THE ANGEL IN HER

Chapter 2

The blindfold was being removed from her eyes and found herself sitting on a chair.

The bright light peered through like an evil into her eyes.

It burns — she cried out.

The maid ignored her and drew all the curtains open as the sunlight brightened the room.

Rowan left as instructed by the maiden who requested for some privacy. They made eye contact with each other as Noelle struggled with her sight.

“Noelle?” The maid called, leaning close to her.

The stench from her made her wriggle her nose.

“Please, let me go.” Noelle begged, trying to see the woman in front of her.

“I can't. I am here to make sure you are okay and — presentable.” The maid said after taking a good look at her.

The maid stood up and went to the drawer to pull out some clothes.

Noelle’s vision was getting adjusted to life and for the first time again, she recognised her old room.

Her best place in this house.

Strangely, her old things were still in place but new things had been added.

It wasn't a 15 years old room anymore but a full fledged adult room with pictures, posters and weird stickers she couldn't recognise yet.

Everything was still strange to her.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she stood up from the chair and moved around the room.

Happiness filled her heart as she couldn't believe that it was possible for her to be in her room again.

She limped to her book shelves, observing and paying attention to something. Then, she saw it.

Her favorite book then.

Alice in Wonderland.

A fantasy she had always lived on.

Noelle picked up the dusty book and cleaned it like her life depended on it.

It was the only thing that made her truly happy in this house.

The old book was carefully cleaned properly by her as she brought it close to her chest.

The nostalgic feelings overwhelmed her again.

An old memory flashed through and she remembered when her mother usually read this to her when she was still little— her real mother.

A tear slipped down and landed on her arm which made her realise something.

For the first time again, her tears were warm, not cold this time around.

It gave her a satisfying feeling as she tugged hard on the book with a smile on her face.

“Noelle?”

Her eyes opened abruptly like time had started working again.

She was reminded that it was all a dream and reality was waiting for her.

“Noelle, time to have your bath. Your father wants to see you.” The maid said to her, almost in a loud voice to get her full attention.

“What did you say? Father?” Noelle asked when she faced her with her book still plunged to her chest.

“Yes. He is in the living room. The whole family is waiting for you downstairs and we mustn't keep them waiting.”The maid informed and displayed a pretty gown on the well spread bed.

“I don't understand! What am I doing here? What family? They abandoned me and locked me up for years. The only thing I know is how to escape this shit hole.” Noelle flared up for the first time in 10 years.

The maid watched her with awe and confusion. She was just here to do her job. No question asked lest her job is being taken from her.

“But—you can't escape with that bad leg.” The maid reminded, pointing to her swollen ankle.

Noelle realised and looked down, remembering the aching pain on her leg. It was impossible to make it out of this place and the security must have been heightened in case she escaped.

With defeat, Noelle sat on the floor.

She was careful not to sit on the bed.

Not because she was stinky or dirty.

But because she felt unworthy.

Besides, it was never ours to begin with.

The maid noticed that vulnerability and sat close to her. The maid might not know anything, but one thing was clear. She could see through her pains.

“You know, there is a saying that for you to understand your enemy, you will have to live with your enemy.” The maid advised her and this only made her puzzled.

“Why are you telling me that? I want to leave this place and not stay here. You don't understand. I was being held down by these people. They never loved me.They used me and locked me up. I can't possibly trust them. All my life there, I have prayed for my freedom and I almost got it. Please, you have to help me leave here, please!” Noelle explained and begged her earnestly.

Tears filled her eyes in the process.

The maid saw her sincerity, her pains and fears but this was beyond her power.

There was nothing much she could offer to her except her needs.

“I can't—”

“Please!”

“It is too dangerous. They are watching.” The maid mouthed silently and pointed to the door.

It was obvious that Rowan was at the door waiting for them.

Noelle realised that she was already done for.

The best thing was to lay low until an opportunity springs up again.

She took a deep breath, analysing her situation, her escape plans which had failed and the uncertainty about her future.

It was evident that her future now lies in their hands.

One thing she was curious about is to see her parents once again.

She wanted to see how they would react in front of her.

Fear?

Disgust?

Anger?

Guilt?

Noelle was curious to find out.

She looked at the maid, really looked and for a second, she saw something flicker in the woman's expression.

Fear?

Warning?

Or a secret?

Noelle spoke with determination in her voice.

“Then make me pretty and powerful.”

The maid loved her audacity and smiled deeply.

“That can be arranged.”

A faint creaking came from the hallway.

Someone had moved.

Someone is listening.