1893, 27 June
Dear Diary,
After I breakfasted with Daddy on the terrace, Daddy announced that he would be leaving on a business venture the following morning. He informed me that Mrs. Brill would be in charge and to mind her at all costs.
The next morning, Daddy made a special trip into the library to warn me again of the danger that surrounds these woods, and to please avoid George until he returned from his trip.
I felt terribly confused at his apprehension about George. How could I avoid my own brother–my flesh and blood?
I agreed to his conditions, so as not to upset him, but still…I am uncertain and frightened as to why Daddy cannot trust his own son. I feared now, more than ever, that the tryst between George and Daddy was widening.
I am quite eager, however, that I have access to Daddy’s library. Oh the places I will go now! I can escape Kinsport, leaving the secrets, lies and confusion behind me…
The library here at Kinsport is my haven. In there, I can dream and finally feel safe. I do not understand what it is here that gives me this feeling of comfort, but I welcome it. I intend to spend many of my days discovering the knowledge that lies within those book lined walls.
Yesterday, the weather was quite lovely and I felt inclined to visit the garden, but soon remembered that Daddy had forbade me to go alone; so I located Mrs. Brill in the main kitchen and asked her to accompany me to the garden so that I could pick some flowers for the house. She reluctantly went, after I pleaded with her, that a young girl such as I, should not waste away the beautiful daylight hours among dusty old books!
The weather was quite agreeable as we strolled among the beautiful display of colors! Every flower, every color imaginable, spread out before my eyes—it seemed as if I was in another time and place, not here at Kinsport, but in a place of wonder and joy.
As we strolled on, Mrs. Brill chattered cheerfully about the flowers, the follies of her staff and Jonathan, the gardener. I half listened, as my mind went elsewhere, to the trees beyond.
I felt lightheaded as my eyes drew to the trees, and I felt my body being pulled to them as if they were calling out to me! And there was something else….although I am not all together sure that I did not imagine this, but I feel as if I saw George within those trees, staring out at me…pleading me to come.
Suddenly I was pulled back from my dream state and looking blankly at Mrs. Brill’s worried face.
“Deja, my God…what’s the matter?” Mrs. Brill said, as I came to.
I do not know what came over me to utter such a thing to Mrs. Brill, for I truly care for her and think highly of her; but suddenly I felt the need to scream out to her. Even now, I do not understand what I said.
I remember only this,
“God has left us, we are alone Mrs. Brill….forever alone. The trees are all that’s left, the trees and the blood….so much blood….”
Mrs. Brill turned pale as I screamed, I could not control my anger. I grew more frightened as I lost control of my own body; for it was not I that controlled my body just then…it was something else—something evil….
“She is here…”
“Who?” whispered Mrs. Brill.
“Laura…”
A frightened Mrs. Brill ran away then…
Leaving me alone, where I should not have been–the garden of shadows.
Comments (1) »
oh shit!