The sun peekrd through the window forcing hazel to open her eyes.
she took a Moment to adjust to the light, groaning and rubbing her eyes when memories of her nightmare came rushing in.
She had that feeling again, the feeling of fear. The nightmare, vivid and terrifying, clung to her like a damp shroud.
She sat up, her heart still hammering against her ribs. The image of the shadowy figure, tall and gaunt, its face obscured by darkness, was seared into her memory.
The way it had moved, gliding rather than walking, the chilling silence that accompanied its presence – it all felt so real, so immediate.
She shivered, pulling the thick blanket tighter around her.
She sighed. Gathering all her courage, she rose from the bed, her legs slightly shaky, to prepare for the day.
Hazel got downstairs to the kitchen. she greeted everyone with only Mr. Brown, mira, and lucy responding to her. Mr. Brown assigned her to water the garden while he assign the others different tasks. Hazel's face suddenly turned pale
"T..The garden"? she repeated.
"There wasn't water in my mouth my dear" Mr.browm replied.
hazel gulped.. she remembered there is a particular flower in the garden that belongs to Mr. stern.. what if she makes a mistake?
Mira gave her a pitiful look.
Hazel felt nervous as she approached the the garden, She stared at the single- perfect, blush- blue rose perched on pedestal like a queen on her throne. It was beautiful.
hazel sighed, the text written on that paper about this rose was vividly clear in her mind. " no harm , just no harm" she said repeatedly to herself.
She gripped the watering can tighter, the cool metal a small comfort against her clammy skin. She'd checked the water temperature three times – lukewarm, just as instructed.
She'd even practiced her watering technique in the empty scullery, mimicking the gentle arc Mr. Brown had demonstrated with an almost surgical precision.
She tiptoed towards the rose, as if approaching a sleeping dragon. The watering can felt heavy, unwieldy. She positioned herself carefully, trying to remember Mr. Brown's instructions: "water the base, not the petals. Gentle, even flow. No splashing".
Hazel was so immense in her work
when she suddenly felt a cold gaze on her that gave her instant goose bumps.
h.he's here.. Mr. stern... he is starting her.
Her hand trembled slightly as she began to pour. From the corner of her eyes she could see a figure standing at the balcony, staring at her coldly.
she gulped nervously dropping a splash of water onto a lower leaf. Hazel gasped.
"Oh, no!" she whispered, frantically dabbing at the leaf with the edge of her apron.
Hazel felt cold sweat forming on her forehead. She examined it closely. No damage. A wave of relief washed over her, quickly replaced by a fresh surge of anxiety.
she looked at the directions from where Mr. stern stood. He glared at her, with his hands in his pocket he turned his back, and Left.
Hazel felt scared.. that didn't look good, did she get on his bad side?
she wiped the sweat of her forehead and quickly took the watering can and got out of there as fast as she could.