"Good heavens, what a wonderful house you have, Lord Andrade!" Mr Holland exclaimed, making sure to observe everything like a hawk would do when hunting their prey.
At the hour of their arrival, the Hollands asked –more so demanded—that they would thoroughly enjoy a tour of the Greyfield mansion. To keep his guests entertained and welcomed, my father had me wear a blindfold around my eyes to meet them: 'twas the request of Mrs Holland wanting to meet with me herself. Although, I did no such thing, for I repudiated the request; and yet, I am currently still unsure as to why anxiety had not yet stagnated within my body. 'Would I make a blunder or solecism?' 'Will the Hollands find out the truth?' I thought. Oh! How much I wished to be under my quilt, resting for days on end! I suppose that thought would be too good to be true, as I have now been forced out of my sanctuary and positioned by my door to be observed by some haughty magistrates. Soon enough, I could hear the heels of shoes clicking on the ground as they came nearer each second, reminding me of a blind mistress, her cane guiding the way as she could not herself.
"Oh, my word, who is this? Has she been blinded?" I could hear the low voice of Mrs Holland query, in a worried tone that was clearly forced. I could feel her coming closer as her massive crinoline nearly squished my meagre structure. "Go on then, introduce yourself, girl!" She commanded.
"My name is Elaine, and I am the third eldest child of Lord Andrade and Lady Andrade." I ushered, exceeding my politeness even though I wished not for her to receive it. Suddenly, her larger-than-average hands cupped my cheeks, pulling my youthful skin.
"You have quite the pale complexion, Elaine. My daughter Odette, has the most luminous and womanly complexion."
"My apologies, Mrs Holland. I have been ill my entire life."
"As I have heard. Although, it would not hurt for you to acquire a larger physique: your bones are protruding from out beneath your skin!"
"I shall take your advice, Mrs Holland."
After I had replied, I heard no such thing as a 'well done' or 'good'. Albeit, I did not expect praise. When Mrs Holland had concluded harassing me, she turned around and mumbled malicious words about me to her husband. "Ugly thing she is, I certainly appreciate my children more now that I have witnessed her." She complained. Irritation and disdain grew inside my stomach like a raging fire, obliterating my patience and kindness. Ripping the blindfold that was concealing my eyes, I stomped over to the Hollands to show them my unfathomed wrath.
"Mrs Holland, you are not my parent neither guardian, therefore, you have no right to show such animadversion towards me," I said, my expression not wavering as I stared at her with sobriety. As she looked me in the eyes, terror had made its way onto her face; she stood back and clutched her husband's arm for dear life. "Your heart is as rotten as an apple that had borne the brunt of the harshest weather." As I had concluded, I tore my eyes of Mrs Holland and looked over to my father; the ignominy written on his face was insuperable, just his look made me want to hide forevermore. "My apologies—"
"She is possessed! Her eyes are white and yet she is not blind!" Mrs Holland screamed at the top of her lungs, cutting off my father as she pointed her index finger towards my face.
"Get her away from me now! If I gaze into her eyes any longer, I shall be cursed!" She cried. Not bothering to turn around and apologise, I stormed into my room and shut the door violently behind me.
Crawling into bed, I took the form of a ball and hid under my cover. Since my mother happened to be in the dining room, she was not available to ease me of my worries and cradle me till I felt true serenity. Comfortable and warm, I began to feel the familiar soporific effect that made the lids upon my eyes drop slowly like the curtain at the end of a performance. I felt free, for sleep had a magical effect on my body that made me feel as if I had nothing to worry about, nor to care. Many individuals have said that all good things must come to an end, and yet eternal sleep did not end as you could not wake; sometimes I hypothesise on what it would be like to rest for eternity. I suppose I needn't give up now, my dream has been to explore the world and help others whose problems identify as the same I bear! I certainly could do no such thing while asleep.
"Elaine! Father wants you to be present for dinner!" Three thunderous knocks were heard from my door, awakening me abruptly; it was Melinda who was requesting my presence. I had an idea on why, although I still felt the feeling of awkward diffidence. Replying and jumping out of my comfy bed, I had soon come to face my sister at the door. She was the second favoured child of my father, and there was no room for me to complain about for she had the looks of a goddess sent from above. Melinda's silky, brown locks would always shine and glisten even if the sky was grey, and her features were nothing short of radiant; if only she chose to have kind heart always instead of sometimes, then she would have been the perfect woman.
Clutching onto my hand, Melinda led me down the spiral of stairs and towards the dinner table where my 'favourite' guests were held. Entering the room, all eyes suddenly glued onto my body and I could hear a gasp of antipathy from Mrs Holland. "Mr and Mrs Holland, I believe my daughter has something to amend for." Father propositioned, looking me in my lifeless eyes. I stood in the same place for a few seconds before realising what he had meant. Even though I dreaded to apologise to Mrs Holland, I was already skating on thin ice that was slowly cracking, soon to shatter if I did not cease my unpolite propensities. Bowing my head in shame, I began to repent.
"I sincerely apologise for my behaviour. I do hope you can forgive me."
"I shall forgive as I am feeling quite generous today; you have been forgiven but know if you try anything, unfortunate events will occur for you and your family. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Mrs Holland."
When I had agreed, my father waved his hand, motioning me out of the room. Teardrops began to cascade down my face as my anger twisted into despair. No soul would ever want me because I will curse them; how could I tell them I am nothing else but human? By the time I would try explaining, they'd run off like a heard of hounds chasing a fox.
Taking tired steps and slowly ascending the staircase, I heard a melody that resonated within my ears. Curious and invested, I fain to find the source of such music. My curiosity had led me to the drawing-room, where I discovered Millie singing and humming the piquant tune. While she knit, she sang ever so softly as she might've thought that it would disturb any servant or guest passing by; to me, I desired for her to sing to the whole world.
"Hold me close, hold me tight, do not let go of me tonight.
For loneliness shall consume my soul, and only you can make me whole
Through the days there may be terror, therefore only you can give me pleasure.
Oh, my love, oh, my love, thy truly was lost before you."
As Millie repeated the song, I began to feel drowsy once again and rest my heavy head upon the doorframe. Mesmerised because of the song, I must've created a loud noise when my head hit the frame as Millie suddenly stopped singing and looked alert, only to settle down when she found me half asleep. "Dear Elaine, you always have achieved to place a smile upon my face," Millie said, carefully picking me up and bringing me to the fire to sit on her lap. Comfortable, she grabbed her knitting and started to weave the yarn with her needles. With the fire crackling and the angelic voice of Millie, I drifted off to dreamland once more.
Wake.
Wake, my dear.
"Wake up, girl!"
"Ah!" I let out a startled shout as my father's voice echoed within my mind. When my eyes had adjusted properly, father was nowhere to be seen, only a black wall was staring back at me; there was not one wall, but others surrounding me as well, reminding me of an empty void. I was apprehensive of this so-called void as it seemed to be closing in on me every second; it could be just a frivolous dream, nothing to concern myself about, right? Eventually, lady luck came to my aid and I noticed mother standing a few feet from I. "Mother!" I shouted, yet she did not turn around to face her daughter; thinking I was too far, I ran closer. "Mother! Is this supposed to be your way of showing morose!?" As I called again, she finally turned around to face me, which suddenly gave me a great feeling of foreboding. "You were a mistake." Mother said, her voice seized with asperity. I could not believe my eyes; she had no such features upon her face. My breaths soon became rushed and laboured as I observed her featureless face. The nightmare in front of me soon escalated as I was now surrounded by all I have met in life.
"Demon."
"Monster."
"Possessed!"
The words made my head throb as I screamed in agony and pleaded for help, only hearing the words that hurt me most instead. Beginning to feel nauseous, fatigue took control of my body and my eyes closed, freeing me from this torturous nightmare.
"Mama!"
Sitting up in fear, I felt my heart vigorously beating and sweat trickling down my forehead as my eyes darted around my room. I was transfixed, petrified of how realistic that dream had been. The light of the moon shone through the window, emitting its glorious light throughout my abode. Sliding my feet out of the sheets on my bed, I trotted over to the window seat and readjusted my position, I started at the great, white ball whose home was within the sky above. Gazing purely, I felt blessed and imbibed by the luminous white it cast upon me.
Mother had said to me: 'You hold the moon within your eyes, my dear. Whoever is in your presence, shall be guided with the light from your eyes.' Whenever I felt miserable, I would repeat her saying in my head and think of all the more enjoyable times I had once experienced. Peeling my eyes from the moon, I looked below and witnessed the ground, catching something white from my peripheral vision; it was a boy; a boy whose complexion was as white as the moon. No, he caught my eye because to me, he seemed brighter than the moon. not missing the opportunity, I hastily opened the window and called out to him. "Excuse me, sir! Are you alright?" I asked him. Yet, he was frightened and scurried behind a tree, peaking out to see if it was safe for him. That was surely odd, for I only asked if he happened to be alright. For the rest of the night, curious thoughts occupied my mind about the unusual boy who reminded me of the moon.
Maybe, we could be friends.