Annie's Curse

Elsa returned, "as you are the mistress of the house, it will be your decision as to what the menus will consist of," she said coldly. "Cook expects them by the evening before."

Startled, Annie had to collect her thoughts. She hadn't even begun to think what her position in the house would be. She had planned on being only a guest. Miss Hodges had the responsibility of managing the household for years, no wonder she was so cold in her manner. Annie was a threat to her position.

Annie said to her sincerely, "I wouldn't know about running anything, and especially planning meals. If you don't mind, I would like you to continue in your full capacity."

Annie could have sworn the hard expression in her eyes softened just a bit, but her voice still had a sharp edge to it as she said, "as you like. Now, you might like to rest for awhile."

"Yes, I would, and afterwards I would like to explore the flower gardens."

With a wary expression on her face, Elsa again warned her not to go any further.

Stretched out on her bed, Annie toyed with the idea of investigating the rooms along the corridor. She wanted to see her mother's. Feeling the weariness descending, she decided another day would do.

She fell into a deep slumber, more tired that she had realized. It had been a trying afternoon and soon she was dreaming, but it wasn't the fantasy dream of her youth. It was one she had experienced before, but not for a long time.

In it, the night was steeped in gloom. She was running, but she didn't know why. She reached the tree at the edge of the cliff, but that's as far as the dream went. She always woke up. Waking, and shaking with fright, she felt sure she had found the origin of the nightmare. With an unshakable conviction, she knew there was some meaning to the dream, and that the reality of it was here"