After unpacking my few possessions I went downstairs to join Mrs. Lovett in her sitting room.
Just as I sat down Mrs. Lovett stopped me, "Mr. T wants you to go up to 'is shoppe so 'e can brief you on your duties."
I nodded, and headed up the stairs that led to my room, but instead turned left.
I knocked on the mahogany door, and waited for a reply.
"Come in," Mr. Todd's deep voice sounded muffled through the thick door.
I walked into the room, and took a look around. It was dark, dreary, and rather messy.
"You wanted to see me, sir?" I asked
He cleared his throat, "Yes, your job is to keep my shoppe clean, and to redecorate it. Do not disturb me while I work. If you don't do your job, or if you disturb me, you will be severely punished.
I nodded my head and got to work. I began by tearing down the faded, peeling, ivory wallpaper.
After cleaning the walls, sweeping the floor, mopping, and polishing the floor I began removing things from the room.
Finally, I stumbled upon a covered, old, dusty crib. I lifted the cover and found an old doll.
I could tell that the doll had once been beautiful. I could see that her dirty hair had once been a golden yellow, and her scratched out eyes were a sky blue. She had rosy cheeks and pale pink lips with the paint chipping off. Her dress was a light pink velvet with white lace trim. Part of the trim was coming off of the hem. There was a tear in the right shoulder, and holes where moths have eaten through.
"Mr. Todd," I called.
"What?" He asked gruffly.
"What would you like me to do with this crib and doll?"
He glanced over to me, frowned, and turned away, "Throw it away. What do I need it for?" He said thickly.
I moved the crib to a corner in the bake house. I made sure I couldn't see the crib, then before I left I grabbed the doll, and brought it upstairs with me.
That night just I laid down to go to bed I put the doll, which was lying on my dresser, into the trunk I brought with me, Then I got changed, and climber into bed. The moment my head hit the pillow I was fast asleep.
The first thing I noticed was that smoke filled my nostrils. Then I noticed the intense heat on my back. I spun around only to find that my beautiful, spacious home was on fire. For a moment I watched the orange and yellow flames lick the sides of my wonderful home. Then I heard a scream.
I ran into the house, only to have heat blast in my face. I ran upstairs to find my five month-old son, Aden, passed out. I checked his pulse, and found that it was shallow. I then picked him up , and went to find my husband Philip.
I went inside what was once our bedroom, and found my husband with his skin blackened from burns, almost completely unrecognizable.
A sob escaped form the back of my throat. I ran downstairs, and out the door before the same could be said for Aden and I.
The moment I got outside, and away from the house I checked Aden's pulse. His heart had stopped.
"Smoke inhalation," I thought. Then I realized that I was completely, and utterly alone in the world. With that thought in my mind I began to scream.