I'm back! This backstory will last long, so the present will be at pause for a lot of chapters. This is an essential part of the story, I assure you. I am not yet giving up on this one.

Poppy Clarke's POV

I run towards the basement, followed by the 4 students. What I saw left me feel in a conflict of emotions. For one, I was relieved that Trudy was not hurt at all, just surprised. At the other hand, we were looking at a dead person, who even though he was Victor Rodenmaar Jr., he was still a human, and felt a little sad, but happy at the same time.

We looked at the body for some time before we actually thought that someone had to know about this. Trudy asked Hunter to go get Mr. Sweet and tell him that Victor was dead, because clearly no one here knew what to do.

I look to Trudy, who was still in a bit of shock. "Don't worry Trudy, everything will be fine. He was just… old." "I know everything will be fine, Poppy. I just did not expect it to happen like this. Him, just lying here lifeless. What if I did not go down here? Would anyone have had found him?" "It's okay Trudy. This is no one's fault." I hear Trudy breathe a bit as she replies, "I guess you're right, Poppy. I just got… a little freaked out, that's all." "Don't worry, Mr. Sweet will be here soon. He will know what to do.", I assure her.

Sometime later, Mr. Sweet walks down the basement. He looks at Victor, and says, "Well, I guess old age must have caught up to the old man. You were right in calling me in for this. Victor instructed me exactly how to treat him when he died, and he wanted no part of being examined by a doctor or something, because of some things that would be better if not discussed. Well, thank you all for calling me. I'll take it from here." With that we all left the basement and sat at the living room for a while.

"Dearies, don't you have afternoon classes to attend to?", Trudy asked, remembering that Steve, Hunter, Stephanie and Judelyn should be in school by now. "Oh, today's a half-day", Stephanie reminded her, and she nodded.

It took a while for the shock to wear off, but soon everyone headed back to their rooms in the same mood as before. Mr. Sweet and some people entered the house, and they did not want to be disturbed, which was the reason we headed to our rooms. Victor's not the type of person to be dearly missed, and that was clear, even now. I went to Trudy's room, not really knowing where my room would be. We talked for a while about Victor, which brought me to the question.

"Who will be the house caretaker, now that Victor was gone?" "I don't know, Poppy. Victor did not tell me anything." Just then, I heard a knock at the door so I went to open it.

Trudy Rehman's POV

I look towards the now open door and I see Mr. Sweet standing there like he wanted to say something important. "Can I come in? I have something important to tell you" he asked, so I replied, "Of course, Mr. Sweet" He entered my room, as Poppy exited. "So, what did you want to tell me, Mr. Sweet?"

"Well, Victor specifically requested that if he was ever going to die, that he wanted you to be the new caretaker of the house. That is, if you want to, Trudy." I thought about it for a while, but my decision had already been made the moment he told me. "Yes, Mr. Sweet. I would love to be the house's caretaker." "Well, it's settled then." He looks around, then as he had no more business being here, he said "Well, I have to go. I have to take care of Victor's wishes."

As he left, a mixture of feelings overcame me. I was happy that I had been assigned to take care of this house, but I knew it would be hard to do. I had to find a balance in this house, and I needed some help. It was a relief that I remembered Poppy was here with us, as I could use her help.

I come out of the room and see Poppy standing on the balcony. "Dearie, Mr. Sweet just told me some wonderful news." "What did he say?", Poppy asked, clearly puzzled as to why I looked real excited. "Well, he told me that I was going to be the new caretaker of the house." Poppy looked very surprised at first, registering what she just heard. Then she smiled, her beaming smile. "That's great Trudy. I'm very happy for you!" "Thanks, Poppy. And now that I am the caretaker, that would automatically make you the housemother." "Really?", her eyes beamed, then she asked, "What room would I be staying in?" "Oh, the third room over there is vacant. If you want to, you can stay there." "Thanks, Trudy. For making me the housemother." I just smiled and got started at my new job.

That was this chapter. Do you like it? Please review.