Second chance- chap 2- part 2
The first thing she immediately noticed were the intimidating floor to ceiling bars that stretched across the room.
So this was it!
As she moved closer light fell upon her from a small barred window where she now see another room behind the bars with a barred door.
And in the front room she could see several chains springing from the ground and walls like lying snakes ready to attach any that came to close. And they were brand new most likely meaning they were there in case of the creature's disobedience.
Even with the chains Elizabeth felt the need to see what lie in the room behind it and made her way past cots and chairs meant for the coming guards to the open metal door, passing through the first room like a rabbit running to safety which was the second room. The door was also open, and she slipped through it.
Most definitely a jail cell for the only thing in this bare cell was an old measly cot and a separate room for urination.
Was this miserable place meant for an animal? No one should have to live like this, even Victor's creation.
Elizabeth promised herself she would make this prison into something more. Perhaps an actual bed and a desk with an accompanying chair. She wasn't sure if the Creature read, but if he did she would need a bookshelf and a few books to go along with it.
That would be nice.
But where to get such things within only a few days?
After a moment the woman thought to go to the servant's quarters and ask if they had any extra furniture that they might want to put in the basement. And if none of them did then she could take some of the furniture from the guest rooms and go shopping for new furniture. Perfect.
A woman on a mission, she went up to the servants quarters to find a simply pleasant girl named Jessica who she told her story about the old furniture.
It turned out she and her roommate had an old bed sitting uselessly in their room and one of the kitchen-boys George had an extra desk and chair taking up space.
What luck!
And even better Jessica said they'd happily move the furniture to the basement before the end of the night, thanking Elizabeth for her kindness.
Afterwards the woman made her way up to her empty bedroom not feeling loneliness but accomplishment; at least until she slipped under the covers.
It was cold, without Victor's warmth. But with the vision of him being with her in a few days helped her fall asleep.
--
The next morning she woke up and excited and after a rushed breakfast she made her way to the basement finding the bed, desk, and chair sitting by the base of the stairs.
She set herself to moving them into place and with much effort was able to set the desk into the nook within a half an hour and then an hour for the bed, with a break or two of course.
Elizabeth had never been one for heavy lifting and though the desk and bed were made of light woods everything ached and by the time she was finished she was ready to relax for the rest of the day. So she went back up to the sunset tearoom to continue "Romeo and Juliet."
A few hours later after her eyes had passed over the last few lines she remembered the bed would need bedding and she set off to one of the older linen closets thinking about the wonderful yet tragic tale she had read. She passed two older maids who grew silent as she drew near.
Did they think her strange?
"Victor said he had a quest coming. Do you girls know where I can find some bedding," said Elizabeth smiling as best as she could.
They both smiled back, happy for an explanation and told her where the nearest linen closet was as well as offering to do the job.
"It is my job as lady of the house to do this. Thank you though."
With that she had their satisfaction and respect as they left.
After finding the sheets and making her way down to the basement once again, her sore legs protesting, she now found herself thinking of Victor once again. Though she disagreed with Victor's actions for the creature's imprisonment perhaps she shouldn't have gone as far as to take action herself.
No, the creature would be a guest in her household, though one with much restriction and it was her duty as lady of the house to make sure it was somewhat comfortable.
Soon she finished and made her way upstairs and then to the gardens in which she started planning future gardens.
--
A few days later a lone horseman appeared telling Elizabeth of her husband's coming arrival.
She and the servants rushed about preparing a welcoming supper and the lady set up some candlelight in the basement then ran to find a nice dress to wear.
She had missed her husband quite terribly and couldn't wait to bring a smile to him which she was sure he had been lacking. Bustling about she was able to ignore any negativity that might have seeped into her thoughts and up until she heard the two carriages had arrived she helped Jessica with final preparations.
Alfred was the one who came into the dining room and told everyone that the time had come. With Elizabeth at the head of the crowd, she and the servants rushed out the front door to the solemn awaiting carriages in the midst of a sunset.
Victor stepped out of the first carriage looking more than exhausted. But after seeing his beloved a slight tired smile appeared as he embraced her.
"What a long trip I've had," he said quietly watching the servants started to work their way back inside.
"I'm glad you're back my love," replied Elizabeth kissing her husband gently.
It was then she noticed the sound of jingling chains growing stronger. She turned to see two of the five guards from the prison who had watched over the creature.
Next came the creature itself heavily bound in numerous chains wrapped around every limb. The leg that had been broken seemed to have been set and was splinted but the woman could not imagine how much pain he was in as he cringed at every step leaning heavily on the two guards who stood next to him.
As he came even closer she could also see he was sedated; probably as an extra measure in case of an attempted escape.
He looked first to the ground but then as he looked up the creature laid his eyes on his "father" with an expression full of hope and momentary content while Victor shot a grim stare at him.
But the man's coldness didn't seem to make his any less hopeful in his expression. Would he appear grim once he saw the prison made for him?
The creature didn't even make eye- contact with Elizabeth which momentarily confused her. If he had what might he of shown her? Admiration, jealousy, love?
Fear? Hate?
The woman recalled how he had turned from her. Would he be happy that she tried to improve his prison of be angry for her sympathy?
Questions continued to run though her head as she followed her husband, grasping his hand tightly as they followed the silent procession towards the basement in the strangely quiet household.
Had the servants known of the coming prisoner or its circumstances?
As they reached the basement door the woman took notice that the creature had kept its head bowed was they made their way through the house. What would happen when he finally looked up and saw the bars?
Would he react violently and be able to hurt someone? Or maybe even kill one of the guards.
She held tighter onto Victor's hand moving closer to him.
It surely would be easy considering the strength he possessed according to Victor.
Thankfully he did not look up as they began to descend the stairs and for a few moments its head dropped a bit perhaps from disappointment.
Only once they had reached the bottom of the steps did he finally raise his head.
Elizabeth saw him stumble suddenly and if not for the guards holding him he might have collapsed. She heard a quick draw of breath and it finally reached the stone floor the creature stopped and turned.
Tears. Disbelief.
The men started pulling him again and finally he fought looking back to the man behind him.
"Father, why?"
Victor said nothing and signaled the guards to move him toward the open door between the bars.
The creature looking quite terrifying threw off the two men next to him, and not able to walk, he dragged himself towards his creator while Victor instinctively moved his wife behind him.
All five guards moved in dragging the monster by the chains which bound it.
"Not a cage! Anything but a cage! PLEASE!" he screamed desperately ad he was pulled though the door and the chains attached to the floor were fastened to the extra rings hanging from the cuffs.
Elizabeth who could not bear to watch now peered from behind Victor's back hearing sobbing. He still struggled as one of the guards gagged him once more. He shouted through the gag angrily now pulling at its bindings.
Victor simple turned and left the guards following.
Elizabeth was left at the base of the stairs in shock at the cruelty of men.