Secret Letters from the Rose Garden
Written by Kathryn K Williams
Copyright 2006 PUNCHLINE Inc. & Sony Entertainment Inc., all rights reserved
Chapter Eight
Jennifer slept restlessly that night. Her mind filled with images of that man doing harm to her Princess. She had no idea what Wendy had planned, but hoped that the girl would not confront the man head on. Wendy was such an innocent soul and Greg would have an easy time extinguishing her life. This thought tortured Jennifer's soul through out the long hours of the night, chasing away any attempt of sleep.
The next day Jennifer found herself groggy and weak. She could barely get to her feet to prepare food for breakfast, but forced herself to move. As usual Greg unlocked the door bright and early. He stared down at the bags under the girl's eyes worriedly.
"Are you alright Joshua?" He inquired, knelling to her height to get a better look in her eyes and placing one of his dirt covered hands upon her forehead.
The feeling made Jennifer have to force back a cringe. His hand were rough and she hated the feeling of him touching her, even if he only did it when she was ill, "I... I'm fine..." She forced herself to smile and shook some of the sleep from her head, "I just need to wash my face." She stated simply, hoping the man would believe her.
Greg stood, keeping his eyes upon the girl, "Alright, You be quick about it." He stated, "I have to go to the market today so you'll have to stay in your room. It is too cold for you to go outside." He reminded the girl.
Jennifer let out a sign of regret, then smiled up at the man, "I'll be alright." Now she was trying to convince herself more then anything else.
"Alright then." With that he turned around and left the room, "I'll see you in the kitchen then."
Jennifer took one quick look at the window, almost expecting to see Wendy's grinning face staring down at her. When she did not see the girl's smile Jennifer head out of the room and to the washroom.
Cleaning her face did wash away some of the sleep from her mind, however it did not take away the anxiety of the day's ahead. Would Wendy really come to her recuse? Would she really be free of this place? She did not want to get her hopes up, but her mind kept turning back to those letters and she prayed that her Princess was not lying.
She quickly cooks up some breakfast and ate in silence, her eyes darting to the kitchen window every now and then. She kept thinking that she saw Wendy dart by every now and then, but displaced the idea and went back to eating her eggs. Before long the man ushered her back to her room and locked the door shut.
Jennifer lay upon her bed, anxiously awaiting Wendy's arrival. After a hour of no sign of her princess she pulled her suitcase out from under her bed and opened it. Atop of her clothes where the many letters that the two girls had exchanged over the past few months. Jennifer picked up the last letter and smiled at it.
"Everlasting true love," She spoke aloud, "I am yours." A flush crossed her cheeks at those words and her heart began to pound out of control. Did Wendy really mean those words? She truly hoped so. She hugged the letters to her chest as a tear brimmed in the corner of her eye, "Oh, Wendy... please be safe."
Suddenly there was a tap at the window and Jennifer glanced up to see Wendy's face beaming at her. Jennifer rushed to the window and opened it.
"I came, just like I promised. It looks like he went somewhere." Wendy stated hastily, "Stay right there. I'll help you out." She pointed to the left, then abruptly stood and moved away from the window.
"Wendy?" Jennifer stared at the girl in confusion. There was only a wall to her left, what was Wendy trying to tell her? Jennifer stood on her tip toes to get a good look out the window. She could see Wendy as she ran across the back yard to Greg's shove. The little girl pulled the shovel free of the dirt and swung it around until the blade end was facing the house.
Jennifer glanced around to see what her Princess was aiming at. Then she remembered, the back door was to the left of her room and it had glass windows. Just as Jennifer came to this realization Wendy charged at the house. With a loud crash the shovel smashed through the window, sending shards of glass to come tumbling to the floor boards overhead.
Jennifer jumped down from her bed as she apprehensively awaiting Wendy unlocking her bedroom door. Could this really be happening? Could she really be free of this place? She tried to not allow her excitement to get the better of her as she placed the letters into the suitcase and shut it. Just as she did so she heard the familiar click of the lock on her door.
"Jennifer, I unlocked the door." Wendy's voice stated from behind the door, "I'll keep a lookout, so come right away." Before Jennifer could reply she heard the girl's foot falls upon the stairs and above her.
Quickly, Jennifer picked up her suitcase and started for the door then stopped. She turned to look upon the stuffed bear that she had found the first day she had arrived in this nightmarish house. Not wanting to leave the bear with the man she scooped it up and placed it under her arm, then cautiously headed out of the room.
Jennifer discovered glass all over the hallway floor and she carefully crept around it. Wendy was waiting for her at the intersection and as Jennifer approached the girl softly spoke.
"Let's run away before the man comes back." She stated excitedly, "Before we go, we should find that dangerous thing and take it with us. It's for his own good."
"But he could be back at any moment." Jennifer said worriedly, "I don't want him to catch you."
Wendy gave Jennifer a quick kiss on the cheek, "As long as I have my Prince I will be alright." She took Jennifer's hand and started pulling her towards the study, "Come on, we have to hurry."
"Wait!!! Wendy!" Jennifer tried to protest, however the girl did not seem to hear as she opened the study door.
The moment Wendy entered the room she let go of Jennifer's hand and rushed over to the desk, "I know he keeps it here." She stated as she frantically opened the draws.
Jennifer watched the girl curiously, "How do you know that?" She inquired uneasily, her eyes moved to the window to see Greg pass by. Quickly she ducked away from the window to where Wendy stood, "Wendy!?! He's here!!" She quietly exclaimed as she tugged upon the girl's sleeve.
Wendy pulled out something from a draw covered in a red cloth. Instantly Jennifer could tell it was the deadly devise that the man usually carried with him. She never thought that the man ever let it out of his sight, but there it was in front of her. "I'm fine now." Wendy said as she put the gun into her pocket and took Jennifer by the hand, "Let us go, shall we?"
As the two girls exited the study the could hear the heavy sound of Greg's boots upon the glass at the back door, "He is here." Jennifer whispered frightfully.
"Joshua!?!" The man called out, "Joshua???" They could hear his voice drift away and the echo of his boots on the stairs to the basement.
"He must have gone to check on you." Wendy explained as she glanced around the hall, "Is there another way out of here?" She inquired nervously.
Jennifer pointed at the door across the hall, "There is a door at the other side of the living room." She stated.
Wendy squeezed Jennifer's hand, "We are almost out of here." She stated with a smile, "Come on." Without awaiting a response Wendy darted across the hall and into the livingroom, closing the door behind Jennifer.
Across the way they spotted the door on the opposite side of the room and Jennifer shakily pointed at it, "The front door is beyond that door." She stated.
"Then let us get out of here then, shall we?" Wendy broke for the door, pulling Jennifer along with her. Double quick she opened the door and before them was the front door, just as Jennifer has stated. Without a second thought the two girls rushed for the door and slammed into it.
"Its locked!!" Wendy exclaimed in confusion.
"Joshua!!" Greg's voice drifted down the hall to their left and they could hear his boots clomping towards them.
Wendy finally found the bolt and flipped it, "We are free." She stated happily and threw open the door. The girl hurried across the patio and leaped down the stairs. Neither of them turning back as they sprinted across the front lawn and through the fence gate. When they reached the Rose Garden Wendy pulled Jennifer into the maze of bushes and to the back of the garden where she ducked down.
"Get down!" Wendy commanded.
Jennifer did the same and followed Wendy as they crawled through a space in the bushes. A few of the thorns bit at Jennifer's flesh, but she didn't mind. Finally they came to a stop and sat upon the damp ground.
"I think we lost him." Wendy said with a giggle.
Jennifer clenched at her chest as she tried to regain her breath, "I... I was so scared... he... was going to catch us." She said between pants.
Wendy simply smiled, "You did not trust me?" She asked with a cock of her head.
Jennifer shook her head in disagreement, "I trust you always, my princess."
Wendy rested her head upon Jennifer's shoulder, "I'm so glad... Now, we can always be together!"
Jennifer's heart pounded wildly and she clenched Wendy's hand in her own. Slowly she turned to face the girl and stared into her eyes, "I will serve you my Princess." She stated as she allowed her forehead to lightly touch Wendy's, never letting her eyes break from the girls. Slowly moved closer until their noses touched and they softly kisses. A sweet innocent kiss of young love.
Jennifer felt a heat rush through her body and backed away, "I... I'm sorry..." She apologized and she glanced around nervously.
Wendy also flushed and shook her head, "No... it is alright." She said with a smile, "As long as it is my prince." Her eyes fell to the bear under Jennifer's arms, "Say, I have a favour I want to ask. Will you trade your teddy bear with my broach?" She took off a red oval broach from the collar of her dress and handed it out to Jennifer. The broach held a carving of several bright red roses borderer by a brass frame.
Jennifer was slightly startled by this request, but handed the bear over, "Sure... If you like."
Wendy took the bear gratefully and placed the broach in Jennifer's hand. "Hee hee... I'm so happy!" She exclaimed as she held the bear out at arms length, "We should give him a name." She thought for a moment then a broad smile appeared on the girl's face, "How about... Joshua? Joshua... Yes, that's a wonderful name. I'll cherish him as much as I cherish you. So let's renew our pact."
They took each other's hands and spoke in unison, " Everlasting true love. I am yours."
Wendy giggled and stood, "Come on, I want you to meet my friends at the Orphanage."
"Sure."Jennifer followed the girl as she headed towards the Rose Garden Orphanage. Anything would be better then that man's place. Or so Jennifer thought.
And so yet another another chapter to this poor unlucky girl's life begins.
The end...?
Authors notes: Thank you for reading this story and I hope you enjoyed it. If you wish for me to tell the rest of this tale then please inform me. Depending on how people respond to this tale I might consider writing out the rest of the game in this fashion. That is after I finish some of my other tales.
*****
Note: This story is based off the game "Rules of The Rose" and I in no way claim copyright over the characters or plot here in. Copyright 2006 PUNCHLINE Inc. & Sony Entertainment Inc., all rights reserved.
Also if you spot any typos or other errors please contact me at Kathryn@KatAndNekoManga.ca
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