Chapter 2
I am Count Kalliovski and this is Balthazar" said the man gesturing to the dog after several minutes of awkward silence . He was a tall thin man and had large ugly hands that didn't seem to go with the rest of him. His face was unusually smooth and void of wrinkles and looked like it had been preserved.
"A count?" I asked in disbelief.
"Yes mademoiselle"
I look down at my school clothing, a pair of jeans, a white shirt, and white high tops my gold necklace with the red garnet feels dull. Feeling inferior sitting in the velvet seat of the carriage I awkwardly stared out the window out into the grassy plains. "Once we arrive in Paris we will have to summon the dress maker I can't have running around in that" said the man interrupting me from my thoughts.
'Paris?! What am I doing in France?' I thought. I looked at the man, his eyes focused on what was outside the window, his clothes were so antique, I couldn't help but feel like I was in a different time. "What am I doing in France" I demanded "I'm from California, how the hell did I get here."
His wax like face showed no emotion.
"There is no need to get agitated ma chérie "
" What year is it ?" I desperately asked.
"1775" he calmly replied
"Forgive me but I do not think you introduced yourself and seeing as you are going to stay with me for the time being I think it would be most convenient that you state your name ."
"What makes you think I'm going anywhere with you?" I asked with one eyebrow raised.
" I'm sure the riffraff are pleasant company and the brothels are always happy to receive a new resident."said the count with a mean thin lipped smile.
"Seraphina Galdo" I said reluctantly
"Mmm Charming"
After a very awkward pause I asked
"How did I get here ?!"
" That Mademoiselle Galdo is something we both want to know"
After perhaps the longest hour of my life we finally stopped the carriage to relieve the horses when I was told "to stay in the carriage so no one would see my ridiculous clothing" said the count as he walked out of the coach.
'If you want ridiculous you should see the ladies of your court' I thought.
I huffed as I sat back to stare into the dark eyes of the so called Balthazar. I looked away to the window uncomfortably as the dog studied me with equal intensity. As I looked out the window all I saw was tall trees and very little bush, seeing no way of escape And afraid of what the count would do if he caught me, I figured that if I could get the count to trust me it would be easier to escape. But where would I go if I managed to escape?
After about 20 minutes of a staring contest with the dog the count finally came in the carriage, he wordlessly sat down and tapped his cane and the coach started again.
