Ania and Emmeline entered the cellar, "help me look for candles and oil for the lamps. If you find anything else down here that might be useful make sure to set it aside. Oh, if you find a washboard, clothespins, or washing soap, please let me know."
Ania nodded, she knew enough, her mother had been a laundress after all and she used to help her mother with the laundry when she had been alive. Ania took note of her mental bingo sheet and wandered the cellar looking for the things on the sheet. She moved items carefully making sure her attention was fully on her actions. But even with her careful actions, it did not stop the dust clouds that where formed with each box moved. Had she been able to breathe, she would have been choking on the air.
Ania was able to find the washboard and lye soap in one of the boxes. Emmeline found a canister of oil and a couple of lamps. Emmeline did find a box full of clothes that she set off to the side making a mental note, she would have to be sure to come down here later and wash them for the boy, but that would have to wait, there were more important matters to address first.
Ania found additional linens, that they did take up with them. After a complete cellar, they made their way to the main floor.
Emmeline filled the lamps with oil, she did it herself because she didn't want to have Ania drop any of the oil, thereby wasting it. Ania found candles and candle stick holders and began to light them. Within a short period of time the kitchen was well lit. The Sun had set and it was early evening.
Emmeline and Ania worked as a team. Emmeline used the fire that was previously lit by Gregory to heat more water. When the water was boiling she took the water and dumped it into a separate tub, mixed with the lye soap and began washing the linens with the washing board. She would hand the completed linens to Ania and she would remove the excess water using the box mangle and then the girl would head out side hanging the laundry out to dry. The two worked diligently until everything had been washed and hung to dry. They were fortunate the weather was warm enough and it appeared the humidity was lower than normal, it would dry in no time.
While Emmeline and Ania took care of the laundry, Gregory had grabbed the boy. He was gentle, if he was anything but gentle, he would have received and earful from Emmeline and that was not something he wanted.
Gregory brought the boy down the steps and into the kitchen where the bath had been prepared. Gregory carefully removed the bandages and the clothing from the boy. While he was doing this the boy had not woken up yet and if he didn't check the pulse earlier, he would have thought him dead.
Gregory slowly lowered the boy into the water. Gregory was startled when the boy's eyes shot open.
***
Matthew had been in a fog, he was not aware of anything. Maybe his brain was subconsciously protecting him. Because the moment he became aware, the brain knew he would be in serious pain.
Matthew was walking in endless darkness, he couldn't hear anything, he didn't hear his footsteps and he didn't hear any signs of life. Then suddenly he heard a voice, a soft and gentle voice. He headed towards the voice and then it was gone. He was in total darkness and silence. He began to despair when suddenly his world was surrounded in water which jolted the unconscious boy awake.
He took in a large gulp of air before crying out. His pain receptors were in overdrive. For everything he was unaware of earlier, he felt it ten folds now. But now, his mind wasn't going to shut down again, he was awake, for better or worse.
He blinked his eyes several times, where was he? Slowly his eyesight focused and there was a man hovering over him. Was he trying to kill him? Matthew shook his head, no, the man held a rag and a bar of soap. He was an odd looking gentleman, wearing a grey pinstripe suit, his hair was slicked back and he had a handle bar mustache. It appeared as if they man belonged in a different century.
Matthew wanted to speak, but between the pain and the confusion, there were no words that could come to him.
The handlebar mustache man, shook his head, "Be careful, you have open wounds."
Matthew was not settling down, so the man continued to speak, "We mean you no harm, we want to help you. There were men chasing you, you ended up in our cellar, broken and bleeding. We wanted to help you."
Matthew looked at the man, "I- I- I can wash myself." He stuttered, nervous the man would say and he only escaped to be in the lair of a pervert.
"Fine, suit yourself." Handlebar mustache man handed the rag and soap to the boy and went and stood in the doorway.
Matthew took the items and when he attempted to wash himself he winced in pain. He was thankful for the kindness and the help, but why was the man still watching him, Matthew came to the conclusion this man was most certainly a pervert? "Why are you standing there." Matthew said, his voice wavering and coming off a little more harsh than he intended.
"I am here, because I expect soon you will collapse due to exhaustion or pain and you will drown in the tub. If Emmeline found out that you died by drowning in the tub, I would be in serious trouble." The handlebar mustache man said as he shrugged his shoulders.
Matthew noted that the man wasn't really staring at him, so he felt satisfied with the answer, he guessed the guy wasn't a pervert, but it was still awkward. Matthew slowly washed himself, trying to be gentle as not to cause any unnecessary pain.
When Matthew had stopped moving, the man called out, "hoo, you still awake boy?"
Matthew turned and looked at the man nodding. When Matthew tried to stand up, the man rushed over with a towel supporting him and simultaneously wrapping the towel around him. Matthew was embarrassed that he needed the help, but he wasn't so stupid as to try and push him away. He needed help, everything hurt and he would have fallen further hurting himself.
Handlebar mustache man helped him over to a chair where there were some clothes folded in a pile.
"Where am I?"
"The Octagon House," stated the handlebar mustache man. "My name is Gregory, what is your name?"
"Matthew."