Garnet or Garnets Curse

leg. It was a relief to see that it was not a rat, but a small tabby kitten that had followed me into the house.
    As soon as I opened the door, the kitten darted into the room. It nearly tripped me as I made my way across the room to light the lamp. I undressed, slipped into bed and pulled the shabby blanket up around my neck. The kitten joined me. It felt good to have a friend of any sort.
    Since my arrival, I had left the lamp burning all night. There were too many uncertainties in the dark: shadows, noises and the fear of the supernatural. That night I added to my fears this man-thing called “ Ox. ” A face and form that I could imagine as the son of Aurochs. I closed my eyes and prayed for God to protect me.
    My prayers were interrupted by a loud thump outside the door. The kitten jumped off the bed and ran wildly around the room. Slowly I went to the door and dropped to my knees to peep out the keyhole. In the dim light, I saw a clumsy figure going down the stairs. On the floor was my pile of firewood. The deliverer did not look like Nell. It could only be the man I had seen in the garden.
    I sat down on the floor by the door and waited until the house was still. I collected the wood and started a fire for myself. It was a great comfort and I reminded myself that Father would be back soon. It was only Monday.

    Chapter VIII
    Nell’s Secret World

    I was thankful that the next day the sun was shining. Unfortunately, its luminous light lit up the room and exposed all the dirt and grime that surrounded me. If I was going to be there for the balance of the week, I could at least do some housekeeping.
    I spent the morning in my room with the kitten I named Millie, watching me work. After I finished, I continued the good work downstairs. Perhaps if this place was a little less gloomy, Nell might find herself in a better mood.
    It was a frightening thought of what I might find as I moved the furniture around to dust underneath. I considered it years of dust that I shook out of the rugs and curtains.
    I finished the main rooms and then for the first time I opened the door to Nell’s room. The curtains were drawn tight. After my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I was amazed at the clutter. There were books and newspapers piled nearly to the ceiling, clothes scattered everywhere and containers with leftover food.
    The heavy smell of incense gave me an uneasy feeling as if I had walked into a tomb. Cautiously, I entered the room, leaving the door open behind me. On the walls were a series of tribal-looking paintings depicting various taboo sexual acts. Many showed groups of female or male figures partnered together in unnatural ways. It was as if I had stepped into a forbidden world. The secret world of Nell.
    I was shaking as I walked over to the stack of books to determine their titles. I discovered countless books on Japanese and tribal rituals, magic and mythology. One whole stack consisted of books by Dr. Sigmund Freud.
    There was a large sleeping cushion on the floor, instead of a traditional bed. Next to it was an open book. I bent down, flipped the book over and read the title, “ The Third Gender. ”
    My intuition cautioned me. Yet nothing could have prepared me for the drawings and photographs I saw of humans appearing to be a blend of man and woman. I closed the book in horror. I asked myself just who was this woman named Nell?
    With the book still in my hand, I heard the back door open. My heart jumped to my throat. I quickly replaced the book, stepped out in the hall and closed the door softly behind me. With my back flattened against the wall, I held my breath and waited to see who or what was approaching. If need be, I could slip out the front door.
    Heavy footsteps fell against the wooden floors and then I saw him—Ox. Across his shoulder were two dead rabbits. He went in the kitchen and flopped them down on the table. I stood still, braced to run.
    When he came back out, he gave me a sideward glance. “Nell said stew them up for supper.” Then he lumbered out the back door.
    After I was sure he was gone, I ran to lock the door. I discovered there were no locks on the back or front door. I had no way of protecting myself. I was just as defenseless as the dead rabbits that were lying on the table.
    Nothing in my past had included handling dead animals. I had no clue how to skin or dress the meat. I would have left them, but driven by my fear of Nell and my own hunger, I obeyed.
    It was not an expert