Kapitel 4: Tend to my garden
Right now, the baron had settled himself on the couch opposite Mallory in the elegant sitting room of the Winchester manor. Aside from them, the only other individuals in the room were her aunt and cousin, who gracefully relocated themselves to a nearby corner to take their seats.
"Would you care for a cup of tea, Baron Kaiser?" Mallory asked.
"No, thanks. I am fine. But if you desire to have some yourself, please don't hesitate. The weather is a little chilly," Baron Kaiser responded, and Mallory shook her head. "I heard you went to visit the church today."
"I did. It has been a while since I last visited," Mallory replied, feeling at a loss for words as she struggled to comprehend the presence of the baron before her.
"I hope that the heavens have answered your prayers," Baron Kaiser said with a smile, causing Mallory's pale cheeks to tint pink.
Mallory had heard a great deal about Baron Kaiser from people in the past. He was in his early thirties. The man exuded an air of refinement, and his family boasted a long-standing lineage, holding the esteemed title of baron. Women admired his charming presence.
Three years ago, his wife had passed away, and he had been noticeably withdrawn from any social gatherings. In addition to the fact that he resided in Wingston, a town that was located in the north, rather than Reavermoure which was in the east.
"Do you visit the church often?" she asked.
"Not much. I have a difficult relationship with God, particularly considering our history. But I am hopeful that he will bestow his blessings upon me soon," Baron Kaiser replied, the volume of his voice falling. It made Colette nearly lose her balance on the chair she was sitting on, even though she was supposed to act as if she were reading a book. "I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity to see you at this moment."
"I believe it is my family and I who feel fortunate to have you here at our manor, Baron Kaiser," Mallory said with a slight bow.
She saw him smile at her before realising he was studying her appearance. She heard him ask her, "What do you like to do in your free time?"
With her mind unfocused, the first thing that came out of her mouth was, "Gardening."
"Gardening?" Baron Kaiser asked with astonishment.
Gardening? Lady Doris pondered silently. The girl could have mentioned her needlework or something of elegance. No wonder the suitors didn't show up for her, thought the older woman with a frown.
"Uh, I meant to tend to the plants in the garden and watch the flowers," Mallory quickly said with an awkward smile.
Baron Kaiser chuckled at her response. He inquired, "Would you be so kind as to show me around the garden, if it's not too much trouble?" He then glanced at Lady Doris, who had turned to meet his gaze.
"Certainly, Baron Kaiser. Mallory will be delighted to show you the front garden," Lady Doris replied.
Mallory and Baron Kaiser stepped out of the manor, while Lady Doris and Colette stayed behind in the room. Only this time they didn't have to pretend as if they were doing something and came to stand before the windows where they could see the pair.
Once Mallory had finished touring Baron Kaiser through the garden, he addressed her with a formal tone, saying,
"Lady Mallory, I trust you comprehend the purpose of my visit today." His words had her turn to him. He continued, "I won't mince words, as I feel I am too old for it. But if you permit me, I would be honoured to have you as my wife."
She was aware of his intention but did not expect it to be revealed this soon. Was he unaware of her dispute with George? Perhaps the man was probably too preoccupied with the memory of his deceased wife to pay any attention to gossip, she thought to herself.
"But why me?" She inquired, curious about what he found appealing about her that others did not.
"Because, unlike most people, you don't feel the need to rush into marriage. And not hastily seizing the first opportunity that presents itself, which I find quite admirable," Baron Kaiser informed her. "It is commendable. Especially with the world that we live in."
His words brought peace to her mind. To think that they shared similar thoughts about it.
"How was your marriage?" Mallory asked the man.
"It was beautiful. From the start to the end," Baron Kaiser stated with a pensive expression. "Arielle was a lovely and kind woman. We were very happy, until illness claimed her life."
"My deepest sympathies for your loss, Baron Kaiser," Mallory said, genuinely feeling sorry for the man. "It can be quite difficult when loved ones depart, causing us to long for their continued presence."
Baron Kaiser nodded in agreement. "Indeed, you are correct. But that's just how life goes... People rarely stay as long as we want. We just need to keep them in our memories."
Mallory noticed a connection with Baron Kaiser, as they shared a profound sense of loss and held similar views. He then remarked,
"Furthermore, to add to my previous response, you hold a captivating beauty, Lady Mallory." After a brief pause, he went on, "I'll be staying in Reavermoure for a month and am looking forward to spending more time with you, Lady Mallory. I'll eagerly anticipate your response whenever you are ready. I hope you will tend to my garden one day."
Mallory smiled and said, "Thank you for your kind consideration, Baron Kaiser." Unlike the other times where men had pursued her in the initial year of her debut, she felt relaxed and not pressured now. After a few minutes, the baron left in his carriage.
As the season progressed with grandeur and festivity in Reavermoure, Mallory discovered herself increasingly in the company of Baron Kaiser. Always surrounded by Mr. Nottingham and her cousin, with Lady Doris trailing behind alongside Mr. Nottingham's mother.
By the second week of the season, Mr. Nottingham and Colette were engaged. The discussions about their venue for the marriage, their wedding clothes, and their guest list soon followed.
One afternoon, as Mallory was in the sitting room engrossed in a book, her uncle made an appearance in the room. She gently set her book on her lap as soon as she noticed his presence.
"What are you reading?" Uncle Wilfred asked, taking a seat beside her.
"Mr. Rosher's travel diary about his time in France," Mallory replied, and she could tell her uncle wanted to talk about something with her. "You should rest your feet, Uncle, you have been busy. If you would like, I would be happy to accompany you."
Uncle Wilfred waved his hand and said, "I will be fine. Always worrying about me," he added. He said, "Once Colette and you marry, your aunt and I will miss you two. Terribly."
"I do have some time left before it, Uncle," Mallory replied, feeling a tinge of sadness at the prospect of departing from this manor.
"Does the baron not interest you?"
"No, he does plenty."
"Well, it seems that it's just a matter of time. I've already completed the paperwork and obtained the town's head's signature." Uncle Wilfred's words made Mallory look at him in question. He clarified, "The papers for the manor."
"You don't have to do that at the moment," Mallory said, but Uncle Wilfred shook his head. He took her hand in his, enclosing it with both his hands.
"This manor rightfully belongs to you before me, Mal. I know you won't need it with the baron in the picture, but it holds memories, doesn't it?" Uncle Wilfred asked softly. "Your parents would be proud of you if they were here. To see their Mal all grown up and ready to settle down with the right man."
"You say it as if I'm about to walk down the aisle tomorrow." Mallory smiled, happy to have her uncle's support.
"I say it because I know most of the men here in Reavermoure aren't to your liking. But Baron Kaiser, he seems to be well put together," Uncle Wilfred squeezed her hand.
"I will visit you often once I am married," Mallory promised, and her uncle nodded.
"I am confident you will. Your uncle will be sad if you don't," Uncle Wilfred stated, a hint of sorrow coming to his face. "You girls grew up too fast. It is hard for us parents, even though we are happy to see you going to have your own family, but nonetheless difficult."
Mallory allowed her head to gently rest against her uncle's shoulder. She softly murmured, "You've done an excellent job raising us." They sat in quiet companionship, finding solace in each other's presence, while being able to hear Colette's voice eagerly asking her mother when they were going to visit the modeste's shop next.
"Mallory?" Lady Doris summoned her. "We are going to visit the shop. Come now."
In the last week of the season, the Nottinghams invited the Winchesters for a brunch, as well as to discuss the last details of the wedding preparation of Colette and her fiance. The dowry had been handed. When it was time to leave in the evening, Colette had to go visit the modeste, and she decided to go with her future mother-in-law as the lady had to pay a visit too.
"You don't have to worry about Colette, Lady Doris. We will make sure to personally drop her off at your manor," Mrs. Nottingham relayed, placing her hand on Colette's shoulder.
"Hattie," Lady Doris summoned the maid, "accompany Colette and Mrs. Nottingham. Assist them if they need any help."
"But if we require assistance with carrying items, we can always rely on the coachman," Colette blurted out, only to receive a quiet disapproving look from her mother.
This naive child. Despite Colette's approaching marriage into the Nottingham family, Lady Doris was determined to protect her daughter's reputation as Mallory's behaviour had already been quite challenging.
"We could use some additional assistance," Colette said with a nervous smile and Hattie joined her.
And so, the remaining members of the Winchester family made their way back to the manor. Upon returning to her room, Mallory decided to switch out her elegant silk dress to a humble cotton fabric dress. Descending the staircase, she caught the sound of her uncle engaged in conversation with someone at the entrance.
Curious, she headed towards the entrance hall, only to find Baron Kaiser waiting there. When did he arrive? She had missed the sound of the carriage wheels.
"Lady Mallory," Baron Kaiser greeted her with a respectful bow, which she gracefully returned. "I thought I might have left my ring here yesterday when I came to meet you. But it seems not. I should get going now."
"It is late right now. Why don't you have supper with us, Baron Kaiser? I am sure we have enough for another person, and Mallory would like it too. Isn't that correct, Mal?" Uncle Wilfred asked, turning to her.
Mallory agreed with her uncle and said, "We would be delighted if you could join us for supper."
"If you insist," Baron Kaiser replied, before he was led to the sitting room. Lady Doris joined them, while Mallory decided to quickly change her attire once again.
Excusing herself, she went to her room to fix her appearance to make sure it was presentable enough. It took her a good ten minutes before she made her way back, when she felt the sitting room was rather quiet.
Did they move to the dining room already? Mallory questioned herself.
But before she could walk past the sitting room, she caught something from the corners of her eyes. And when she turned, the blood in her face drained. Her feet grew cold, and she felt her throat close up at the sight that greeted her.
There lay Uncle Wilfred on the ground, with blood surrounding his body.
"U—Uncle?" Mallory whispered, running inside the room.
Reaching him, she kneeled down and tried to wake him up… but he was gone. "No, no, no! You can't die!" she cried in desperation as her eyes stung.
Her hands covered themselves in blood, and her changed dress began to soak itself in the blood from the floor. How could this happen? Her breath started to turn harsh, and her head turned dizzy.
"Aunt Doris!" Mallory called in a shaky voice, silently promising her uncle to return before going to look for her aunt.
But the moment she turned in the corridor, she noticed the once white walls were now splattered in blood. Her legs shook as she walked, only to find the servants' necks slit. Walking further, she finally found her aunt, who had received the same fate as the others.
"Baron Kaiser?" Mallory called out feebly. And she wondered if she was the last one who was going to die. Was the murderer still present?
Mallory's eyes welled up with tears, as she tried to look for any survivors. She heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps echoing through the corridor, before Baron Kaiser arrived at one end of the hallway.
"Baron Kaiser, there's a killer in the manor. We should call for help immediately!" Mallory was overwhelmed with panic. And it was after she had uttered that she noticed him calmly standing there without attempting to move. "Baron… Kaiser?" Her heart sank further.
"You are a lovely person, Mallory. And just as I told you on our first meeting, you will tend to my garden by lying beneath it," Baron Kaiser calmly said, his face blank of any emotions. "I thought it was only right to keep you last."
"W—Why?" Mallory asked with disbelief. "What did we do to you?!"
"Nothing. But I cannot have any survivors," came the simple words, while he held papers in his hand.
When he took a step forward, Mallory ran as fast as she could before locking herself in the sitting room, where her uncle lay cold. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she could hear her heart beating in her ears.
What was going on?! Questions rushed across Mallory's head one after another, while she heard the echo of his footsteps grow closer. But then it stopped. At the same time, she heard a carriage arrive at the front of the manor.
Colette and Hattie were here! She should inform them! She thought to herself. Looking below the door, she found no signs of shoes. She gave it a minute before unlocking the door and stepping out of the room.
"Mallory?" Colette called upon seeing Mallory step out of the sitting room. Right behind her appeared Hattie.
But when their gazes fell on Mallory's blood stained dress and hands, their eyes widened in shock, and their faces turned pale.
Colette questioned in horror, "What have you done?!"
Kapitel 5: Digging in the rain
"W—where are Father and Mother? Where are they!" Her cousin anxiously demanded, scared at the answer she was going to receive.
Mallory couldn't put it into words. The reality was hard to grasp, and she turned to her left, looking at the room inside which her uncle's body was. She noticed tears brim up in Colette's eyes as she hurried towards the front of the sitting room.
"NO!!!!" came a piercing scream from Colette's lips, before she began to cry with her hand covering her mouth. "This can't be true! Father, please wake up!" the young woman cried.
"It wasn't me, Colette…" Mallory whispered, her tears trickling down her cheeks. "It was Baron Kaiser. He was the one who did this!"
They heard voices from the front of the entrance, and before long, Mrs. Nottingham made her appearance. A gasp was heard from her when she saw Mallory soaked in blood. But at the same time, another person burst into the corridor right behind her, looking confused. It was none other than Baron Kaiser, and a chill ran down Mallory's spine.
"He is the one responsible for all the deaths here!" Mallory raised her voice, glaring at Baron Kaiser with frustration. "Summon the local authorities!"
Everyone's attention shifted towards the baron, who appeared perplexed as he asked, "I'm sorry, Lady Mallory, but I'm not quite following your train of thought. I just arrived a moment ago."
"You are lying!" Mallory shook her head in desperation. "You came here looking for your ring. And we invited you to have dinner with us. A—and by the time I re-entered the room, you had killed them and threatened to kill me too!"
Baron Kaiser's eyebrows furrowed deeply and he appeared taken aback. He said, "I understand that you are in grief, but what you say doesn't make sense."
"He is correct," Mrs. Nottingham replied, her expression filled with bewilderment. "Baron Kaiser just arrived in his carriage a moment ago, right after we got here. How is it possible that it's him?"
This left Mallory dumbstruck, as she didn't know how the baron had made it so. He was in the manor with her, right in front of her, before she had locked herself in the room to protect herself. She knew what she saw!
"I am speaking the truth! Please believe me!" Mallory pleaded with them in frustration. She noticed the sceptical expression on Mrs. Nottingham's face.
"Mallory…" Colette spoke up, inhaling deeply as she composed herself. "If the baron killed my parents… why are his clothes clean and without a drop of bloodstain? Why is it you who has blood on your hands and clothes?"
How would she know why Kaiser had no blood on him?! Mallory questioned herself. She told the only truth she knew,
"By the time I came from my room, Uncle Wilfred was gone… I hoped he was still there, and I tried to wake him up. Colette, you must trust me when I say that the baron is the one responsible for their deaths. Please!"
But Mallory's pleas fell on deaf ears, and Colette stayed quiet. Her eyes shifted to look at the baron, who continued to hold a frown. He said, "Lady Mallory, you can accuse me later. But we should inform the authorities so that they can look into the matter."
"You are right, Baron Kaiser," Mrs. Nottingham nodded in agreement. Seeing Colette continue to sob, she turned to Hattie and asked, "What are you doing, standing here? Go fetch a glass of water."
The maid, not understanding what or how it happened, nodded and left for the kitchen.
Walking towards Colette, the woman put a comforting arm around her while giving a side eye to Mallory before they went to see Lady Doris.
Baron Kaiser stood in the same spot, his eyes meeting Mallory's angry ones, which had tears in them.
"I won't hurt you for now. But it is unfortunate, Lady Mallory. It could have ended in a second, but you chose to drag on the torture," Baron Kaiser threatened in his calm and lowered voice.
Mallory would have never guessed that the baron would be a murderer. Her hands shook beside her. She was scared of him… Of what he could do. It was only now did she realise that he had laid a trap, a trap in which she had stepped into. He had said things he knew she wanted to hear so that he could manipulate her.
She could hear the painful cries coming from the other side of the corridor, which belonged to her cousin.
"Why?" Mallory demanded, the question eating her from the inside. She had seen him holding papers. "How did you do it?"
Baron Kaiser offered her a small smile. He replied, "I needed the manor for reasons."
A tear rolled down Mallory's cheek. He killed them for such a simple reason? She said, "You would have gotten the manor once you married me."
Mrs. Nottingham returned with Colette to where they were. Baron Kaiser sent his coachman to bring in the guards, while everyone waited.
Mallory went to sit beside Uncle Wilfred's lifeless form with a dazed look, while Colette switched between her parents. Hattie would have suggested getting water so that the blood could be washed out and a change of clothes, but her lady was shaken.
Gently, Mallory caressed Uncle Wilfred's cheek, tenderly closing his eyes. Every now and then, she would look up to see the baron walk past the room that was scaring her.
Four guards arrived at the manor, and transported the victims to the carriages bound for the mortuary. One guard meticulously recorded the scene, including everyone's statements, before departing.
Lady Nottingham said to Colette, "This place isn't safe to stay the night. If you want, we can return first thing in the morning, but for now, we should head back to the Nottingham manor so that you can rest the night. Lady Mallory if you—"
"No," came the firm word from Colette, trying to stop the sobs. "S—she won't be riding with us. I don't want the ill omen following us," she said, wiping her nose with her handkerchief.
"If you say so," Mrs. Nottingham said, as if internally relieved not to have the troublesome Winchester woman in her carriage. "Let us leave then."
Mallory, who had turned to look at Colette, saw her refuse to meet her eyes. Her heart broke. She knew her cousin was grieving like her, but it hurt more that her cousin suspected she had something to do with it.
"Lady Mallory, would you like me to drop you off at the magistrate's building?" Baron Kaiser asked with concern in his voice. "We could also speak about why you mentioned me as the killer."
This bastard! "I will be right here… " Mallory clenched her hands. She wanted to punch him, but something in her gut said it wouldn't go well.
"Okay, if you say so." Baron Kaiser didn't insist further, and he walked out of the manor. Mrs. Nottingham and Colette were the next ones to follow him out of the manor, climbing inside the carriage before leaving.
Hearing the carriages leave, Mallory, who had been standing, suddenly flopped on the ground.
"Lady Mallory!" Hattie quickly came to her side, who had stayed back in the Winchester manor.
It took a second before all the emotions broke loose, and Mallory began to cry. Tears continuously spilled one after another, falling on her dress, which absorbed them. Her heart was being wrung by the very thought that her uncle and aunt didn't exist in this world anymore. She tried to grasp her surroundings, but she was being pulled into darkness as if the ground didn't exist.
Hattie put her arms around Mallory, while the latter wailed, the deserted corridors echoing with her voice. Even the maid was left in shock, not able to utter a word with the sight she had been greeted with on her way to the kitchen.
Mallory's chest heaved, and she tried to stop her tears before saying, "We should get inside the room and lock it."
Hattie pulled away from her ladyship, worry imminent in her eyes. She asked, "Baron Kaiser?"
Mallory nodded, wiping her red rimmed eyes with the back of her sleeves. She stated,
"He cannot be trusted, Hattie. I should have paid attention… when I didn't hear the sound of his carriage. He must have left the carriage outside the manor, making it appear he just arrived after sneaking out of here. If only I knew…"
"Please don't blame yourself, milady. None of us saw this coming," Hattie consoled her.
"He killed everyone…" Mallory whispered. "He wanted the manor," and this made the maid frown.
Standing up, they secured themselves in the sitting room, bolting the door and shuttering the windows, curtains tightly drawn. That night was the harshest, and it wasn't because the clouds grumbled in the sky. Mallory and Hattie took turns resting, to make sure Baron Kaiser wouldn't intrude and kill them.
By the time the sun rose high in the sky, word had reached out all over Reavermoure about the massacre that had taken place in Winchester's manor. The news about Mallory being the sole survivor reached the townfolks' ears, eyebrows rose, and the old rumour that had been present but not spoken out loud rose up again with speculations.
George Kingsley, who still vividly remembered Mallory Winchester's unexpected assault on his nose, was quick to fuel the gossip. In a small gathering, he expressed, "I always suspected her heart was not pure. To kill the people who had been feeding her."
"But weren't you pursuing Lady Mallory until recently, Mr. Kingsley?" one of the gentlemen inquired.
George scoffed before remarking, "I was attempting to monitor her behaviour as it seemed rather dubious. Once she stepped inside a room, and when it opened, she wasn't there."
"Do you think she's involved in any sort of witchcraft?" Another person inquired, leaning in eagerly to hear the scandalous gossip, showing little concern for the unfortunate woman at the centre of it all.
"Why else would one kill people? Not sparing the servants either. Poor Lady Colette," George sighed, his tone seemingly filled with sympathy.
"Word has it that she tried to put the blame for the murders on Baron Kaiser. How brave of her to make such accusations against a nobleman like him! And he even called the guards," the second gentleman stated, shaking his head in disbelief. "Trying to cover her sinful actions."
"If the magistrate hasn't decided yet, we should talk to him about punishing her," proposed one of them, who thought he was going to do a noble deed and the others agreed. Because to them, it was clear that Mallory Winchester had killed people in the past, and had struck again.
The following day, Mallory and Hattie visited Nottingham's grand estate.
"I was worried about Colette and thought to come see her," Mallory remarked as Mr. Nottingham emerged at the entrance.
"Colette is still recuperating from the shock, Lady Mallory, and is currently not receiving any visitors. It would be best to give her some time to process it," Mr. Nottingham responded with a wary look. After a brief moment of silence, he replied, "I'll inform her of your visit."
"I wanted to ask her when she was ready for the… burial," Mallory said, and she could tell that the man wanted her off his property.
"I will inform you once I bring it up," Mr. Nottingham curtly responded.
"Thank you," Mallory murmured softly as she exited with her maid.
A day later, Hattie ventured to the market to replenish the provisions. However, she came back with some news in the evening. She entered the manor with haste and called out, "Milady! Lady Mallory?"
Hearing her maid's voice, Mallory stepped out of the room and caught Hattie gasping for air.
"What's wrong, Hattie?" Mallory inquired with concern.
"That, milady, I was in the market and I overheard," Hattie seemed to struggle to find the right words. "Lord Wilfred and Lady Doris were buried last evening, milady... I apologise."
Mallory gazed at Hattie, as though she hadn't quite grasped her maid's words. However, it gradually became clear to her. The manor filled itself with the sound of thunder as dark clouds collided and raindrops started to fall. She softly murmured,
"I understand..." Although she wasn't their daughter, she had longed to say a final goodbye to them. However, her cousin was quite displeased with her, convinced that she had separated them from her.
How could her cousin possibly believe that she would ever cause them any harm? The absence of trust pained her deeply, beyond what words could convey.
As Mallory attempted to regain her composure after the news, Hattie was far from finished. She advised,
"I believe it would be unwise to remain in this place. I happened to overhear a conversation among some individuals, and it seems that there are people who wish to impose some form of punishment upon you. The things they said were disturbing, and I am worried for your safety."
This is why Baron Kaiser hadn't come for her, Mallory thought to herself. He was well aware that he wouldn't have to lift a finger, as the townsfolk would take care of everything. To hunt her down. In the past, there was once a woman who was set on fire after people believed she was a witch.
A shiver coursed through her body as she attempted to come to terms with the situation. Everything was going downhill, and she only had Hattie by her side now.
"Okay," Mallory whispered, nodding to herself. "We should gather the necessary things and depart from this place. There's a little money in the drawer and jewels that can be sold." She didn't want to leave, but did she have a choice?
"Yes, my lady!" Hattie agreed.
Before long, they gathered all the essential items and carefully stowed them in the carriage, ensuring they had enough provisions to fend off hunger during their journey. Thunder and lightning accompanied the rain as it fell from the sky, intensifying the storm.
"I would like to visit Uncle and Aunty before we leave," Mallory remarked softly.
"Then we shall," Hattie replied. The two women took the coachman's seat, before leaving the manor.
Upon reaching the church, they parked the carriage beneath a tree and proceeded to the back of the graveyard with an umbrella over their heads, even though they were drenched. After carefully searching the area, they eventually found the graves.
Mallory felt a pang in her heart as she gazed upon the graves and the names inscribed upon them. She wanted Kaiser to face the consequences of his actions, yet she felt utterly helpless. Furthermore, the townspeople were planning to condemn her for errors she had not committed.
Praying for their souls' peace, Mallory and Hattie were about to depart, when a thought suddenly struck the former. It seemed rather insane for her to entertain such thoughts, but there was no harm in trying it.
But what if...?
"Hattie, wait!" Mallory halted her maid, who glanced back at her with a quizzical expression. "We should dig the ground."
Hattie's complexion grew ashen. "You want to bring them along?" she inquired. There was no space inside the carriage, and it was not a good idea, unless her lady wanted to have a final glimpse of them before they would start to decay.
"No, not them," Mallory quickly replied. She then turned in the direction of the older graveyard, which was locked.
It took the maid five seconds, before her eyes widened and she shook her head. She said, "It is the restricted side of this place, and you said it yourself that it is cursed." Evening had passed, inviting night and she didn't feel it was safe.
"But what if my grandmother's stories were not mere fabrications? What if the object that has power will help me put Kaiser in his place?" Mallory asked with hope, knowing she sounded crazy. "Desperate times need desperate measures," she added.
Hattie appeared torn. She remained devoted to Mallory, yet hesitant to explore the forbidden land. She admitted, "I am frightened, Lady Mallory."
"I will be with you, Hattie," Mallory promised, and the maid gulped. "We need to look for shovels. They should be around here."
With the rain pouring, it camouflaged their figures. While Mallory found the shovels, Hattie picked up two lanterns from the backhouse of the church and lit them. They then made their way to the front of the older graveyard, which was locked.
"Look there!" Mallory gestured in a particular direction. "There appears to be a gap!"
As Mallory attempted to pass through the wired fence, a barbed wire unexpectedly pierced her left arm, causing her to let out a cry of pain.
"Are you okay?!" Hattie asked in concern.
Mallory suppressed her pain, her lips tightly pressed together. One end of the wire had dug into her skin, leaving an open wound with blood seeping out of it. She replied, "I am fine." She pushed the wire aside so that Hattie could pass through.
Once inside, they split up and looked for the squarish headstone. With the bushes and trees surrounding this locked graveyard, it hid the light of their lanterns. After nearly fifteen minutes, Hattie found the headstone and shouted over the thunder, "Lady Mallory! I think I found it!"
Mallory hurriedly arrived beside Hattie. She raised the lantern, such that light fell on the nameless grave. The tombstone was short and covered with moss, as if to attract less attention.
"This must be it," Mallory whispered, her heart racing.
Setting aside the lanterns, the women started to dig the ground. With the rain, it made it harder as the mud felt heavier.
Hattie occasionally paused, feeling fatigued. However, Mallory, driven by an insatiable desire to discover this artefact, persisted without pause. It took them several hours before Mallory's shovel made contact with something.
The two women stared at each other. Having heard it was cursed, the maid quickly withdrew her shovel from the grave. She asked for permission,
"Milady, may I go up?"
"Yes," Mallory replied, her eyes set beneath her. She continued to remove the mud, until she found the upper door of a coffin.
"How big is this object we are looking for?" Hattie asked from above, who held the lanterns above the grave they had dug.
"It should be small," Mallory shouted. Maybe this is how people buried valuables many years ago, she thought to herself.
Taking a deep breath, her trembling fingers found the edge of the coffin's door and pushed it upward. At the same moment, lightning struck in the sky, momentarily lighting up the ground, which briefly revealed a person inside the coffin, before darkness fell again.
Geschenke
-- Geschenk
erhalten Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
200+ Power-
Rangliste 
272 Power-
Stein Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen
Kommentar absatzweise anzeigen