Chapter 7

I woke up early in the morning on the next day; I heard those wind chimes again. I thought I was brought back to that same old room. I searched the room, and my eyes lock in on the nightstand beside. The memory of the chains on my hand is still there; I felt as if it were still there, like it was already a part of my body. I looked at it and caressed my skin; the scar is still there but faded. I took my eyeglasses on top of carefully wearing them to see the entire room clearly. I immediately took off my bed and went to the bathroom. I still notice it's too early in the morning; I feel my body isn't fully awake. Then I remember Elise, one of the young chambermaids of the mansion.

I met her the other night when she came to my room bringing a glass of milk. Something came to my mind, hoping maybe I could ask her more by starting to make friends with her. This is my first day that hasn't been tied since I got this mansion. I started to doubt that I had been sold to them. Is this some kind of human trafficking?

A little shake of my head to disagree, erasing the thought, a lot of things come into my mind, and I don't know where to find the answers or where to start too. But Elise somehow could help me a bit, and if I had a chance, maybe I could escape, but how the girl in the mask was everywhere around the house guarding Florence, her guard, who always looks for the safety of the mansion.

Sometimes she looked at me and then passed by me and continued walking like I was invisible to her sight. I had no idea why she had it, but how could I escape from here? It seems this mansion is away from the real world; it's far away from neither the main road nor the city. I cannot even say where I am. But one thing about myself: I was in another place or country; the smell of its breeze is different than when I used to be back in my place. The place isn't that polluted; the breeze is warmer, and by night the night cold breeze soothes my skin like a warm hug of a place like home.

Shaking my head again and starting to take a bath. I have never been happy since I was not tied or chained anymore on the bedpost. I can freely do things for myself; even when I was alone in the bedroom, I felt weird about myself. Of all the entire kidnapped victims, I have always known that I am still. And yet, still happy at this very early morning, I stepped on the bathroom floor to have my shower. I was amazed at the size of the room—almost half of my entire bedroom. I am aware that this place isn't that ordinary; whomever these people are, I know there's much in power to them. I know it's more than the money; I can feel and sense it; also, my guts are telling me otherwise. At this moment in time, I learn how to trust my guts and instincts. What I feel right now is a survival mode. My mind is alert; my body is telling me something.

At the moment, I enjoyed the warm water pouring on my body that soothes my skin. I felt relaxed and calmed my nerves. I found the handle of the faucet stopped, and I kept looking where the clothes were. I saw from the corner a small hallway holding my bathrobe.

I kept walking, and I paused. What I saw was my jaw dropping. I can't believe it's almost like I have been to a luxurious walk-in closet. The size was almost like a boutique shop. Everything was in place. My eyes were busy. Which one of the clothes is to be worn? I stared at the next two.

But I need to hurry again to make some breakfast with Elise. It's the perfect time to do some chatting with her about this gorgeous doll since no one is around, and who are they? I took a pair of clothes and rushed to the doors. I gently twist the golden doorknob. I kept looking to see if anyone was guarding my door or the girl wearing the mask.

I take a closer look side by side. Luckily, no one's out there. But I have a big problem: Where is the kitchen? I need to take time to search for the part of this mansion where the kitchen was located. I don't want to do that if they catch me sneaking around; maybe the worst thing in my mind happens again.

It took me a while to make the decision. But I remember the lift; from there maybe I reach the kitchen. As I was walking down, still looking, I jumped when this girl appeared from the corner near the lift. I got panicked about what to do or what to say; maybe they would tie me in my room back again.

"Good morning." I looked closely at her.

"Good morning," she greeted me back. It sounds like I have hope that from here I will reach the kitchen. "Can you please bring me the kitchen?"

I hope this polite approach grants my request. I look at her, studying her eyes. "But if not, it is okay if I'm not allowed to.

"I turn around and start walking back in my direction. "Are you hungry? "She asked.

"Yes," I answered without looking at her, but I still managed to behave. "Come follow me." I immediately rushed my steps on her and followed her.

I followed her on the staircases and passed a few lobbies. I feel like I was living in a hotel, but better if this is a hotel we knew exactly where we are, but here I get lost, but I memorized the paintings as we passed by, so this one serves as a guide. This is the only way I can get to Elise; I guess this painting won't be moved by itself.