Running from Leo

CHAPTER 4: Waiting

There are rules to survive in the hell house of Agostini. Rules that will probably keep you safe. Safe from the people of the house itself.

Louisa had explained to me very carefully and very clearly. Follow these rules, I'll survive and if I don't, I'll be a goner.

One. Stay away from the men in suits and never at look them in the eye. They scream danger and power. Stay out of their way and they'll stay away from yours. It's that simple. But if you get into their way or business, you'll never see the next morning.

Two. Always do what you are told.

And I also have the habit of not doing what you are told to do so Louisa and Rylie took me under their care and taught me what they have been doing for years; Housekeeping. Even though Louisa is in charge of everything, she always stays with us and by us, I mean the cooks, cleaners, washers, gardeners, waiters and the rest of the staff.

Three. If you don't see a particular person for over a week, you do not ask where that person is and carry on with your work. In short, it means that person is...dead.

When Louisa said that these people were dangerous, I hadn't got the clue of how dangerous till I had got the task of cleaning the floor which was full of blood.

I had to clean the floor of the dining room then clean my own toilet in which I had puked over several times. Rylie took care of me each time and I have been very grateful to her.

Four. Do not interact with anybody except the staff and never ask about anybody's business.

The last and the most important rule of all.

Do not ever ask anybody about going back home.

I laughed at this rule. Louisa and Rylie kept looking at me in confusion and they brushed it off, probably thinking that I will come to my senses soon.

At the age of twenty three, I still haven't come to my senses.

Not a day goes by where I not think of my parents, my friends and my ambitions. This place is not my home. It never has and it never will be.

"Hey Rylie." I greeted her as she entered the kitchen with an empty tray.

She grinned at me and kept the tray on the sink full dirty dishes.

Dishes that I am washing.

Can you believe it? Me, the girl who was supposed to be graduated college by now and probably working at some job so that she could start saving money to open her restaurant, is cleaning the dirty dishes in a kitchen full of illegal immigrants.

I just love the way of how life works!

She took out a small notepad from her apron along with a pen and quickly scribbled something on it then showed it to me.

'We are free in the evening.'

I learnt that Rylie is mute on the day I met her. She wasn't born mute, she became mute when she was brought here.

Long story short, she refused to suck a certain anatomy of a drunk man months before I came here so the man cut her tongue off.

These people are monsters.

She writes that she doesn't regret anything. At least nobody will now force her to do some sucking now. She doesn't want to learn the sign language too. Never told me why, but I can guess that she loves to write. She always carries a notepad and a few pens everywhere with her. She can still speak a few words but she refuses to open her mouth.