As we entered the mansion, I felt a cold breeze coming from upstairs. As I walked up the grand staircase, I noticed I was crunching down on shattered glass. All of the huge glass windows surrounding the staircase were blown out. The Explosion… But even so, that still didn’t account for this unnaturally cold night. It was almost freezing upstairs. I headed for the east wing where I knew the madam held her knit cotton blankets. There was a room at the end of the main hallway that I never been inside of. It was the master‘s bedroom. I never had the duty of cleaning inside. For some reason I was especially curious to see inside now, lest I never return. On the side of the door was an oil lamp, which I lit. I held the lamp in my right hand and opened to door with my left. It smoothly opened. As I walked in I felt a warm breeze. The windows in here were intact. The room was wide and spacious. The master’s bed sheets were red with frilly edges, most likely the madam’s touch. I looked over at the luxuriant breakfront on the side of the room, which housed the madam’s personal items. Most of her jewelry and hair brushes remained. I opened the room’s closet and found three blankets placed at the top. As I was walking out of the room something caught my eye. There was a small envelope placed on the end of the bed. I picked it up and realized it was sealed. It was addressed to Clark, by the madam’s handwriting. She must have written this right before she left… I quickly placed the envelope in my blouse and carried the blankets out of the room. Clark started to call for me downstairs.
“I got all the supplies I think we will need. We might encounter some bloody folks so I packed extra bandages. Let’s see what food we can get out of the kitchen.”
As Clark was walking ahead of me I noticed he changed out of his bloody clothes. When we got to the kitchen, Clark got a big cardboard box and started filling it with anything he found. I picked up a white sack and filled it with the fruit on the tables, which included peaches, plums, apples, and pears. I saw Clark fill his box with the newly salted meats that were prepared the other day. Once we were done packing, we headed to the south gate of the mansion, where Clark had his truck ready. Before we went outside, Clark turned to me.
“You ought to change your clothes. Wear something fresh and warm. The temperature will drop even colder. The closet in my bedroom has some of the madam’s petticoats and coats inside. Hurry and pick something out of there then come back.” I was a little uneasy to wear the madam’s nice clothes.
“Sir, are you sure I should do that?”
“Don’t be so concerned. We are about to go on a long journey. You have no need to keep your maid’s clothes on. What did I tell you before? You aren’t serving anyone. You will need to travel comfortably.”
At that I placed my sack on the floor and ran back up to the master’s room. I picked out modest looking black petticoat, with no fanciness or frills. A bonnet was attached so I wore it. I also picked out a black coat to match. I remembered the envelope and placed it inside the coat pocket. When Clark saw me I could tell he was slightly disappointed. “Funeral much?” he said with a heckle. I picked my sack up and walked with him to the truck. He placed his box along with the sack in the back. We got in the car and headed the same direction as the madam had left earlier.
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