Chapter Text
Kates fingers drummed against the wheel, creating a consistent tempo of noise. Soft music played through a speaker, lowered down to the point where you could barely hear it. Will anxiously fiddled with the handle, pulling lightly only to let go seconds later in fear of accidentally opening it.
He had done that once, when he was younger. Luckily, the car was moving slowly, as they were about to pull into a parking space. Unluckily, he skinned both his knees, and that was enough for him not to do it again.
“So,” Kate began, trying to rid her car of awkwardness. “anything interesting happen recently?” Other then the whole starcourt mall debacle, nothing truly of note has a happened since. Unless you count Wills failing friendships, but he likes to ignore that can of worms.
“Not really. What about you?” He tried.
“Nothing other than this job.” And the awkwardness was back.
Which left Will to his thoughts, something he has desperately trying to avoid for obvious reasons. Faint memories of starcourt, of melted flesh and screaming grazed his thoughts. He tried to push it back, but that only pushed forward the whole friendship thing, which he wasn’t sure was worse.
He missed his friends. That’s a given, but at the same time it goes much deeper then that. They had been with him through everything, supernatural or not. Now? He doesn’t have them, he hadn’t realized how much he relied on them until they were gone.
He focused his thoughts on the new, trying not to cry. Apparently, he was going to have to stay at a new house for a month or so, or however long he could until his mom got to worried to let him stay longer. He loved his mom, he truly did, but this distance was refreshing as much as it was daunting.
His lips were bitten red, nerves and emotions getting the best of him. He looked towards the front of the car, Kates eyes firmly locked on the road ahead with apprehension. It had taken a lot of convincing for his mother -Joyce- to allow him to come along with Kate, but after some bargaining she reluctantly agreed.
Now, Will almost wished she had declined, as contradictory as it was. He took a deep breath, trying to push back the uncomfortable feeling building up in his chest. It didn’t work, of course, but atleast he tried, right? He silently groaned, eyes flickering back towards his window.
The boredom of the long car ride was starting to ebb at him, and he tried his best to distract himself from dying of boredom. His eyes caught on one of the yellow signs passing by, and an idea popped into his head.
The trees past by in blurs, leaving him to try and catch them with his eyes. By the time they got to the gate, his vision was blurring significantly, but it had kept him entertained. Kate exited the car, walking over to the gate. After a second of attempting, and failing, to get it open, she called him over for help.
Will quickly unbuckled his seatbelt, but by the time he was reaching for the door she had managed to wrangle it open. She turned to him. “Well,” she smiled, hopping back into the car.
Will quickly refastened his belt, the house finally coming into view. It was grand, in some old Victorian way. Stark white walls, dirtied by age. Windows circled the home, and Will could only guess that they were in every room. The surrounding grass was even larger, completely dominating the area in a flush of green. Paths lined the ground, going off in various directions. Will didn’t think he would ever be allowed into a house like this.
Will couldn’t help but gasp softly, Kate seeming just a shocked as he was. “Woah..this can’t be real.” she muttered, eyes sparkling when she pulled up towards the house. Excitement was clear on her face, her hands drumming faster.
They parked near a patch of grass, Kate quickly emerging from the car, Will following suit. The sky was slightly cloudy, a gray haze following them as they began the trek towards the front door. Will did his best to avoid stepping onto any of it, not wanting to ruin the trimmed grass.
Soon after reaching it, she knocked on the door, glancing back at Will for a moment. After seconds of no answer, she knocked yet again, to no avail. They shared a look. “Well.. let’s take this time to explore, shall we?” Kate encouraged, her babysitting skills kicking in as she began to guide him around.
It was clear she had to clue where she was going, judging by her stumbling movements and gaze that flickered between every new corner. Will couldn’t blame her, the place was massive, bigger then any other house he had seen back home.
Angel statutes and alike donned the outskirts, lining the pavements and walls with architecture. It was admittedly beautiful, albeit a bit creepy. Will twiddled his fingers, following after Kate like a lost duckling.
A beautiful long stretch of water was ahead of them, green, almost fake looking grass coating the edges of it. It painted a pretty picture. In the back of his mind, Will wished he had brought his paints with him. He turned back to his temporary caretaker.
Her eyes locked on something, her path changing as she turned directions. Will followed, finally noticing the slightly ajar greenhouse door. She grabbed the door, pushing it aside as they walked in.
Plants littered the room, but Wills eyes were locked on the small fountain in the middle of the room, pink water flowing in. On the sides, cut off doll heads surrounding the pink water.
“Flora leaves her toys everywhere.” A sudden, old sounding voice began. The sharp sound of snipping filled the room as Will jumped, head snapping towards the perpetrator of the noise. An old looking lady walked around the corner.
“Don’t be suprised if you find a little mermaid in your toilet.” Her voice was decisive, leaving no room for argument - not that there could be one- as she turned towards the two. Her eyes glanced down at Will for a split second before turning back to the babysitter.
“You must be Kate.” She declared, staring her down. Her eyes trailed downward, staring at him now too. Cold sweat built on the back of his neck. “And you must be William.”
“Yes, hi.” Kate smothered her grin, forcing it into a small smile. Will swallowed thickly, the woman’s eyes still boring into his skull. If Will was any younger, he might’ve believed she could read his thoughts.
“Come along.” She turned and briskly made her way into the main house, leaving Will and Kate to hurry after her. Kate spluttered for a second, trying to find her words.
“Are you Mrs. Grose?” She inquired, trying to keep up her fast pace. ‘Mrs. Grose’ led them through the house, taking them down a narrow looking hall and into a large, surprisingly comfortable looking room.
“I am.” She simply replied. Kate looked around in awe, eying the pillars surrounding the room. Will mimicked her, eyes flittering around the home. And yet, the sense of uneasiness stayed, only deepening the more he got into the house. It dampened his shrinking excitement.
”And it’s just the two of you here?” She asked, speaking the words on Wills mind. He was nervous to meet the other occupants of the home, stuck between wanting someone his age so they could talk, but at the same time wanting someone younger so that they wouldn’t judge him.
“Cleaners, and the gardeners come in every couple of weeks. But yes, it’s just me and Flora while Miles is away at school.” she paused as she walked, continuing after a second. “and this is where you’ll give Flora her lessons.” She halted. “Have you ever been a live-in governess?” She asked, staring her down just like before.
Taking in her words, Will wondered if Flora was older or younger then him. If he’s to guess by Kates job, presumably younger. He had been forced to accompany her once, awkwardly watching as the young children ran and giggled, one of them attempting to draw him. He smiled fondly at the memory.
”No, no, not since the eighteen hundreds.” She attempted to lighten the mood, smiling at Mrs. Grose.
Her face only hardened. “Is that a joke?” She asked with no question, lips pursing. It seemed she was a very… serious woman.
“No-no not a funny one.” Awkwardly, she tried to take it back. Will winced inwardly, standing stiffly by the door. “This is my first live in job.”
“Ah. Well I hope you know what you’re doing. The children, are very special Kate.” She plucked the dishes off the counter. “They’re throughbreds.”
Will dodged out of the way as she speeds through the door, puttering off.
“Now come on, I have something on the stove.”
She wandered off into the hall, dishes in hand. Will pursed his lips, sending one last look at the room and trying to commit it to his memory. Kate grabbed his arm, gently pulling him out of the room.
The hall was long and winding, branching off into other, longer halls. Will knew how likely it was to get lost, and he stuck to the adults side. They stayed quiet for most of the walk.
“It’s so quiet.” Kate suddenly commented, eyes still attempting to commit the place to memory. She, too, was nervous about getting lost.
“All the better to hear you when you get lost.” Mrs. Grose replied, walking through a door on the left.
“Is that a joke?”
“No.”
They entered into a spacious kitchen, utensils and food items stocked securely into cabinets and drawers. “I made this soup for Floras Father, when he was her age.”
“Oh, You’ve been with the family for that long? That’s quite a commitment-“
”It’s an honor.” Mrs. Grose bit back. “Is what it is.” She continued with the dish, mixing in different ingredients out of pure memory. It was impressive, in all honesty.
”And may I ask how the parents died?” Kate hesitated, like it was touching a fresh bruise, testing the severity.
”They died in a tragic car accident. Just outside the gate.” Her voice was surprisingly flat.
”Flora saw the whole thing.” Will felt his heart twinge in sympathy.
”It’s hard for the children” She finished.
”Growing up without parents is…my father left when I was Floras age.” Kate began, trying to sympathize.
”Is that right.”
Thick silence fell over the room, Kate withdrawing awkwardly, eyes looking anywhere but the old lady. Wills eyes dropped to the window, watching the still water.
“I’d love to meet Flora.” She tested.
“She’s down by the stables,” Mrs. Grose replied, as blank as before.
”Uh,” she looked at Will for a second, Will giving a subtle shake of the head. “may I?” a slight frown played on her lips.
Mrs. Grose seemed to catch on. “I’ll show you to your room, William.” She finished up the mixing, putting the mix on the stove. Like always, she left in quick succession, leaving Will to basically chase after her. As she wandered down the Hall, she began pointing out the different rooms.
They got past Floras room, and down one more hall they finally seemed to get to his. She pointed towards the left room “That one is Miles room.” Then she moved toward the right, opening his door with a flourish. “And this one is yours.”
Will felt his eyes widen in shock as he took in the room. The bed was neatly made, red and white bedsheets and curtains folded neatly, as if it had just been made. The bed was a canopy, the top hanging see through red… things. There were two drawers beside his bed, the end of it having the third. A bathroom was connected to his, and a closet opposite it. A window was open, sunlight shining through.
“This is all my room?” He asked, turning to look at everything, shocked.
“Yes, now come along, dinner should be ready soon.”
She led him back towards the kitchen, Will getting a better memory of the path. Once inside, he quickly sit down, trying not to agitate Mrs. Grose. A short nod was sent his way, and she went back to cooking. the room was silent for a moment.
”You’re around Miles age.” She spook suddenly, eyes abruptly looking directly at him. He froze for a second, unable to come up with a good response. Unreasonably, his throat felt uncomfortably dry.
“Really?” Was his only ‘good’ response, the woman turning off the stove. She mixed the liquid around, adding different spices. Her hand was harsh, but it didn’t knock any of it out.
“Yes. When he comes home from boarding school, I think you should talk to him. He needs friends.” Her voice was as short cut as before. Will dug his hand into his pants, swallowing down his protest. He didn’t really want to see what would happen if he said no.
“Sure.” Her lips twitched, a ghost of a smile. Will had wondered if she even knew how to smile. “Uhm, do you know when he comes back?”
“A few weeks I’m sure.” Okay. So he had a couple weeks to prepare for this Miles person. He hadn’t ever actively tried to make a friend since kindergarten so this was certainly new to him.
Max and Jane just kind of.. popped up one day, like a lost shoe that you found. There was no introduction, his friends already did that for him.
Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t hear the door opening until a small, but loud voice rang out.
”Foods ready!” Flora, he assumes.
Will stared at his spoon, twirling it around. She moved to pour the thick looking soup into his bowl, Will resisting a wince. It would be incredibly rude, especially considering the fact that they gave him a room.
Hesitantly, he began to scoop it into his mouth. Kate played with hers, spinning her spoon. She turned to Flora. “So, what about, before we start school tomorrow we go get some ice cream!” Her voice was inforced with the cheery teacher voice, looking at Flora curiously.
The girl bit her cheek, glancing between the two women of the room. Mrs. Grose shook her head. “Flora doesn’t leave the property.” Floras eyes drifted to her bowl, movement slowing. Wills lips twitched downward, but he quickly covered it by following her, staring into his soup.
He spaced out, ignoring the conversation in turn of focusing on his food, doing his very best not to make a face when he swallowed. It’s a skill he’s pretty damn good at, considering how Joyce is at cooking. As much as he hates to admit it, it was usually Jonathan or even him sometimes cooking.
“-will? Will?” He looks up, meeting Kates concerned eyes.
“I was saying we should probably get some rest.” She said, gentler then usual. His face flushed, murmuring an apology and standing to bring his dish to the sink.
Mrs. Grose stands aswell, grabbing his dish. “No, no. I’m the maid.” She brings it over to the sink, putting on gloves and beginning the washing. Will blinks, startled. After a second, Flora wanders over to him, big eyes staring up.
”What’s your name?” She asked, gently swaying back and forth. He musters up the best smile he can, still shocked.
“My name is Will, what about you?”
“Flora!” She grins, grabbing his hand and pulling him out of the kitchen. Kate trails behind them, making sure they don’t hurt themselves. She gives him a tour of the house, pointing out different rooms, including the ones he was already shown.
She ran up to his bed, bouncing on it with a grin. “Do you like it? I made it myself!” She proudly announced, jumping off. Will gave her a genuine grin.
“I love it!” She giggled a thanks, dragging Kate to her room for a goodnight. Will grinned wider, waving at her as she left. He closed the door once they were far enough away, taking a deep breath.
The sky was beginning to darken, and Will knew he should try and get some sleep. He tried his best, pushing away the troubling thoughts-to empty his mind. Despite his normal sleeping problems he managed to fall asleep.
He awakes to the soft sound of creaking. Mind groggy and confused, he gently pushes himself off the bed, eyes fluttering open and drifting toward the slightly ajar door.
A dark silhouette greets him.