29 Elyn Bitterswee (1/2)

I throw the covers of the bed off me while forgetting where I am. The smell of flowers and the warmth of the room confusing me.

A knock from the door and someone talking to me with words I don't understand. I get up and walk over to the door to open it.

I'm greeted by a bundle of clothes in my face, and looking up they seem to be carried by a woman wearing a maids outfit like the ones when I was eating last night. A cough as she tries to get my attention before talking to me again.

All I can do is stare at her blankly, not knowing what she is saying. She decides to hold the clothes under one arm and gestures as if she is eating with the other. Now knowing what she was trying to say I nod as I attempt to find where I ate last night.

It takes me a few minutes walking, well ok, a lot of minutes walking. I think I got lost five times already before I stumble into the right door leading to the hall I ate at.

After another round of sitting at a table while being given whatever food I point at, I feel full and go to stand up only for another servant to help move my chair back which made me jump.

Stood back in the hallway I realise I have nothing to do. I have no games or books I can play with or read. I end up walking the building unsure of what to do.

At some point I find myself in a less shiny part of the house, the walls are dull and there are no decorations. The windows are plain compared to the coloured glass of the large hall.

A smell grabs my attention, the smell of cooking. Similar to the one I'd smell at the start of the week when Emmie goes out of his way to make me bread instead of buying it from the store. Only this smell is a lot more sour and reminds me of some of the bread I was given at the table.

I find myself already walking in through the door following memories of when I helped Emmie make it every week. The man inside the room gets up and checks over his shoulder at me, who just walked in. He gestures in my direction with a flat hand and a word I can only assume is 'stop' while he finishes his tasks and turns to me.

While he is finishing up alone in the kitchen I let my eyes wander at the variety of different plants and ingredients in the room. A sealed door leading to another room which I heard Emmie talk about, a 'walk in fridge' like the one he had when he used to work. On the edges of the door are glowing shapes and just looking at some of them make me feel cold with their spooky blue glow.

The man brings his attention back to me as I stare back up at him, he has a smile glued to his face like the animals in the kids books I've seen. Emmie always says they have punch-able faces but I never knew what he meant.

He gestures around the kitchen as if introducing the room to me. I decide to keep staring at the counter he was making bread at which he takes note of and gestures that I should walk over to him.