• Chapter 1 - The Estate
  

She ran. That was all she could do. She knew that her pursuers would catch up to her, and she needed to get away. She needed to keep her secret safe, and survive until the next day. No one understood the severity of her job, which is why they sought to put her to an end. She couldn't tell the secret, for her lips were bound shut, so all she could do was run and hope that it was enough.

A year before ... it was Brooke's 21st birthday, and although she didn't have much, she enjoyed it all the more. She was orphaned while she was yet a child, put in the care of a children's shelter, on the outskirts of town. She was never told where she was found as a child, or what happened to her parents for it was a forbidden topic. She received minimum education, and had to work for the clothes she wore. But this wasn't unusual for Brooke, it was all she had ever known, and something she'd grown accustomed to doing all her life. The director of the shelter was always dependant on Brooke to help with the younger children, and as she got older she was given the task of running errands in town. Through this, she was able to see the many wondrous shops, and people as she passed by, and took note of the way things were run within the towns.

Along the way to her errands that day, she passed the estate which belonged to the rich noble family, who was admired by the whole town: the Riley's. Although this was the same route she'd taken everyday to town, something felt different. As Brooke turned to look at the mansion, she admired to big house, with a large garden in the front: several different flowers, all different colors and sizes, and she thought to herself 'That would be a nice place to live'.

As she blew out her candles that evening she made a wish: that she would become important: "Maybe I'll be rich, maybe I'll be noble, or maybe I'll be entrusted with something important", she said. As she blew them out, she felt a breeze, a whisper, and somehow she felt that her wish would come true. There was a sense that something was about to happen, although she didn't know what.

In her dreams that night, was the Riley estate, and Brooke pictured herself reading a book, and listening to the birds sing, while she lay in the beautiful flowers with their wonderful scent looming around her. Although she remained asleep, she smiled at the thought of being part of an important family. She smiled at the thought that the whole town would admire her, and she smiled at the thought of not having to work all day, but to enjoy the luxuries of life, and of nature.

She awoke to the sound of a knock on the door, and was greeted by the director of the shelter, who had become like her mother, Rebekah.

"Good morning sweetheart"

"Good morning Rebekah, is something the matter?"

"I received a message from the Riley's summoning you to their estate, and they want you there at the crack of noon. I'd like you to get up, and ready yourself, so as to be presentable to them."

"Oh my! What for?"

"I wasn't told, but their was a sense of urgency in the relaying of the message, and I don't want to upset the Riley's, so you must hurry in your preparations."

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As Brooke readied herself, she couldn't help but think 'why could such important people, want to see someone as lowly as me?'. She began to fear that no matter how much she tried to perfect her appearance, she would never be as beautiful as Mrs. Riley. She wondered about how she was to act, what she was to say, was she to walk as though she were proud, tall and forward, or was she to walk in normal balanced strides. All these things were the constant thoughts of Brook while she got ready.

Noon arrived, not nearly as slow as Brooke had hoped, and her heart began to race. She no longer could focus on her stride, or appearance, but began to tremble for fear of making herself look like a fool. As she left the shelter she began to breathe heavy, and tried to think of what to say, rehearsing it out loud.

When she finally arrived at the estate, she stood, starting from the entrance, at the beauty and magnificence of it. Although she had seen the estate from afar several times, never once had she been this close. Her mouth stood agape as she moved her eyes left and right, analyzing the flowers, trees, and even the walkway. She closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh air, smiling to herself, when she heard someone calling her name.

She opened her eyes to the sound, only to find that Mrs. Riley herself was standing on the front porch waving, and calling for Brooke to come in. Carefully, and timidly, Brooke opened the entrance gate, and walked down the pathway towards the house. Brooke could feel her heart pounding in her chest, but felt proud to have at least stood on the red carpet-like pathway on the Riley estate.

As she approached the stairs of the front porch she looked into Mrs. Riley's kind and gentle eyes, and smiled. Her nervousness was slightly eased by the gentle gestures of Mrs. Riley ushering Brooke into her home.

"How are you today my dear?" asked Mrs. Riley

Brooke responded with a timid, "I'm fine, and yourself?"

"I'm fine, thank you for asking" After a slight nod of the head she continued, "I have brought you here to tell you of an important secret which was held from you for year. You were sheltered from the dangers of this secret, and the repercussions it could bring. However, after much thought and consideration, I only think it fair that you finally know. Understand that this secret is not to shared or spoken of with anyone, and if it is, your life will be in grave danger."

She paused, and Brooke held her breathe, 'what was this grave secret?' she thought. The pause allowed her to process to very words which Mrs. Riley spoke 'your life will be in grave danger'. Brooke began to ponder over what she meant by 'danger', and began to wonder if this secret was important enough to risk her own life. She didn't know if she wanted to hear this 'important secret' anymore. But she didn't' have a choice, for Mrs. Riley continued.

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