by T. Lynne Tolles
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The long hallway of doors daunted Alice as she listened and stepped lightly passing several door, but one caught her attention. It sounded as if someone was moaning and talking in their sleep. Was someone having a nightmare, she had to find out. Alice crept silently to the door and peeked in the keyhole.
What she saw was a Phoebe MacIntire in a fitful sleep, obviously having a very bad dream when she suddenly sat up in bed wide awake and wiped a bit of sweat from her hairline. She had brought up a glass of water to bed so as not to perhaps startle the Master again. She walked in the dark over to the dresser where she had put the glass, and out of the corner of her eye she saw the lights coming from the rooms above the stables. She couldn't help but take a peek through the gossamer drapes.
She saw the Master pacing again as he had been doing the night she had startled him. She stood and watched him moving from window to window as she drank her water.
Was he still so angry with her about the music box, or had the necklace somehow made things worse for Phoebe? She was worried the Master would fire her at this rate, and she just couldn't go back home. It was so peaceful here. There were no outsiders taunting her or making fun of her. Her father wasn't there to remind her what a disappointment she was to him. She hoped that tomorrow she could give the Master the repaired music box. She hoped that he would at least forgive her for the shambles she had made of something he obviously treasured. She wondered if maybe she should work tomorrow instead of read. If only she knew what the Master liked or what he enjoyed she could do something or make something that would make him happy. Up until now though, the only time they'd spoken was when he had been angry with her.
With her head resting against the wall next to the window, she felt somehow comforted as she watched him. Knowing he was there made her feel safe. She didn't know why; after all, she'd really only seen his flash of temper. Maybe it was the picture in the locket that revealed another side of him, which somehow comforted her. It seemed silly to her as she tried to rationalize the feeling, but she stood there for the longest time watching him pace. She hoped she might see that happier man in the picture someday in real life. Maybe someone wonderful would come into his life and make him happy again. But for now, her feet were getting cold and she wanted to get back into bed to warm up.
~end
keyhole post created for Alice in WhoLand event by T. Lynne Tolles author of Somber Island
© 2011. All rights reserved.
by T. Lynne Tolles
~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
Should Alice open this door?
