From Dusk Until Dawn

Chapter 2: Contract

''You're quite warm. I suspect you may be coming down with a cold.'' she said before moving closer to her once more. Rue tensed when she felt Lady Dimitrescu's arms supporting her back and underneath her legs. A squeak left her when Lady Dimitrescu lifted her from the chair and her hands immediately gripped onto the woman without a second thought. ''You're alright dear, I won't drop you.''

Hesitantly, Rue loosened her grip as the woman. Her heart leapt when Lady Dimitrescu bent down to go through a different door, which led to a bathroom with a large tub with bottles of soap next to it. The woman set Rue down before turning on the faucet and allowing the water to run. She left for only a few moments before returning with the clothes and towel that Sofia had set down. She placed the clothes and towel down on a countertop near the sink.

After a few minutes of silence between the two of them and Lady Dimitrescu adjusting the temperature of the water, the tub filled and she shut the water off. The woman turned to the girl, her eyes scanning her body. Rue felt a bit self conscious and was about to say something but then the woman turned away and took hold of the door knob. ''I'll just be outside. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me.''

And with that, she left.

***

After a much needed and quick bath, Rue had managed to wash her hair thoroughly as well as scrubbing off any dirt that had stuck to her skin. Slipping into the comfortable, pale blue gown she had been given, she stepped out of the bathroom and spotted Lady Dimitrescu sitting near the fire, a book in her hand and a cigarette in the other. She stared for a moment, taking in her beauty which was amplified due to the orange and yellow flames.

''Staring is quite rude, you know.'' the woman said smoothly, looking up from her book to look at Rue. She took her form and dress before shutting her book and setting it down along with her cigarette. The Countess gestured for Rue to sit across from her, which she immediately did.

Lady Dimitrescu reach for bandages and began wrapping it around Rue's injuries. Both of them were silent. Rue wasn't even sure how to start a conversation with a woman who made her nervous. Thankfully, she didn't have to start one since Lady Dimitrescu spoke instead. ''When you arrived, you had mentioned you heard I was hiring before you lost consciousness. Is that why you came here?''

''Yes.'' she said shyly, lightly fidgeting with her blue gown.

The woman hummed before finishing wrapping her injury. She stood before gong back to her cigarette and taking a long drag from it. She breathed out the smoke and looked down at Rue. ''My I ask as to why? Share as much as you'd like, but do not lie to me.''

Rue looked down at her hand, remembering what her mother and father had told her ever since she was little. ''I... I want to prove that I wasn't fragile.''

''I see.'' she hummed. ''Have you had any other pervious workplace experience?''

''Once, when I was fourteen. I worked on with a blacksmith for a few months.'' she answered, smiling fondly at the memory of the man who was kind enough to give a fourteen-year-old a job.

''So, you're use to lifting heavy objects and cleaning workspaces?''

''Yes.''

Lady Dimitrescu took another long drag from her cigarette before tossing it into the flames. She reached for a piece of paper and pen on her desk. She wrote something down before stopping and looking back at the brunette. ''You will be receive a biweekly pay of five hundred lei. Sofia will help you get settled and show you your daily tasks. I have very little patience for mistakes, but I will be lenient for the first few week since you're new. You are free to quit whenever you wish, however if you will be quitting, a two week notice is required and you will receive your last paycheque.

I will warn you, this job also has it's dangers if you were, for example, murder or attempt to murder one of your colleagues, it will most likely end with your corpse in the cellar. Speaking of the cellar, it is recommended that if you are going down their for whatever reason, bring someone with you or do an extremely quickly in and out trip. I will say, dying rarely ever happens here within Castle Dimitrescu. So you are quite safe while working.'' the woman paused, studying Rue's reaction.

It took a moment for her brain to comprehend the information she had just received. The pay was good, better than when she worked with the blacksmith, who could only afford to pay her ten lei a month. However, even if it was small, the risk of death made her hesitate.

''If you are reconsidering working at Castle Dimitrescu, please say so, I will not be offended, many have reconsidered once learning of the dangers. You will be allow to leave once your injuries had healed and you've recovered.'' the woman said before handing the paper to her. A contract. ''This contract explains what I have already told you in a summary. Take your time reading.''

Rue stared into her golden eyes before down at the paper in her hands. She read through each line carefully, looking for a fine print anywhere. Her parents and older brother had told her of the rumours of Castle Dimitrescu that those who enter never return and that kidnapped women were brought to Castle before being tortured killed. She had be skeptical of the rumours, even now, despite the fear that had tried to take control of her, she was still skeptical of the rumours.

With little hesitation, she held her hand out. ''I understand the risks and I wish to work.''

The Countess seemed somewhat pleased as she handed the woman a pen. ''Just sign your name at the bottom.''

As soon as the ink hit the page, she was bound to work at Castle Dimitrescu. However, what neither of them knew was that this paper would change the direction of their lives.