Thomas struggled to control his teeming rage as he glared at the three men before him. He easily recognized them as they were well acquainted with one another.
"You fools! You have stopped me from completing my task." He scoffed to the hearing of watchmen while stealing a glance at Vivian who was being helped up by Susan.
"Sir I'm..." The man who had punched him earlier stuttered as he nervously glanced in Thomas' direction. His uneasy eyes met with a pair of bloodshot ones. He looked away unable to meet the intensity of his gaze. He didn't need to be told that he had committed a grave offense.
"Just take me away from here." Thomas cut him off unable to mask his growing irritation.
"But sir..." The man spoke up not wanting to incur more of his wrath.
"Can you no longer do your jobs!" He snarled at the incompetent men.
"You're coming with us." Another man on getting the hint got hold of Thomas' arm and roughly dragged him to his side.
"I'm so sorry for the trouble this man has caused. I'll see to it that he is punished for his misdeeds." The other man offered a smile as they took him into the forest and were no longer seen.
Though the strange man had left with the Watchmen an uncomfortable aura still hung around the inn. Susan was beside with worry staring at the bruises on Vivian's body.
"Who would want to harm you in such a manner?" She voiced out the question the others had on their minds.
Mrs. wells had a guess on who it might be but she wasn't so certain. It was late so she couldn't quite see the face of the attacker. The thought of what had and could have happened to Vivian who was under her care was greatly unnerving.
"Well, it is getting dark. Susan and Olive you should go home now, It isn't safe walking these paths at night.
James and Jeffrey would stay behind and see to the customers' needs. While I would take care of Vivian's injuries and she would be at rest in one of the rooms so you need not worry." She waved them off.
They seemed reluctant to leave but Mrs Wells' stern expression told them she had it all under control.
Susan was first to leave accompanied by James. Jeffrey offered to escort Olive but she refused saying it wasn't necessary so he helped Vivian into the inn while Olive sneaked into the forest and made her way home.
"I am sorry Vivian for what happened to you. I should have looked after you better. But not to worry I'll see to it that the man who did this to you would be severely punished. " Mrs. Wells apologised and took care of the bruises on Vivian's body. Her fingers quivered as she applied the healing balm. She couldn't fathom how her father would react if he found out. What would he do to her?
"Ma'am," Vivian said lowly interrupting her fearful thoughts. "Thank you for seeing to my wounds. I would like to rest now so have a good night's sleep." She politely bowed and returned to her room. Each step she took coursing more pain through her body.
********
"Once again we apologize sir for what happened earlier. We didn't know it was you. We thought...."
"I have no time for your useless explanations. Just get out of my sight and speak of this to no one..."
He gave them a stern look as he rode on one of the Watchmen's horses back to the manor. The sting of failure ached more than the bruises he had received from the girl.
It was already dark, the sky a dull shade of grey. The moon
glowed brightly illuminating the path he took. He arrived at the manor in no time. Most of the servants were asleep in their quarters and he quietly made his way to his grateful to avoid their prying gazes and hoping to report back to Harris at a later time.
But that was not to be as Harris emerged from his chambers holding a lantern. A scowl on his face.
Thomas bowed and returned his gaze to his master's displeased expression.
"I am afraid I got into some trouble while completing the task." He offered seeing the murderous looks on Harris's eyes on not seeing Vivian with him.
"I do not care for your excuses! I told you to get me the girl and you failed to do so. I am truly disappointed Thomas. I did not expect such incompetence from you."
"My apologies sir." Thomas kept his head bowed. "I assure you that such an act will not occur again."
"It had better not. Get me the girl at all costs. Do not test my patience, I will not be so forgiving the next time. I refuse to be made a fool by you, Vivian, or Caroline." Harris walked out on Thomas who sighed as he retired to his chambers. Getting the girl was not as easy as had once thought.
************
It was business as usual at the inn two days after the incident. Though Vivian wasn't fully recovered she was eager to get back to work and complete the assignment given to her. Her bruises had healed up nicely thanks to the healing balm. After the incident, they had become more careful at the inn watching out for signs of suspicious individuals and dealing with them appropriately.
Vivian was assigned simple tasks at the insistence of Mrs. Wells in an effort to placate her. That morning she was done with dusting the rooms and stood observing Olive go about her duties in an effortless manner.
"You're pretty strong for a lady." She commented as she watched Olive gather the split wood into the storeroom.
"Hmm." Olive grunted and said nothing else making Vivian wonder why she always acted so coldly. Like the other night, she didn't seem so bothered about her well-being unlike the others.
She returned to the inn and met with Susan trying to see to a customer's order.
"Let me help." She offered to take one of the dishes from her.
"Oh thank you!" Susan breathed out in relief. "I thought I was going to die from all the work I've been doing. I am m truly grateful for your help..."
"It's nothing really." Vivian returned her smile.
"You know I am really glad you joined us. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only lady here even with Olive around.
" I understand how you feel. Olive is well...a little strange. Too cold for my liking."
" That's just how she is but she's nice when you get to know her even though sometimes I get this strange feeling from her."
"What strange feel?"
"It's probably silly. She just feels different. Not..."
"Human?" Vivian joked.
"Oh no! I just mean not really friendly. Olive is a lot of things but she's certainly human. She's nothing like the dreadful night creatures we've been cursed to share a border with." Susan's cheerful demeanor changed into a frown as she thought of that.
"Yes, I find that worrisome as well. I have to see to something." Vivian politely excused herself. Her chat with Susan had only confirmed her suspicions that there was something peculiar about Olive. But what? What was she hiding beneath those cold eyes of hers? Well she was determined to find out. Olive was the key to uncovering the mystery behind the strange presence at the inn.
"She offers to help, then she leaves." Susan sighed and resumed her duties.
'If my hunch is correct, Olive would be the one. But, what would she gain working in such a place? Then again, I was told to, specifically, keep an eye on Susan. There must have been something Father sensed in her." Vivian thought as she made her way to the store room, where she last saw Olive.
What she was doing there, she couldn't tell. Perhaps a clue or lead of some sort. Just something to clarify her suspicion.
Walking in, Olive was nowhere to be seen. Not that she expected to see her anyway, she began looking around. Besides firewood, some foodstuff and, she saw nothing.
"Just what was I hoping to find." She thought out loud and saw it was better to leave. She turned around and was startled as she was met with a pair of brown eyes.
"Sorry to scare you ?" Said Jeffrey as he moved back.
"Oh, don't bother. I've just been jumpy these days."
"You came to get something ?" He asked.
"No, I didn't. I got lost in thought and strolled in here." She replied.
"You shouldn't think too much." He said and went over to the logs of wood.
"Jeffrey, can I ask you something ?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"Have you noticed anything strange in the inn since your work here ?"
"No, I haven't. I also haven't heard of or witnessed any attack on the inn. Is there a problem ?" He asked. The question was not in the least what he expected.
"There is no problem. I just wanted to know. I was feeling a bit anxious with the frequent attacks, I just want to know how safe this place is."
"I can't say this place is safe based on what happens here and to you the other day."
"What happens here ?"
"I can't say, but a pretty lady like you shouldn't be in a place like this." He gave a smile. "I should get back to work. James is waiting." He picked up some of the firewood that Olive had stacked up and left.
Closing the door to the storeroom, Vivian left as well.
Walking into the inn, she was met with the face of a lady, specifically, Susan.
"Hey, there!" Susan smiled. "Are you done taking a stroll? They are rooms upstairs that need cleaning. You and Olive have to do it."
"Why do you always dictate my work ?" Olive asked stretching her arms.
"Why do you hardly do anything ?" Susan answered with a question of her own.
"I do a lot around here, you just never see it." Olive replied and stood to leave.
"You. Why are you still standing here ?" Susan, turning her attention to Vivian said.
"You are standing in my way," Vivian stated. Susan then moved, allowing Vivian to go ahead with what she was told to.
Following Olive, they walked into one of the rooms. Olive moved close to the crumpled sheets and began pulling them off.
"Musty." She commented. "I was hoping you'd bring something, a broom, a mop ?"
"Oh. I thought you had that covered." Vivian said.
"Are you going to keep staring at me or you'll go get a mop at least." Olive spoke again in her usual manner, with the same odd expression. She placed the sheets on the floor. Went out and returned with different ones and a basket. She set the bed once more and placed the old ones in the basket. She kept cleaning and arranging, paying Vivian no mind.
Vivian, on the other hand, was finding it hard to concentrate. Staying this close to her, watching her. She met eyes with Olive once, and an unsettling feeling filled her. She wanted to look away but felt locked in a trance.
"You enjoy watching me, I see. Am I that enthralling ?" Olive tilted her head.
"No, it's just... Why ?" Vivian said, after a while, searching for words. She almost palmed her forehead. Just what choice of words was that?
"Why, what ?" She asked.
"Nothing, never mind. I'm sorry for staring." Vivian apologized not knowing what else to say.
"You can finish up, it's just one room left." Olive said, picked up the dirty sheets and left.
'There is an aura about her, but, she seems normal. This is going to be hard.' Vivian sighed.