Heading after Hyde's muffled steps along the corridor, Josie found herself at the top of the marble staircase much too quickly. Why, she'd spent at least fifteen minutes the last time looking for it in every which direction to no avail.  And it was just around the corner the entire time?

Hiding behind the marble bust of a portly man with a spectacularly manicured moustache, Josie watched the physician descend into the entryway. Before he got all the way to the bottom, however, Donatella emerged from the parlor and pulled the pocket doors closed behind her.

"You've let them in?" Hyde hissed at the woman just loud enough for Josie to hear. "I thought we agreed to gradually introduce the girl to the others. For God's sake, she's been here less than a day!"

"I don't know what you mean." She defensively crossed her arms and approached him.

"Ezra! Josie's already met the boy." Hyde ran his fingers through his hair. "You're well aware of what could happen if—"

"I'm sorry, Jack." Donatella put a hand on his shoulder, cutting him off. "I didn't know. You do realize they can come and go as they please."

Hyde nodded. "Of course. And that's what worries me."

A door slammed, and Josie jumped. In spite of quickly looking over her shoulder toward the source of the noise, she saw an unchanged, empty hallway. When she peeked back around the corner, though, both Hyde and Donatella were heading up the stairs, no doubt to investigate.

Her heart beat feverishly as Josie tiptoed in her stockings back into her room and carefully shut the door. Leaning against the panel, she inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. After counting to five, she opened them, finally noticing a silver tray with a small teapot and a single cup waiting on the table.

She quickly drew in her breath. Did the butler notice her absence? Or did he even see her eavesdropping on his mistress? Worse yet, would he feel compelled to tell on her to Donatella?

Rushing across the room, Josie touched the pot. It was scalding hot and a thin wisp of steam was snaking out of its spout.

Click.

The girl snapped her head toward the far wall just in time to see a shadow underneath the door float away. Running back, she tried the handle. Even after twisting with all her might, it wouldn't turn.

She was locked in.

Josie bit her lip and clenched her fists. Things had gone far enough.

At first, she was intrigued. The spooky, old manor was a curious child's wish come true. Its trick candles and rigged staircases provided the girl with a temporary distraction from her otherwise gloomy predicament. But the lack of straight answers from her reclusive relative and Donatella's cruel disappearing stunt made Josie suspicious.

And what was all that arguing over her meeting Ezra? He obviously didn't make a good first impression on her, but being a danger to her never even crossed Josie's mind. So why were Donatella and Hyde worried about him? Especially if he was also family!

This was worse than just improper patronage. Being constantly watched, kept from others, and now confined to this room made Josie want to leave. Immediately.

After sitting down to pull on her shoes, the girl took the tufted chair and began pushing. Not stopping until it was directly under the window, she wiped the soles of her booties on the carpet and stepped on the velvet cushion. Comfortably reaching the window's handle, she cranked it to get the pane fully open.

The cool air filled her nostrils, and the mist dampened her face.

Grabbing the sill and leaning over the ledge, Josie looked at the ground below. Two stories down, the barren garden – with its gravel paths and dead vegetation – beckoned to her.

Come, Josie. Come to us.

The girl retreated in surprise, almost tumbling off the chair.

Steadying herself, Josie brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face. Her legs shook, but again she inched closer to the open precipice. Sticking her head out, she took quick, shallow breaths while scanning the back yard.

There was nothing – and no one – there. Just in case, she checked a second time. Still empty.

Turning her attention to the building, Josie was dismayed to see no nearby balconies or overhangs. There was just the rough stone surface and more of the encroaching ivy just like on the front façade. It ran all the way up to the window's edge; she could touch the leaves with ease.

Josie rubbed the smooth, waxy plant between her thumb and forefinger. Following its veins via touch, she first found the thin stem and – stretching as far as she could – finally reached the woody trunk. It was so thick the girl could hardly wrap her fingers around it. After tugging at the thick stem, she smiled.

The plant's tiny roots had securely fastened it to the building's stone wall, giving her plan the chance to actually work.

Taking one last big breath, Josie threw her legs one-by-one over the sill and scooted on her bottom to the window's edge. With her feet dangling, she was no longer able to lean too far forward for fear of falling.

Josie held the wooden frame with her right hand to steady herself. Reaching across her body with her left hand, she blindly felt for the ivy's trunk again. Getting a firm grip, she began to slowly pull herself away from the window while searching for a steady footing. After the girl found a nearby stone jutting out farther than the rest, she firmly wedged her boot's toe on it for support.

Pushing with her legs and pulling with her arms, Josie managed to get herself off the windowsill. She took a moment to catch her breath. Mistakenly looking downward, she wobbled on the ivy lattice and made the leaves ominously rustle.

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea, after all. How would plunging two stories to almost certain death be better than having a bit of patience? She took another deep breath while looking back at the window.

Extending her arm toward it, Josie was surprised to find it well out of reach. She bit her lip. There was no choice, but going down.

Josie nodded, silently encouraging herself. Perhaps pretending it was just a leafy ladder would make it easier. That and focusing on one step at a time would have her on the ground in no time.

After bending her knees, she moved one foot off its perch and lowered it a few inches. She then felt around the leafy tendrils until she found a strong enough vine to support her. Repeating the process with her other foot, she moved her hands down accordingly. The girl continued her slow descent until the top of the ground floor window was nearly at eye level.

Josie smiled. She was almost there. Quickening her pace, she placed her feet with less care than before.

The error was irreversible. Josie's boot slipped, taking the bulk of its support with it. Her arms weren't prepared to take up the slack, and the girl fell backwards.

As she tumbled toward the frozen earth, time seemed to slow. Her hands reached in a delayed motion toward the passing ivy, but even at this speed it was to no avail. Anticipating a hard landing, Josie squeezed her eyes shut and clenched her jaw. It was therefore quite a surprise when something soft cushioned her fall.

"Well, that's certainly one way to introduce yourself," the young man under her groaned.