The Chamber of Sins

Disappointed, Margo faltered back to the house. She pressed the handle, but her hand went through the cold metal. Then, pressing her lips firmly, she touched the wood and sank into it. In a flash, the girl sensed the live material pulsing, the smell of raven soil after the rainfall, and the delicate, sweet fragrance of fresh green leaves.

Margo found herself on the other side. The familiar aroma of hot buns filled her nostrils. So I can still sense odours. Margo smiled.

The reception room was usually empty at midday, as all the children were in classes or back in their rooms. Margo inhaled the familiar smell of the old building, and a wave of memories hit her. Steps and giggles invaded her mind, and she followed a bygone memory with her and a red-headed girl. They stopped behind the kitchen doors and watched something intensely. Then little Margo stepped inside, plucked something from the kitchen table and ran away, jiggling and applauding. She passed a browned loaf of bread to the other girl and bit from another.

Back to reality, Margo turned left and peeked through the ajar kitchen door. She recognised Sister Mary’s corpulent body straight away. She was placing another tray inside the stove; visible white traces were dotting her uniform and chin, and Margo held back her tears with difficulty. She loved the woman so much.

“Sister Mary,” Margo said, throwing herself at the woman’s chest. The girl ran right through her, and she realised she wouldn’t get the warmth of the woman’s hugs anymore. She slid against the furniture and started crying. She felt her body numb and deadly cold. Even her tears were cold. Margo embraced herself.

Mary moved around the table, preoccupied with kneading the dough and unaware of the girl’s presence.

“Sister, it’s me, Margo,” the girl whispered.

The woman swiped a rebellious tear while spreading the flour on the wooden board.

“Hello,” a child’s voice sounded. Mary didn’t respond, just stared at the cupboard, undecided about what to do next.

“It has been over two-and-a-half days since Margo’s departure. What if something has happened to her? What if she is scared and alone?” the woman said, more to herself.

“The police concluded she had run away with a boy,” Anna said.

“You don’t think that is true, do you?” the nun said, her voice aloud.

“She may be right,” another voice intervened.

“Sister Evelyne, you shouldn’t agree with such nonsense,” Mary said. “You will spread unnecessary gossip. Margo would never do that. She wouldn’t leave without saying. She is not like that. Not my little girl,” the woman said between sobs, her chin trembling.

“You don’t know that,” Sister Evelyne’s assertive voice underlined. Margo watched her mocking behind Sister Mary’s back and leaving the room.

Margo posted herself in front of Mary.

“I am here, Sister,” she said. “Thank you for trusting me.” It was a fact - nobody could see her. Disappointed, she vented towards the window. I wonder what day is today, the girl thought. She turned and spotted a handmade calendar on the fridge. “Saturday, the 18th of April,” she read. Margo left the kitchen and faltered upstairs. She would return later, but now she had to see someone else. Anna passed by her quickly, and she caught up with Sister Evelyne.

“I need to talk to you,” Anna said.

“I am busy. I will talk to you later,” Sister Evelyn said.

You will be sorry, Anna murmured.

Both of them disappeared into their rooms without changing greetings. Margo ran to the dorm. She needed to see if her little brothers and sisters were fine. The dormitory was quiet, even if its occupiers were there. They were waiting for lunchtime, and in the meantime, everybody was making their bed and tidying the room up.

Two girls were polishing the floor while having a muttered conversation.

“Have you heard? Margo took the orphanage's money and flew away. Somebody told me she ran to America. Sister Mary knows everything, and she may testify to the police.”

“No, I didn’t! It’s a lie,” Margo said.

As she lifted her eyes, the girl spotted a solitary person in the back. Alexander. The boy grabbed the broom.

“I am sorry,” Margo confessed. “I am dead, you know? My body is in Muxton. The police know about my death. I’m sure they will do their best to find out who I am. Do you hear me? I am innocent,” the girl said. I have only died.

She watched the boy sweep the floor thoroughly. He would pause from time to time, and he would glare at an invisible point. Finally, a vase banged on the wooden floor, pushed by mistake by a tall girl. Alex turned and glared straight at Margo; she waved in his direction.

“Can you see me? Alex?”

Alexander walked towards her, but he just passed through her without stopping. Margo plunged deep into his sadness and tasted the saltiness of his tears. She observed the boy collecting and handing the broken vase fragments to the careless girl.

"Just throw them in the bin."

“Somebody help me,” Margo cried and fainted.

Back at the Midwinter Mansion, Ruffus’s sharp bark woke Robert up. Still sleepy, he muttered disapprovingly.

“Come on, let me sleep. Go to Adrian; he will take you out.”

The dog continued his howling, and Robert peered at the time; it was only 6:31 a.m.

“It’s Sunday, you silly dog. Go away.”

He must not have been convincing, because Ruffus bit his hand gently. Robert woke up and looked for his clothes with an open eye. The dog wagged his tail.

You know the surroundings and still insist on waking me up every morning, Robert thought while walking Ruffus across the garden.

Ruffus didn’t care about Robert’s feelings and sniffed with pleasure every ornamental bush that came his way. Finally, after a long walk, the boy, feeling frozen-cold from the morning wind, returned to the house. In the kitchen, something was boiling; Madam Lionette was preparing breakfast. A cup of tea will surely warm me up, Robert thought.

“Your mom arrived last night,” the woman said.

“Stepmother,” the boy replied swiftly.

“She is still your mother,” Lionette said, sweetening the conversation.

“She is my father’s wife. It's a difference.”

Lionette drummed her fingers on the kitchen countertop.

“Do you want your eggs with bacon?”

Robert nodded. “It is too early for me. Later.”

A silent witness to their discussion, Ruffus was curiously exploring the space under the fridge, grunting occasionally. Then, annoyed by the sound of his claws scratching the marble, the boy came closer.

“What is happening, boy? What have you found?”

Ruffus wiggled his tail, proudly showing his finding.

Robert picked up the small round object and studied it. “I wonder what could it be?” he said, turning the item on all its sides. Symbols were engraved on both sides, and its centre rotated counterclockwise. It had a remarkable combination of shades: burgundy, dark maroon and sapphirine. It looked like a bespoke man’s jewel.

“I wonder, what could it be?” Robert said and showed it to Lionette.

The woman inspected it meticulously.

“I’ve never seen it before. Maybe it belonged to someone working in the new building,” said Lionette. Something did fall from a shopping bag the other day though, she thought.

“Then it’s mine,” the boy said, putting it in his trousers' pocket.

“They may be looking for it,” Lionette said.

“Then I will buy it. Everything is for sale,” the boy responded and, taking two biscuits from an open box, left Lionette with her doings.

Once in his room, Robert placed the pendant on the side table. He checked the time.

I can’t sleep anymore, you foolish dog. The boy dropped on the bed, put his arms under his head and closed his eyes.

Robert felt a breeze brushing his face, and he moaned. Then, the warmth of a kiss woke him up.

“Ruffus, go away,” he said.

A burst of crystal laughter followed his remark.