||Chapter VI: Gibberish Giggles and a Tea Party! ||

|Forest-Britain|

She gathered her dress in her hand in a firm grip as she ran. Somewhere in the process of running away from Raymond and his betrayal she had lost the track of time and her heels. Consequently, her bare feet bore the brunt of a stony path. The stony foot-trail in the dark forest, and the tall -mighty trees looming over the path had cast a spell of fear on her. She had been running without a clue of direction she was headed in the dark with little to no help from the moon light. The twigs and twines scraped her feet as she made a run for her sanity. The saddest thing about betrayal is it never comes from your enemies. When you realize you have been betrayed, fear really hits you in the true sense. And fears what hit Abigail in all its glory. Fear of being a society puppet, just like her mother. Knowing of her husband's affairs yet keeping mum with a smile plastered on her lips, because all that glitters is gold. She feared her fate was going to be like her mother and she was truly desperate to have a drama free life, free of cheating bastards, free of sly w.hores, free of much-expecting mother and father figure. A life where she and her genuinely caring brother lived happily ever after. Abigail deserved happiness because she believed in fairy-tale prince and eyes were filled with sweet, innocent dreams. She deserved happiness because she had always been a good girl; she had done whatever her parents told her to do without a question. She deserved because she had never hurt an ant just for fun; she deserved a fairy tale life because she believed in every fairy-tale; in every prince charming. In the devils' name, she believed in Santa Claus.

She didn't know why she felt betrayed by Raymond, for they had nothing that resembled a relation between a man and a woman-no, nothing close to it. Abigail Dunhill's future now, hinged on forever living a lie because of Raymond. And suddenly the situation burned her breast, she demanded release. Here was a heartless man who could topple her world without any mercy. He had already turned her world upside down. Her haywire thoughts prevented her from seeing the jutting rock, she stumbled on landing, went down on left arm and foot, elbow and knees first, scraping the them badly enough for blood to ooze out; then twisting her ankle due to the small jutting rock. She had landed on a bigger rock on her front side and then rolled off it as law of physics came into action. She rolled on her back and lay conscious, eyes open, unable to breath. Her chest hurt due to the hard blow; she had all air squeezed out of her and she knew she shouldn't panic-that eventually her lungs would remember their work. Her viridian eyes welled up as her body convulsed struggling to breath.

"Aye, who's there!" a voice called or rather a girl's voice called not far away. She wished she had breath to call out for help.

"What are you doing there lass?" the girl called out again, closer now. She held a lantern and Abigail raised her head to look. But couldn't see the girl's face as her gaze wavered like an uncontrolled camera lens zooming in and out.

Through her blur vision she could see the girl, not very clear, with an old lantern, speed walking towards her.

"Are you okay?" she came and bent over placing the lantern next to Abigail.

"He-Help!" Abigail chocked she still lay on the ground convulsing dangerously. Her vision zoomed in all at once, but before she could make sense of a soft glowing face, golden hair and a hovering pair of sad blue eyes; it all zoomed out.

"Are you okay? What's happening to you?" the girl asked as she bent over a sweaty Abigail, who shook with her hands cradled to her mid-section. The girl observed Abigail and took into account her scraped elbow, knee and her poor physical condition.

"H-He-Help m-me!" Abigail choked.

"What's happening to you?"

"I-I-I d-don't kn-know." On hearing this, the girl placed the lantern on the ground and looked worried.

"Oh, dear, you shouldn't have seen that..." She muttered sadly, as she tucked Abigail's sweaty hair, smiling ever so sadly.

Abigail was confused and angered by the girl's calm attitude, but couldn't care at the moment. If she couldn't breathe in next minute she'd die. Abigail's teeth rattle on as she began speaking with no voice. Her heavy tongue moved slightly. The girl landed a soft jab on Abigail's side just below her arm. It caught Abigail off guard and she bit her tongue hard. The first lungful she got was blood, not air and caused explosive coughing and wheezing. The girl held Abigail still so as she wouldn't hurt herself anymore; made it almost impossible for Abigail to breathe. She struggled in panic, she fisted her hand and grated her teeth just like the doctors had instructed. Desperate for air she pushed the girl with all the force she could.

The blow sat the girl back on her heels long enough for Abigail to roll over on her fours and cough the worst of the gore clear of her lungs. She was still coughing and spitting an almost retching when the girl bent to hold her by the shoulders.

"So, you're not killed."

"You nearly drowned me," Abigail gasped.

"I thought you had a ruptured lung."

"Don't be stupid. I bit my tongue." Abigail groaned at her absurd assumption and looked up at the girl and had the shock of her life. It was the girl Abigail had saved not a long time ago. The same golden hair pulled back in a braid, blue eyes, soft features, they shared striking same resemblances. The girl appeared to be seventeen or barely eighteen, aged not even a day. She wore a nightgown as if from 1800's.

"You!" Abigail gasped in shock. Still not sure if she was hallucinating.

"Thank you for saving me I owe you my life...I'll see ye soon young lassie... " the word echoed in Abigail's thought.

"You really scared me." the girl pulled out a handkerchief and moved forward to clean the blood off Abigail, ignoring her. "What a mess."

"You!" Abigail gasped again, only louder this time.

"Yes, small world right? The names Athena." She brought the handkerchief to clear Abigail's busted lips.

"Y-you what are you doing here?"

"Saving you, what does it look like? I told you I owe you my life." Silence fell between them as Abigail calmed her ragged breath.

"And I promised I'll see ye soon young lassie..."Smiling, she cleaned the last speck of gore.

"Oh c'mon you are younger than me; I'm twenty-four..." Abigail swatted her hands away.

"Believe me you are young...very young." The girl said in a mellow voice, just the way she said Abigail didn't feel good.

"Can you move?" the girl asked standing up with the lantern. When Abigail nodded she continued.

"Get up, let's go."

"Go where?"

"Unless you want to spend the rest of the night in the middle of this forest with the wild animals I'd suggest we go to my place for the night. Come on I don't live too far."

"Oh hush; there are no animals in here." On cue, an owl hooted as it came to sit on a tree very close to Abigail. Only glared at the Abigail with utmost hatred.

"Might want to think again?" Athena chuckled. She reached forward to get Abigail's good hand. "Come."

Abigail staggered as she stood on her feet when the hot flash of pain flashed through her left ankle in protest to changing position. She winced and Athena rushed to her for help.

"Oh, Oh my god!" Abigail cried.

"Shhh, it's okay love we'll be there."

She limped her way with Athena whereas Athena glided as if walking on air, and as if Abigail's weight didn't bother her tiny body.

"Why do you live in the forest?" Abigail blurted out without reasoning her thoughts. "Or what are you doing at this time, alone in this forest, and mind you it happens to be a private property? - Or how did you know it was me? And what did you mean when you said 'Oh, dear, you shouldn't have seen that...' I shouldn't have seen what?"

"Oh, my lovely dear, so many questions...."

"Stop, sweet talking me and answer my question!" Abigail couldn't help but snap. Athena chuckled heartily and muttered 'Confused Lass!' under her breath.

"Yes, I live in the forest because this is my home, one. Two, I knew you'll need me sooner so I was looking for you, I was there at the event, but damn do you run fast. Of course its private property but I already told you it's my home so.... I didn't know it was you I just took a wild guess. And when I said 'Oh, dear, you shouldn't have seen that...' I meant that one doesn't deserve to see her husband in a compromising position with his -for the lack of a better word-lady friend. "

"You were there? I never saw you."

"But I did."

"You can say it, she is his mistress. I know-"

"Don't say that!"

"She is his-"

"And you are going to be his wife soon, right?" Athena cut Abigail sounding nervous. As if her life depended on this union, which it did.

"Wait how do you know?"

"But it's meant to be!"

"FUCK NO! After what I witnessed today, I'll never be anywhere near his wedding aisle. "

"You and him- you are the key to my freedom! It is written in there, I hope you do realize that they have started being attached to you. You have to marry him!" she snapped pressing on Abigail's injured left elbow. There was this crazy glint in Athena's eyes as if she wouldn't mind a blood bath if Abigail was to refuse her. Abigail shivered at the sight.

"The hell I am! Ah-Ah you are hurting me!" Abigail hissed in pain as she yanked her hand out of Athena's vice grip; as she lost her only source of balance she stumbled back but balanced herself against a tree. "What the hell are you on about?! Are you sure you are not high on cracks? I mean the way you dress and talk a-and-"

"There is nothing wrong with what I wear!" she snapped. Athena's eyes were losing their humane colour-blue, turning devilish black as she lost control on her anger. She quickly turned her back to Abigail. Abigail had to marry Raymond, their union was a must!

"A-Athena... how old are you?"

"What?" Athena staggered unsure her eyes returned to their original pale blue.

"I asked how old were you? Did you consider going to a psychiatrist? I know a very-"

"I died on 13 June 1837." Athena grumbled frustrated and spoke without reasoning her thoughts. She was busy trying to control her anger.

"WHAT!"

She soon realized her mistake. "Oh, your face! O-oh it was so priceless." She hurled a nervous laugh.

"I'm seventeen. Let's go we have some walking to do and in the condition, you are I'd dare suggest we make a quick move." Athena said and beckoned Abigail, this time, she was gentle with Abigail when she helped Abigail walk.

The rest of the limping journey to Athena's mystery house in the jungle was silent yet disturbing. Disturbing because Abigail had many thoughts running through her head and she didn't buy Athena's 'joke-theory' at all. Abigail was sure there was something weird about Athena, she just couldn't pin-point it-yet.

_*_

After what felt like an eternity, they finally arrived at the mysterious, but a well hidden in the thick trees, a small yet warm looking two-stored house. Athena's house. There was the walkway to the house. Abigail could have the dance with joy if it weren't the restrictions imposed by her injured being. The temperature had drastically dropped as they neared the house, and a skimpy dress which barely covered her didn't do any justice to her. All Abigail craved was the warmth of a fireplace.

"Let's go in."

"Hmmmm."

"Come on then."

So Abigail wobbled and hopped her way to the house, and the atmosphere grew colder and colder, Abigail could see her frosty breath. They soon reached the wooden door and Athena twisted the knob and pushed the door open. Abigail didn't ask why she didn't lock the doors. The door opened and they were greeted with a brisk blast of warm dusty air that smelled like archive section in a library.

"Come on in dear." And so she did. Abigail was awestruck at the warm ancient, cosy interior. Almost, as if she had been transported back to 1800's. The centre of the house is occupied by the hallway and staircase potentially leading to the second floor.

The whole ground floor had only a drawing room and a well-hidden kitchen-where Athena had disappeared as soon as they had stepped in. The walls of the drawing room were decorated with golden ornate metals and embellishments. Her bare felt the contrast of the rocky pathway to the house and the plush carpet. Above the burning fireplace- which was the only source of light beside a few scattered candles- hung a huge mirror, in which she could see her distraught self and she flinched. The furniture looked old and beautiful and she was worried she might ruin it if she sat on any.

"Come sit." Athena spoke, appearing magically behind Abigail with a big tray of the tea pot and a cup; also a bowl of water and wet cloth, gesturing her to sit on the settee in front of the fireplace. She sat down and so did Athena and started pouring hot tea in the cup.

"Tea?" Athena asked and Abigail nodded excepting the kind gesture. In the dark Abigail couldn't see the exact colour of the tea-the murky green liquid- otherwise, she wold have rejected the kind gesture and saved her life, of course, she didn't and this is how she bound her fate with the evil.

The tea tasted funny on her tongue, almost bitter in the beginning, but the aftertaste was mellow sweet. "What is this? It tasted nothing like tea!" Abigail asked after her cling-worthy sip of the god awful tea.

"I added some herbs; it'll help you heal soon." After the reluctant second sip, the herbal tea tasted nice, actually sweet and it was easing her nerves pretty quickly. There was this instant warmth spreading through her like wild fire, strongly comforting her.

"Now I shall clean you and then I request you to rest, lass." There, the word, it was there again! 'Lass!' She groaned and grumbled internally. Why did Athena call her lass?! Who even used that word now- a day?! She had almost finished the tea and she wanted more.

"Bant 'ore..." her words slurred and she frowned when Athena laughed, who had managed to clean Abigail's scraped knee.

"What?"

This time, Abigail paid more attention to her pronunciation. "I...bwant...more!" her voice still held the gibberish slur.

"You want more? Here, have." Athena poured more tea.

"Hmmmm..." Abigail hummed as she took a big gulp of the hot drink.

"'S ice."

"What?" Athena chuckled.

"I said-"

"Forget it. I'm done." Athena forced out the half empty cup from Abigail and soon Abigail whined in annoyance. "I'll be back, now rest."

"Noooooooo! I bwant to cuddle bit youooooooo. C'here now!" Abigail wailed standing up.

With an inhumane speed, Athena, who had reached the main door rushed back in an instant. Starring in Abigail's eyes with a crazy glint, she spoke. "Shhh, sleep now!"

Abigail giggled and fell back on the settee. "M'okay..." Athena rolled her eyes and muttered 'Did I put too much?' and left, slamming the door on her wake.

"Angry lass!" Abigail grumbled after Athena. "I'm older..." hiccup "...than you! Don't..." hiccup "...order me!" hiccup. Then she suddenly busted into heavy laughter. Somewhere between her fits of gibberish filled giggles, childish screams and eventually settling for curing Raymond with every bad word under the sun; Abigail fell in dreamless oblivion.

_*_

Abigail's vision zoomed in and quickly zoomed out. She strained her eyes pretty hard to focus. The light pouring in through the stained glass window drenched the dark wood floor; green, gold, red, blue. It woke her up. She blinked her eyes; once, twice. They were watering, burning, searing. She rubbed them, trying to massage away the sting. Away; a loud yawn escaped her and echoed in the silent house. With her disoriented mind and her unsteady gaze, she scanned the place. She was quick to remember her adventurous night in the forest due to Raymond; then falling down and meeting Athena and coming with her to her house in the middle of the forest. Now she wondered wide awake, Where could Athena be? She didn't dare move because of her sprained ankle and badly scraped knee. This morning, the colours projected on the wall in front of her and she had been watching them slink down the crusty, yellowing wallpaper when she heard a growl. A long grunt followed by a scream that shatters her soul.

"Athena!" she called. "Are you okay?"

"Abigail!" she heard. She strained to make out the words, but they're garbled. "Get out of... Abigail! Go!" Athena's shriek crescendos and lingered on the "O"; it echoed as if it's coming from the bottom of a well.

She didn't have time to process, she jump on her feet and she was shrouded in a thick blanket of smoke. It coated her lungs like peanut butter. She wheezed as she made her way out of the living room toward Athena's voice that was calling her name. Abigail came to a shocking realization suddenly; her sprained ankle didn't hurt at all, nor did her scraped knee and elbow. She was walking as if she had never fallen.

"Leave Abigail, leave now!" Athena's voice drowned Abigail's further thoughts. She quickly and blindly made her way towards the staircase leading to the second floor. The house was silent without Athena's screams. Every staircase board creaked and groaned loudly under her weight. In the dead silent, Abigail's heart beat increased alarmingly. Her breath echoed off and she squirmed uncomfortably. Was it worth getting herself into a stupid creepy situation? No. But did it stop Abigail from not committing the mistake? Never.

Her hands shook and her chest heaved up and down, up and down faster and faster until she wanted to pass out. She gulped her dry throat with a great trouble. She couldn't leave Athena! Athena had helped Abigail in her worst time, at least, she could do this much. Agreed Athena was weird the way she talked, walked and behaved. Even though it screamed creepy at the top of the voice, Abigail couldn't judge and label her as a psychopath and leave her to die or get hurt, now could she?

Abigail was just about to reach the second floor when the old staircase gave away under her and her right feet sank in, now scraping her right shin.

"Ahhhh!"

She quickly grabbed the banister as her heart tried to beat and pump blood in her brain, to defog it. Her body was sweaty and clammy; her slippery hands gripped the banisters till her knuckles and fingers turned white. It felt a cold hand tightly wrapped around her right ankle and pulling her into the gaping hole. One hard pull and the stair groan loudly before giving up completely. Her grip on the banister slips and she found herself half way through the stair. Tears run freely when the eeriness of the house was disturbed by the heavy creaking of the chandelier, and it falls down scattering sharp pieces of once a beautiful chandelier. Her screams and the breaking noise echoed the whole house.

"Oh, dear lord in heaven! Help me."

Her efforts to hold the railings and pull herself up were proving too tedious.

"No, No, No..." she sobbed as the pull increased. "Athena, save me please!" her grip loosened slightly and tears streamed her cheek. Sobs wracked her. Nails like apparatus dug her ankle as she kicked her legs in every possible way to get out of the grip.

"Jesus if this is some sick joke then I'll kill you, Athena!" her heart was beating fast, and it weren't for her ribs it would have left her chest long go.

"Athena! Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee....." she was about to speak again when the force that pulled her down was ripped off her ankle. She wasted no time to pull herself up; about to balance herself when she was propelled horizontally high in the air. A high squealed left her lips as she screwed her eyes tight close. In a whooshing moment, she was down the stairs and with a hard push she was stumbling out the main door. She fell on her fours and hastily turned back to look at the house. The house now stood in its all gloomy glory, and Abigail felt a shiver run down her spine and all colours drained from her face, leaving her in a ghostly pale skinned and her bloodshot eyes wide open... what the hell was that! She greedily took in the air for her struggling lungs.

The fear, unsteady beating heart, verging near a cardiac arrest; and the adrenal rush forced black dots in vision. Her brain fogged up and she passed out in the pathway of Athena's gloomy house. But before passing in the dark oblivion, she was sure she heard the owl snapped its beak very close to her in anger; she fell back on her bum with her back to the ominous house and crawled back. Before she could scream on seeing a black-eyed owl, it was shoo-ed away by none other than a worried Athena.

'' Oh Holy Spirit of the heaven, what have I done! I should have never brought you here my sweet, sweet Abigail. Kindly find it in your very kind heart to forgive me. One day, I'm sure you'll forgive me, one fine day..." with that Athena placed her warm comforting hand on Abigail's fore head and Abigail slipped far, far away from the reality...dooming her fate.

_*_

A/N: I really have nothing to say, but I'm sorry. Pl. find it in your kindest heart to forgive me. *wiggles eyebrows creepily...* now that I have introduced each and every character of the story, let's get the plot rolling; shall we?