~ Lilibeth POV ~
I can't get it out of my head.
It has been days since grandma told me to forget what I saw. To act like none of the killings has ever happened and how Sarah was sold the next day and from what the girls were telling each other was how Sarah now belongs to a tavern owner.
I've seen Old Billy Cave, the name of the tavern that is usually a place where miners in Centralia would spend their evening once they finish up working at the Macquoid Mine just a few miles outside of Centralia.
I can't imagine what her life would be like after that.
I may be 8 and going to be 9 next month but I am not ignorant of the ways the House of Dolls works.
Grandma tried to keep me as innocent as she can and maybe, a part of me is innocent but I know the evil and scary things that happen there.
How mean the girls can be because Aryan is nicer to me because my grandma is a long-time partner of his.
How mean Aryan is when he is upset but up till now, he never scolds me or hurts me. Maybe scold grandma a few times because the dress grandma made was not pretty enough for him.
What does he know about dress anyway?
He always wants a very short dress. Even a sudden movement or a little lift would show someone's 'shy' area and Aryan would defend himself by saying, "The more the skin, the higher the value."
I knew Aryan was scary just because the girls would shudder when he walked by them. His mask plays a part too but it was the killing that made me fear him even more.
I was only a little girl compared to him and grandma was getting old so until I can be old and told enough to help the two of us, no one will be able to protect us from him.
Because of what I have witnessed last night, grandma told me that Aryan allows me to not attention to class today. That I can rest and distract myself from the image carved in my mind yesterday.
I decided to get out of the house and venture into the woods behind the manor. I passed by several gardeners and security around the woods. Most of the male workers are The Boys while the female maids are apparently Dolls that have never been sold in the past.
Before I could escape into the wilderness, I felt my shoulder pulled aside and my scream was curled off from a palm covering my mouth.
I felt a hand wrapped around my body and I was slammed to a hard heaving chest. Against the huge apple tree and the smell of sandalwood and torn black shoes beneath me made me roll my eyes.
I elbowed the body behind me and I hear a painful groan of a man sucking in a deep breath. I smiled knowing I had hit deeply this time.
"Damn it, Lili! That hurts!" The body pushed me away and I turned around to face my friend, Jedidiah or Jed. A boy who is two years older than me with curly brown hair with gold highlights that he earns from working at the farm all day, dark green eyes almost like moss, and tan skin.
Towering me for about a few inches but still tall enough to make my neck ache from tilting my head a little too high for my comfort.
" You could've just called me, Jeddy. You don't have to act like a kidnapper with me."
Jeddy snorted. "Who would want to kidnap you? Your big mouth would make them turn around and turn to the police seeing how much you always be yapping all day."
I open my mouth in shock and offended and later slapped his shoulder. Crossing my arms, I frowned when I see him laughing.
"So not! You are a liar and if I do yap a lot, its always smart stuff."
I crossed my arms and huffed.
"Never say it wasn't, Lili," Jeddy replied with a grin.
"What are you even doing here at this hour? Aren't you suppose to be studying how to sew now?"
I frowned at him and cup both of my waists. "How do you know I have a sewing lesson?"
He shrugged his shoulder. "I helped out a bit in the house. I kinda know a lot of things. The Duke told me that I might be upgraded into a black shirt if I continue to do food work at the farm."
In the Dollhouse, Aryan not only owns the Dolls but also farms that provide meats and dairies for the town of Centralia. The success of this particular farm that Jeddy works in made it possible for him to spread his influence and product in another town or neighboring town of Centralia call Hickory.
The Farm business would be overseen by Aryan second in command, the Duke who would be assisted by the Marquess and later, Earl. The Boys that assist in the farm areas are also known as the Barons. The lowest position of the boys in which Jeddy is right now.
The color of their shirt also determines their position in which White shirts are for the lowest rank like Jeddy, yellow shirts for an Earl, blue for the Marquees, and Black shirts for higher-ups like Felix and Evan.
Aryan was a big fan of the royal family and bringing the titles to his own establishment was a way for him to pay his homage to Centralia Royal Family.
"Bl...black shirt?"
The memory of Felix and Evan hurting Sarah and Joseph rolls in my head and I felt a sudden chill run down my back.
Unlike me, Jed was smiling and looking hopeful about his possible raise.
"Yeah! I will be a bit closer to the Ringmaster. Heck, I'll be in the house more so we can always hang out all day after that."
"I don't think Aryan would like that. "
He frowned but still kept an assuring smile. "Why?"
"He is very possessive of us." My voice sounded lower than usual.
"Of course he would but he would understand that we are friends right?"
Jeddy is so innocent of the horror in the manor. I didn't know how to tell him. Especially about last night's event.
"Are you sure, Jeddy? If you are, why do we hide when we play then?"
Maybe Jeddy does know a little of that horror though not witnessing it himself because The Boys too don't really have a good upbringing as well.
"Yeah, you're right. He would be furious with us being close friends. No matter, I would still be excited about meeting you more later."
I didn't say anything to that. Last night's memory was moving inside me my consciousness that it felt like I had just opened a tap that refuse to close. Continued to hurt me with chills, cold, and fear. Jed must've noticed my expression so that's why he called out to me.
"What's wrong, Lili? Did something happen these past few days? I'm sorry I wasn't around to be here. You know how busy it is to visit other towns and stock up our dairies right?"
"I don't actually but... it's okay. I'm alright now and I just want to forget everything by playing. What game do you want to play today?"
I brush down my gown and smiled. Looked at him with excitement about the game we will play today. We have played hide and seek, chase each other, played with the horses and farm animals when his superiors weren't around, soaked in a nearby river, and snacked on some fruits near the major's garden.
"Oh, I wish I could play with you today, Lili. I am really busy today... no, make it this week because my Duke is not here today. Not even the Marquess is around so I have to help the Earl to tend to the livestock. I heard the Ringmaster is spreading the Dollhouse, even opening another one in Hickory. "
Disappointment washed over me and I can feel my tears making my eyes glassy.
"Not even a minute, Jeddy? You've been gone for so long and a lot too. Surely a few minutes wouldn't hurt? My grandma is always busy and the girls wouldn't play with me. I have no friends but, you."
"Surely there are those who would be free to play with you? I mean, sure there are classes but Aryan treats you better right? I'm sure you will have some company."
"You know there aren't, Jeddy."
I was angry. my first curled and I look away. I feel his gaze staring down at me and he sighed.
He of all people know how lonely I was here. how sad I am when the girls ignored me, all because Aryan is nicer to me but I can't help it. Even I don't know why he treats me better and to be receiving gifts from him despite his feared reputation is something I can't deny from him.
Voices of men screaming from afar and calling out to Jeddy made us turn our heads. I heard him sigh and I look back at him.
"I'm sorry, Lili and I know, okay but, later? Alright? I promise I'll be quick. Forget about those means girls and bust grandma. Just do whatever you want. I will see you later, Lili."
Jeddy ran and I just stare at his back slowly disappearing. My low voice, disappointed and sad nodded while waving at his already disappeared silhouette.
"Okay."