The Monster’s True Face
Joel leaves me in front of Lord Virion’s house, promising to return when he can. I take a few deep breaths and organize Rosa’s memories. Bob is not me. Bob doesn’t exist. I’m Rosa the mute maid who empties chamberpots and caught Peggy with the stable-boy.
This time the luscious woman leading me inside the house doesn’t even pretend to be a seamstress. The curtains of the fitting room are closed and candles cast ever-dancing shadows around the room. The place is eerie in the dark. To occupy myself while I wait, I study the paintings. This time I look at the actual pictures, instead of the wall behind them. My jaw drops upon seeing the image of swans flying over a lake. I can’t decide if I was looking at this picture last time or if it was painted from the image I c
