Black Sheep, Chapter 1

Kerri had always been adventurous. That’s why when everyone else was running away from the fire, she was running behind it. She knew the legends, and she wanted to find out if the were true.
A group of men were trying to get past one of the chorus girls who was blocking the doorway. Suddenly, she let them all though, joining two men near the front. Kerri followed them, not worrying about the dress she was wearing or what might happen once they all found him.
The trip seemed to take hours. The staircase was winding, and she had to resist the urge to slide down the banister like she did at home. There were falling pieces of flame as the stage above them incinerated, and yet somehow none of the group seemed concerned. They had to walk through canals that were waist high. Some men in the group muttered.
Finally, they came upon his lair, illuminated by hundreds of candles of all sizes.
“God in Heaven.” Someone muttered.
Everyone split up into separate directions, exploring the cave. Kerri grabbed a torch from one of the brackets, intending on going back upstairs before the roof caved in and trapped them all. She passed by a pair of mirrors, both smashed and broken. Piles of glass crunched beneath her feet. But there was a third pile, to which no mirror belonged.
Slowly, she lifted the curtain that hung in front of her. There was a hallway behind it.
Looking around to make sure no one would follow her, she stepped in. It was pitch black, and Kerri could see no end.
Making sure there was safe ground in front of her, she followed the walls. There were many turns, but no splits in the path. And then she came upon a man.
“Well, not only was Bouqet a nosy pervert, he was also a liar. Your skin seems fine, and you do in fact, have a very nice nose.”
The man looked up. His face was wet with tears.
“How did you find me?”
“Not all girls in frilly dresses are stupid. Although I will admit I look it.”
“Leave me be.” He said. She crossed her arms.
“I will not. This entire building is going to cave in on itself, and no one deserves to die like that.”
“Than I am no one.” He muttered. Kerri rolled her eyes.
“I don’t know why men insist women are so dramatic. Your gender is the one with the immense ego.”
“Do you have a death wish?” He asked.
“No. Do you?”
He said nothing.
“Very well then. Get up. We’ll leave together.”
After a moment, the man stood.
“Is there a way out of here?”
“One in every direction.”
She clapped her hands together. “Well then, since I was facing north, but we are now facing west, we’re going to want to go…” She spun around in a full circle.
“There.” She pointed west.
“Walk straight, then take a left.” He pointed. She smiled, walking forward. Every once in awhile, she cast a glance back to make sure he was still following. After a good half an hour, they came upon a hatch.
“I think we’re here.” Kerri sighed, dropping the torch and hoisting herself up on the hanging ladder to open it.
The hole opened into a small hut. There were no windows, and the roof was made of straw.
“Well, I think we’re on the highway, which is good.”
“You think?” The man repeated.
“Yes. Now we have to go back towards the city.”
“No!” The man grabbed her arm, pulling her back close to his chest.
“Yes.” Kerri insisted. “Not all of the way; I have a carriage waiting a few miles outside on the highway because I like to walk.”
“And what if someone sees?”
“No one will see. By now, everyone is asleep in heir beds.”
“As you should be.”
Kerri smiled. “And miss my chance for adventure? Sir, it appears you have much to learn.”
So they continued walking in silence, listening to the sounds of the night. The snow was soft, and the road was wet. Kerri shivered.
“Would you like me cloak, mademoiselle?” His tone was mocking.
“No, thank you. We’re almost there.”
Just on the horizon was a black covered carriage.
“Goodness, Madame, you startled me. I was just thinking of riding up to check on you.” The driver laughed as Kerri opened the carriage door.
“Oh, you know I can’t resist a bit of fun.” Kerri smiled, holding it open for the man.
“And a guest?”
“Yes, a guest.” Kerri nodded. “And we would like to go home now, Raphael.”
“Of course, Madame.”
The ride was just as silent as the walk. Kerri said nothing, finding more amusement in imagining what she could say. She noticed his hands were bleeding, and there was a cut on his forehead. He made no eye contact, but stole occasional glances.
Kerri’s home loomed before them, and Raphael took the courtesy to drop them off in the front, instead of making them walk from the barn.
“As always Raphael, it has been a pleasure.” Kerri sighed, shaking the mans hand.
“Good night, dear lady.” He smiled and drove off.
Kerri shut the front door quietly behind them.
“Follow me.” She instructed. “And keep quiet.”
They crept up the grand staircase together, Kerri leading him into a secluded wing of the house.
“You can stay here for now. Sit on the bed—no, actually, don’t. Sit at the vanity.” She paused, locking the door behind her. “And don’t break it.”
Crossing the room, she knocked on a panel of wall. It slid open. Servants passages.
“Bring me my medical kit please. Also, could you go into my father’s room and find some clothes he won’t miss?”
“Yes ma’am.” The girl nodded, who wasn’t much older than her. Kerri put a chair in front of the man, leaning against it to remover her shoes.
“Never envy a woman.” She commented. He still wouldn’t look at her.
The maid came back, placing everything on the bed quietly and leaving. Kerri retrieved the box, opening it and placing it on the desk.
“Let me see your hands.” She said, reaching for one. He flinched. Slowly, she brought it into her lap, palm up.
“Do you mind if I ask you how you did this?” She said, wiping the dried blood away. He didn’t answer.
“You know, I can get really annoying, if you’ll let me. So if you won’t do me the honor of a full-bodied conversation, monosyllables will suffice.”
“The mirror.” He replied.
“May I also ask why you broke the mirrors?”
He looked at her. “Is that a joke?”
He was looking her in the yes, she realized. His gaze was hard, judgmental.
“No, it’s not.”
He seemed surprised.
“I couldn’t stand to look at myself.”
Kerri had now moved on to the other hand.
“Than why did you have them in the first place?”
He did not answer.
“Why are you doing this?” He asked suddenly.
“Pardon?”
“I want your answer. I gave you mine.”
She thought about it for a moment, or pretended to.
“I am what you would call the black sheep of my family. Or society, in general.” She took out gauze pads and wrapped his hands.
“Look at me.” She ordered. When he did not, she took his chin and turned his face. She tended to his forehead, and then looked down, wanting to itch her leg. She noticed a bright red stain seeping through the shirt at his waist.
“Take the shirt off.” She sighed.
“Excuse me?”
“Off.”
“Why?”
“Well, as it were, you’re all wet. But you are bleeding.”
She took out more gauze, plus a bottle of iodine and a needle and thread, placing the supplies in her lap. She scooted the chair closer to him, moving his arm to see the injury.
“It’s deep, but not life threatening. What happened?”
“The Vicomte.” He sneered. Kerri laughed.
“Raoul did this to you?”
“Yes.” He paused. “You said his name. Do you know him?”
“He’s my brother.” Kerri informed. The man straightened, flinching at the iodine.
“He must be improving.” She commented, getting on her knees to sew it together.
“So, Vicomtess, why am I here?”
Kerri chuckled, shaking her head.
“I have no title. My mother is Vicomtess. I am Kerri.” She offered her hand.
“And you are?”
He did not answer, nor take her hand.
“I just saved your life, you bastard. At the very least, I deserve a name and a handshake.”
“Only to hand me over to your brother!”
Kerri stood.
“Hardly. My brother is a sissy, and a terrible fighter. You’d kill him in any fight.”
The man seemed shocked that Kerri had said that.
“Well, there are clothes for you on the bed. I’m sure Delia will draw a bath for you if you want.”
“And am I your prisoner now? Locked away in a deserted part of the house?”
Kerri snorted at the accusation.
“My room is next door, as if you needed to know. And you are no ones prisoner.”
Karri opened the door quietly.
“Erik.” He said suddenly. “My name is Erik.”
“<i>Bonne nuit</i>, Erik.” She whispered.