Dawn of Eve - MJ Howson (read full novel .txt) 📗

to get her luggage and clothes from the armoire. When they were done packing, the two went to the door and into the hallway.

Eve flung the blankets from her bed and reached beneath her pillow. She grabbed the knife and ran to the door, taking hold of the handle as Caretaker closed it. Eve used the knife to cover the faceplate, forcing the latch to remain in the assembly.

Eve pressed her ear to the door and listened as Caretaker slid the key into the lock. She pressed her body hard to hold the door in place. Caretaker stumbled and muttered as she fidgeted with the lock. An argument soon broke out.

“I want to go, now!” Suzie yelled.

“Hush!” Caretaker said. “The lock’s stuck.”

“Now!”

“Fine. I’ll . . . I’ll come back later.”

Eve’s heart pounded in her chest. She finally exhaled once she heard the clatter of Suzie’s luggage rolling across the cobblestone hallway floor. Eve waited until the sound had vanished. She slowly opened the door and jutted her head into the empty corridor.

Eve left the door open and looked back and forth, trying to guess which way Caretaker and Suzie had gone. A crash from one end of the hallway startled Eve. In the distance, she could hear Suzie say, “Don’t break my bag!”

Eve grinned and took off down the hallway, following the sound of Suzie’s voice. The cold floor ached as her bare feet slapped against the hard rough stones. How she wished she’d grabbed her slippers before leaving. Eve passed the schoolroom and playroom before reaching the end of the hallway. The hall connected to another corridor.

The echo of Suzie’s voice, complaining about something Eve couldn’t quite make out, resonated from the hallway. Eve stuck her head into the opening and looked to the left and then the right. The passageway to the left led to the cafeteria. Eve also knew the opposite end was forbidden. She smiled as she turned and headed to the right.

An orange glow reflecting off the white walls filled the dimly lit corridor. She could hear Suzie’s shrill entitled voice barking at Caretaker somewhere far ahead. Eve paused when she heard the sounds of squeaking hinges followed by a slam. Soon all went silent. Eve’s heart raced as she quickened her pace.

After a few turns, Eve came upon the iron gate. She tried the winged metal handle, only to find the door locked. Eve dropped to her knees and strained to slide beneath the opening but, just as in prior attempts, failed. She stood up and looked at the top of the gate. Although the bars didn’t extend to the ceiling, she wondered if there might be enough room.

Eve smiled as she jumped onto the gate and began to scale the bars. The coarse iron slats, weathered and flaking, scraped against her hands. Eve used the wall to keep a secure foothold as she struggled to pull herself higher. When she reached the top, she found the tips of the bars to be just as rusted and jagged as the bottom ends. A slam from somewhere ahead shocked her. She knew there was no going back. Eve flung her body over the top. The iron slats scraped and clawed at her red gown. She moved as quickly as possible and soon found herself sliding down the opposite side of the gate. Adrenaline coursed through her body as she hit the cobblestone floor.

Eve ran down the hallway, her heart throbbing in her chest. She made several turns until a black wooden door signaled the end of the line. Her feet, heavy with fear, dragged across the stone floor as she cautiously approached the doorway. Eve pressed her ear against the dark wood planks and listened. She could barely make out Suzie’s voice.

Eve stepped back and stared at the black iron handle. The edges appeared worn and scuffed. She debated if she should enter. Who would she find on the other side? Would she be punished for following Caretaker? Her hand trembled as she reached for the handle.

As her fingertips touched the cold dark metal, the knob suddenly spun, and the door swung open. The man they called Father John barged into the hallway, forcing Eve to stumble backward. She tried to see past him inside the room but couldn’t. He slammed the door closed.

Father John was an imposing man, more so to a child as small as Eve. Broad shoulder and chiseled, his sky blue eyes peered out from beneath his hooded black silk robe. With a bellowing voice, he asked, “How did you get out of your room?”

“I . . . I wanted to say goodbye to Suzie.” Eve said. Her heart pounded and tried to claw its way into her throat. Her mouth went dry as she struggled to gather her strength. “What’s behind that door?”

“It’s not your time.”

Father John grabbed Eve by her wrist and headed back down the corridor. Eve punched his hand as she struggled to free herself. She looked back at the black wooden door and screamed, “Suzie!”

Eve continued to resist, eventually letting her body go limp. Father John dragged her like a sack of potatoes, letting her feet bounce across the cobblestone floor. He stopped at the iron gate and tested the handle to confirm it was secure. Father John looked at Eve and asked, “How did you get past this?”

Eve ignored him and tried to pull away. She said, “I want to go back! I want to see!”

Father John ignored her and unlocked the gate. Eve continued to resist as they made their way through the maze of corridors. When they reached the door to the bedroom, Father John stopped and inspected the door latch. He noticed the knife resting on the floor. He turned to Eve and said, “Clever girl.”

Father John flung Eve into the bedroom, sending her crashing to the ground. He grabbed the knife and pointed it at Eve. “You broke the rules. Enjoy the rest of your night. Punishment comes tomorrow.”

Tears ran down