A knock at Midnight - Part 2

The knock continued as I stood on the edge of the stairs, staring at the door. Oh God! Could this be happening for real? And it had to be today that I came back. No. I won't let it repeat itself. I launched to the corridor that led to the kitchen and packing store of the manor. I lit the taper on the wooden table and went in search of the gun in the store. It was my father's hunting gun which I hid years back. I was glad to find it still wrapped as it was.

I checked the gunpowder and it was loaded. Thanks be to God. He knows I won't let what happened repeat itself. If the traitor had come yet again he would have to pass through me first.

Back at the entrance hall, I stood to listen to the knocks and suddenly it stopped. I stepped nearer to listen more. Was he gone? I listened carefully. Only the pitter-patter of the rain was heard. Good. I might as well go back or stand guard at the hall. I turned back to leave, but to my terrification, I heard the rustling of keys in the keyhole.

What!

That can't be happening. I rushed to hide at the back of the doors waiting in earnest with the ready gun in my hands.

How did they get the keys to our doors? Holy lord, please forgive me if I end up tainting my hands with this liquidator's blood.

The door finally unlocked and then a rustling came. I waited trying not to make any noise till he showed his face. One. Two. Three…..

The doors opened and a person in a black cloak walked in. Jesus! A black cloak! He turned about to close and then locked the doors, then I cocked the gun pointing at his head.

"Who are you?"

"Ahhh!"

He screamed and bent to the floor taking cover.

"What are you doing here?" I questioned.

"Please," the voice cried.

Wait. That wasn't a man's voice.

"Eugene!"

I looked to the stairs to see Mother, Mrs Thorne, and Eva Curtis all in their nightwear and shawls. Soon the other servants came rushing out.

"What are you doing?!"

She came down in earnest. "Pull down that Godforbidden thing!"

"Who is this?" I asked.

"It's me, Madame, it's me," she rose to remove her hood.

Oh, my days! It was a woman. A striking woman!

The gun was snatched out of my hand and given to the male servant. "Take this away John"

I stood perplexed looking at the woman I must have frightened to death.

Mother came to hold her, consoling her shaky self. "What do you think you were doing?!" She screamed at me.

"I— I was— I thought—-." I looked at my hands. I almost killed someone. "Who is she?" I asked.

"Mrs Williams! The one I always told you about, why on earth would you point a gun at her!"

Oh God!

"You mean she's the steward?!"

"Of course son." Aunt Agatha went on to hold the lady on the other side.

You could imagine the horror and awkwardness of the whole situation. All the servants were looking at me like I was crazed.

I thought it was a he. How wrong I had been!

"My apologies." I bowed to her. "I never knew—-." What was one supposed to say in such a situation?

"Eugene, please, you've done enough for this night, go to bed."

I had no choice but to bow in apology and then mount the stairs without looking back.

Once the door was closed behind me, I took in a breath and began to pace about the room. What led me to such an extent? Well, you couldn't blame me. And why on earth would she be coming back this late?

God, what had I done?

I ruffled my head and went ahead to calm myself.

"It wasn't your fault. No. You never knew it was her and —-"

Another knock came on the door.

"Who is it?!"

"Open the door Eugene!"

I went to the door and opened it. "God! Mother I never knew!"

She dragged me to sit on the bed.

"You terrified the lady."

"I know." I breathed as the silence befell us. "I never knew your steward was a woman."

"Don't you read the letters I sent you properly?"

"I — I did, I just— I must have read it all wrong"

Her warm hands came to rest on mine. The fright was on her face too but it was masked with relief. "I know, I knew why you did so," she looked to the ground. "I heard it too and I was scared, I never knew you would—-"

"It's alright Mother, come," I took her into my arms to console her.

I guess I wasn't the only one that was traumatized by the knocking.

"Did you think it was the—"

"That was why I went to that extreme, what was I supposed to do?"

She sniffed and released herself from my grip. She held my hands and looked into my eyes.

"You have to do more than apologize, you've traumatized her! The thought of walking into your house and finding a gun pointed at you by a strange face!" She lamented.

"I know, I will do that tomorrow."

She nodded and then held my shoulders. "Go to sleep, I will go in."

"Alright mother."

She kissed my cheeks and left through the door with another look my way before she closed it.

I touched my cheeks. "I can't remember the last time I got kissed so much within a day."

I smiled. But then remembering the incident a few minutes ago. I crouched.

Lord help. I slumped on the bed and then for a while in reminiscence of it all, it escaped my lips.

"Mrs Williams."