"This bloody door should be locked, mother." Darcy found herself easily able to twist the doorknob, looking back out into the dismal gray street where they lived as the sun went down. "Only God knows what could get in." She noticed her mother cooped up over the fireplace, a small metal vat of porridge heating for the family. "I hope that hasn't been burning for recreation, I'm not investing more into firewood."

"Darcy... be grateful I'm even serving you." The older woman sighed, but Darcy wasn't finished. "Mother." She creaked the front door to their home shut, extinguishing the only candle lit in their home. "This too. Waste all the wax you like this week, I will not put in another order of candles before the first of January." She scoffed, laying eyes on a nightgown hanging from the low roof. "Hmph."

"I'm sorry... you're right, we should be conserving wax before Christmas." Her mother nodded slowly in agreement, but got only a cruel laugh from her daughter. "Comfort over the holiday is the least of my concern, we're all healthy. We can sacrifice a little enjoyment."

"Honey, I know you're scared, but please, let me purchase a gift for your sister." She didn't dare look Darcy in the eyes, her daughter's tall physique looming over. "Prudence has her gift, that her family is still alive." She scowled down on her mother, sweeping her jacket out behind her as she stalked off to her study. If anything, these two were ungrateful, for what they already had. They just wanted more, more, and more.

And how dare she! Suggest that the girl was ungrateful for the very porridge she had purchased! Darcy knew how to cook her own meal, if anything, cutting back on the oats she bought would be a lesson to the other two women in the household. But that would jeopardize their health, the opposite of what she was constantly working for. The security of her family, not comfort, but stability.

...

"Oooh-" A young Darcy peered over a book as her father worked out math for her. "Is this what you do, daddy?" She smiled, this man was the smartest presence in her life. "No, no, Darcy. But I do work with literature." He gently corrected her. "In the library."

"Ohhh- well can I do numbers, daddy?" She chirped, she loved watching him explain how to solve equations. Couldn't believe this wasn't his job. "There must be pr- professions that involve math!"

"Of course, shhh-" He smiled down at her, the clock ringing in the background. "You have to get to bed, little lady." His hand guided Darcy down the hall to her room, she could find it on her own, but being led through the shadows just made them seem less frightening. "Awww, but do I have to?" She huffed as she scrambled up into her bed. A desk lay against the opposite wall, and she even had a large wooden wardrobe with other outfits. More than other girls of her age would have.

"Oh Darcy, this isn't up for discussion. Good night." He put out the candle by her door, but she thought she'd heard coughing from the other side once he'd shut it. A lot of coughing and hacking, like he was choking. "Daddy?" But the noises ceased, eerie silence as she tried to push it out of mind. Knowing that she shouldn't have to worry, her father was strong.

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