Ell

Morning. 

The light streaming through my window seers through my eyelids like a flash of pure fire. I groan wearily, rolling out of bed, my head foggy from the night before. Groping for the handle of my vanity, I pull myself up and stare at the reflection in the mirror. The blurry image manages to convey drunken anger in the most unattractive way possible. Confusion rips at my brain, mingling with panic. 

What happened last night? I can't remember. I remember colors and dancers and... something pink that I drank about a thousand of. 

Realizing what happened, I scream in anger as the memories of my foolish behavior flood into my mind. He had me acting like a trained cat, performing tricks for his ghouls and laughing like an idiotic clown. I try to shake the throbbing ache from my head, but the force of it knocks me down like a physical blow. 

  "Ell? What's wrong?" Desha calls worriedly from the doorway. 

  "Get out!" I scream. She draws back in fear, her big brown eyes wide in alarm. 

  "Ell." Desha's voice is tight with tears. She's confused and afraid. She doesn't know. 

Fighting my temper, I climb shakily to my feet, rasping an apology. "I'm sorry Desh. Forgive me." She looks relieved, but still afraid. "I'm sick today." I add lamely, watching as her face softens. 

  "Let me take care of you. I'll make you soup and rub your head. Adda won't mind if I skip lessons today." 

Adda. 

Her Adda did this to me. Her Adda caused all of it. My heart of stone breaks as I see the bright light of hope on her face. My sister looks so excited, so eager to take care of me. Somehow, deep down, she knows she's his favourite, and she tries to make up for it by loving me more. Exhaling deeply, I nod and force a smile. 

 "Soup would be lovely, Deshi. But you have to go to your lessons. I don't want you getting in trouble on my account." I can't keep the grimness out of my voice, no matter how hard I try. A smile as wide as the river breaks on her face. 

  "I'll go get started right now! Hurry and get back into bed; I'll take care of you Ell!" She dashes out the door and downstairs, and I hear her issuing ultimatums to poor Berndell, threatening the servant girl with death in exchange for ripe apricots. I'm not surprised. 

After all, she learned from the best.