestured to the children, “are his bond servants.” she rubbed the back of her neck, “So I’ll bring you to the Master’s study.” Derby seemed to be observing every detail, when they finally reached the end of the hallway, Iona knocked cautiously. The door swung open, the Master stood shakily, staring at the two. He glanced at Iona then turned his attention to Derby. He seemed to be looking him over, starting from Derby’s shoes and going to his slick backed hair. Grave’s opened his mouth to speak but all that came out was stammered incoherent sounds. He closed it, licked his lips, and tried speaking again.
“Wh-wh-who a-a-ar-are y-y-you?” the Master stammered, his finger tapping on his cane “I-I-I-I d-d-do-do-don't-k-know you.”
Derby stuck out his hand, “Derby Knight, you must be Master Graves, it is a pleasure to meet you,”
The Master stared at Derby’s hand, then looked at his own hands, one was holding an odd contraption while the other was holding his cane. He eventually decided to let go of his cane, the cane clattered to the floor, at the sound the Master jumped, losing his balance and falling forward, knocking Derby over with him, the Master didn’t move, staring into Derby’s blue eyes for a while, all the while on top of Derby.
“You feel strong,” the Master said, without stammering although really quiet. He didn't move, just stared at Derby, who smiled awkwardly, pushing himself out from under the Master.
“You feel thin,” Derby finally replied, standing up and brushing himself off. The Master struggled to his feet, dragging himself towards his cane which lay a few feet away. He finally grasped his cane, managing to stand upright.
The Master swallowed then said, “I-I-I d-d-don’t e-eat m-m-much.”
Derby chuckled “Nor do you work out much huh? You should really get some physical therapy for that leg.”
The Master scowled, then said “W-w-wh-why are y-y-you h-he-here?”
Derby flashed his most charming smile, Caroline, who had just run up the stairs, noticed the blush on the Master’s face. Simon followed closely behind and gasped.
“No way! Who’s this and why does Master Graves look like that!?” Simon chuckled “He looks like a tomato!”
Lily followed behind Simon, peeking out from behind him, “Ooooh does the Master have a crush!?”
The Master’s ears perked up as he heard the children talking, “N-n-non-nonsense!” he stammered “J-just d-d-don’t l-l-like n-new people.”
Simon giggled, Lily smirked, Iona sighed, Caroline looked down. The Master muttered something, then fiddled with his hair. Derby chuckled.
“As I was going to say, I am wondering if your position as your assistant is still open?” Derby said politely, holding out the flier.
The Master read it up and down, blinking, “W-w-why th-th-th-this i-i-s f-f-from f-f-four-t-t-teen ye-years ago!” the Master exclaimed, his foot starting to tap rapidly, “B-b-but th-the p-pos-position i-is still open…alth-though I w-w-will n-n-need…uh…” he trailed off.
“An Interview? A resume?” Derby prompted.
The Master stared for a moment “A w-week. Y-y-you wo-work h-h-here f-f-for a week, and then I-I’ll d-d-decide…” then he awkwardly pushed the children and Derby out of the way and slammed the door in their faces. Derby took a step backward, his face slightly flushed as he adjusted his tie.
“Well it looks like I’m going to be here for a while...What do you kids do here?”
Simon stared, his eyes wide and unblinking. Derby avoided his gaze.
“Do you children need help with preparing lunch?” Derby asked, still avoiding Simon’s gaze.
“Nope I think we’re all set!” Iona said cheerfully.
“Oh…well do you think I could uh…help dust something?” Derby asked hesitantly.
“Nope! I can handle that!” Lily giggled.
Derby looked crushed but hid it, “Is there…anything I can do at all?”
“Well…not really, we kind of have a routine,” Iona shrugged, walking towards the stairs.
Caroline stood next to Derby swallowing and she said “I’m new here to…”
Derby startled, as if he just noticed Caroline, “Oh! Uh when did you arrive?”
“‘Bout a day ago,” Caroline answered, then walked down the stairs.
Meanwhile in the Master’s study, Master Graves was pacing- or hobbling- back and forth. I put that flier up years ago! How did he even find it! He thought to himself as he sat down at his cluttered desk. Was he keeping the flier for 14 years!? Is he that desperate for a job that he shows up with a 14 year old flier? The Master ran a hand through his hair, sighing. And how the hell am I supposed to see if he’s worthy?
Meanwhile downstairs Derby sat in the common room, he looked rather out of place, because of the red and black color scheme the Master insisted on having, while Derby had a blue and white color scheme, contrasting the whole room.
Simon walked in, coughing, then looked up and saw Derby “Why would you want to work here? Master Graves is crazy!”
Derby shrugged, “I need a stable job, no one else who hires me,” he said flatly.
“I don’t think the Master wants to hire you,” Simon said, wiping his nose on his sleeve.
“What do you mean?” Derby asked, cocking his head sideways.
“Last time he let someone into the house that wasn’t a kid or staff was about a year ago and it was because I had fallen off the balcony into the garden- I was ok but he was worried sick!” Simon sniffed.
Derby blinked “And how did you fall from a balcony? More importantly, how did you end up ok!?”
“I landed in a bush, it broke my fall and I was fine,” Simon said, sitting down on a chair, “Iona asked if you wanted tea.”
“Yes, tea would be good, it is winter after all and I wouldn’t want a cold,” Derby said with a smile. Simon nodded slowly, then scurried away.
A few days later, the Master was pacing– or rather limping in his room, his eyes flickering between the door and the corner where Derby stood awkwardly, glancing around the disorganized study. Eventually Master Graves sat down at his desk, but didn’t do anything, it was hard to work when a pair of two icy blue eyes were staring at him.
“Do you want help org-” Derby started but was cut off.
“No,” the Master said firmly.
Derby sighed, but didn’t say anything more, it had been a weird couple of days, he hadn’t gotten a chance to speak to the Master, and had mainly stayed in the library, or had helped out Simon with his chores. This was his fourth day here and this was the first time the Master had let Derby into his study. And it seemed the Master was set on not getting any help. Derby decided to open the window, as the combined smell of chemicals and the heat from the fire was becoming unbearable.
“W-w-why w-w-would y-y-you o-o-open the wi-win-dow?” The Master stammered pushing himself up with help from his cane.
“The amount of fumes from all those chemicals can’t be good for you can it?” Derby commented as he watched the Master struggle to reach over his desk and close the window without losing his balance.
“B-b-but wh-wha-what if s-s-some-someones-s-s w-wa-watching?” Graves said, thinking out loud.
“No one’s watching you live on a hill in a forest, I don’t think anyone is watching.” Derby sighed, fanning out the fumes with a book, “Just let some fresh air when was the last time you cleaned this place?”
The Master didn’t respond, instead standing in front of a mirror adjusting his coat, “D-do y-you th-th-thi-think my leg i-is t-t-t- too crooked l-l-loo-looking?” he asked uncertainty, gazing at his crippled leg.
“I mean…It’s pretty noticeable…” Derby responded cautiously, “I mean your leg is…pretty twisted.”
Master Graves winced as he tried to shift his leg into a normal looking position. Eventually he gave up, and sat back down in his chair. Derby watched with an amused expression.
“Y-y-you kn-know w-w-with y-y-your atta-atta-attitude, I c-c-could just-s-st n-n-not hi-hi-hire hire you,” The Master tried his best to sound commanding but his stutter ruined the whole point of it.
Derby chuckled, patting Graves on the shoulder, he tensed at the touch, his shoulders scrunching up as if to protect himself, “But you put out the ad for an assistant,” Derby said in a singsong voice.
“Ffff-fff-ffourt-t-teen ye-years ago-ago!” the Master snapped.
That night, the children all sat in a semi-circle around the fireplace, it was silent other than the occasional creak of the floorboards coming from the Master’s study or the room Derby was staying in.
Lily finally broke the silence, “What do you guys think of Derby?” she asked quietly.
“I think the Master has a crush on him!” Simon said loudly, and Iona gave him a disapproving look.
“He’s….nice…” Caroline started “Although I don’t think he realizes we don’t need help.”
“The Master finally let him in his study today, Derby seemed pretty frustrated when he came out,” Iona commented “I think the Master was being…himself…”
Simon perked up “Do you think he was flirting with Mr. Knight?”
Iona sighed, “Simon, do you really think that the Master has a crush on Derby?”
Simon nodded “Isn’t it obvious, I mean did you see Master Graves’ face when he first met Mr. Knight?”
Caroline shrugged “well maybe the Master was just anxious…? Don’t people blush when they’re anxious?”
“That's when you're embarrassed,” Iona corrected.
“Or in loooove” Simon cooed. `
Lily sat in the corner, her eyes wide, “Even if the Master did have a crush, would he even be able to say that he does?”
The children went quiet, then Caroline said “So…you guys have any stories about this place?”
Simon nodded eagerly “Yeah once when I had just arrived Master Graves tried to fix up the garden outback and-”
Iona cut him off “How about we choose a different story to tell, like um the time he suddenly wanted to reorganize the library. He was looking for a book there when suddenly he wanted to reorganize the library, by the size of the book rather than the title, author, and genre.”
“That is…interesting…” Caroline commented.
Lily suddenly looked like she realized something, “You know if you say ‘Willis Industries is here’ outside the Master’s door he freaks out should we go try it!?”
Simon nodded eagerly and before Iona could protest bolted up the stairs with Lily trailing close behind.
Iona sighed “I swear, you think he’d developed some manners by now?” she said to Caroline. Caroline shrugged, then stood up to follow. Simon and Lily were outside the Master’s door and Simon yelled “Willis Industries is here Master Graves!”
There was a thud coming from inside the room, then no reply. Finally after some silence they heard the Master urgently stutter “T-t-tell th-th-them I’m n-n-n-not ho-home…p-p-please?”
Simon and Lily giggled, Caroline smiled softly, then Iona came running up the stairs.
“Simon, Lily, it’s late. Will you please stop harassing the Master?” She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
A”R“What does harassing mean?” Simon asked, crossing his arms.
“It means- Nevermind just get to bed” Iona said, turning away and walking down the stairs.
The next morning, Derby was making another attempt at talking to the Master, however the Master wouldn’t let him in his study.
“Master Graves please I’m just trying to help,” Derby whined, knocking on the door for what seemed like the hundredth time. He waited for an answer, and waited and waited, before trying again, “Master Graves you were the one who asked for an assistant and-” the door swung open, revealing a very grumpy-looking Master.
“I-I-I t-t-told you t-t-to le-lea-leave me alone-n-ne,” he grunted then slammed the door. Derby sighed, leaning against the wall, lost in thought. How can I get him to trust me? He thought to himself, how complicated is this guy?
Derby was so lost in thought he didn’t notice Simon walk up until he was inches away from him. Derby startled then looked down at the smaller boy.
“Iona says the Master has my medicine and I need to take it so I need to go talk to him,” Simon said flatly, then walked up to the door and banged on it, when he didn’t get a response, he kicked the door.
“Wh-what d-d-do yo-you want D-D-Derby?!” the Master exclaimed from inside.
“It’s not Derby it’s me, Simon, I need my medication!” Simon said, kicking the door again. There was rustling coming from inside before the door opened and the master dropped the bag into Simon’s hands. Then the door slammed again. Simon walked away, hopping down the stairs one by one. Derby watched him go, before trying again.
Downstairs, Iona was in the lounge, looking through old photos, and old newspaper articles. She came across one old newspaper with faded text and the headline “Up and Coming inventor rising in fame with a new breakthrough invention!” below it in smaller text it wrote “Is this the end for Willis Industries’ fame?” There was a picture of a younger looking version of Master Graves, standing on a stage, smiling brightly, his leg wasn’t twisted grotesquely as it was now, and his cane was more of an accessory than a necessity.
Lily suddenly appeared, “Is that the Master?” her eyes scanned the page, reading the title, “He was successful? And an inventor?” her eyebrows shot up with surprise “That’s so cool!”
Iona’s brows furrowed in concentration, “If his leg wasn’t twisted then, then something must have happened to make it that way,” Iona stifled through the papers, trying to find one that would reveal something else about the Master’s past. Nothing…
Iona went to the run-down garden to think, she alway liked the plant’s no matter how overgrown or dried out they were…even though it was winter and nearly all of the plants had died by now.. She especially loved the primrose, for Primrose was her mother’s name. If only her parents hadn’t been crushed by two horses and a carriage at the townfair when she was a baby...then she might have some guidance. Iona liked to imagine her parents as smart, brave people, after all the one memory she had of them was right before they were crushed, pushing young Iona out of the way of the carriage…to think she was only 2…
Just then Caroline walked out into the garden, Iona looked up from where she was kneeling, “Oh hello Caroline!” Iona said cheerfully,
Caroline sat down beside her, crossing her legs, “Iona…can I tell you something?” she picked at the weeds, her eyes downcast, “About why I’m here?”
Iona looked at her a moment, sensing this was a serious topic, “Sure,” she replied, trying to keep it casual.
“I was left in an orphanage when I was less than a year old, I lived there until I was 6, then I left to work for different people, until I was sent to live here,” Caroline paused tying the grass into knots, “I’ve seen a lot of Masters but Master Graves is by far the strangest one I’ve met…and yet…I can’t help wonder what the story is behind him..”
“Do you want to know what I know about him?” Iona asked, now looking Caroline in the eyes, her eyes were a reddish brown, almost like amber but redder, her hair was a similar color, but with colored highlights.
Caroline nodded “Everything, please- if you’re ok with that of course.”
Iona chuckled “Ok I’ll start from what I know…which isn’t a lot, I believe he used to be
famous inventor, but there must have been some sort of accident that changed him…actually a few minutes ago I found an old newspaper, his leg wasn’t…uh…crippled…” Iona swallowed, as if the word was wrong to say, “and that's all I know about his past…even though I’ve been working here for 5 years now…”
Caroline nodded, Iona got up, “Well we’d better get back to work…or see if the Master hasn’t thrown Derby out a window.”
“Is he even strong enough to?” Caroline laughed.
“Probably not,” the corner’s of Iona’s lips went up in a smile.
Meanwhile in the kitchen Derby was trying to make lunch – trying – he didn’t know where the pantry was so he was limited to…well he didn’t have anything, so he busied himself by setting the table in the dining room.
When he got back into the kitchen Lily was preparing lunch. Derby noticed that the girl was almost always the one to begin preparing meals, while Iona or Simon may help at times, it was usually Lily that did the most of it.
“Is cooking like…your job or something?” Derby asked, looking at the salad Lily was making.
“Well not officially but since the Master refuses to hire a cook I’m kind of in charge of making meals,” Lily checked the bread that was baking in the oven, “It was the only thing I was taught before my mom…uh…” her voice trailed off and her cheerful expression shifted into a more contemplative one.
Derby didn’t speak for a moment before commenting, “Well you do a good job at it.”
Just then there was a thud coming from the third floor, followed by a muffled yell, “Derby if you want to be my assistant get up here and help me get up before I decide to hit you on the head with my cane!”
Derby sighed, and walked out of the room, clearly trying to take his time, Lily giggled as she watched Derby drag his feet.
“Derby, now!” the Master snapped, still muffled.
By the time Derby had gotten into the room, the Master was sitting with his arms crossed and his legs positioned awkwardly, there were clearly objects the Master could have hauled himself up with, so Derby suspected he was just being problematic.
Derby looked at the smaller man, “You know you could have just-”
“O-of c-c-cou-course I-I know!” Master Graves stammered, rubbing his hands with a handkerchief he pulled out of his pocket, “I j-j-just w-w-want t-to s-s-s-s-s-s-see if you you you’d help.”
Derby grabbed the Master’s hand to help him stand, the moment their hands met the Master’s face turned bright red. Once he was on his feet and leaning on his cane again, the color in his face started to fade again.
“Do you ever consider getting a crutch instead of a cane?” Derby looked at the wooden cane, the ruby on top glinting in the sunlight.
“A c-c-ca-cane hi-hi-hide the f-f-f-fa-fact th-th-tha-that I-I-I’m cr-cr-cripp-crippled,” Graves answered, leaning heavily (and noticeably) on his cane.
Yeah if your leg wasn’t turned to the right by like ninety degrees, Derby thought, and if you didn’t fall over every time you let go of your cane.
“Wh-wh-why ar-are you l-l-l-l-looking at me l-l-like th-th-that?” the Master scowled, then sat down in his chair, crossing his arms, he pointed to the door, “Out.”
Derby sighed, and left the room. As he was walking down the stairs he wondered how the Master even made it downstairs without falling down. As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he saw Simon doubled over in a coughing fit. His face was red as he struggled to breathe, and there was red covering his shirt. Simon was coughing up blood. Derby rushed over to him, Simon didn’t seem to notice him. Derby carefully picked up Simon, rubbing his back, when that didn’t help, he firmly hit him on the back, trying not to hurt him.
Simon was finally catching his breath, when Iona rushed in, seeing Derby crouched beside the small boy, still rubbing his back.
“Derby…?” Iona seemed to be in shock “You helped him?”
Derby opened his mouth but Simon answered before him “Yeah! I was coughing up blood and he found me and helped me!”
Iona just stood there for a moment, processing what just happened then shrugged and turned away, heading into the kitchen to help Lily out with lunch.
After lunch, and diner for that matter, Caroline noticed nobody had gone up to give the Master his meal.
“Do you think the master is hungry? He didn’t eat lunch or dinner,” she commented while the group was sitting in the lounge.
Derby looked up, “When I gave him his lunch this morning, he said he didn’t want breakfast or dinner, so I didn’t bring him it,” he shrugged, turning back to the chess game he was playing with Lily.
After a few minutes of silence, Lily said, “So I decided, since the Master seems so lonely in his study I’ve decided to get him a date,” she said triumphantly.
Derby’s face flushed slightly, “Really? Who?”
Lily didn’t notice the slight blush on Derby’s face, “Just some woman who lives in town, she was divorced a few years ago- she didn’t tell me why though,” Lily moved a pawn forward, as if she was just discussing the weather.
“Did you get Master Grave’s permission? He doesn’t seem like he’s very fond of social interaction,” Derby queried, Lily shook her head, Derby pinched the edge of his nose, “I know you've been around the master longer than me but are you sure he won’t freak out about this?”
“No, but how bad could it go?” Lily grinned, “It’s not like he’ll have a total meltdown over a woman.”
Simon grinned “This is gonna be rich, when is she coming over?”
“Sunday evening,” Lily smiled, “Maybe it’ll be good for the Master to meet some new people.”
The week went by fast, and soon enough it was Sunday evening, Lily was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Miss Tabitha Hale, and the Master was dreading it.
“D-d-do I ha-have to?” he stuttered to Derby who was helping him get ready. Master Graves seemed nervous, well more nervous than usual, his hands were shaking so much he could barely grasp his cane.
“Well Lily seemed pretty adamant about getting you a date, it’s just one night you’ll be fine,” Derby reached out to touch the master’s arm, trying to provide comfort, but the red-haired man jerked away.
“W-w-we sh-should go down down down-uh downs-s-stairs,” Graves stuttered, moving towards the door.
Just as he reached the head of the stairs, the doorbell rang. The doorbell was incredibly loud, that when rung, could be heard around the house, so of course, the Master was startled by the sound, and nearly lost his balance.
Meanwhile downstairs, Lily was welcoming in Miss Hale, “Hi Miss! Master Graves will be down shortly, he just has some trouble with stairs.”
Miss Hale was a thin, tall lady, with blonde hair that was starting to gray, she wore a dark purple dress that had long puffy sleeves, and a dark green lapel on her chest.
“I would hope he’d be downstairs to greet me- like a proper man,” she scowled, “Now where is the dining room?”
Lily led Miss Hale into the dining room, just as the Master stumbled down the stairs. His eyes were glowing and his gloves were covered in what appeared to be oil. The lady looked him up and down, her lip curled up in disgust.
“H-h-hell-hello…” he tried to look her in the eyes, but ended up looking away after a few seconds, sitting down awkwardly in his chair.
The Master seemed to be getting more and more anxious by the second, it started with his index finger tapping against the table, then his leg started to shake, then he began fidgeting with his napkin.
The lady tried to make conversation but ended up talking to Derby.
“So where in town do you live?” Derby asked politely as he cut up the chicken on his plate.
“On Willow street, the big white house, you know, the new one,” Miss Hale said, clearly to Derby, ignoring the stuttered attempts of the Master making conversation.
“Well actually I just moved here, so I wouldn’t know, but that sounds great,” Derby took a bite out of his food, glancing at Master Graves, who was now any eye contact, staring at his food, picking at it, “I came to be Master Graves’ assistant, he hasn’t said it officially but he hasn’t kicked me out…so I am assuming I’m hired.”
The Master glanced up, nodded, and looked down again.
“And how much will you be paying him?” Hale said, smirking.
“S-s-s-sixteen d-d-do-doll-dollar-s-s a day,” the Master choked out, still looking at his plate.
“I see,” Miss Hale seemed unimpressed “Shouldn’t a man of your wealth be paying more than that?”
The Master didn’t respond, he seemed to be getting more and more overwhelmed, he eyed his cane leaning against the table, then the doorway, his breath uneven. Iona watched from a corner of the room, she glanced over at Caroline.
“Do you think he’s ok?” she whispered, watching the Master, his eyes were starting to glow again, he was panicking.
“He looks like he’s about to run outta here,” Caroline commented “If he could run.”
Just then the sound of a chair scraping against the floor confirmed their predictions. The Master awkwardly fumbled with his cane, as he struggled to get up, once he was up he left, muttering to himself. Then the sound of a second chair scraping against the floor was heard, as Derby went to follow.
Miss Hale’s gaze lingered on the door which the two men had just disappeared out of. She scowled standing up, “Well since my so called date has left, I don’t see much of a reason to stick around so I might as well be leaving,” she scoffed then walked out into the entryway, slamming the door as she left.
Upstairs the Master and Derby were arguing. Badly.
“Maybe if you’d have stopped being so antisocial and actually tried talking to people you
would be so nervous all the time!”
The Master turned around, so he was face to face with Derby, “Y-y-you tr-tr-try t-to h-hav-have y-your wh-who-whole l-l-l-life des-s-s-str- ugh wr-wreck-wrecked! I-in pub-public!”
Derby looked at the shorter man who seemed about ready to strangle him, “All I’m saying is this whole ‘I’m not safe anywhere but my study which looks like it could have a raccoon hiding in it’ lifestyle isn’t the healthiest,” he pinched the bridge of his nose “And that maybe getting out of the manor for once would do you good.”
The Master grabbed Derby by his bowtie with surprising strength, pulling him down to eye level, his eyes were glowing so much it almost hurt to look at, but yet Derby found himself unable to look away.
“I c-c-can f-f-fire you anytime I want,” his voice was wavering and it was clear he was trying his best not to stutter, “If you still want to keep your job, then you will st-st-stop questioning what I do with my life and why I do live like this. It is not your job to be my th-th-therap-pist, it is your job to as-as-s-s-assi-assist-t me,” he growled, still holding Derby by his tie.
Derby didn’t say anything, and while he didn’t say it directly, he was terrified at that moment, although he hadn’t known the Master for very long he didn’t think he was even capable of being this intense. But now, staring into those red eyes; he was proven wrong. However Derby had learned to take control of the situation quickly, and regained his composure.
“Well I was assisting you in being healthier, and getting you back on your feet again,” Derby said calmly, “I know you have been surviving on royalties and copyright money for the past fourteen years, so maybe it’s time for you to get back to work.”
That was it, that threw the Master over the edge, the scars on his face were glowing almost as brightly as his eyes were, and he growled, pulling Derby closer.
Too close. Derby’s forehead hit the top of the Master’s, which caused the Master to lose his balance and fall over backwards.
The Master tried to push himself out from underneath Derby’s weight. Derby got up, but didn’t make any move to help the other man up.
“W-w-we-well you w-w-wanted t-t-to g-ge-get me b-b-back on my my my f-f-f-fee-feet,” Master Graves glared up at him, grabbing his cane which had fallen beside him.
“Well since you seemed so adamant about not having any help with things not work related, I didn’t think you’d need it,” Derby crossed his arms, turning away.
“Y-yo-you’d b-b-bet-better w-w-watch y-y-yyour at-t-t-t-t-titude,” Graves mumbled sitting down at his desk, “You w-w-w-wouldn’t wan-want t-t-to end up like A-a-adam.”
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