by Dakota Lake
He hesitated at first. I didn't think he wanted to let go and I wasn't sure if I wanted him to let go. He finally unwrapped his arms from me and I felt a little disappointed.
“Okay back to the main topic in question. Before you said you were living in some sort of mansion?”
“Yes. The manor.”
“And Cam is there?”
“Yes but he works away a lot.”
“Have you found a way to get outside the gates yet?”
I shook my head. “No. Why am I meant to be looking for a way out?” I asked.
“Yes. You need to find a way to get away from him.”
“The main gates are guarded twenty four seven and the surrounding walls are too high to climb and there are guards patrolling them.”
Mack stopped walking and grabbed both my wrists inspecting them.
“Good you're not wearing it.”
“Wearing what?”
“The bracelet with the small black stones. Whatever you do don't put it on. It's how Cam finds you. It's made from black rock from the tunnels. Black rock has a special powerful energy and I think he linked himself to it so he could find you whenever he wanted.”
I was still digesting what he had said thinking about the small bracelet back in my bedroom. But he continued before I could ask any questions.
“Now we need to talk about your escape plan. Have you seen anyone with blonde hair and blue eyes, tall, skinny and tattoos on their neck?”
“No I haven't seen anyone that looks like that. Why? Who's that?”
“Micah. He's a friend of mine and he's probably still looking for you along with Seth.” “Who's Seth?”
“Ruby he's your brother. You still can't remember him?”
“No I was told I was an orphan.”
“That's complete bull! Who told you that?”
“Cam told me but it's not just him everyone says it.”
“Well it's a lie you grew up with your brother and your mom. Cam must be messing with your head. He's done something to make you forget and now he's got everyone else playing along with it. Ruby you need to get away from him.” His voice echoed and sounded distorted.
“You sound strange.” I said taking a step back.
“No not yet.” he said stepping towards me.
He put his hands on each side of my face. They felt rough from hard work.
“Ruby listen to me. You need to get away from Cam. You need to find a way out of there.” He looked into my eyes and I thought he said 'don't go' but no sound came out of his mouth. Then he pulled me to him and wrapped his arms around me holding me tightly against his chest. It felt so real making me question whether I was really dreaming or not?
The sound of sea waves disappeared and was replaced by loud rock music blaring in my ears.
I opened my eyes and looked around. I was back in Senka's bedroom. I sat up feeling hot and sweaty pulling the earbuds away from my ears.
I threw the covers back and jumped down from the bed. I pushed hair off my face trying to cool down. I needed a drink. I left the bedroom and walked to the kitchen.
It was a plain kitchen with beige cabinets and orange lino floor tiles. It was the most plain looking room in the manor.
I went straight to fridge looking for bottled water but all I found was green energy drinks and a few alcoholic drinks. I picked one up and pressed it against my forehead letting the cool air from the fridge filter out to cool me down.
“It was just a dream.” I said quietly to myself.
I leaned against the fridge and dropped the bottle when I realised I was still wearing Mack's long sleeved T-shirt.
I pulled it off and threw it on the floor noticing my arms were covered in black chalky stuff rubbed off from the T-shirt. I looked at the bottom of my bare feet, they looked dirty from walking barefoot.
What had happened? I was so confused trying to figure it out I hadn't seen Alex walk into the kitchen. Alex was good friends with Senka but didn't really like me hanging around up here. He was tall with dark hair shaved at the sides with a long bleached mohican running along the top of his head and down the back which flopped over to the side.
I shut the fridge door, turning to look at him. He was staring back at me with his wide hazel eyes. He picked the bottle up off the floor, unscrewed the cap and drank some not taking his eyes off me. “Please tell me you two aren't having sex?” he said scrunching his large eyebrows up. “What! No.” I said a little shocked at his blunt question but that was what Alex was like. “Then why are you half naked in Senka's vest?”
“Senka isn't even here. I borrowed this to take a nap in.”
“Okay that answers that question but why are you covered in black stuff is that soot?” he asked reaching over and rubbing his thumb down my check inspecting it.
I quickly picked up a paper towel off the side and wiped at my cheeks exactly where Mack had put his hands that had been covered in black stuff.
“I was cleaning the fireplace.” I blurted out pulling the vest down lower to cover more of myself. “I thought you said you were taking a nap?”
“I was. I mean I did and then I cleaned the fire place because I was really bored and it looked like it needed a clean.”
“And you decided to do that half naked in those rather see through lace panties?” he asked. He knew I was lying. He bent down and picked up the T-shirt I had chucked on the floor. He held it up by the shoulders.
“This belong to you?”
“Yes that's mine. I was wearing it while I was cleaning.” I said snatching it from him and hurrying to the door.
“Ruby,” he called after me.
I stopped in the door way and looked back at him.
“They're all looking for you downstairs. I think it's your dinnertime or something.” I rushed back to Senka's room and cleaned myself up in the bathroom and quickly changed back into my dress. I threw Senka's vest into his dirty laundry basket and rolled Mack's T-shirt up into a ball and hurried back down the large staircase and back to my room. I shoved Mack's T-shirt down into the bottom of my chest and put Senka's key in one of my jewellery boxes for safe keeping. Then I went downstairs to the dining room. I walked passed a few servants carrying empty trays which meant everyone was already eating.
“Err Ruby hold on a minute,” Shelley called from behind me.
I turned around to see her walking towards me with a tray of bowls full of various relishes. She caught up to me and bent down near my dress. I wondered what she was doing pulling at my dress, then I realised it was tucked up at the back with most of my underwear on display. “There you go.” she said straightening up.
“Thanks that would have been really embarrassing.” I said still faffing around with it. I walked into the smaller dining room where Roman, Ryu, Tallen, Shasta and Kenzie sat already seated at their own table. I walked through to the larger adjoining dining room. Cam sat at the end of the twelve seater dining table sipping on a glass of wine. Emmett and Grayson sat two spaces down on the left of Cam. Emmett raised an eyebrow at me while chewing on a bread stick. I sat down in my seat two spaces down on the right of Cam opposite Emmett. Shelley placed a few bowls down on our table and lifted the serving lid off my starter.
“You're late.” Cam said. Placing his glass down.
“I'm sorry I fell asleep.” I said picking up my fork.
I turned to my right and saw Kenzie sticking his tongue out at me which made me giggle. I looked back at Cam who didn't look impressed. I quickly shoved a mouthful of salad in my mouth to distract myself.
This was the chair I always sat in. We never changed seats and the others were not allowed to sit at this table. To Cam they were still his workers and shouldn't be seated next to him. He was very formal like that. No one else ever ate dinner with us, it was just us four at this table and the other five in the adjoining room. Six o'clock on the dot every night even if Cam wasn't here the rest of us would still eat at the same time. Sometimes some of the others would be missing from d
inner but tonight everyone was here.
I looked at the grandfather clock behind Cam. I was fifteen minutes late, they must have waited for me. I had never been this late before.
“Ruby, Grayson tells me you missed your classes today.” Cam said picking up a piece of bread and a butter knife.
“Sorry I must have forgotten. I was in the garden all day, why didn't you come and get me?” I said, playing innocent.
“That's strange because I checked all around the gardens. I even sent a few of the servs out to look for you.” Grayson said watching me.
Grayson looked to be in his late thirties, he was tall and acted like I expected an old man to behave. He sat around drinking cups of tea and reading books all day and he loved crosswords. He had curly light brown hair that always looked an untamed mess curling just below his ears, brown eyes and he always wore the same long penguin type waistcoat that was a deep plum colour. He was friendly to everyone and a nice man but he still reminded me of a funny looking wizard. He also liked to keep me busy with too much extra homework. He was always saying 'it's good to keep the mind active', but with the amount of homework he piled up on me after class my mind was anything but active. The phrase bored to death sprung to mind. I would rather clean out the dirty horse stables than have to sit through an hour of calculus homework.
“Well I was in the gazebo most of the day. Did you look there?” I asked prodding at the salad with my fork, wondering what kind it was.
Some of the vegetables looked so weird to me, I was scared they were going to jump off the plate and run across the table.
“Yes I checked there more than once.”
“Well maybe you weren't looking properly. I like to nestle myself right into the middle under the cushions. You probably didn't see me.”
“I'll remember that for next time. So make sure you remember for tomorrow. Nine o'clock sharp in the study room.” Grayson said waving over a servant to top up his wine glass.
I picked up the wine glass in front of me, sniffed it and immediately wrinkled my nose. I hated the stuff and especially red wine. I was allowed to drink whatever I liked, whenever I liked but all they ever had down here was mainly wine and whiskey which is all Cam ever drank. I much preferred the stuff on the third floor. Those guys knew how to stock a liquor cabinet. I had spent many nights up there sampling all the different coloured bottles most I mixed with lemonade. They also had normal stuff like beer bottles and soda up there. I felt like I was living in the middle ages when I came back down here. But I had found out I needed to drink a lot for it to have any effect on my body.
I looked over at Kenzie he was walking two potatoes across the table using his forks. I tried not to laugh but it was hard. He was like an overgrown child and always made me laugh at the most inappropriate times. Kenzie grinned at me and started making the potatoes dance. “Is there somewhere else you would rather be sitting Ruby?” Cam asked watching Kenzie and I. “No. I'm good.” I replied taking a sip of my wine and nearly gagging.
“Can I get some water please,” I said to the nearest servant who walked over with a pitcher of water.
I finished my starter and soon after a chicken casserole was served. For pudding it was a choice between pumpkin or cherry pie. I chose pumpkin and hurried to finish it, watching the clock the whole time. It was nearly 7.20pm and I knew Senka would be back by now. Everyone else had been dismissed which only left Cam and I still seated.
“Okay just cause I was late doesn't mean you have to hold me back until last.”
“I thought we could go for a walk together in the gardens.”
“What now?”
“Why is there somewhere else you have to be?” he asked finishing his drink.
“No.” Yes.
But I wasn't going to tell Cam I wanted to hurry back upstairs to see Senka.
We walked downstairs and along the corridor. Cam was taller than me with naturally dark hair that was dyed blonde. He always dressed slightly different to everyone else, his clothes looked like an older style. He usually wore black long sleeved tops rolled up at the arms they were normally vneck, skinny black trousers and black boots. Finished off with a long black cape, which was the only way I could describe it. It hung down to his knees and had a hood which he wore up most of the time. Many people that worked for Cam wore black it was like a non stop funeral parade round here or maybe some weird dress code.
The male servant posted at the front door held it open for us and I followed Cam outside. “So I was talking to Emmett earlier. He said your memory loss has been upsetting you recently.” I shrugged. Annoyed with Emmett for telling him.
“Only some days. It's just annoying not being able to remember anything about growing up here. It still all looks so....so....I don't know, not quite right to me.” I said looking over at a hedgehog with blue spikes running across the grass.
He nodded listening carefully.
“This place takes a little getting used to,” he smiled. “Emmett said you haven't been spending as much time with him as you used to.”
Was there anything Emmett didn't tell him? Emmett was a sneaky little weasel and every day I grew more and more distant from him. I didn't like talking to him and I didn't trust him and I was sure he had been spying on me for Cam.
“Emmett gets bored of listening to me. He thinks I whine too much about my memory loss so I don't want to bore him anymore. I prefer spending time with the horses on the meadow that and they don't choke me with second-hand smoke.” I said hoping he would drop the subject. “So who else do you talk to?”
“I dunno I don't keep track of the people I talk to,” I replied a bit hastily. “Um I spend a lot of time with Kenzie when he's here. He's a lot of fun.”
“Emmett said he's seen you going up to the third floor.”
I clenched my fist. I would love to punch Emmett in the face right now.
“Yeah I've been up there but only a few times. I like the pool tables. But I don't go up there much it's a bit noisy and smoky for my liking and the boys are quite loud.”
“Anyone in particular you play pool with up there?” he asked digging for information. “No not really. I can never remember their names there's so many different faces up there. I know one of them is called Alex I've played pool with him before.”
It wasn't a lie I'd played pool with Alex a couple of times. And I did remember many of their names because I spent more time than I liked to admit up there. Lucky for me Emmett didn't follow me up there. Senka had once told me that Emmett wasn't welcome on the third floor. Not many up there liked him and I'd heard many of the guys upstairs joking that Emmett was Cam's obedient little minion and dogsbody. So I knew it was a good place to hide from him and Cam never went up there. Senka had said it was none of Cam's business what everyone got up to up there it was their own private area. I felt kind of special knowing the guys didn't mind me up there, well except for Alex.
That's why I had given Alex's name to Cam, I knew if he questioned him Alex wouldn't say anything because he was friends with Senka. He may not like me very much but he wasn't going to rat me out because he knew Senka was friends with me. I didn't like to think about what Cam would do if he knew I played poker with the guys and did shots at the bar. I would probably be banned for improper behaviour. Ugh! Cam was so old fashioned.
“You know it's your nineteenth birthday soon.”
“Is it?” I replied dryly not really bothered by this new information. I had other things on my mind. “You missed you eighteenth because you were sleeping. I thought we could do something special for you for your nineteenth.”
“You mean like a party?” I asked.
“Yes. There are many people that would like to meet you and with you waking up we have even more reason to celebrate. What do you think?”
“Who are these people and why haven't I met them before?”
“Just distant relatives of mine. You've never met them before because they haven't been over here in a long time.”
/> He had said 'a long time'. I thought it was strange seeing as I had apparently been here nearly nineteen years. I thought I would have met Cam's relatives before now.
“Sure, whatever.” I said noticing he was waiting for my answer.
“Don't be too enthusiastic about it.” he joked but he looked hurt.
“Sorry. But I don't like the idea of going to a party full of strangers that I don't know and I'm the main focus point.”
“Well I think you'll enjoy it. Think of it more as an autumn ball. You might even make some new friends. I've already spoken to Shelley she's in charge of catering and decorations. If there's any specific food you want you can tell Shelley.”
It sounded like I didn't really have a choice about this party. It was going to happen whether I wanted it to or not.
“How many will be there?”
“Probably between two to three hundred.” he said casually.
“What! How many relatives do you have?” I asked coming to a halt along the footpath. He laughed and turned towards me. He reached up and brushed a piece of my wondering hair away from my face.
“Relax everyone is going to love you. Just like I do.” he said looking at me carefully. “I hate leaving you. It's hard to work when all I do is think about getting back to you.” I wasn't sure what was happening but I didn't like where it was going. Luckily for me footsteps on the gravelled driveway interrupted us.
“Sorry Cam, but we need you for a bit.” said Tallen.
Shasta and Roman stood a few feet away from him. Cam nodded and looked back at me. “The party will give you something to look forward to, take your mind off things. Try not to get into too much trouble while I'm gone.” he said kissing me on the cheek.
He turned and walked away into the shadows with the others. I stood on the same spot confused. I thought Cam viewed me as an adopted sister but after the way he'd just said he loved me it made me doubt how he saw me.
I hurried back inside and ran all the way to the top of the stairs. I knocked on Senka's bedroom door but there was no answer. I walked through the games rooms, kitchen and gym but he wasn't around. I asked a some of the guys but no one had seen him. I wondered back to my bedroom feeling a little upset and lost not knowing what to do with myself. I sat at my dressing table spinning Senka's door key round in circles.
