Chapter one

What happens when everything you know
is everything you’ve been told?

Thomas’ eyes were puffy and red. He couldn’t believe it. How was he dead? It wasn’t fair. His dad was the only person he had. Now he was gone? Now he was going to live with his aunt, Beatrice. He barely knew her. Just that she was rich and lived in a very fancy house. He didn’t want to go. It just wasn’t fair, but then life isn’t very fair is it?

***

Thomas stood in front of the house, what used to be his home. It was not a home any more. It was simply the skeleton of a home all empty inside with no heart. He was deep in thought when a black, shiny limousine pulled up. It was his aunt’s butler. His aunt must be a snob,” he thought to himself, if she were to have a butler. The butler packed his few belongings into the car. He got into the car and listened to the butlers attempted at small talk. ” So ,the butler began ,”what do we call you?”

“Thomas.”

“What sort of things are you interested in?”

“Gaming.”

The butler let out a nervous chuckle for there wasn’t any internet in the house. He decided to keep that part to himself for now ,and continued driving.

                                                  ***

In the grand manor lived Beatrice. It was almost like a movie. Giant portraits bigger than a full grown man covered the wall . Family pictures that Beatrice considered a necessity. Romina! Aunt Beatrice  called. She frowned as she saw Romina slide down the banister and land it perfectly as if there was much practice put into it. Romina, if you are going to slide down banisters, do it on the basement stairs, not these stairs.

 “Yes, Auntie,” Romina said. “What is it you wanted though?”

“Someone new is coming .”

“Oh no! Is it a new butler because I don’t want a new butler. I just want Stuart! Why did he go? Oh, Auntie, I really don’t know how I will survive! Oh, auntie I just- “

“Romina! Enough! No one is leaving.”

“So nobody is going away? Stuart is staying?”

 “Yes, Romina, now if you would let me talk- “

“Oh, Auntie, I have never been so relieved!”,Romie said collapsing into the red velvet couch.

“As I was saying someone new is coming.”

“Who? “

“It is my sister’s son. “

“But I thought your sister died?”

“She did, but his father was in an accident and now the boy is an orphan.”

“And?”

“He is coming to live here.”

“Oh, Auntie, I am SO excited. Someone to be with me! How old is he?”

“Your age I think.”

“What is he like?”

“I don’t know. Be patient you will find out when he comes in the evening,” Beatrice said exasperatedly.