My nose wrinkled as I stepped into the basement. The smell that assaulted my senses made me feel sick. I hesitated at the bottom of the stairs with the bucket clutched tightly in one hand and the mop in the other. The maid said that the queen ordered me to clean the basement. I supposed it had to be better than being stuck outside under the hot sun, or so I thought. My eyes darted around as I took in the strange equipment. I sucked in a breath when my eyes locked on a bundle of blood near a bench. It looked fresh. Lowering the bucket to the floor, I dipped the mop inside and started cleaning. The sooner I got things done, the sooner I could get out. I had a few more chores to finish and then I had the rest of the day to myself. It gave me the perfect opportunity to go to the library.

