Chapter Text
The remnants of a snowstorm still ravaged a forest of thin pine trees and dead bushes, dark brown branches twisting and reaching up to the pale sky. A woman, wearing many warm layers of clothing under a hooded cloak, was trudging through the snow, slowly making her way towards a building in the distance. She stopped, leaning against a tree, before shuddering and collapsing, falling into the snow with heavy breaths. She lied there, cold and alone, until someone began approaching her. They stopped a few steps short, looking over her in completely silence. They leaned down, picking her up and carrying her gently in their arms towards the building on the horizon, just as the sun hit the midway point in the sky overhead.
~*~
Everything was dark. Nothing sounded clear either. It was as if Ashley’s ears and eyes had been stuffed full of wool. Slowly- agonisingly slowly -everything started to become clear. The first thing she heard was the sound of footsteps and a closing door somewhere in front of her.
“Urgh...where...where am I?” Ashley blearily mumbled as she slowly blinked awake, finding herself looking up at a cream coloured ceiling. She felt a silky blanket beneath her as she shuffled around awkwardly, sitting up and leaning back against what turned out to be a wooden headboard. She lifted a hand up to hold her head, gripping her dark brown hair in the process, when someone spoke.
“Please be careful dear, you’re in a bit of a rough state.”
Ashley looked away from her hand to the source of the voice, who turned out to be a tall, pale-skinned woman in a long black dress, smiling down at her with concern.
“Wha- who are you? Where am I?” Ashley repeated in a nervous voice, slowly pulling down her hand.
“Do take care- oh, please forgive me for not explaining, you’re probably very worried.” The woman readjusted herself, resting her gloved hands on her lap. “Myself and some associates found you passed out not too far from our home- where you are now. We were worried about your well-being and thus decided to take you in. I’m glad to see you’re awake and doing well.” She smiled reassuringly, tilting her head a little.
“Oh. How long was I out for…?”
“Only a few hours, but that’s since we found you. I’m worried it could actually have been much longer.” She suddenly leaned back, putting a hand on her chest in semi offence, seemingly at herself. “How could I forget to introduce myself? I’m Francesca.” She extended the same hand out towards Ashley for her to shake.
“Uhm- I’m Ashley.” She shook Francesca’s hand briefly, nodding at her as she spoke. “Thank you for helping me. I don’t remember passing out at all, which probably isn’t good.” She gave a half-hearted attempt at a chuckle, which sounded more concerned and forced than she had hoped it would.
“It’s the least I or my friends could do. Speaking of which, do you need anything? Do you feel any pain?”
Ashley looked down at herself, as if scanning herself for any injuries which, thankfully, there were none. Nothing hurt too badly internally either, hardly a headache or anything, which was surprising.
“I think I’m okay for now.”
“That’s a relief. But if you do need anything at all I-” Francesca’s words were suddenly cut off by the sound of knocking coming from a set of wooden double doors directly across the room from the bed Ashley found herself sitting on. Francesca’s face dropped from a concerned smile to a mildly irritated one as she looked back towards the door.
“Come in!” She called out impatiently. Immediately, the door swung open, and a man dressed in a long black cloak with very formal clothing underneath stepped in, looking around the bedroom.
“Francesca? You wished to inform me of...something.” His eyes settled on Ashley and Francesca, the latter of which stood up from her position at the foot of the bed and walked over to the man’s side. “Hello.” He politely nodded at Ashley before looking at Francesca with a neutral expression.
Francesca started grinning again, gesturing to the man. “Ashley, this is Joseph. He’s a close friend of mine. He owns this mansion and-”
“Wait. Mansion?” Ashley raised her eyebrows in shock, cutting Francesca’s words off. She just laughed, looking to Joseph to explain.
“Yes, mansion. I am fortunate enough to come from quite the wealthy family.” He stated calmly, gesturing around the room.
“So am I.” Francesca chimed in, still laughing a little before addressing Joseph specifically. “Anyways, I wanted you to know our guest is awake and recovering well.” She then turned back to Ashley. “You'll probably be able to leave in a day or so at this rate.”
“I've hardly spoken, am I that unbearable?” Ashley joked, laughing awkwardly before stopping once she saw Francesca visibly panic.
“Oh no- nono- not at all! You are more than welcome to say for as long as you like. This house has more rooms than people who've ever set foot in it. I'm sure Joseph wouldn't mind giving up just one.” She glanced at Joseph for confirmation, who simply nodded in reply.
“You are correct in your assumption.”
Ashley spluttered a little before finding her words. “I’m- uh- I- Thank you so much, this is the nicest place I've ever been in.”
“Wait until you see the gardens, they're absolutely gorgeous. Oh and the ballroom- truly the whole place is wonderful.” Francesca began rambling excitedly before being abruptly cut off by Joseph.
“I appreciate the flattery. But I need to speak to you about some business outside. Is that alright with the two of you?” He looked between Ashley and Francesca for confirmation, both of whom nodded and spoke over each other.
“More than alright, my friend.”
“Of course, I mean it's your house.”
“Thank you, we'll only be a moment.” Joseph nodded and walked outside with Francesca following behind him. Soon enough the door was closed again and Ashley was left alone to have a proper look at her surroundings.
The room she was in was incredibly lavish. The walls were painted a deep shade of ruby red, the floors a polished mahogany wood. There were small gold accents everywhere, not enough to look tacky, but just enough to signal the wealth Joseph and Francesca clearly enjoyed. The bed she was sitting in was easily a king-size, covered in matching scarlet and ivory sheets that felt like heaven under her. If she looked to her right she could see two different doors, both of which were closed, and to her left was a large window overlooking what appeared to be a forest full of pine trees. Once she had finished looking around her thoughts and concerns grew louder.
God I hope they're not talking about me. This feels so weird. What was I even doing before I passed out? Ashley- stop worrying. You're being allowed to stay in a damn mansion for free by a bunch of rich people, just try to make the most of it. Maybe take a fancy bar of soap or something.
She sighed to herself just as the door creaked open slightly and Francesca poked her head inside.
“I'm terribly sorry but we've got to deal with an urgent matter, I hope you understand.” She explained in an apologetic tone.
“I do, don't worry. You do whatever you need to, I’ll be okay.” Ashley assured her, watching Francesca’s shoulders relax.
“That's a relief. I'll be back once we're done dealing with this whole debacle, but it may take some time. Either way I'll be at dinner tonight so you'll see me then.” She took a quick breath and began gesturing around the room to the doors to the right. “Feel free to leave this room, just don't invade anyone else's without asking. I would advise against it, though, you might collapse or something similar. Better be safe than sorry I say. The en-suite bathroom is behind that door there and if you need anything at all you can call for one of us or find one of the workers here and ask them.”
She stood up a bit straighter and nodded respectfully at Ashley. “It was truly lovely meeting you, Ashley. I will see you again soon.”
“You too. See you.” She waved a little as Francesca vanished from sight, closing the door behind her. Ashley slowly lowered her hand back down to her side. After a few moments of silence she laid back down, staring up at the ceiling.
I really hope I haven't gotten myself into something horrible. Eh, I’m probably overreacting. I’m sure I’ll be fine.