Chapter 4 A Ray of Light in the Darkness

As the carriage continued, Louise turned her thoughts to the uncertain future. What would her life become, exiled at some remote boarding school?

The carriage jostled over the rough road until it finally rattled to a halt in front of a grand, yet ancient building. The stonework was weathered from centuries of wind and rain, and ivy crept up the walls, covering parts of the architecture. The windows were narrow and crooked, the leaded glass panes foggy with age. A few trees dotted the overgrown lawn, their branches bare and skeletal. The air was crisp and cold, carrying with it a hint of the nearby sea.

As Louise stepped down, the heavy door groaned open. A thin man in a frock coat emerged, his eyes cast downward, his long grey beard flowing down his chest. He glanced up at her, a stern expression on his face, his brown eyes assessing her with a critical gaze.

"Miss Louise," he said curtly, his voice gravelly and deep. "Welcome to Creekwood Seminary for Young Ladies, I am Headmaster Caldwell." He gave a stiff bow. "Your aunt wrote saying you are to become a governess. We shall refine your reading, arithmetic, and scripture knowledge here, in addition to skills in comportment, household duties, and languages."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Headmaster Caldwell," Louise replied, forcing a small smile. "Thank you for taking me in." The headmaster nodded curtly, his expression unyielding. "Follow me, Miss. Your quarters have been prepared."

Inside, the headmaster led Louise through dim halls lit only by candles and flickering sconces. The walls were covered in a layer of dust, and the furniture was worn and old. The floorboards creaked and groaned beneath their feet as they walked. The air was thick with the scent of books and old paper. Even though it was a school, there was an eerie silence that tormented the place, as if everyone were holding their breath in anticipation of some unseen event. Eventually, they reached a set of stairs that led to the upper floor.

The headmaster climbed them slowly, his fingers gripping the handrail tightly. At the top, he turned down a narrow hallway, its walls lined with doors. The rooms were even more plain than the ones below, with little more than a bed, a desk, and a chest for personal belongings. He stopped at one door and pushed it open, revealing a room at the very end of the hall.

"This is your quarters, Miss Louise," the headmaster said, his voice barely audibles over the sound of the wind howling outside. "You may unpack your belongings and make yourself at home. Dinner will be served in the great hall at six. If you have any questions or need anything, do not hesitate to ask." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Louise alone in the eerily quiet room.

Her small room furnished with only a straw-stuffed mattress, chest, and basin, she was used to such small quarters, but she still felt the gravity of her situation. The walls were covered in peeling wallpaper, the colour faded and stained from years of neglect. A single drafty window let in what little light there was, casting shadows across the room. The cold seeped through the floorboards, making her shiver. Though the atmosphere of Creekwood Seminary was rather bleak, she forced herself to remain hopeful. Perhaps this place would become a refuge for her, a new home where she could find peace and purpose. She unpacked her few belongings, carefully folding her dresses and placing them in the chest.

The harsh bells jolted Louise awake. "Time to start the day," announced someone outside in the hallway. Groggily, she sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. The sunlight streaming through the grimy window cast a dim glow over her makeshift quarters, and the room felt colder than ever. She glanced around, taking in the familiar sight of her chest, bed, and basin.

Louise sighed and slowly got up, her back aching from the lumpy mattress. She washed her face in the basin, wincing as the cold water hit her skin. The floorboards creaked beneath her feet as she made her way to her chest and put on her drab grey dress. The dress, like all of her clothes, was too large, hanging loosely off her frame. She tied the frayed sash around her waist, doing her best to make it look presentable.

Louise tied her hair backward, letting it fall out of her face. Louise hurried out into the hallway where the other girls were gathered for morning inspection. The headmaster, Caldwell, was already there, his expression stern as ever. The other girls, all dressed in identical grey dresses, stood in straight lines, their hands folded demurely in front of them. She took her place at the end of the line, feeling the cold seeping through the soles of her worn shoes.

The headmaster began his inspection, moving down the line of girls. He paused in front of her, his eyes raking over her appearance before he frowned.

"Your hair is unpresentable, Miss," the headmaster growled. "See to it that it is properly secured before our next inspection." Louise bowed her head in submission, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She knew that she had little time to waste, as the other girls were already beginning to disperse. She hurried to follow the other girls to breakfast.

Arriving at the dining room, Louise found it to be a large, dimly lit chamber with rows of long wooden tables and benches. A roaring fireplace at the far end of the room provided some warmth, but it was still cold enough to make her shiver. The porridge, a thick, greyish mush, was ladled onto tin plates by the serving wench. Bread, freshly baked and still steaming, was placed beside it. Louise took her breakfast and sat alone on the dining table, away from the other girls. She tried to eat, but the porridge was cold and unappetizing. Her time at Creekwood would be long...

A month had passed since Louise had arrived at Creekwood Seminary. The days had blurred together in a monotonous cycle of prayers, chores, and lectures. She was used to the harsh routine now, her body growing accustomed to the cold and the lack of comfort. The headmaster, Caldwell, still remained distant and unapproachable, but the other girls had slowly begun to accept her into their circle. They were mostly orphans like herself, their pasts shrouded in secrets and pain. They understood each other in ways that outsiders never could.

"Time to start the day!"

Louise sat on her bed, rubbing her eyes. She knew that voice; it was the headmaster, Caldwell. He was out there in the hallway, his words echoing through the empty corridor. She sighed, climbed out of bed, and did her same morning routine. Putting on her large, grey dress, tying her hair back, and tying the sash around her waist. The dress was still too big, but it was beginning to fit a little better.

Louise walked out of her room and into the hallway, where the other girls were already gathering for morning inspection. She took her place at the end of the line, her heart racing as she waited for the headmaster's scrutiny. Caldwell walked down the line of girls, his gaze assessing and critical. When he reached her, he paused for a moment before frowning.

"Your dress is unkempt," the headmaster growled, his expression unyielding. "What do you have to say for yourself?" Louise swallowed hard, her throat dry. "I-I apologize, sir," she stammered "I did straighten it out, but I must have wrinkled it again during the night." The headmaster's eyes narrowed. "Miss Louise, this is your second strike!" he shouted. A lady rushed over and handed him a switch. "Hold out your hands!"

Trembling, Louise obeyed. The headmaster took the switch and delivered a sharp blow across her palms. She gritted her teeth, biting back a cry of pain. Blood welled up from the fresh wounds, staining the sleeves of her dress. "You must learn to take better care of yourself and your belongings," he snapped before moving on to the next girl.

The other girls exchanged glances as the headmaster finished with them. They knew that one more strike would result in the harshest punishment of all: a week of solitary confinement in the damp, dark cell beneath the chapel. The thought sent a shiver down Louise's spine. When the headmaster left, Louise followed the other girls to their chores, her hands still stinging from the blow.

Louise felt utterly defeated. But then a kind voice said, "Good morning! I am Mary." A girl who seemed to be about her age, with ginger hair and freckles, smiled at her. She looked warm and approachable, a stark contrast to the cold, harsh face of Caldwell.

"I am Louise," she replied, surprised by Mary's friendliness.

"That's a lovely name," said Mary. She smiled warmly, her cheeks flushing slightly. Louise found herself returning the smile, despite her best efforts to remain stoic. There was something about Mary that made her feel welcome, despite the harsh surroundings. Though they had never spoken before, Mary's warm smile and gentle voice put Louise at ease.

"It is nice to meet you, Mary," Louise said shyly.

"I could not help but notice how unfairly the headmaster treated you earlier," Mary said. "Are you alright?" She placed a gentle hand on Louise's shoulder, and the gesture made her feel as though a weight had been lifted. Louise looked into Mary's kind eyes and found herself trusting her.

Louise looked down, embarrassed. "I will be okay. It is not the first time."

Mary nodded understandingly. "His punishments are quite harsh. But please know that you're not alone. Us girls need to stick together in times like these." Mary linked her arm through Louise's. "Come along, let's go get some breakfast." She led her to the dining hall, chattering away about her family and life before coming to the school. Her stories made Louise feel a sense of connection, of belonging. Despite their circumstances, Mary managed to find joy in the little things, and Louise found herself starting to see the world through her friend's eyes.

Louise felt a rush of gratitude for this simple act of friendship. As they walked together to the dining hall, Louise realized she felt less alone than she had in a long time. Over bowls of porridge, the two girls chatted and laughed. For the first time in ages, Louise felt a lightness in her heart. With Mary's companionship, Louise found the strength to endure even the headmaster's harshest scolding's. During their free time, she and Mary explored the grounds together, sharing stories from their childhoods. A true friendship blossomed between them. Though life at the boarding school remained difficult, Louise now faced each day with hope instead of despair.