Read Online Garnet or Garnets Curse by Nancy Brewer - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Nancy Brewer
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Nell. The hour grew late and they did not come home. The house was frightening in the daytime, but alone at night it became a nightmare.
It was a dark night, with not a star in the sky and the moon was overcast. Looking out the window all I could see was thick darkness. I was beside myself with fear. Around 11 o ’ clock I knew it was hopeless; the ferry certainly did not run that late. I was doomed to be here all night by myself.
By midnight, I began to think I could hear voices, or was it only the wind? I looked out the back door once with a fleeting thought to go find Ox. After hours of pacing the floor, I barred the outside doors with a chair. I got a butcher knife from the kitchen, gathered up the kitten and took up hiding in the library. With the knife and the lamp on, I felt I might have a fair chance against an intruder.
I laid down on the sofa, covered up with the wool throw and closed my eyes. They quickly flew open, as the thought crossed my mind. What if the intruder was already in the house? What if Aurochs ’ son has found me? In a panic, I tried to remember all the book had said about the curse.
As the story went, the first of the Dragos had killed seven wild oxen, but later discovered they were the seven sons of Aurochs. Was it just a coincidence that Nell had called her brother Ox? Was it possible that he was Aurochs ’ son and Nell was Aurochs herself? Had this all been an evil plot to bring me here, right to their very door—first, to torture me out of my mind, then at last go in for the final kill?
It all began to fall into place. I was certain this would be my last night on earth. I did not care so much about dying. I had no one or nothing to live for. It was just the way it might happen that was terrifying.
I rocked back and forth crying and waiting. Suddenly, I thought I heard Auntie ’ s voice. “ Put on the gold and garnet necklace. It will protect you. ”
It was the only thing I had of value. I had hidden it upstairs in my bag. Foolish me, Father had given me that necklace to protect me against Aurochs. It was better to risk it being stolen than deal with the curse of Aurochs.
There was no choice but to venture out of the library, down the hall, up the stairs and to my room. With the lamp in my hand, I opened the door. The moment I stepped out in the hall I was petrified by a loud noise that shook the house.
The cat ran up the stairs and again I heard the noise. It was thunder. Taking a deep breath, I made my way upstairs, located the necklace and latched it around my neck.
Once back inside the library I was feeling a little less vulnerable. By then it was breaking dawn and the faint light of day was filling the room. I laid down and went to sleep.
The sun was shining when I awoke to the sound of someone trying to open the front door. I jumped to my feet and looked out the window. It was Nell and she was alone.
I removed the chair and she came charging in. Her eyes flashed in my direction and I retreated to the library. She stomped down the hall into the kitchen. She was looking for the stew. After she had eaten, she came to the library door. “ Get ready, you will have to go with me today. Arlene has run off, ” she said, in a demanding tone.
“ Arlene has run off? ” I asked.
“ Damn little harlot. I missed the ferry last night trying to find her skinny ass. This morning, one of the fellows said he saw her ride off with some dick. ”
“ Oh, no. You don ’ t think she was kidnapped, do you? ” I asked.
“ She ain ’ t here to go to work. That ’ s all I care about. So, it looks like now it is just you and me sweetie. ”
“ I am not your indentured servant! My father has paid a month ’ s room and board and I have only been here a week, ” I replied, standing up to face her.
“ Well, the rates just went up and you are out of money! So you best get done in the toilet, the ferry leaves in 30 minutes! ”
Chapter IX
Am I in Heaven?
Nell lived by her own set
It was a dark night, with not a star in the sky and the moon was overcast. Looking out the window all I could see was thick darkness. I was beside myself with fear. Around 11 o ’ clock I knew it was hopeless; the ferry certainly did not run that late. I was doomed to be here all night by myself.
By midnight, I began to think I could hear voices, or was it only the wind? I looked out the back door once with a fleeting thought to go find Ox. After hours of pacing the floor, I barred the outside doors with a chair. I got a butcher knife from the kitchen, gathered up the kitten and took up hiding in the library. With the knife and the lamp on, I felt I might have a fair chance against an intruder.
I laid down on the sofa, covered up with the wool throw and closed my eyes. They quickly flew open, as the thought crossed my mind. What if the intruder was already in the house? What if Aurochs ’ son has found me? In a panic, I tried to remember all the book had said about the curse.
As the story went, the first of the Dragos had killed seven wild oxen, but later discovered they were the seven sons of Aurochs. Was it just a coincidence that Nell had called her brother Ox? Was it possible that he was Aurochs ’ son and Nell was Aurochs herself? Had this all been an evil plot to bring me here, right to their very door—first, to torture me out of my mind, then at last go in for the final kill?
It all began to fall into place. I was certain this would be my last night on earth. I did not care so much about dying. I had no one or nothing to live for. It was just the way it might happen that was terrifying.
I rocked back and forth crying and waiting. Suddenly, I thought I heard Auntie ’ s voice. “ Put on the gold and garnet necklace. It will protect you. ”
It was the only thing I had of value. I had hidden it upstairs in my bag. Foolish me, Father had given me that necklace to protect me against Aurochs. It was better to risk it being stolen than deal with the curse of Aurochs.
There was no choice but to venture out of the library, down the hall, up the stairs and to my room. With the lamp in my hand, I opened the door. The moment I stepped out in the hall I was petrified by a loud noise that shook the house.
The cat ran up the stairs and again I heard the noise. It was thunder. Taking a deep breath, I made my way upstairs, located the necklace and latched it around my neck.
Once back inside the library I was feeling a little less vulnerable. By then it was breaking dawn and the faint light of day was filling the room. I laid down and went to sleep.
The sun was shining when I awoke to the sound of someone trying to open the front door. I jumped to my feet and looked out the window. It was Nell and she was alone.
I removed the chair and she came charging in. Her eyes flashed in my direction and I retreated to the library. She stomped down the hall into the kitchen. She was looking for the stew. After she had eaten, she came to the library door. “ Get ready, you will have to go with me today. Arlene has run off, ” she said, in a demanding tone.
“ Arlene has run off? ” I asked.
“ Damn little harlot. I missed the ferry last night trying to find her skinny ass. This morning, one of the fellows said he saw her ride off with some dick. ”
“ Oh, no. You don ’ t think she was kidnapped, do you? ” I asked.
“ She ain ’ t here to go to work. That ’ s all I care about. So, it looks like now it is just you and me sweetie. ”
“ I am not your indentured servant! My father has paid a month ’ s room and board and I have only been here a week, ” I replied, standing up to face her.
“ Well, the rates just went up and you are out of money! So you best get done in the toilet, the ferry leaves in 30 minutes! ”
Chapter IX
Am I in Heaven?
Nell lived by her own set
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