Chapter 5 part 2

Once they got back the couple went to the western tea room and settled in for a while reading. Elizabeth continued Peter Pan while Victor picked up a book on teaching practices. His choice made her laugh a bit internally. He always seemed to look towards books for answers and it seemed his nose would forever be stuck in one.

Only an hour or two later, the woman didn't really notice, Alfred stepped into the room with a letter in hand. It was for Victor.

"I wonder who that is from?" teased Elizabeth feeling playful after reading another bout of Peter Pan's adventure. She had just finished off where they spoke of playing pretend, sometimes even with supper. Such a funny idea that the lost boys could pretend such a thing.

She watched intently as the letter was handed to her husband and while he read it. She watched his expression grow more and more excited until he finally exclaimed,

"I've been accepted! I start work at the end of next semester….next week!"

He jumped up and went over to Elizabeth hugging her tightly, and then kissing her.

As they broke the kiss both couldn't help but notice Alfred standing by the door a smile on his wrinkled face.

"Tell everyone there is to be a celebration tonight, Alfred," said the man a bit calmer now, blushing slightly.

"Of course, sir. I'll do that right away." He said before bowing and walking out the door.

---

Later that night everyone gathered in the large dining hall enjoying a feast. Elizabeth sat at the head of the table talking.

"So what is it you'll be doing anyway? Will you get your own class to teach? What subject?"

Victor laughed," No, no, I'll only be a teaching assistant for now. But I'll prove my worth soon enough I'm sure and teach my own class."

"Well that's still wonderful…excuse me, I'll be back in a moment," said the woman before leaving the table while Victor turned to a few of the guards sitting close by for conversation.

Elizabeth made her way upstairs and this time successfully made her way into Victor's office. She started with the drawers in his desk but found nothing. She then moved on to the assorted tables around the room filled with her husband's things. On one of these tables was a worn, hide bag.

Excitement filled her as she made her way over to it and opened it. Right on top, to her luck, was an old wooden flute, carefully carved with simple swirling designs running the length of it. Elizabeth picked it up carefully and examined it, feeling its smoothed surface, seeing how carefully it had been kept.

This was it, she was sure. It brought back wonderful memories of her playing a flute as a child, one of many instruments she attempted to play before falling for the piano. But she was curious…

Carefully she brought the instrument to her lips and played a simple D. The sound was pretty to her but she was sure in her companion's capable hands it would be something much better. Elated with her discovery the woman made her way downstairs imaging Peter's expression with the gift she was bringing him.

Unfortunately her happy images were interrupted by the sound of drunken yelling coming from downstairs. It was two of the guards fighting about something and they had made their way to the main entrance room. She hated them the most, for they were the crudest of the bunch and they gave her a disgusting feeling that ran down her spine.

"What do 'ou mean I couldn't 'andle the monster, eh?" slurred the first man who Elizabeth remembered to be called Gabriel.

The other man, John, pushed him away grinning stupidly.

"Of course, ye fool, you'd be 'elpless on yer own. 'uo're too much of a wimp to even go 'ear the bars." He said laughing.

"Shut up!" hollered Gabriel pushing John back. Elizabeth stepped back placing the flute into her skirt pocket.

'Don't see me' she though continuing to slowly move back.

Meanwhile John was still laughing, and said,

"Oh good to see 'ou ain't a little girl, but 'ou still hit like a puss."

Gabriel looking even redder in the face punched John, throwing him to the floor.

"bitch," spit out John wiping blood from the side of his mouth, getting up.

Gabriel raised his arms, ready to hit again.

"Come on wimp, say it again."

"puss," spat John laughing again.

Gabriel punched him again and got a kick in return this time.

Soon the men were off hitting and punching each other, their yelling only getting louder. The woman stood frozen by Victor's office door, afraid they might hear her. What would happen if they turned this violent behavior on her? She was sure Victor couldn't hear a thing back in the dining room.

Thank the lord above someone showed up though. It was Alfred, looking quite shocked.

"Please, Gentleman, stop this nonsense." He said in a commanding tone as he walked into the room.

Both men stopped, turning towards him. John spoke, "Piss off old man," before hitting Gabriel again.

Alfred looked up seeing Elizabeth and the worried look on his face only increased. He walked towards the door, the two men caught up in their fight, and signaling Elizabeth to go, before leaving himself.

The woman quietly opened the door behind her and slipped in. She understood his decision. Poor Alfred would have never stood a chance again those two. But was he getting Victor?

In the darkness of the room she could only hear her rapid heartbeat and the barely muffled sound of the two men fighting downstairs.

Only moments later did she hear Victor enter the room and stop the pointless brawl.

"Both of you! Get down to the basement and stop this senseless fighting! If I hear about you two fighting again I'll dock your pay!"

Silence.

"GO!" he commanded.

Only after Elizabeth heard the sound of retreating footsteps did she emerge from her hiding spot. Victor was already on his way upstairs and as soon as he reached the top he embraced her tightly.

"Are you okay?"

The woman felt herself shaking.

"I was so frightened they would see me," she said clutching him tightly.

"What happened?"

"I was going upstairs for a moment to get my clip and I heard them fighting. It was something about being stronger the…the creature. They started hitting each other and I was so afraid they would see me. Only once Alfred came could I finally get myself to move and hide."

Her shaking had begun to slow to a stop as she finished her story. She felt horrid about lying to him about her reason for coming upstairs but he would of never approved of her giving the flute back to Peter.

"Everything will be okay. Come let's go back to the room and sit."

"I'll be fine. It's okay…I just need to sit. I'll go back to our tea room and relax for a while. You go back to the party and revel in your Victory.

"May I at least walk you there?"

"Of course, my love"

The couple walked quietly down the stairs, careful not to step on blood on the floor. Then they went down the hall, past the drawing room and Victor left Elizabeth by the entrance of the Western tea room, kissing her gently and wishing her well.

"Enjoy your party, Victor."

And then he left.

The woman walked inside to see the tray she asked Jessica to leave with a steaming bowl of soup and some buttered bread. Nearby was the single rose she was picked in a slim vase. She had hoped to bring dinner to Peter but now she would have to wait till the drunken fools went to sleep.

Sighing she sat down on the closet couch. After a few minutes she started thinking that perhaps they were already asleep.

Yes, she was sure they were already asleep and it would be fine to visit Peter.

Elizabeth took the tray, placed the rose on it, and made her way towards the basement.

They would be asleep for sure.

She moved past the dining room, seeing Victor speaking with some of the servant boys now, looking happier than before.

She passed the informal dining room and then started making her way towards the basement door.