Edith's breathing is slow and steady. She looks innocent and small under the downy covers. If only I can sleep as well as her. I remember waking up in alarm the first morning after she arrived here. My heart raced when I discovered I was alone but I was soothed when I heard Lucille playing the piano in the library. The sun and its heat on my face were unexpected but welcomed guests. Collapsing back onto the pillow, I searched my memory for any recollection of me waking in the night and found none. I only recalled what happened after I left Edith in the den. I was in the bath, listening. Edith closing the den door and ascending the stairs. Then footsteps approaching me.

"Lucille," I said, continuing to look at the clipping and molding wall tiles, crimson clay bleeding between the cracks. The creak of the door caused me to turn. Lucille's long midnight hair framed her face and draped around her shoulders. With every step, her gown whispered and hissed across the hard floor.

"Why were you watching me, Lucille?"

She tilted her head to the side as she perched at the end of the tub.

"I wanted to make sure she drank it."

"You've never done that before." My eyes shot up to meet hers. She dipped her finger in the water, swirling it gently. "What's different?"

"You tell me, Thomas."

"Lucille, I'm too tired to play this game," I snipped as I started to rise out of the water. Lucille reached a cool hand to my shoulder, stopping me.

"I'm sorry," she sighed. "You had a long trip."

I sank back into the water as her hand traveled to my hair where her slender fingers massaged gently. I reached for her then, wrapping my arm around her waist and lowering her into the warm water. Some of it sloshed over the side to make room for both our bodies. Her gown floated like that of an angel. Or a ghost. She smiled as she leaned towards me. Her teeth grazed my neck and I inhaled in anticipation.

"What happened when you were away?"

I pulled away from her.

"Nothing! I thought we were done talking about this!"

She held my face still.

"Just answer me that."

I looked into her eyes, their expression territorial and curious.

"I didn't touch her. We were in separate rooms."

Her face relaxed as she processed.

I cupped her face. "Don't you trust me?"

Her lips were on mine before I could take a breath and she held onto me as we sank lower in the water. At the last moment, before we were completely submerged, she said, "You must be there when she wakes. Keep playing the part."

Water lapsed against the corners of my eyes and mouth as I nodded. Her face blurred and rippled as she lowered me under the water. My heart skipped but slowed when her lips were on mine again, softer this time, and I felt myself rising back to the surface. I inhaled deeply and combed my hair away from my eyes. Lucille looked like a siren with the shorter hairs around her face curling under her eyes and around her neck. I felt my mouth mimicking her genuine smile.

"I'll be upstairs," she murmured. Water poured over the side as she left the tub. A soft plop drew my eye to the soaked gown lying in a heap. She looked over her shoulder, making sure I saw all of her. As she sauntered away, my eyes traveled from her scarred back, down to her legs, and to the scarlet footprints she was leaving behind.