“There’s someone at the front door,” Gamilla whispered, knowing that the Duke would not respond.
The weak knocking at the door continued and Gamilla began to sweat with anxiety. When Dr. Halifax and Marjani fled the house, they gave her no instructions other than to watch over the Duke. Similarly, when Mr. and Mrs. Halifax left to search for the two missing children, they didn’t mention to her what to do should someone come to the door.
She hoped that whoever it was would go away before they woke Meridian.
She sighed softly.
But what if it was Mr. or Mrs. Halifax—injured or tired, carrying one or both of the children? What if it was the doctor or Marjani? They’d left in such a hurry, perhaps they hadn’t brought their keys.
Or, what if it was that awful woman who’d taken the babies? Perhaps she came back to kill everyone in the house. Or, Marie Laveau? Or…
Still, the knocking continued.
Gamilla rose slowly to her feet.
“What should I do, Sir?” Gamilla asked the Duke, knowing, still, that he would not respond.
She walked into the front hall and cautiously approached the front door. Pressing her ear against the door, she strained to hear who it might be.
For a moment, Gamilla thought that whoever had been rapping had gone away. But, then, the knocking began again.
Gamilla took a deep breath and flung open the door.
She gasped she saw the horrible sight on the other side!
At that very moment, deep within his own body with Mr. Punch, the Duke of Fallbridge was also gasping.
“Where are we?” Julian asked Punch as he examined that unfamiliar surroundings which had suddenly appeared in front of him in his imagination.
“London, Master.” Punch replied softly.
“But, we were just at Fallbridge Hall.”
“I’ve skipped ahead in your thoughts,” Punch nodded.
“I told you that I didn’t want to see this!” Julian answered.
“You have no choice, Your Grace.” Punch replied. “Oh, I wish that you did. I’ve tired, I have, for so long to keep this things what’ll hurt you away from your thoughts. But, still, I know that you gotta see it one day. And, now, I think, is the time what’s best.”
Julian gazed upon the scene which played before him. His eyes widened with terror when he saw the image of Nanny Rittenhouse dragging his young self behind her by his little hand. And, then, he appeared.
Julian moaned. “It is he—the man.”
“I’m sorry, Sir,” Mr. Punch began to cry. “But, you gotta see it.”
Did you miss Chapters 1-365? If so, you can read them here.
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