Here we go back into Nana's past! I actually really enjoyed this, it really brought me back into the groove of writing. I guess that's what happens when you are a gothic lit fanatic, we get really good at writing depressing messed up stuff! lol. Also two updates in one night because I wrote so much and have three future chapters lined up already. Enjoy!
Nana was running along the dirt road that traveled from the front of her house up to the wooded path that followed the way into the village. Her long hair was flying wildly behind her and her laugh echoed around in her secluded yard. Nana and her family have lived her for generations. Her Mother's Father owned it and before him, his father, and so on and so forth until the beginning when a settler looking for a place to live came across this patch of land. It was nothing special; a large amount of land, good for growing crops, healthy air flow and a river nearby but, it wasn't a land with a lot of money and was heavily secluded from outsiders by the dense vegetation and forestry that surrounded them. The closest town was three hours away, the closest village was just under two and even then, it wasn't much.
Nana never saw the outside world, she wasn't allowed to. Not until she was old enough according to her parents because the world is a dangerous place. Though her Mother and Nanny who cared for her always told her stories of the beauty the world held when they were combing Nana's hair or getting her ready for bed. Nana's Father was a businessman who met her met her Mother while he was in town for a trip. She was talking to the local florist when she saw a tall, good looking man, walk by outside the shop...absolutely lost. Nana's Mother who has such a large heart, stepped outside to see if she could help him. Her Father knew at that moment the short woman smiled at him asking if he needed help, that he wanted to spend his life with this woman.
Nana loved her family. They were so kind, bright, and absolutely crazy for each other which made young Nana extremely happy. Only one things bothered Nana. Whenever she asked about Father and what he does, it was always the same two answers: 1) "Just business, darling" and 2) "I'm sure if you asked your father, he'd tell you." He never told her. And when she pried for more information as she got older, the conversation always got derailed. She gave up asking on her fifteenth birthday when her Father snapped and yelled at her. It was completely out of character for him.
As Nana ran around the yard she glanced back at her now aged Nanny, laughing as she danced away from the outreached grasping hands.
"Mistress Nana, you are too old for this!" The now eighteen year old Nana stopped in her tracks and pouted.
"Oh poo, Josephine. You're no fun. You of all people know how wonderful it is being young at heart." Her bare feet were muddied and her long hair frazzled with leaves sticking out every which way. Her Nanny Josephine tried to catch her breath as she pointed at the young rambunctious Mistress of the house.
"It is an important day, young lady. You have come of age. Your has spent many days getting this day prepared for you. He has important people coming over! Now you must behave and get your scoundrel toosh in the bath!" Nana bent over grabbing her stomach as she was taken over by laughter. She wiped away the tears forming in the corner of her eyes and waved her hands as a sign of truce.
"Okay, okay! I'm going. Just please, don't say 'scoundrel toosh' again. Please." Josephine spluttered and laughter overtook her very serious composure. Her wrinkled face creasing around her eyes and tufts of silvering hair that fell otu of her uptight bun bouncing from her joy. Together they walked inside happily chatting about their days, dreams, and love for each other.
Nana felt ecstatic for today. She had just turned eighteen and now was going to be allowed to venture out into the world she had been locked away from for so long. After tonight, she was going to be able to be a normal person. Nana was wearing an outfit her parents picked out for tonight's party. Her hair curled and placed on top of her head in an intricate bun, flowers placed delicately here and there. Shimmering silver and opal jewelry graced her neck and ears. And she wore a long flowing black sleeveless dress, detailed by lace from her waist down to slight slit on left leg where the lace opened and flared out to the floor. She felt beautiful and nothing could make this night go wrong. Nana turned to open her bedroom door and head downstairs to meet her adoring parents and party guests. The whole way she walked with a gleaming smile and pride in every step.
Oh how was she wrong. How did it get to this? What happened? All Nana could remember was meeting her parents, her father's important guests, and later that night when she was getting ready to blow out the candles on her birthday cake...red. So much red. She could have never imagined so much blood could spray out of a person like that. The screams of horror from her mother echoed in her head, as she tried to take Nana and run from the massacre. Her Father yelling over the sounds of bodies hitting the floor. What could have caused this…
"P-Please…" She choked. "Please someone help me. Josephine… Mama… M-Mama!" She was so cold. Her beautiful dress was torn and stained, her feet were bare along with her neck and ears. Her hair was a mess falling out of the once beautiful bun. Nana tried to wipe away her tears only to find her hands were bound behind her back. Chains clattered against the cold cement floor as she struggled to get free. "No… no no no! Mama! Mama please help me!" She wailed as she frantically tried to pull on the binds. As she struggeld she heard a door unlock and open. She stopped her efforts in fear, her eyes wide, her chest heaving up and down frantically. "Please...I don't know what you want…"
The stranger closed the door behind them and remained silent. They turned and slowly strode towards the chained up girl. Nana felt like it took centuries for them to reach her. Each step was slow and heavy, deafening in the silent room. Their boots pounded against the cement with each step, ringing in her ears. In reality, the stranger was quite light on their feet, striding across the room in six steps. To Nana, it took eons for them to reach her. They bent down and looked the frail and scared Nana in the eyes. She could now see their face, he was younger but not her age, perhaps twenty five. He had multiples small scars across his tan and stubbly face. A cigarette laid lazily between his thin lips, his hair was pulled ack into a bun, and his black suit pristine and clashing with the heavy boots he wore. "Please...I don't know what you want…. I don't know anything…" Nana started weeping again, her body shaking with each breath. The man traced Nana's face with one of his calloused fingers down to her chin where he gently grabbed it. He blew cigarette smoke in her face and his grip tightened as she started coughing.
"We want payment." And at that, the man lifted his left arm and hit Nana in her right eye socket, knocking her out.