Joseph’s suitcase thumped onto the plush carpet o
Joseph’s suitcase thumped onto the plush carpet of his new room, its muted sound the only interruption in the suffocating silence. The room itself was vast, with high ceilings and windows that offered a breathtaking view of the meticulously manicured grounds of the estate. But the opulence felt cold and sterile, devoid of the warmth of a home.
As the servant, Charli, turned to leave, Joseph’s gaze fell upon him. Charli was a frail figure, hunched over slightly as if burdened by an invisible weight. His dark hair, almost black, fell over his forehead in long, ragged bangs, obscuring one eye. The eye that was visible, however, was filled with a deep, unsettling sadness that sent a shiver down Joseph’s spine.
“Is everything alright?” Joseph asked tentatively, noticing the slight tremor in Charli’s hands as he clutched a silver tray with a glass of water.
Charli looked up, his expression shifting from a fleeting flicker of hope to a carefully masked fear. He forced a smile, though it looked strained and unnatural. “Yes, Master Joseph. Everything is as it should be.”
Joseph couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. He noticed the slight discoloration around Charli’s left eye, a faint purple bruise hidden by the curtain of his hair. It was a subtle detail, but one that immediately sparked a sense of unease within him.
“Did someone hurt you?” Joseph asked, his voice low and filled with concern.
Charli’s eyes widened, his gaze darting around the room as if fearing unseen ears. He quickly shook his head, “No, Master Joseph. It’s nothing. Just a bit of clumsiness.”
Joseph’s intuition, however, was screaming otherwise. He had learned from his parents, from the world outside the sterile walls of the orphanage, to read people. And Charli’s attempt to hide his injury was a clear sign of something far more sinister.
He scanned the room, trying to glean any clue about what might have happened. His eyes fell upon a heavy silver tray on the table, its polished surface reflecting a glimpse of his own reflection. He noticed a small, chipped area on the edge, and his mind clicked.
“Jav Tion?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Charli’s face paled. His body flinched, and his gaze dropped to the floor. “Please, Master Joseph, you must not speak his name.”
Joseph’s eyes narrowed. He had heard whispers about Jav Tion, the fearsome guard with a reputation for ruthlessness. The stories had painted a picture of a man who operated with a cold, calculating efficiency, a man who seemed to derive pleasure from enforcing Scarlett’s iron grip on Ombre.
He knew, even without knowing the details, that Charli was terrified of Jav Tion. The fear radiated from him, a palpable energy that permeated the room. And Joseph felt a surge of anger, a sense of injustice that twisted in his gut.
“What did he do to you?” Joseph demanded, his voice rising in frustration.
Charli’s hands trembled. He tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat, leaving only a choked sob. He shook his head desperately, pleading with Joseph to understand.
“I can’t tell you, Master Joseph. It’s dangerous.”
Joseph’s eyes met Charli’s, and he saw a flicker of hope amidst the despair. He saw a sliver of humanity clinging to the edge of a shattered spirit, and he knew that he couldn’t turn away.
“I know you’re afraid, Charli,” Joseph said, his voice softening. “But I promise you, I won’t let him hurt you anymore.”
Charli’s eyes widened in disbelief. He had never encountered such a sentiment in this cold and unforgiving world. He had learned to expect nothing but pain and hardship, but Joseph’s words, spoken with conviction and empathy, offered a glimmer of hope.
“Thank you, Master Joseph,” Charli said, his voice cracking with emotion. “But please… you must not get involved.”
As Charli backed away, Joseph felt a new resolve hardening within him. He had just arrived in Ombre, but he already knew that his aunt’s vision of a “perfect society” came at a terrible cost. And he vowed, in that moment, to do everything in his power to fight for the forgotten souls like Charli, the ones who were treated not as people, but as mere instruments of control. The seed of rebellion had been sown, and it would not be easily suppressed. (*continue from here–>* Jav suddenly entered the room with eyes dark for bloodlust.)
The heavy thud of Jav Tion’s boots against the polished marble floor echoed through the room, a sound that sent a ripple of fear down Charli’s spine. The servant froze, his face blanched, as the burly guard filled the doorway.
Jav Tion, a hulking figure with a scar that bisected his left eyebrow, surveyed the scene. His eyes, dark and cold as obsidian, settled on Joseph. “So, the new arrival has finally deigned to grace us with his presence,” he sneered. His voice was rough, like sandpaper against bone.
Joseph stood his ground, his gaze unflinching. “Is something amiss, Jav Tion?” he asked, his voice steady despite the tremor in his stomach.
Jav Tion’s lips curled into a predatory smile. “Nothing that concerns you, boy,” he replied, his gaze shifting to Charli. The servant flinched, trying to melt into the shadows as the air around him grew thick with palpable tension.
“Charli,” Jav Tion called, his voice laced with mockery, “Why don’t you fetch me a drink? It’s been a long day.”
Charli’s fingers tightened around the silver tray in his hands, his eyes pleading with Joseph. He couldn’t move, paralyzed by fear.
“He’s exhausted, Jav Tion,” Joseph countered, stepping forward, placing himself between the guard and the trembling servant. “He’s been busy settling me in.”
Jav Tion laughed, a harsh, grating sound. “Busy indeed,” he said, his gaze lingering on the bruised area under Charli’s hair, “Perhaps a little too busy.”
The air thickened with unspoken threats. Joseph knew that Jav Tion was trying to intimidate him, to establish dominance. He refused to back down.
“Leave Charli alone,” Joseph said, his voice firm. He stood tall, though his heart pounded against his ribs like a trapped bird.
Jav Tion’s smile widened, a chilling display of predatory amusement. “And who are you to give orders, boy?” he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. “You’re just another pawn in this game.”
Joseph felt a surge of anger, a hot wave that threatened to consume him. He had been taught to be obedient, to accept his place, but something inside him, something primal, was rebelling.
“I may be a pawn,” he said, his voice laced with steely resolve, “but I’m not afraid of you.”
Jav Tion’s eyes narrowed, his gaze hardening. He leaned closer, his voice a low growl. “You shouldn’t be afraid of anyone, boy. Especially not me,” he said, his breath hot on Joseph’s cheek. “But you should be afraid of what happens when you cross me.”
With a final, menacing glance, Jav Tion turned and left the room, leaving Joseph and Charli in a silence heavy with unspoken tension. The air hung thick with the scent of danger, and a cold dread settled in Joseph’s stomach. He had a feeling that this was just the beginning.
