Chapter 6 - The Unexpected Encounter
I found Annie in the estate’s grand library. She was balancing precariously on a rolling wooden ladder, dusting the upper shelves of the antique philosophy section.
I stood in the doorway for a moment, just watching.
“You know,” I said softly, “Aristotle believed that excellence is not an act, but a habit.”
Annie gasped, her hand slipping. The locking pin on her prosthetic gave a terrifying crack, and she lost her footing on the ladder rungs.
I lunged forward, catching her by the waist before she could hit the hardwood floor, lowering her gently to the ground.
“I am so sorry,” I said, stepping back quickly as she caught her breath, her face flushed with embarrassment.
“Mr. Graves!” she stammered, her eyes wide as she smoothed down her apron. “I—I apologize, sir, I didn't hear you come in. I’ll be out of your way in just a moment.”
“Annie, please, don't apologize,” I said gently.
She looked at me, confused. “You know my name?”
“I know a lot of things, Annie. I know you fixed the kitchen tablet yesterday. I know you saved my security guard from a torn meniscus.” I gestured to one of the leather armchairs. “Please, sit.”
She hesitated, her eyes darting toward the door as if expecting Evelyn to burst in and fire her. But she slowly lowered herself into the chair, wincing slightly as she bent her damaged leg.
I sat across from her. “Daniel tells me you’re studying engineering.”
Annie looked down at her hands. “Yes, sir. Mechanical and software. I’m hoping to design accessible medical tech eventually. Stuff that people can actually afford.”
“Like a better leg?” I asked softly.
She stiffened, her hand instinctively dropping to cover her knee. “I... it’s fine, sir. It gets the job done.”
“It’s not fine, Annie. I stood outside the utility room on Monday. I heard you fighting with it.”
Her cheeks burned crimson. “Sir, please don't fire me. I know I’m not as fast as the others, but I work hard, I promise. I just need six more months to qualify for the medical fund, and then I won't be a liability anymore.”
Hearing her call herself a liability broke my heart.
“Annie, look at me,” I said. She slowly raised her eyes. “You are the most capable person in this entire house. But we’re going to have a serious problem very soon.”
May you like
“What problem?” she asked nervously.
Before I could answer, the library windows rattled violently. A massive crack of thunder shook the estate, and the room was suddenly plunged into absolute, pitch-black darkness.
