Welcome Home
I'll be free.
The jester faded away while Asher slept. Steven stayed by his side all night. The next morning, he woke up before the sun came out.
What happened!
Asher said. Steven barked at him, happy to see him awake.
What happened Steven? I remember the carriage, he was torturing that guy! No!
He looked around for the carriage, or the boy couldn't see anything.
Where are they? Where's Allison?
He ran around the place looking for any signs of them.
They're gone already Asher, Joker said
What!?
Yeah, joker said a little distraught
What happened to him? the boy I mean ?
You're standing on him
What!
Asher slowly dropped his head down, realizing what he meant. He looked at the grass underneath his feet and he felt a bitter sting in his heart.
It's not fair, it's not
That's life kiddo what can I say
That Allison guy…. I'll make him pay for this!
That's the same guy who killed Lionor, don't get ahead of your self
As if you don't stand a chance… OtIt's best you avoid him, like the plague.
Asher thought about his words for a while then broke his silence and said.
I've got a wish, will you grant it.
If it's within my power. So what is it?
I've got an idea for a face that I want you to give me.
About time
The jester smiled.
It was the evening and the sun had gone down. The Windsor family sat around the bed of their father.
Allison, now the only living son, his two sisters and three women,the three wives of Mr Windsor
The servants stood by the door keeping their distance from the family yet close even to render aid.
Mr Windsor was dying. He could feel his breath living him, he could feel himself running out of time.
Memories of his beloved son Maxwell filled his mind, they were his center, his rock and they kept him going, they kept him breathing.
He slowly turned to Alison, who sat by his right hand side. Alison had tears in his eyes. Mr Windsor spoke in a weary, broken voice.
Are you sure he'll make it?
Alison broke down in tears and burned his face with his hands, crying.
I'm sorry father, I gave him the message. He should've been here by yesterday but you know how he is, always so clumsy, always so busy.
You don't suppose something could have happened to him, do you Allison?
Mr Windsor seemed short of breath with every word he spoke.
I'm sure his alright father…. he spoke with tears in his eyes ….. I'm sure he'll be her soon father, just hold on. I know he'll be here.
Alison brought his head down covering his face with his hands as he could barely hold his laughter.
This is dangerous, this is madness… joker said.. I wish I had a choice.. Feel free to rope me into your suicide
Come on, quit complaining and let's go
Oh I'm complaining ? Oh pardon me for being a little difficult while I'm being served up on a silver platter.
I should be delighted, I should skip around the room and thank you for bringing me to my doom.
Let's go already.
An hour passed by and Mr Windsor still hung on for dear life, holding on to see his son. Alison had grown tired of the act and had resorted to drinking wine.
One of the sisters spoke up against it saying
Dad's dying and you please yourself with a bottle of wine? You're a really low brother!
Alison looked at her, and put on his best act of grief.
My dear Rowena, we all process out pain differently, you may process yours through insults and accusations. I do mine with a bottle of wine, you shouldn't judge others, not while we all grieve.
She frowned at him and looked away.
A carriage rolled into the Windsor manor. It rolled all the way to the Windsor Mansion and stopped just in front of the large marble steps.
Someone stepped out of the cartridge then it rode off to reveal him in full.
It was a man dressed in a suit and coat and a top and he held a cane in one hand and wore black gloves.
Alison
The dying man whispered but Alison was still focused on his wine
Alison
I didn't quite hear you there father
Do you think he'll make it
Come again? I
Will he make it
The man said in a shaky low voice putting in every effort he could muster.
One of the servants had snuck into the room and he whispered in the ears of an oldest servant there.
I didn't quite catch that's father
Rowena punches Alison in his arm. Alison gave her a glance and said in a low voice
No father, I don't think he make it here today
Actually sir! The old servant said. Your brother has just arrived
Alison gulped on his wine
What!
He couldn't hide the shock and Rowena noticed it
Are you sure!?
Yes sir, he just arrived on his carriage, safe and sound
Safe and sound, huh?
The servant swung the door open. The other rooms were barely lite and he appeared as silhouette, shadow of it own and he walk into the light of the bed room
Alison saw his face and was visibly shaken. Rowina noticed his expression. Then he spoke
Father, I'm here!
He rush to the sick man's bedside and clasp his hand between his
Is that you, my boy?
The old man asked he couldn't see any more so really wanted to only hear his voice
Yes it's me father, tears rolled down both their eyes
I've missed you, my boy.
I missed you too, father. I'm sorry… sorry I wasn't here soon
Don't… Dont about that… Your here not, your here
Damn it I feel bad
Joker said in Asher's mind
You're practically scamming this guy.
I'm giving him peace, Asher replied.
Tears rolled down the man's eyes as he turned his head away from Asher and looked towards the ceiling.
Asher as Maxwell looked around the room and said.
It's time everyone comes closer, they look at each other, a bit confused.
I said come closer!
Ashers screamed at them. They moved in urge by his bark, he looked around and saw the servant and said
You too, hurry up
They looked at each other even more confused than the last group, they looked back at him and saw he wasn't joking.
The old servant moved in first and the rest followed and slowly the old Mr Windsor died and Asher cried bitterly not as his son but as a stranger besides a dying man.
The servant cried along with him. They happened to be the one crying. It was them, Asher as Maxwell and Rowena.
The rest either look on or look away.
Alison drank more wine
They cried and consoled each other and the older servant covered Mr Windsor's face with the sheets.
Soon everyone left the room and the servant closed the door behind them.
The old servants said to them
Those who are hungry should head for the dining, supper is to be served quite shortly. They all left.
Asher was a little concerned about seeming suspicious as Allison watched his every move as he was still in disbelief.
The old servant poked him in the back, sending shivers down his spine. He turned around and saw the old man smiling at him then he said in a sort of startled tone.
What seems to be the matter sir
Sir!
The old man laughed a little bit.
Oh my, master Maxwell, don't make me laugh at such a time, I'm glad you made it, I'd feared the worst had happened to you.
I and your late father knew you wouldn't put him aside for work as Alison insisted.
Oh yeah, I ran into a bit of trouble with the carriage, but it's alright now, I made it just in time.
I have to thank you master Maxwell, for letting me say my goodbyes to the master.
It's nothing.
The man bowed
Asher looked around the room, panicking and embarrassed.
It's nothing, get up already!
The old man got and smiled at him then went off to prepare for supper. Asher blew a sigh of relief.
This whole place is trouble
The jester burst out laughing,
If you can't handle a little butler, wait till you meet Alison. I'm scared for myself, don't blow this kid.. If he gets me, I'm killing you.
Where do we go?
Follow the masses, stupid!
He walked into the hall that they all walked through but there was no one there.
The walls were painted white and had a beautiful gold pattern around it, and paintings on either side of the hall came to an end with the part diverging in two directions.
Which way is the Joker?
Do you need me for everything kid?
Joker had made himself small and he hovered over his head.
Turn right, right is always best
As he made the turn he felt an intense pressure then he saw Alison standing down the hall, with a knife in his hand.