She recalled Magenta's words from the night before. They were icy and frigtening. The fact that she would be kept here forever was just mind-numbing. Where is here anyway? It was late morning and she was wondering if anyone was going to feed her or come talk to her. Curiousity got the better of Janet. She stood up and walked over the heavy wooden door. Surprisingly, it was unlocked. The door opened into the same musty looking corridor. Janet, instead of going the same way Jane did last night, turned the other way. There were less doors and more light. It looked safer.
It seemed as if the rest of the house was still asleep. Janet climbed spiral staircases and crossed into different rooms without seeing a single soul. She was lost, but she managed to keep that thought in the back of her mind. She figured if Magenta or Jane was looking for her, they'd eventually find her. An odd feeling of calmness swept over her as she climbed a rather tight spiral staircase.
At the top of the staircase, Janet came face to face with another heavy wooden door. "Oh, what the heck." Janet leaned over and twisted the rusty nob. It swung open with an eerie creak. What is with these people and not locking doors, Janet thought. Dust drifted through the air as the sunlight shone in from the streaky windows. It was one of the prettiest rooms she had ever seen. It looked like a cross between a barn loft and a posh New York apartment.
With careful steps, Janet stepped in. Her shoes left footprints in the dust. She must've been on the top floor becuase of the pitches in the roof. She had to duck at some points. The windows were set into the wall. Some had little seats with these little pillows. Elaborate chests stood under the windows. Paintings hung on the walls. Janet noticed they looked very expensive. It looked like a very organized attic.
She sat on one of the window seats. It was overlooking a garden. Janet realized that no so long ago she was sitting at home alone looking out at her garden. This was all a big mess. She would never see her parents again, not that they would mind. At Janet was looking at the green grass, she thought of Frankie. She missed him beyond belief. Oh, and Rocky too. She. . . Footsteps echoed up the stairs. Janet realized she hadn't shut the door. Someone was coming to get her.
Janet bolted for the door, trying to make as little noise as possible. The door was so heavy. It was extremely hard to shut it. Janet gave one final push and the dor began to shut. She sighed. And then a hand popped out from the other side of the door, holding it in place. It han heaved the door open and stepped inside revealing it's identity.
"Brad," gasped Janet. He was standing there looking quite disheveled. His hair was askew and his glasses weren't anywhere to be seen. He only had his white undershirt on and his white briefs. And was he wearing . . . make-up? He looked different somehow. He reached out his hand. Janet extended her's warily and Brad shook it with force. "Hello, Janet," he said briskly.
He wasn't looking at her, but more behind her. He was searching for something. He smelt like the same perfume Janet had, Everlasting Love. Finally, he blurted out, "I'm hungry. I'm going to make myself a martini." Brad turned and left. Janet watched him descend the stairs and gasped at the sight of lace. Brad was wearing something with lace under his clothes. She shook her head in disbelief.
Janet went back to her little window seat, still thinking about her encounter with Brad. He had seemed so distant. And what was he looking at? She turned to the back of the attic and only saw different chests. Maybe save them for another day, she thought. And then it hit her. Only one other man had used the same perfume as her. Frank. Frank was the only man she knew. Why was Brad wearing the same perfume as her? Why was he wearing those lacy underwear? And now, come to think of it, it looked as if Brad had nude-colored stockings on.
It was all too confusing. Her head was suddenly throbbing. The room suddenly had an eerie vibe. She hopped off the window seat and headed down the stairs. Maybe she could find the kitched. Janet was suddenly hungry.
