On my twenty-second birthday, I was given a gift that could not be wrapped. A job. Not just any job; but employment as a maid for the Wayne family. Anyone who was anyone knew that the Wayne family was very wealthy and quite possibly the most well-reputed family in Gotham City. To work for them was an opportunity that didn't come along often, and I was grateful to say the least.
The ride to Wayne Manor was silent. The Wayne Family had been good enough to send a private car to pick me up and take me there, but the chauffeur was silent and stoic. All I knew was his name was Bern and he'd worked for the Wayne family for seven years; if this was a preview of the other staff members, then I wasn't sure I was looking forward to meeting them.
When the car pulled up to the manor, I was in awe. Growing up, I had heard stories about the house and always imagined it to be a castle out of a storybook. Nothing could have prepared me for the moment of seeing it; it sat on a hilltop, large and grand, aged by the two centuries that it'd endured, but still enough beauty to impress.
As Bern helped me out of the car, I was startled when a little girl came running up the hilltop, screaming for help. A group of people emerged from the house; a young man and woman, and an elderly gentleman. The woman moved forward and hugged the little girl when she reached the house.
"Rachel, what's happened? Where's Bruce?" The woman asked.
"He fell, Mom. W-We were in the garden, and I found an arrowhead. He wanted to see it, and he began chasing me." The little girl, Rachel, sobbed.
"Rachel, where did he fall?" The younger man asked.
"In the old well, sir." Rachel sniffled.
The younger man wasted no time and asked for Bern to come with him. As both sprinted down the hill; I stood frozen with surprise. The last thing I'd expected on my first day was a little boy in danger.
"Excuse me, may I help you?"
The voice of the elderly man brought me back to reality. As he walked up to me, the woman tried her best to calm Rachel.
"Yes. My name's Lucy Allen. I'm the new maid." I said.
"Of course, Ms. Allen. We've been expecting you." The elderly man extended his hand, and I shook it gently.
"I know that I'm a little early, I hope that's not an inconvenience to anyone."
The elderly man shook his head. "Not at all. My name is Alfred Pennyworth, I'm the family's butler. I was asked to show you around."
I nodded and removed my suitcase from the car; it didn't take long for Alfred to take it from me and carry it himself. As we walked towards the door, Alfred paused to speak to the young woman.
"Mrs. Dawes, if you and Rachel would like to wait in the parlor-"
"No, Alfred. We'd best wait out here until Mr. Wayne returns; it will make Rachel feel better." The young woman said.
Alfred bowed slightly. "Very well."
Alfred gestured for me and we entered the manor. The manor was just as beautiful on the inside as it was on the out; but I couldn't exactly enjoy my surroundings. My mind kept focusing on the welfare of the little boy.
"I hope he'll be all right." I said, and Alfred looked over his shoulder. "The boy, I mean."
"I'm certain of it. Master Bruce is certainly not Master Wayne's son for no reason. He's a strong boy."
"Master Bruce?" I repeated.
"Yes. Master Bruce is the young master of this home."
"Then, the man who left with Bern was..."
"Master Wayne, of course." Alfred said, matter-of-factly.
The tour was very brief. I was sure this was because of Alfred's own concern for Master Bruce. I was shown the rooms, the library, the kitchen, and finally the servants quarters where I would sleep.
My room was well-furnished, but simple and small. As I laid my suitcase on the bed, Alfred bowed and left quickly. To get my mind off of Master Bruce; I started to unpack my clothes and belongings. When I heard the sound of muffled voices, I couldn't help but rush to see what had happened.
Master Wayne had entered the manor, carrying Master Bruce in his arms. From where I stood, he seemed to be dirty and bruised and his arm seemed mangled. As a woman, who I assumed to Mistress Wayne, came running down the staircase; I could hear Master Wayne mutter something about a small fracture. I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief; at least, there was no permanent injury to Master Bruce.
Then, it happened. As Master Wayne carried Master Bruce up the stairs; I caught my first glimpse at the child's face. What I saw wasn't pain, but a look of fear. I wouldn't learn until later what had scared Master Bruce so badly; and how greatly his life and mine would change from this fear.