Cursed!

Her breathing grew heavier as she rushed down the corridor. The skirt of her very heavy dress clutched in each hand, raising it off the ground just enough for her not to trip during her brisk walk through the manor. 

"I have to tell them," she thought, "I have to warn them all!" 

Her long stride was like a gazelle as she set her eyes on whom she was looking for. "Mr. Cavanaugh!" She hissed as loudly as she could without yelling. An older balding man wearing a neat black suit and white gloves turned his head, as well as the three young chambermaids that surrounded him. "Mr. Cavanaugh!" she repeated breathlessly as she reached him.

"What is it child," the man furrowed his brow grasping her hand.

"Little miss, the curse has fallen upon her," she said between gasps. The chambermaids drew in a short breath, in shock. 

"But she is passed the age of the others before her, I thought maybe this time..." The girl shook her head rapidly, assuring him that the news was indeed true. 

"Well, is it bad?" He asked.

"Sir, I'm afraid tis much worse." The shock had now spread unto Mr. Cavanaugh's face. "This time, It does not come with candor. It disguises itself as something sweet and savory but displays its monstrous capabilities at the least expected moment!"

Suddenly short quick footsteps echoed through the corridor, approaching quickly. "Oh no, she comes!" 

The chambermaids and Mr. Cavanaugh straightened their backs and aligned themselves in a row. They forcefully brightened their eyes in efforts to disguise their worry. All but Emily, who shivered knowing what approached. She appeared before them, and they diverted their eyes not being able to gaze upon her without the look of shock written on their faces. One of the chambermaids let out a quiet gasp, which prompted Mr. Cavanaugh to speak hastily to cover the noise.

"Good evening Miss," he bowed, the women curtsied to her soon after.

"Good evening Mr. Cavanaugh," the young miss said sweetly, "Emily, I've decided that I want lemonade instead, will you fetch it for me?"

"Miss Lindy we've discussed this, The lemonade contains far too much sugar, perhaps tea would be better for you," Emily stuttered. 

The young woman stood frozen in the silent corridor momentarily before a small smile spread across her face, "perhaps you're right." 

Emily let out an exhausted breath she had been holding. Even Mr. Cavanaugh's shoulders visibly lowered with relief.

"Or perhaps," she insinuated, "I should tell my father what I saw you doing in the garden last week. Perhaps he'll throw you out to the gutters. You'll become a tramp whore for a living. Better yet Jack the Ripper will come back to slash out your guts! Perchance, you'll just get me what I bloody well asked for!"

The lot of five trembled at the way the girls' vibrato echoed off the walls. Never would they have thought that the sweet girl they helped raise would become what was standing before them. At least they had hoped.

"Y-yes Miss Lindy," Emily stammered, "right away."

"Thank you, Emily," she spoke in her normal sweet tone," I expect you in my chambers within ten minutes or so help me I will burn this place to the ground, with all inside. Good evening everyone." She curtsied and walked off back towards the way she came.

No one said a word as they dispersed. No one dared to challenge her words or demeanor. They knew it wasn't their dear little miss talking, but the monster inside of her that she could no longer control. Temporarily circulating through her veins and infecting her brain. It immersed her benevolent spirit, gripping her soul and leaving its mark in the form of a red stain through the front and backside of her nightdress.

"6 more days," Mr. Cavanaugh whispered to himself, "only 6, until next month."