After another cup of tea and details on the position, they made their way out to the back garden. Mrs. Smith had a very unique assortment of flowers and plants in her garden, that seemed to stretch farther than her property even allowed. She had never seen such strange plants, in so many colors and fragrances.
They walked along the garden's path conversing about her family's history and the history of the house and garden.
Elenor's mind began to wonder why the child, that had so much energy, was not yet awake from her nap. She highly doubted the girl was anything special.
"One would never guess, there was such a large space back here," Elenor commented, as they strolled down the garden's path.
"You're not the only one to tell me that. This garden is very special indeed." She replied, with a knowing smile.
'This woman,' she thought with irritation, 'believes everything in her life is more significant than everyone else's, not the first time I've come across one like her.'
The last Mistress droned on and on about the most mediocre child she'd ever drained. There was barely enough energy to replace what she wasted on the task. Speaking of which, she was starting to feel a little low herself.
She couldn't wait to drain them all and leave this place. 'I'll help myself to that lovely emerald green skirt suit, she's wearing,' she thought, 'I hope she has plenty of fine jewelry and clothes, I can make use of.'
"What's so special about this place?" Elenor asked, not really interested in the answer.
"This place has been in my family for generations, going back hundreds of years," Mrs. Smith replied.
"My mother and her mother before her added a variety of unique plants from far away places, to the existing ones. They taught me the plants' many uses for tonics and elixirs, ranging from improving health to the most potent of poisons."
Elenor noticed the sweet scents around her became thick and heavy with each breath she took, causing her head to begin to ache.
"Poisons?" Elenor inquired, trying harder to focus on the mistress's words, this time.
"Yes, a garden though beautiful, has a tendency to attract vermin, that would otherwise destroy its precious occupants." Mrs. Smith replied.
"What type of vermin has your garden encountered?" Elenor asked.
"There are insects, rats, and small animals, that have tried to gain entry and would have otherwise wreaked havoc," she stated. "It is necessary to have plants that would prohibit such a thing."
The fragrance around her felt as though it was pressing against her, pushing her down and zapping her already low energy levels. The headache intensified beating in her ears like a low steady drum, but she pushed on. 'I can get through this,' she thought, 'it won't be long and I'll be able to revitalize my body.'
"How do the plants achieve such a feat?" She mustered.
"A variety of ways," Mrs. Smith began, "some have to be ingested, some have to be inhaled, and some have a carnivorous nature, switching the roles and making the vermin prey, instead of the plant," she stated.
"Carnivorous plants? I've never heard of such a thing." Elenor stated.
"Most people don't seek knowledge outside their own personal interests. The information is of no use to them, so there is no need to inquire further." She replied.
"I've always been fascinated by carnivorous plants. My Great Grandmother brought back a Drosera capensis, also known as sundew from the Cape in South Africa, when she was a young woman. It has been in the family ever since." Mrs. Smith stated with pride.
Elenor didn't know how much more she could stand listening to this mediocre woman drone on and on about those useless plants.
'If I knew where the old man was right now, I'd drain this miserable woman here and now, to replenish myself,' she thought half exhausted. 'Patience Elenor,' she reminded herself, 'Soon, very soon.'
"Olivia sure is taking a long nap today," Elenor commented, "I assumed with the energy you spoke of, she wouldn't have slept this long."
Mrs. Smith stopped her footsteps and turned to look at the young miss, "Aren't you eager to meet my sweet one. Don't worry, all good things to those who wait. We have a few more minutes before it's time. I had just laid her down before you arrived here." She replied. "Besides, I'd hate to wake her before she was ready to get up and risk a tantrum," she continued her footsteps.
Elenor could feel her patience running thin as well as her energy. The headache became so intense that she could feel it beating behind her eyes, with sharp pain's running up and down her head and neck.
"Why don't you tell me a bit about yourself, Miss Elenor," inquired Mrs. Smith.
"What would you like to know, Mrs. Smith?" She asked, trying not to sound annoyed.
"Where are you from?" Asked Mrs. Smith.
"I was…raised by my…um…Aunt, in….in southern Georgia." She lied. "My mother, died during….um…childbirth….and….my…my father, heartbroken by her….um…death, refused to raise me. He… he skipped out of town….the night of my….um….birth. My….my….Aunt stepped up…um….to raise me."
"You don't have an accent for a Georgia born girl." Mrs. Smith commented.
"My….um….Aunt sent me…..to…um…. a private school….in…in…um…. Northern Michigan, that's where I….lost my…southern…drawl." She replied.
"They really certainly did their job." Commented Mrs. Smith.
Elenor's body could go no further and she reached out to lean against a large ornate statue, to catch her breath. 'Maybe it's the warm sun,' she thought. 'How long had they been walking through this god forsaken garden?' She asked herself.
Mrs. Smith noticed her companion had stopped a few feet behind her, resting against one of the many garden statues. "Are you feeling alright Elenor?" She asked, but no actual concern marred her face.
Elenor was lost in her thoughts, and didn't hear a single word she said.
'This isn't normal,' Elenor thought.
"No it isn't." Mrs. Smith commented with a wicked smile.
Elenor's eyes went wide with shock. 'Did I say that out loud?' She asked herself.
"No, you didn't." Mrs. Smith replied.
Elenor swayed, lost her footing, and fell forward, landing on her hands and knees.
"Wh…what's hap….happening to m…mm…eee?" She muttered.
"You're getting a taste of your own medicine, Elenor," she stated.
"I…I'm…," but that is all she got out, before everything around her faded and she was pulled into the darkness.