Madeline stared at the many faces in the mirrors in front of her. Blood dripped from her hands as she clutched onto one of the many, many pieces of the mirror. She furrowed her brows at the headache she was currently experiencing and then, her expression turned normal when it disappeared.
She moved to her bed, a petite smile on her face as she wrote in her diary with her blood. She giggled with a blank look in her eyes with every word she wrote.
A knock from behind the door caused her to stiffen, panic surfacing in her eyes. "Madam.", she then heard a call from behind the door from a female voice. She moved her lips dryly, not a single word coming out. "Madam is everything o-" The door opened; a look of horror flashed across the maid's face as she stared at the mess in the room. The broken pieces of mirrors, the blood, it was simply horrendous.
'Oh my…" She tried to hold in her shock to prevent the young woman from being agitated or else, it would mean her head was going to be cut off.
She gulped slightly before asking quietly. "Madam, what happened?" She moved her gaze from the pieces of the broken mirror on the floor to the woman who sat on the bed in a yellow dress.
Quiet, confused, innocent. The woman moved her lips. "I don't know. It fell and I got cut when I tried to pick it up. And the red was beautiful, so I decided to write in my diary." She raised the book filled with writings in blood with a smile on her face. "Pretty, isn't it?"
The maid swallowed and smiled. "Y-yes." Madeline was not sane. And her insanity came with innocence. The maid's eyes softened at the innocent look on her face. "It's okay. I'll clean it up. Madeline nodded softly, holding onto her bloody hand. "I'll get Mr. Hammond. You're injured. He'll know what to do.' She moved towards the door. "Thank you, Stacy.'
The maid, Stacy, paused and turned to look at Madeline with a smile. "You're welcome, Madam. I'll be right back." And then, she left.
Madeline turned to the side, a dull look marring her features as her pupils shrank. "I-I am Madeline Reyes.", she whispered quietly, the dull look in her eyes intensifying.
…
"Keep all sharp objects away from the madam. Mr. Blackford will be infuriated with this occurrence." Mr. Hammond, the housekeeper, took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose with a frustrated look after getting the workers to disperse. His gaze then moved to Madeline.
She was in another dress which was a light blue color since the previous one was stained with blood. Although she was not fazed by the blood on her, Mr. Hammond wasn't sure how long she would be stable and hence, the change in outfits. Her eyes were glued to the television screen as she watched a cartoon with a carefree smile. Mr. Hammond stared down at her meticulously bandaged hands. He couldn't help but fear the wrath of his employer, Mr. Blackford, who would most definitely be furious after seeing what had happened to his dearest wife.
He put his glasses back on and let out a short sigh before walking towards his employer's wife. "Madam.", he called out to which no response was heard. "Madam." Once again, there was no response from the woman.
"Madam." Something seemed to have snapped as Madeline turned her head towards the man. "Uncle Hammond." The man made no comment, silently acknowledging his employer's wife addressing him as uncle which happened on a daily basis. "Your lunch is ready."
Madeline blinked at him. Then she moved her gaze to the television. "I am not hungry." The man felt a shudder crawl up his spine. "But I must insist. You haven't eaten since-"
He shut his lips as the look in the young woman's eyes changed. "I said I'm not hungry."
And this was where he felt it was enough. He knew not to push his madam's buttons. Madeline was heavily emotional: as anyone with the right mind to not offend Mr. Blackford would say. "I understand." With a heavy look, Mr. Hammond turned and walked away. Madeline turned to the television once again a bright smile on her face.
"When is Luther coming home?", she asked out loud. Mr. Hammond turned back at her to see a dazed look on her face as she cuddled the large teddy given to her after she had been cleaned up. "I miss him." It was then that Mr. Hammond realized the young woman was only talking to herself. "I'm sure he'll be home early today, madam.", he said, trying to comfort. The woman gave no response after and the old housekeeper sighed, turning once again to leave.
"I want to go out." The housekeeper paused and gave an abrupt turn towards the woman. "What?" She turned and knelt on the couch and neared him, practically hanging off the edge. "Please be careful." She paid no heed to his words.
"I just remembered. Sydney said we should go out today.", She started. "She told me two days ago. She said we should go shopping. I told Luther yesterday and he said I should do whatever I want which means 'yes'." Mr. Hammond tried his leveled best to not look quite confused by her rambling. "So, I'm going."
Mr. Hammond had no choice but to agree. If his employer spoke, who was he not to agree. Madeline only listened to a specific group of people, her husband being one of them. Telling her otherwise would agitate her.
"I'll get the car ready." "No need." A voice spoke from behind. "Sydney!" In a flash Madeline had her arms wrapped around a skinny yet muscular woman. "Hey, Linny." Madeline giggle at the nickname. "Mr. Hammond I'll take care of her." The old man couldn't help but let out a cracked man. "Are you ready?" Madeline nodded and pulled Sydney outside but before she could sit in the car, her eyes met with a man's.
His gray eyes were staring at her with no ripple effect being formed as he locked eyes with her. His expression was calm, placid, almost disturbing. Mr. Hammond paused, staring at his employer, Luther Blackford.
"Madeline. Come here."