The City Of Abyss

Chapter Two

I turned the knob of headmistress Collins' door and opened it. I saw her signing some papers as she talk to a man in his early 50's.

Her head turned to us then back to the man sitting on a chair in front of her large desk, wearing a matching black coat and hat, "I shall speak to your master soon." They both stood up, "Tell him everything is set." The man nodded and tapped his hat. "Thank you for choosing The Damsel Orphanage Academy." Headmistress Collins said.

"On behalf of my master, it is our pleasure." The man took her hand and kissed the back of it. After that he smiled at us then left the room.

Although my head is filled with curiosity about the gentleman's task. I dared not to ask, because one of the things headmistress hates the most are curios girls without a zip on their mouth. And unfortunately, Abigail is one of them.

Abigail opened her mouth and was about to ask about it, but before she can even part her lips Eloise already glared at her, Hazel started praying, and I quickly nudged her on the stomach which caused her do a whisper-groan sound. Like an old, dying, neighing horse.

And even though we tried to zip it, her mouth is the most untamed part of her. Her whisper-groan escaped from her lips which filled the silence between us and the headmistress. Hazel bit her lips to contain the laugh, Eloise chuckled silently, and I just gave a sly smile to headmistress Collins and hid the laughter trying to escape.

Headmistress' face turned to us with a furrow on her brows, "What kind of demonic sound was that?" Her face was filled with horror and concern.

"Pardon me for the upset stomach." Abigail replied with a slight smile.

Headmistress clicked her tongue and shook her head, "The flagrant laces are inside the closet." She pointed at a brown door that probably contains all the punishment.

I nodded and turned the knob of the door. The flagrant laces are dresses that the school make us wear as a punishment. It is black, puffed, long, itchy, and hot inside. The thing is this isn't just a foolish dress, besides being hot and itchy it invites the bullies of the school to do anything they want to you. Since it is called a flagrant lace you have no shame of what you did. Or what they think you did.

And the thing is, no matter what they do to you, it is not counted as offense and you are not protected by the school or the headmistress. Either way, with or without the flagrant lace it is still the same system. If you show just a bit of your skin, ran for a little while at the halls, laugh a little loud, disobey their rules and beliefs, it is offensive. But when they threatened to take away your life, or they bully you. You are being a wimp.

Society.

Hazel helped me removed the laces out of the closet. The moment I touched it, I can already feel my skin hot and itchy. Not to mention it weighs a thousand pounds.

"The changing room is in here," Headmistress Collins pointed at the door behind her. "But Ms. Fulmer here sure is a big fan of the lace, so I know that she is familiar with this." She sarcastically said with the corner of her lips tugged upward.

We all eyed Abigail telling her to seal her mouth for this time. She looked at us staring at her and closed her parted lips.

"Pardon us headmistress." I bowed slightly and went inside the room with the rest following me behind. The room is fit for only three girls and it is illuminated by a small dim light. There is also a large mirror, almost covering up the wall hanging at the right wall.

We all crowded the room and changed into this foolish dress. After finished dressing, I placed the black veil on top of my head. Not even a second has passed and I can already feel the itchiness.

"If Abigail wasn't a ninny hammer," Eloise glared at her while fixing the flagrant lace, "We would've never been in this situation." She rolled her eyes.

Abigail huffed, "A ninny hammer?!" She faced Eloise with wide eyes, "A poor choice of word young lady!" She expressed in disgust.

"Why? Do you have a better word to replcae?" Eloise fired back.

Abigail parted her lips, but I stopped her again. "Please desist," I sternly said to them, "We still have Chemistry class to attend to, and I cannot wait to go home tonight."

Hazel nodded her head, "I am sick of their dishes here, I cannot wait to taste auntie's homemade pie." She said.

"Let's go." I turned the knob of the door and got out first. Headmistress turned her head to us and smiled.

Such a sadist.

"Fear not my dear ladies, you will only wear the flagrant lace for today. Then you can remove it for the weekend." Headmistress calmly said, "You will thank me one day for disciplining you."

"Thank you." Eloise simply replied.

"Go to your class and behave." She glared at me and Abigail.

We bowed our heads and gracefully walked out of her office.

"Why does she always glare at us like that?" Abigail quietly asked me as we walk down the corridor to the hallway.

"Because if there is trouble, our names always has something to do with it." I answered as Hazel opened the door to the hallway.

The squeaking of the large door announced our arrival to the hallway. The students stopped prattling and glanced at us. At first I wondered why they were looking at us like we are some kind of dirty rats, then I remembered we are wearing the flagrant lace.

Thankfully, the black laced veil is covering my face, and my rolling eyes aren't that visible. Abigail and I are used to the stares when we wear this dress, as they say we are the daughters of mischief. But I never listened to what they think of me, for my mother told me that great things are often disguised as rubbish. Society wants a strong opinion, as long as it matches with theirs.

If you would rate how mischievous the four of us are, Abigail would be on top, I'll come second, then Hazel, and Eloise would be at the bottom. I wouldn't call us mischievous, instead I would call us honest and not foolish to not know the world we live in isn't messed up. We just cannot pretend to be a "modest" woman and be an activist or a feminist.

Whispers filled the large hallway as we passed by. Some scanned us from head to toe, and some didn't bother to look at me and Abigail. I mean, what's new?

I actually feel bad for dragging Hazel and Eloise here, both of them value their privacy and reputation so much. They wouldn't want to be mistaken as something they are not, unlike me and Abigail we just don't give a damn at all anymore.

Both of their shoulders tensed as the whispers grew louder and louder. I know that they are probably awfully uncomfortable right now. The other door at the end of the hallway opened revealing the vile ladies. When our eyes met, they plastered a devilish grin and walked faster towards us.

Hazel slowly turned her head to me and gave me a begging look. They know that I don't fear them and I would swing a fist at the girls whenever I want to. But I learned not to get my hands dirty, so I just inhaled the air—now filled with the smell of rumors.

When we crossed paths, Jessica clicked her tongue and looked at us. "Pity," Her tone is filled with mockery.

"Not needed Jessica." I replied and continued on walking.

I heard her scoff but I didn't bother to turn my head and look at her reaction, because I don't want to be late again and I don't want my grades to remain low.

Eloise opened the door of Chemistry class, and thankfully mistress is not here. I was about to enter when I heard a bunch of talking and giggling making our way. I turned my head to the right and I saw a bunch of young girls around 10 being toured by one of the mistress of this school.

"Innocent souls sold to hell." Abigail said with pity written on her face.

"Literally." I replied.

I sighed as we both watch the innocent children filled with joy and excitement because they found a new home. Every time there is a new batch of students, I always wonder if they are an orphan or they couldn't afford to go to school.

I smiled remembering the first day of school here. The four of us were filled with hope for a better future and excitement to learn things. I feel bad for aunt May, she lost all of her best friends and was burdened to provide for their daughters. Although we never saw our parents' dead body. Aunt May told us that it might not be possible to see them again.

I removed my eyes from the children and walked towards the sit assigned. I sat beside Eloise and looked at the books in front of us.

"I don't believe they're gone for good." Eloise said. "It just doesn't feel empty, like their souls are somewhere lost."

I sighed, "I always wondered where on earth would they be except England? I mean, our city is surrounded with tall, brown, wooden barriers that seemed to protect us from those monsters outside."

Eloise scoffed, "Those barriers look hoax to me, I am not a fool to believe that those monsters can eat a human being alive yet fail to break down a wooden barrier. If such thing exist, it must be more than a wooden barrier."

The class is starting to be filled with students carrying their books close to their chest. And yes, they couldn't enter peacefully without staring at us, either with disgust or curiosity.

I peeked over my shoulders and I saw Hazel and Abigail talking to Jasmine. She isn't an old student like us. As a matter of fact she is only 13, but since she has the brain of Einstein she exceeded to our grade. Jasmine is also one of the girls that we like, and she didn't judged us the first time we met despite of our reputation here in school.

"Jasmine is such cupcake." Eloise smiled sweetly at me then looked at Jasmine talking with Hazel and Abigail.

"What?" I furrowed my brows.

Eloise stuttered, "What I mean is she is sweet like a cupcake, positive, gives out good vibes, and a good company." She explained and gave me an innocent look.

"Weird description?" I looked at her giving me a slight smile.

"Class." We all turned our heads in front of to the mistress in front of the class, standing next to a man around his mid 30's. He is wearing an expensive coat and hat, and beside him is his servant carrying gift wrapped neatly in a white paper. "This gentleman over here is Mr. Bill and he will be choosing a date for today." The mistress sweetly said.

"Sounds wrong?" I whispered to Eloise.

"Agree. This is a school not a bar." She replied with her brows furrowed, and her diamond eyes filled with curiosity.

"We wouldn't be having our class today ladies. For the headmistress allowed us to have your early dismissals due to a thunderstorm coming. For your safety, the headmistress also strictly permitted to pack your bags and go home to your houses as early as possible." The mistress said as quiet murmurs fill the room.

"I love the early dismissal, but this is extremely weird." Eloise said looking at me.

"Before that, Mr. Bill would like to pick his partner."