Ashes From Ashes by Barbara Gaskell Denvil

Author:Barbara Gaskell Denvil [Denvil, Barbara Gaskell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gaskell Publishing
Published: 2019-04-21T22:00:00+00:00

Under the white furry rug, Eve curled and hugged herself, trying not to cry. The shivering was more from cold than fear, but the insistent tears were for pain and utter hopeless misery. Master had suddenly turned more dangerous and Eve feared she might bleed to death, or he would purposefully kill her.

She had been a fool and blamed herself. They had been talking. Placid, unconcerned and even, within the boundaries Master could cope with, friendly.

“Tis a new house,” Master said. “I likes it better.”

“Is it a house you own?” Eve had asked. She didn’t care and asked only to be attentive. In fact, she was watching the spider on the ceiling. It suspected ill will and had frozen, playing dead. Eve wished she could do the same. “Is it nice upstairs?”

Master had scowled. “Why? I doesn’t see upstairs much. Wot’s it got to do with you? You won’t never see it.”

She grunted. “I just wanted to know you were – comfortable. Happy.”

He thought about this for some time. Finally he said, “None o’ your business.”

She should have kept quiet then and knew it now. But instead, she had continued, saying, “You’re my good master. I want you to be happy. Number One looks after you, doesn’t he?”

Then he had slapped her hard across the face, making her ears ring. She had shrunk back against the pillows, clamping her mouth shut. But it was too late. “Wot you know about Number One?” Master demanded.

“Nothing.” Then she had an idea. Even at the time she knew it to be stupid, but could not resist the temptation. It could – just might – be a path to release. “I do know who he is,” she said softly. “I knew him when he offered me a lift in his car. Then he made me go to sleep and I woke up here. But I wouldn’t ever have got in the car if I hadn’t known and trusted him. I liked him. I thought he was a good man.”

“He’s a mighty good man,” Master said between his teeth. “Say it. Go on. You says it now and loud.”

Obedience, she hoped, would as usual keep her safe. She said that Number One was a mighty good man. She said it three times and lastly shouted the words again. Then she saw the expression in Master’s eyes, and she huddled, pulling the rug over her face. But he grabbed one of her hands, and held it between both of his own, taking one finger, he twisted it suddenly, and Eve heard the snap and felt the pain. She screamed. “Shut up,” shrieked Master, but he twisted the second finger, and it too snapped. Then he broke her third. Finally, her little finger snapped beneath his fierce twist. Every finger except her thumb was broken at its lower joint. Eve sobbed, choking. The pain shot through each finger and up her arm.

“You says that name again,” Master roared into her eyes, his teeth nearly on her nose

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