Elsie finished lacing her corset, putting her clothes quickly back on after brushing a few strands of hair that had escaped their confinement, returning downstairs in a hurry. Lord Gillingham was visiting Lady Mary, again, and his valet, Mr. Green, had set his eyes on Anna for the second time. After the incident Mrs. Hughes had promised herself she wouldn't let him touch her or be anywhere near her again, she had sworn to herself she would do everything in her power to try and spend most of her time watching him, following him, making sure none of her maids suffered Anna's fate. In an attempt to ease her own worry, she had joked about even following him when he went to the bathroom. Anything to keep her girls safe from… him.
Mrs. Crawley was celebrating upstairs with the family her recent published article in obstetrics, thanks to the help of Dr. Clarkson, and that meant a party, loads of work that Elsie had to supervise. Due to this inconvenience Mr. Green had found himself free of her many times during the night, making her so extremely anxious, but there was nothing she could do. Just as she was heading towards the stairs where she had last seen him Mr. Carson had accidentally spilled a glass of wine that Lady Edith had requested for Tom, a special bottle she had brought from London. She had been sent up to change even after she had assured him it was okay, that since the dress was black and she would not be going upstairs the family wouldn't notice, trying almost desperately to locate Mr. Green, but he had insisted, and she finally had to give up and go up to her room. As quickly as she could she managed to put a black long skirt and a cream blouse on, she didn't want to button up any of her dresses, she would lose precious time, before going back.
To her horror Mr. Green was nowhere to be found, no one was there, the previous noisy corridors and kitchen were quiet as a mouse. When she checked the kitchen, she saw that everything had been turned off and both Mrs. Patmore and Daisy were gone, probably upstairs she thought. Mrs. Crawley was quite known for her compassion towards the servants and had probably decided to share her good news with everyone. Her breathing became a little a bit calmer as she walked to her Sitting Room approaching her desk to find a note from Mr. Carson saying that all the servants had been asked to join the party upstairs and that they would be waiting for her. She chuckled at the thought of Daisy being able to go upstairs with the rest of them, that girl could be so impressionable, but it would do her some good to feel included. It's nice when you are appreciated for your work. Leaving the note, she turned around coming face to face with whom she had been looking for all afternoon, Mr. Green, leaning on the doorframe with a wicked smile on his lips. Mrs. Hughes' smile disappeared instantly from her face, his footsteps small but sure, getting closer to her by the second. With a thump the door closed behind him leaving them all alone.
-Mr. Green, do you need anything? – it didn't go unnoticed by him the poison in her words, she had almost spat them out, no fake smiles greeting him, just a face of utter and absolute disgust. It thrilled him, it excited him to no end.
-Oh, I just thought we might spend some time together, since everyone is upstairs. – his fingers were running over the furniture, examining the delicate fabric of some of her items, observing her like a predator, his eyes following every little movement she did.
-I don't think so. I was just going upstairs to join them, so if you will excuse me. - She made her way to the door, but a strong hand around her wrist prevented her from reaching it. With great force he pushed her, her back hitting the wood of her desk, pulling her arm, a sharp pain causing her to almost sit over her notebooks in an attempt to ensure he didn't rip it off. Her voice showed a hint of fear but remained strong and furious as she glared at him with all the hatred she could master. -Mr. Green let me go!
-Mrs. Hughes, you are confusing me.
-Confusing you? What are you talking about?!- She tried to get down, but his frame prevented her from stepping down. Seeing that she was trying to escape he pinned both her arms behind her back, his face the closest it had ever been to hers.
-Do you think I haven't noticed you looking at me every chance you get? Now, now, I know I'm a very sexy man…
-What the hell are you talking about?! Let me down at once!
-No. I don't think I want to do that. Scream, go ahead, I know for a fact no one will hear you.
-LET ME GO! NOW! I'm certain someone will come down any minute; it won't be the same as with Anna.
-You know? And you didn't tell anyone? Good girl… Elsie.
-You have no right to use my name. – he would never admit it but the tone she had used sent a shiver of fear down his spine. Maybe she was not going to be as easy as he thought, but he would try, nevertheless. His lips brushed her cheek, pressing them there softly, almost as if he were testing the waters, travelling down to her jaw... he felt the tension, the skin tight underneath his parched lips.
-You are so beautiful, does your butler… Charles… show you often? Does he make you scream like I'm going to? – those simple words seemed to be the final straw, unaltered horror filled her entire being and the only thing she could think of was one thing: scream for help. She didn't even get the chance to finish the word help before Mr. Green covered her mouth with his, keeping her quiet. He tasted vile, simply horrendous, and for a second, she had to fight the rising nausea as she struggled to get out of his grip, but somehow, he seemed to have more strength than she had expected, as the painful grip he had on her wrists almost felt like iron, her body unable to move away from him as much as she continuously shook her head to stop him from kissing her. At this point she was starting to panic, feeling as if she couldn't do anything even though she was fighting, but he just wouldn't let go, her body moving from left to right, lifting herself of the desk to try and go backwards, as far away from him as she could manage. -Why are you fighting?! If you stop, I won't hurt you. Don't make me hurt you.
-Go to hell!
It was a deep dream she had always wanted to do, and this seemed like a very good moment. She spat. He let go of one of her arms to clean himself, Elsie finally getting the chance to pull away, turning her head away, trying to liberate her other hand from his grasp as she crawled towards her chair. It was just a second, she looked at him for just one miserable second, anger on his face like a madman. Lifting his free hand, it collided with her cheek with such force she fell backwards and off the desk, her body landing over the stone-cold floor, her head hitting the chair in the process; her back hurt so badly tears filled her eyes, the wind having been knocked out of her in an instant, her mind foggy, forgetting what was going on for just a minute or two. Mr. Green's footsteps were heavy with anger as he walked around the desk towards her, grabbing her hands dragging her over the floor placing her in the middle of the room. She couldn't move just yet, she was still trying to shake the dizziness off, her body nonresponsive, couldn't fight, she couldn't defend herself, so he took it as a sign to finish what he had started once and for all. Kneeling on top of her he ripped her blouse open, the fine fabric tearing in his hands, her corset and thin chemise underneath covering the pale flesh of her chest and abdomen. He dammed whoever had invented such contraptions, his eager to just have her was turning into fury as he found obstacle after obstacle, but the sight of her breasts heavy as she breathed was enough to keep him going. The pain was starting to subside, her lungs managing big gulps of air once more, her eyes finally focusing and registering what was going on. He was just staring, a psychotic look all over his features, he was in the right position so she brought her legs up to her chest and kicked him as hard as she could. He fell next to her, his hands over his stomach. There was the door, just a few meters away, she could reach it, her legs pulled her up running towards it her fingertips brushing the doorknob, relief blooming inside her chest, but two hands on her hips separated her from freedom. It felt like going back inside a dark cave where no light could be found as he threw her to the floor once more, Elsie landing on her side, his body pinning her as he slapped her again, several times, one after another, bruising her, hurting her over and over. He knew he would get a bruise in his abdomen, but after he was done with her it would all be worth it, he thought. Her shoes were off in the blink of an eye, colliding with the wall before they landed over the carpet, his angry hands ripped the strong fabric of her skirt leaving her creamy legs covered with thin black stockings for his hungry eyes to see. Her hands tried to slap him, punch him, push him away, she didn't care how, but she wanted him away from her, but every single time she tried he would move away; soon he grew tired of her attitude and with one of her stockings he tied her hands to a pipe that run all the way down the wall.
-Now, behave and you won't get hurt… too badly.
-Why are you doing this? – She was in pain, her face, head and back hurt like hell, but she managed to speak.
-I just want to. There doesn't have to be a reason. You are woman, I'm better. Now, don't ask any more questions and behave. – He placed himself on top of her once more unclasping the corset hooks in just under a minute, her broad chest bouncing out of its confinement, but the chemise was still in the way, he wanted to see her. Everything. The thin fabric tore like melted butter, her extraordinary assets for his eyes to see, to devore with his crazy gaze.
-GET OFF ME!
Desperation was all she had as she tried to kick him once more, but he was too high up, her legs could only hit air, and he knew this, his sickening smile getting closer to her face, his hands grabbing her cheeks so he could kiss her however he wanted. Pushing his tongue over her lips he tried to open her mouth, but she wouldn't, tried to turn her head even if it was being held between his hands, trying once more he met the same resistance, and since he wasn't getting lucky, he decided on extreme measures. Parting ever so slightly he grabbed her breasts forcefully, squeezing. She gasped in pain, he knew he would cause this if he treated them like toys, not as if they were part of her, smiling as he kissed her again catching her mouth open mid gasp. The previous taste was now overwhelming her senses, the nausea retuning so strongly she thought she could be sick right there and then, her teeth sinking in fury on his lower lip hoping he would let go, but to her dismay he took it as a sign that she might be warming up to him and returned the gesture by biting her lip back, drawing blood from it. She yelled in pain, but he didn't care, at last she was at his mercy, one of his hands sliding the other stocking of her. She took advantage of this and kicked his shoulder and chest, but she knew it was futile, she finally realized this as soon as he ripped her knickers off, her body naked by his hands. This was happening, it was going to happen and the only thought she could really process was that she wanted Charles to burst through those doors and safe her from this, but no one was coming and the pure helplessness of it all made her cry. Mr. Green looked at her, no remorse in his head whatsoever as he watched the tears spilling, with his thumb he wiped a few before bending down to kiss her, unbuckling his trousers, and removing the part of her skirt that was bothering him.
-Don't cry Elsie, I will be out of here in no time. You have behaved more or less. Just make sure to compare me to that butler of yours the next time he makes love to you in this room and we'll be even.
Why did he have to name him? Why would he hurt her like this? He could get what he wanted and leave, but he also chose to mock her in the process, making her cry even more, screaming as loud as her voice would allow her, begging for help. He didn't bother; he let her scream as much as she wanted as he invaded her, moving at his own pace oblivious to her pleas and screams. He didn't even try to warn her, he just used her, pounding harder when he wanted, slower; he could feel her tight, unprepared, hurting. She just wanted all this to end as soon as possible, not wanting to find any kind of pleasure by his disgusting hands; thankfully his ministrations were painful and rough, there was no room for it. He finished just a few minutes later with a loud grunt, letting her continue sobbing as he pulled out and cleaned himself on her skirt.
-See? It wasn't that bad. Now, go upstairs, wash and put something on and no one will ever know.
-I will tell the family, and you will be out of a job before you know it.
-You… Of course, you would, and they really are going to believe you?
-Yes. Her Ladyship has never had any reason to believe I was lying to her. Your life will be over.
-Then I guess I can't let you do that.
Standing up he buttoned up his trousers, roaming around the room, opening drawers and cupboards. She was not sure what he was looking for, and the silence unnerved her intensely until he stopped, holding high up a sharp letter opener. With a horrid slowness he walked up to her and placed it on her throat, putting pressure, but then he shook his head and removed it, Elsie breathing heavily, her eyes wide open. He then placed it on her arms, leaving red marks on her white skin before he nodded. Applying as much pressure as he could he moved it across her flesh in quick motions, blood pouring out, splashing her fair features, making her scream.
-Does it hurt? Oh, who cares, you won't last enough to answer; soon you'll be dead. You were good, what a shame. – He repeated the motion again and again all over her arms and legs watching as the life escaped her through every wound he had inflicted with a sadistic smile. Once he was satisfied with his work, he cleaned his hands on her skirt, throwing the letter opener into the fire before standing up. -It was very nice to see you again Mrs. Hughes, but I hope I never do it again.
The pain was unbearable, both physically and mentally, her eyes following him as he got closer to the door, tipping his head before she left. The silence was just simply deafening, her fear drowning her by the minute. She had never thought of how she would die, not even after Lady Sybil's and Mr. Crawley's passing, she had always thought she would die of old age, in her home, now she was not ashamed to say it, with Charles by her side. This wasn't right, this wasn't how it was meant to be, but the silence kept answering her question. No one was coming to safe her; this wasn't a novel where her knight in shining armour would burst through those doors and make everything better. She had had faith after the fair, but not anymore. She was all alone, crying uncontrollably, screaming for help. Soon she didn't have the strength to scream anymore, the blood loss making her dizzy and lightheaded, so she cried in silence thinking of Charles.
