Rachel

Rachel felt entirely out of place in the grand house as she waited for her master and the human woman outside of Magnus's study. She'd never imagined such a place could exist. The homes she was used to were small, almost entirely unadorned. But Magnus's house seemed like some castle out of the old fairytale books her mother had kept, passed down through generations from "the earth that was," back when humans still reigned.

 The pristine white walls were accepted with beautiful paintings, and the hall was covered in an intricate carpet, the likes of which she had never seen, patterned ornate swirls of colors and shapes all twisting and swirling. But it was hard to pay much attention to the grand home, nerves still keeping her entire body tense.

The house was quiet but somehow the silence only accented the pounding in her head. She felt dizzy from long ride in the sibla man's vehicle. Rachel had never really driven in a car before, aside from the trailer the raiders had taken her away in. Her village only had two trucks after all, and they were only used in emergencies. She hadn't liked the ride. The motion had made her sick to her stomach. She wished desperately for her warm bed, the comfort of her mother's arms around her. It still felt impossible that her whole life was gone.

Rachel had no idea what to make of the human woman Magnus spoke to now. Alice, that's what he'd called her. And she had called him "Master." But if Alice was one of his slaves, she certainly didn't act like it. The older human woman had practically ordered the sibla man to speak with her. And she'd been angry. Angry at him for bringing Rachel back to his estate. That much was clear. But what had she done wrong? Rachel wondered. She didn't want to be here in the first place. She just wanted to go home! Tears leaked down her cheeks at the thought as she lay down on the soft cushion of the bench. She was so tired, so alone. Rachel wrapped her arms around herself and closed her eyes, hoping to shut out everything.

She'd nearly fallen asleep by the time the door of the study opened. Rachel's heavy eyes fluttered open enough to see  the surly human woman emerge, Magnus just behind.

"Rachel," the sibla man's voice. His hand on her shoulder. 

He smiled at her as she stared at him sleepily. 

"Come," he said, helping her up. "Let's get you to a real bed. Alice will take care of you this evening and you will stay in her lodgings for now. There is little space at present in the main dormitories where the others reside, and I worry you might need more care at the moment. Alice is a great healer. Any ills you have she will right soon no doubt. Isn't that right Alice?"

The old woman nodded once, but her expression looked no less hostile than before. It was clear Alice didn't like her at all, though why Rachel couldn't imagine. Still, the idea of sleeping in a real bed sounded wonderful, even if she did have to reside with the old woman.

"Can you walk, Rachel?" Magnus asked. "Alice's home is not far but if you are too tired---"

"I certainly have no intention of carrying her," Alice mumbled.

Magnus shot her a small glare, but Rachel noticed the woman looked no more chastened at his clear anger.

"I will transport her if she requires aid," he said shortly. "All you must do is see that she is cared for, as is your job I might add. Is that too much to ask?"

"No, Master," the woman answered, her displeasure with the situation clearly unchanged.

"I can walk," Rachel managed to squeak out, climbing to her feet to prove her point. Perhaps her willingness to make such effort would win her more of the older woman's approval. It was obvious she was important from the way she spoke to their master.

Magnus eyed her with concern but the human woman merely nodded. "Very well," she said, "Come with me."

"You will report back to me this evening Alice?" The sibla man said as Rachel began to follow the woman.

"If you wish it, I will," she answered disinterestedly, not bothering to turn around as she continued down the hallway. Rachel took one last glance at her master before hurrying to keep up.

--

Rachel followed after the old woman in silence. The change in season had brought longer days but it was already quite dark by the time they walked outside, making it hard to see the estate clearly. In the dim light,combined with her exhaustion, she could only register that Magnus's holdings were quite large. Considering how far they had walked it was not long before Rachel found herself wishing she agreed to be carried and by the time they arrived at the small house, she could barely stay on her feet.

"Well let's take a look at you." the old woman said, finally breaking the silence between them as she ushered Rachel inside. Somehow Alice's gaze made Rachel uncomfortable as she stared, assessing. Though she was fully clothed, the old woman's stare made her feel as naked as she had when Magnus had appraised her for purchase.

"What is your name child?" Alice asked.

"Rachel," she answered quietly.

The woman's annoyance from earlier seemed not to have dissipated. "You needn't act like a scared rabbit," she said sharply. "You are safe enough now. As you heard, our Master has asked me to see to any injuries you might have."

Rachel stared at her in silence, unsure how to deal with her apparent anger.

"Well?" The woman asked.

"Well?" Rachel replied with confusion.

"Do you have any injuries?"

"I..."

"Aside from that blow you took," the woman said, reaching out to touch the purple-hued skin around Rachel's swollen eye. As Rachel cringed and shrunk back on herself the old woman frowned. For a moment, Rachel feared she was angry, but then her expression softened.

"I can only imagine what they did to you," she said, sympathetically. "And I understand your fear. But I really am trying to help you now. As is Magnus."

Rachel felt the tears welling in her eyes again, her body shaking. "I just want to go home," she said.

Alice gave her a small sad smile and squeezed her arm reassuringly. "You are home child," she said. "This is your new life. The sooner you can accept that, the happier you will be."

Rachel didn't answer. The horrible reality of the woman words was too much to bear.

"Let me look you over," Alice said. "I promise to be gentle."

Rachel nodded as the tears slipped slightly down her cheeks.

"If anything hurts just tell me."

As Alice ran her hand over her shoulder and Rachel winced. The woman stopped, and again a frown came to her face as she looked at the area more closely. She peeled back the fabric of the thin dress and Rachel closed her eyes against the pain as the woman touched the bruised skin where Ren had left the imprint of his boot.

"I'm sorry," Alice said. "I'm not trying to cause you pain." She laid the fabric back down gently on Rachel's raw skin. "Come, Rachel, let's draw you a warm bath and see if we can't soothe the worst of your bruises. I have some salve that should bring drown the swelling around your eye as well."

Though Alice's small cottage was nowhere near as impressive as Magnus's grand home, it was nonetheless sizable. Bigger than the one room home she'd shared with her parents in Demin. The woman led her to a small bathroom with a sink and a simple porcelain tub with running water. Luxuries she had only ever heard of in her mother's story books. In spite of her fear, Rachel couldn't help but be amazed at the level of wealth her new owner must have if even his slaves lived in such accommodations and watched awestruck as clean steaming water poured from the spout.

Rachel did not complain when Alice stepped towards her and began removing her clothes, though every muscle in her body remained tense at her touch. Seeing the bath Alice filled, she could not help but hear the choking gags of the boys as their captors roughly washed them for slaughter. She could  feel the sharp claws digging into her skin as they scrubbed her in freezing cold water.

 But Alice's touch was gentle, the water warm and fragrantly scented with calming lavender. Rachel began to relax in spite of herself, giving in and allowing the woman to bathe her without flinching. When she was done, Alice applied the contents of a jar of sticky green salve, to the worst of Rachel's wounds before  wrapping her in a fluffy white towel.

"Now let's find you some real clothes," the old woman said, looking judgmentally at the ragged dress Rachel had been wearing. "Thank goodness Magnus had the sense to buy you a coat at least. The nights have still been quite cold here. I don't have much small enough for you in the way of a dress, but I'm sure I can adjust something.

"In the meantime, I have a nightgown that should be suitable for the evening. We'll see what we can do tomorrow for other garments. As for accommodations, for now, you will stay with me as Magnus said. The others live in their own cabin, but there is a general shortage of available space at the moment. In any case, I want to keep an eye on you. Though none of your wounds appear too great I worry you are weak."

You want to make sure I can't run away, Rachel thought to herself as the woman slipped a too large, soft cotton nightgown over her head. As the woman cared for her Rachel couldn't help but wonder if she knew the sinister reason her new master had bought her. But having seen the way the sibla man had interacted with Alice it seemed likely. Their master had spoken to the old woman as a friend. Alice must know the truth. She only wanted to help now so Magnus could slaughter her later.

"As for a bed," Alice continued, "I suppose you should take mine for the time being. Magnus did promise you a 'real bed' after all." Rachel stared at her in shock. She couldn't take the old woman's bed.

"I couldn't possibly ask..." Rachel began, but Alice held up a hand to stop her.

"You didn't ask," she said. "I offered. With the bruises on your back, the floor will be far too uncomfortable, and you are meant to get better under my care. Besides," she added, "I quite like a firm sleeping surface. I'll be fine."

Rachel didn't know what to say. She'd been certain the woman didn't like her. It seemed odd she would now offer such courtesy. "Thank you," Rachel managed to answer quitely, not certain what other response might be appropriate.

Alice merely nodded. "Now," she said. "I have other tasks to accomplish this evening, but I want to make sure you are fully settled and I'm certain you wish to sleep. What else might you need?"

Rachel didn't answer.

"Some food perhaps?" the woman asked. "Our Master said you haven't eaten much today. I'm sure I can find something to cook up quickly. Cooking is my specialty. In fact, I run the kitchens here on the estate."

Rachel shook her head.

Alice gave her a slight frown of concern. "Come sit down child," she said, ushering Rachel to a chair by the fire in the main sitting room. "Do you feel alright Rachel?" Alice pressed her hand against Rachel's forehead to check for fever. 

"Perhaps you might take some soup? I did promise Magnus I would try to get you to eat something."

"So he can kill me," Rachel mumbled.

The old woman's eyes sharpened instantly at her words, concern quickly fading from her expression as she donned a disproving scowl. "Is that what worries you?" Alice asked. "I feared you were sick, but perhaps this is merely a protest of some kind."

Rachel looked down at her hands. She hadn't meant for Alice to hear her.

"Is it your intention to spite our Master by allowing yourself to waste away to nothing then?" Alice asked, raising an eyebrow. "Not a particularly clever plan for survival I must say."

Rachel didn't answer, momentarily taken aback by the woman's comment. She hadn't had any real plan as Alice seemed to think. In truth, the image of the mangled boys, the smell of blood she could not forget, the taste of the foul stuff the slavers had forced down her throat, the nausea from her journey, all of these things had left her with little appetite.

"I'm not hungry," she said finally.

The old woman eyed her skeptically. "I have no intention of forcing you to eat against your will," she said. "Purchasing you was Magnus's decision and I will not take the blame if it was a poor one. I have already made that quite clear to him. But I hope you will at least take some tea. I have a brew that will help ease your pain so you can sleep."

Rachel looked to her feet and nodded, her stomach churning uncomfortably. It had seemed that Alice had been warming to her but now she'd made the old woman angry again. Her eye filled with fresh tears, dripping silently down her cheeks. Rachel fought to wipe them away before Alice might see. But if the woman noticed, she didn't seem to care. Alice merely set about her small kitchen, brewing a cup of tea and handing it to Rachel before putting on her coat.

 "I assume you can see yourself to bed," she said.

Rachel didn't answer.

"Magnus rescued you know," Alice commented, a frown still upon her lips. "He had no need to take in such a sickly thing like yourself, but against his better judgment he took pity on you."

Rachel looked at her hands intently, avoiding Alice's glare. Was what the woman said true? She'd heard Gifrey and his men's grim assessments of her future. She'd heard the other slavers comments on what a bad purchase Magnus had made in spending his money on her... 

"You saw what your captors had in store for you," Alice continued as if guessing at her thoughts. "You know how much more suffering you would have faced at their hands. Now you have been lucky enough to come under the care of one who is truly interested in your well-being. That is what you should think on now this evening as you lay in my warm bed. As your stomach rumbles, devoid of the food that was so generously offered. How lucky you are."

Still Rachel did not answer. She kept her head down as the tears flowed all the more freely. It was clear whoever this woman was, she supported her master completely and there was no use arguing with her. But if her current situation was "lucky," as Alice seemed to think, it seemed all hope truly was lost. She was a slave. One day, maybe soon, her master would kill her and consume her body. It was all too horrible to believe.

Bringing her knees to her chest, Rachel curled up on herself as she began crying in earnest. But if Alice had any sympathy, she did not show it. It was only a moment later that Rachel heard the door of the cabin close, and when she looked up she found that the room was empty.

In a tear clouded haze, Rachel fond her way back to the bedroom and climbed beneath the covers of Alice's bed, crying until her exhausted body finally released itself to slumber.

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Poor Rachel...:-/ So thoughts on Alice now? She is probably the most complex character of the story. I'm def interested in tracking people's opinion of her. And what do you think of Rachel's new situation? Of what you have seen for Magnus' estate and operation? More on that when Rachel wakes up ;-) But first? Magnus's story 30 years in the past continues...Why does he treat Alice as he does? The answer lies in what happened back then and will be revealed in peices as the present timeline story continues. I'd love to hear how that works for you as a reader!