In The Dark

Year: 1954

There was once a house situated far away from any town. It was a beautiful, eccentric building filled with riches you could never imagine.

Built before anyone could remember, it stood on a tall hill in an eerie setting.

Harrowway house - that was what it was called. Named after the original owners, who were all brutally murdered centuries before.

The house was now owned by the rich and reclusive Petrov's. They were a Russian family that moved to America over one hundred years ago, bringing their rich fortune with them. They bought the house and kept to themselves, never going to the local town.

The locals would whisper about the Petrov's and Harrowway house. Many claims circled around the tiny, tight-knit community, most believing the Petrov's were evil. What people believed the most was that Harrowway house was haunted.

But, horrifically, six months ago, the powerful Petrov couple died suspiciously in the house.

Leaving the only Petrov left to live in the house.

Katrina Petrov.

The snow pelted down in small clumps.

Katrina stood at the window, with her hands behind her back and stared at it with wonder.

It hadn't snowed for a very long time - years, in fact. When she was a child, she used to run outside and spend hours in the snow, much to her parent's annoyance.

Thinking about her parents caused her to sniffle. She missed them with all of her heart.

Now that they were gone, she only had the staff. There was Rodger, a fifty-year-old man who was the butler. His wife, Marjorie, was the cook. They were a kind couple but they respected her and their job too much to ever bounce over the line of friendship.

Then, there was Ellen who was her maid. She was a few years older than Katrina and unlike the rest of the staff, she didn't live in the large house. She would always cycle back to town at the end of her shift.

Ellen could be described as quite a character. She was conventionally pretty, small but she was bold. Boys were always chasing after her - at least, that was what she claimed.

And finally, there was the Kay's.

Greta Kay was the head of the household. She had been working for the Petrov's her whole life and was extremely loyal. Katrina had always considered her as an Aunt. Greta's husband was the former gatekeeper of the estate. He passed away over a decade ago, which tore Greta's heart out.

Thankfully, she had a son - Ambrose Kay. He was a footman and he was the person closest to Katrina.

Whilst she was grateful she still had her staff who refused to leave after the death of her parents, she silently wished they would. All she wanted to do was wallow in self-pity.

"Miss Petrov," A calm and soothing voice called after her. Spinning on the balls of her heels, Katrina turned to face Greta.

Wiping away a stray tear vigorously, she planted a painful smile onto her face, "Yes, Greta?"

"Dinner will be served soon. It's Lasagna - your favorite." She informed Katrina, observing the young girl with pity and kindness.

Katrina maintained her composure and inhaled, "Thanks, Greta. I will see you soon."

Greta nodded her head and left. When she was gone, Katrina wrapped her arms around her middle for comfort and stared out of the window again. It was starting to get dark.

She used to hate the dark with all of her heart. It petrified her. But now, she welcomed it with open arms.

It provided the coldness she desired desperately. The cold was better than numbness.

Sighing, she stepped away and towards the burning fireplace. Wrapping a shawl around her frail shoulders, she lowered herself into her usual chair and picked up a book.

No matter how hard she focused, she couldn't seem to enjoy the book.

As she flicked through the pages, she felt a presence behind her. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled upwards and all of the air left her body.

This feeling had happened once before - the day her parents died. She could recall the exact moment it happened and why.

It couldn't be possible...

She glanced over her shoulder quickly, nervously, but saw nobody there. That should have caused her to feel relief but it only increased her worries.

This was not the first time she sensed something else in the room with her.

Tensely, she placed the book down and left the room, shivering. When she left the room, she felt warmth blossom in her heart. Her house had always been like this - ever since she was a kid. There were parts of the house that we warm and then there was the cold spots. She used to avoid them like the plague.

"Kat?" A famailiar and comforting voice whispered in the hallway, their voice bouncing off the old wooden walls.

Startled, she turned to face Ambrose, her closest friend. She cherished him more than anything else - he was the only person who would listen to her when she needed him.

If you couldn't already tell, Kat wasn't good at making friends. She wasn't a people person. It didn't help that her parents forbid her from attending the local school or going to town. Ambrose was the only person she grew up with. When he went to school, Kat's heart would hurt. She would see how happy he was there and she wished she could experience it.

"Ambrose," She breathed, the corners of her lips quirking upwards. She didn't smile much - only around him. "You scared me."

He sent her an apologetic look, his blue orbs shining with regret.

"I'm sorry. Are you okay?" He asked, in his thick, velvety voice. Katrina used to wonder if the heavens had gifted him with the perfect voice.

Katrina swallowed the lump in her throat and tentaviely nodded her head.

"I - I am now," She replied, neither revealing her true feelings nor denying them. Nobody knew the truth about Halloway house - it was a secret only the Petrov's could know. Since she was the only Petrov remaining, she have to shoulder the burden alone.

Ambrose tilted his head to the side, curiously. He knew there was something Kat was keeping but he never asked. She was the type of person who would never say anything unless she wanted to.

"Oh, well dinner's ready. Do you want us to eat with you today?" He told her, changing the subject to her relief.

Katrina nodded her head. Before her parents died, this would have never happened. They kept a very strict and traditional household.

But that was a different time, when Katrina was different.

She hated eating alone. So, she asked her staff to eat with her. The only person who didn't eat with them was Ellen - she always finished work before tea and would cycle home.

Ambrose smiled at her and walked with her to the large dining room.

Rodger and Marjorie were setting up the dining table. Greta was stationed at the head, watching over everyone like a hawk. At the sight of Katrina, everyone straightened their postures and sent her welcoming looks.

It was no secret they all pitied her. She had lost everything.

Katrina sat at the head of the table - where her father used to sit - and stared at the food in front of her. As usual, it looked extravagent and delightful. It was a shame she had no appetite these days.

Nonetheless, she planted a look of wonder on her face, pretending to be okay to stop the questions, and thanked her staff.

The meal was full of silence. Every once in a while, someone would compliment Marjorie on her cooking skills but that was it.

Everyone but Katrina helped clean up. She wanted to but Greta Key was having none of it.

It would be seen as 'inappropriate' for her to help out.

Katrina watched them all walk out of the room, leaving her alone once again.

Lonelieness, the one thing she was used to more than anything else.

It was already dark, meaning she couldn't sit outside. Instead, she ventured into the main room, where a small television had been set up. Having a television was a luxury and the Petrov's were lucky enough to have one.

All of the staff loved watching TV with her.

Katrina found solace in it. She couldn't do much and the television provided insight into the world beyond Harrowway. Although, she dreamed of one day leaving her home.

Unfortuantely, she didn't have the courage to step out and explore the world. She hoped she would one day, just not today.

The news came on and she sat forwards, eager to hear what was happening in the world today.

"Anything interesting?" Ambrose questioned, popping out of nowhere. His dark blonde hair was swept back less neatly now and his blue eyes shined with mischief. He always seemed looser after tea, when his shift ended.

Bringing her knees to her chest, she wrapped her arms around her frail knees, hugging herself.

Ambrose plopped onto the couch beside her, his scent hitting her nose. She leaned in closer to him and allowed him to drop his arm around her shoulders.

She felt comfortable now. At ease. Safe.

Being with Ambrose always felt nice. He would protect her - always.

Laughter erupted from the television, smacking her back into reality.

Soon, Greta, Marjorie and even Rodger joined her in the main room. They had all changed into more comfortable clothing and seemed knackered.

They must have sensed how unease she felt today. Every day was different - some days she could keep going, albeit with difficulty but without help. Other days, like today, she barely survived. Today was one of those days.

She dreaded when it was time for bed. The idea of her cold and empty room made her heart drop.

She wouldn't sleep. It was a simple fact.

In Harrowway house, she wasn't allowed to sleep.