Chapter 4: The New Boss.
Iris woke at 5 am, it was ingrained into her now after years of having the same routine, no need for the ancient alarm clock the newer maids used. She flexed her wrist that had been kindly bandaged by one of the girls whilst she slept, and smiled at the potato sack at the foot of her bunk, tied together with some ribbon that they must have found somewhere amongst the scraps of items they clung onto. Inside were some thinner dresses that weren't her own, as well as a couple handwritten notes. She would miss these sweet girls.
She'd not been given a specific time in the morning to arrive, so assumed arriving just before the sun rose was acceptable. She hoped her new Lord would not punish her too much if she was deemed late. She gave one last hug to the girls that were already up, getting ready for another day of dusting, scrubbing blood off surfaces, and preparing wine. Those that still slept received a brush of their hair, or a kiss on the forehead.
The morning air was brittle, snow clung onto the vineyards, an icicle forming on the scarecrow's nose. Iris hadn't been outside the castle grounds since she was practically a child, she worried at the foot of the pathway, under the arching gates, that she'd simply turn to dust if she stepped foot off the grounds, too ingrained with the dark magic the castle held to possibly be able to survive anywhere else.
She didn't combust, but did feel nauseous walking through the village, the people looked haggard, dazed, and poverty-stricken. Compared to the dilapidated houses, the rags and the muck, Iris lived a life of luxury in her tiny bunk, all the way up in the towers of the hulking castle that bore down on the village. Casting a large shadow, always reminding the common folk that there was something better just there, always to observe afar and never receive.
Lurking in the trees and in shadowy corners of the village Iris sensed Lycans, a permanent fixture of the village ever since she was a girl. Mother Miranda had blessed the village with these creatures to protect them from the wicked outside world, and to rid away with the unholy nonbelievers, those who dared to question Mother's guidance. Iris touched her prayer book, a nervous tic, then picked up her step.
The factory was a large, lonely building up a hill and across the large river that ran through the village. It was surrounded by a field covered in metal wreckage, lined by a tall electrified fence, with a single gate and buzzer.
Iris waited there for a while, taking in what was most likely the last fresh air she'd get. With a deep breath she pressed the buzzer, it was rusted, with several cobwebs hanging around it. The workers must have a different entrance or, like the maids of Castle Dimitrescu, were not allowed to leave the premises. Iris waited a beat, listening to the crackling buzzing noise, her stomach was rolling, she tried not to pick at her fingernails. A nervous habit that had been near-beaten out of her during her first few months at the castle.
"WHAT" A crackled, booming voice nearly stopped Iris's heart, the shock rendering her mute for a second before quickly replying in a stuttering squeak, her Lady detested repeating herself, she imagined all the lords were the same.
"L-Lord Heisenberg, I am the new maid? Requested by Mother Miranda?"
From the other end she could hear banging, hoarse swears and grunting.
"Oh. You." A deep, exasperated sigh followed, making Eira cringe. She'd already managed to displease her Lord. "Fine. Hurry up and get in, I don't have all day."
An alarm blared, Iris's bones almost jumping out of her skin from the noise, and the gates shrieked their way open. She quickly stepped through the field, the long grass concealing sharp bits of rusted metal just waiting to scratch at her. A grated door was sliding open, when Iris stepped through it looked like a farmers garage. It was notably empty.
The second she stepped in the door shut with a clang, leaving Iris alone in the garage-like room. She smoothed down her dress and waited. A while. A long while.
Maybe it was a test? To show her obedience, that she wouldn't wander or stick her nose into things. A factory like his must be dangerous to the ignorant. Although Iris wasn't even sure what Lord Heisenberg did in his factory, it must have been important enough for Mother Miranda to be concerned about it. Through the window, the sun hit the peak of the sky and still Iris hadn't seen or heard a soul. She'd tried to stay in the same spot but found herself fidgeting after the second hour, shifting her weight from foot to foot and flexing her fingers.
After hour four, Iris heard the faint thuds of boots against metal and breathed a small sigh of relief. The door leading further into the factory flew open, revealing her new boss, Lord Heisenberg.
Donned in a wide-brimmed hat, tattered brown coat, and big black boots, Lord Heisenberg was an intimidating figure. His hat and smoky glasses hid the majority of his face, and his expression was concealed by him chewing at a cigar. He stood at the entrance, puffing his cigar, clearly assessing her. Iris felt her cheeks redden, and made sure to not look at him in the eyes, focussing on the assortment of tools and trinkets he wore around his neck, which dipped into the exposed collar of his brown shirt. During all of her worrying in between the short notice Iris was given about her new position with Lord Heisenberg, she failed to think of what being in close proximity with a man for the first time in nearly a decade would do to her. It was uncomfortable. Embarrassing.
"So… You're my personal maid huh?"
"Yes Lord Heisenberg."
"Gunna sweep my halls?"
"Yes Lord Heisenberg."
"Wash my drawers?"
She nodded, her Lady didn't like it when they spoke too much but Lord Heisenberg learnt forward, a hand cupping his ear expectantly.
"Yes, Lord Heisenberg." The man grinned darkly around his cigar.
"Obedient little thing aren't ya? I kept an eye on you for four hours, twenty two minutes and thirty six seconds and you, little miss, didn't so much as lean against a wall!" He smirked around his cigar, "No wonder you survived in that bloodsuckers castle so long, can't bite you if you just merge into the furniture" He gave out a low chuckle at that and started flicking through random papers on the nearby bench. Little did he know Iris knew a good bit about being bitten.
"Now… I don't want you here. I'd bet a bag of lei that you don't wanna be here either. But.. Here. We. Are." He dramatically flung his hands in the air, some papers floating to the ground from the motion. "So. I'm gonna tell you what to do. And you're gonna listen. Capisce?"
She nodded again automatically, stuttering out a final "Yes Lord Heisenberg" at the way his smile twitched in irritation from her silence.
It was going to be a long day.
Her Lord walked her through the halls of the ground level of the factory, rarely looking back at her whilst pointing out rooms that were or were not off limits with a variety of graphic threats as to what would happen if she did enter these rooms.
"And what will happen if you so choose to enter this door?"
"You will peel my skin off and use it as leather handles for your tools, Lord Heisenberg".
"Yes I will now keep up!".
Lord Heisenberg paraded her around his kitchen, bedroom, office, shower room, all of which notably had speakers fitted into the corners of the ceilings, as well as some other menial rooms like a supplies closet, a pantry and electricity cabinet. Last by not least came her room. What was clearly another closet that had been cleared out to accommodate a mattress on the floor, a lamp, one sad, grey pillow and blanket. What was once a door had been ripped off the hinges and replaced with a metal gate. Her Lord happily pushed her into the room, the gate slamming shut and locking, leaving her trapped and exposed. With a little wave he shouted his goodbye as he descended into the lower floors of the factory.
"Now I don't want to hear no sniveling over my coms so keep quiet and if you're a good girl I'll let ya out for dinner."
Stood in her cell, dumbfounded, Iris found herself missing Lady Dimitrescu.