Reckless Morgan

"Morgan de Winter, come out of hiding," called the strangers' voice.

She looked anxiously around but there was just stillness around her after the calling of her name. All change quickly...

The first sound she hears was that of running feet. Startled she tried looking around but the mistiness makes this impossible. She can hear her own rapid heartbeat. She instantly has the instinct to hide from the person following her.

"Morgan, stop, will you?" called the voice from somewhere within the mistiness. Instead of stopping she simply increased her running speed. Her chest starts to burn from the exercise but something tells her if she stopped and get caught this will mean the death of her.

"Morgan, I beg, please stop and listen. I have a book I need to give you..."

She instantly felt her steps faltering before she went tumbling onto the ground. Her hands felt the bruising on her skin.

"That hurts," she mumbles to herself. When she tried looking at the condition of her hands to her surprise she found a book that look kind of like a dairy but then again like a ledger.

Now completely forgotten about her hurt she tried understanding what was in her hands.

"Morgan..." called the voice again from somewhere.

"Dream or premonition..." she asked herself softly waking in her hiding spot.

"Morgan, where are you?"

The sixteen year old girl in question was hiding in the ceiling of her bedroom. She carefully peeked from above seeing the irate expression of the servant who was clearly sent to come and call her. She truly enjoyed playing hide and seek but only to a point. It wasn't necessary that the servants get into trouble because of her behavior.

"Morgan, where on earth are you?" she called again before actively searching the bedroom entering the bathroom before systematically going through the whole wardrobes. It was quite clear the fury and angst building inside of her, clearly in her expression. While the woman was still going through her wardrobes, she very quietly dropped from the ceiling which automatically sealed behind her. She briefly think she should discover the ultimate secret of this mansion.

"This girl will be the death of me," mumbles the woman slamming the doors closed. Turning around, she almost become bug-eyed when she found the girl in question sitting in a chair in the corner of the bedroom.

"Where...."she stutters in confused fury.

"You were calling for me?" Morgan calmly sits the book aside which she always carries with her. Whatever book she carries was use as evidence to claim the reason she wasn't hearing when called.

"Where on earth did you come from? I searched this whole bedroom." The woman scratched her head in confusion. "Are you perhaps a ghost?"

"I was just sitting here." Morgan stood and walked to the balcony. Looking over the rail she saw the guards patrolling the grounds. She smile inwardly knowing the estate was just as guarded as the most observant guard. She has long since figured out how to sneak passed them, not even the dogs were aware of her actions.

Turning she looked back at the servant who still stood there clearly uncertain as to what she should do. She instantly felt pity but she admits to herself it really was fun. Then again, what was she suppose to do being hidden in the shadows.

"Why did you call me?" she question at last.

"Your father is looking for you." She said after a long pause. "Are you sure you are not a ghost?"

"Why," she questioned with a teasing glint her in eyes.

"It is not for me to question the master. Will you go to him, please? I am already in trouble with the delayed of your appearance. And I certainly can't tell him you are like a ghost in this bedroom."

"Fine," She walked towards the door. "I am not a ghost or maybe I am?"

"Miss de Winter?"

Morgan turned around facing the woman. It's very rarely that they call her like this.

"Is something wrong?"

"Please, miss, put on some shoes. You know your father will explode seeing you barefoot."

Morgan tilted her head sideways seemingly considering the request. Then she shrugged her shoulders and walked back to the bathroom. She slipped her feet into slippers full of holes. Then she returned to the bedroom. The servant nearly had a heart attack when she looked at her feet again.

"Please, miss!" she wailed. "You truly will be the death of me,"

"Oh, stop your nonsense." Morgan walked to the door, opening it then stepping into the carpeted hall. The length of it was as usual covered in shadows. Reaching the stairs she descends downwards. Her footsteps were so silent the guard standing close to the stairs didn't even notice her approached. She flicked his ear from behind as he turned hand on his gun she was already passed him. She laughed while he turned red with suppressed fury.

"My word, I feel safe with you around," she laughed again before entering the huge dining room.

Morgan stood quietly just looking at the de Winter family around the huge table. It's very rarely that they allowed her to dine with them. Since the sudden death of her mother, she was banished to the attic-like bedroom where she secretly sharpened her shadowy skills. Her twinkling eyes roamed over the father and his daughters. They all are busy looking at either a cell phones or tablets. Slipping quietly she took a chair and sit down. Her constant actions were to always sharpen her silent movements. She enjoyed having knowledge no one was aware off.

"Dad, I need a new car." Megan looked sweetly at the man sitting at the head of the table.

"What the hell is wrong with the car you have now?" Henry de Winter was instantly furious. He glared at his daughter demanding an answer.

"I don't like the color."

"Are you out of your mind? That's absolute nonsense." He yelled glaring at his daughter briefly.

"No, it not Dad, my friend has a new car and mine look so basic against hers."

Henry decides not to say anything but scroll through his tablet.

"Are you ignoring me, Dad?" Megan clearly doesn't get the silent message.

"Dad, do I have to go to College this semester? I learn so much more from professor Google."

Henry very carefully put his tablet back on the shiny table. With his left hand he sleeked over his silvery hair. Then he took his thumb and first finger brushing over his beard.

"Between the two of you, there seem to be a couple of brain cells missing." He said through gritted teeth.

"Daddy, are you saying we are dumb?" they both asked in union.

"Yes!" he snapped with building fury. I constantly wonder where on earth I had gotten you. I sincerely hope you were switch at birth but unfortunately I know the truth."

"Daddy!" they both yelled.

Morgan burst out laughing making them aware of her presence.

"How long have you been sitting there?" asked Henry while glaring at her not liking the fact he didn't notice her entering the room.

"Good evening, sir." Morgan smiled sweetly.

"I need to talk to you." Henry stood away from the table. "In private,"

"Before you go Daddy, what is your answer?" asked Daphne.

"Go and ask professor Google how many versions of an answer I might have."

Henry and Morgan both see how eagerly the two women grabbed their phones to look and see. They then avoid looking at each other but both having a different opinion about the two beside the table.

Morgan entered the huge study after Henry. Whenever she has an opportunity to enter this space she quickly but searchingly looked around. Just outside the door stood two silent men dressed in black clearly to blend within the shadows.

"Close the door, Morgan." ordered Henry while he went and sit behind his desk. He intertwined his fingers looking disapprovingly at her. His judgmental eyes raked over her body.

Smiling slightly, she knew how she must look for the man whose rules always dictate that everyone in the house should always look immaculate.

"Must you always look like a bum, Morgan?" he asked with controlled fury.

"Good evening, sir," was her only answer. She knows her behavior infuriates him.

"Your mother, rest her soul, never looked like this. I don't understand your actions. It truly saddens me that you throw yourself away like that since you are your mother's very image, Morgan. Her beauty was beyond compare. All the men wanted her but she had chosen me."

"May I ask a question, sir?"

"Yes, Morgan, what is it?"

"You say you miss my mother,"

"Yes, I do."

"Tell me then, why are you hiding me in the attic?"

"It's is for your own safety, Morgan."

"That is the issue I don't understand, sir."

"Your mother made me promise to always make sure you stay safe, Morgan. There are people out there who could hurt you."

"But sir, the only people who currently are hurting me, is you. Since my mother's death, not once did I set foot outside. I am not even allowed to wander around in the garden."

"It is for your own safety, Morgan. Why can't you understand that?" he looked at her with piercing eyes.

"Sir, the estate is overflowing with guards yet I am forced to live in the attic. Why can't I move back to my old room?"

"I prefer that you stay where you are Morgan. I know what is best for you."

"Sir, I have another question."

"What is it, Morgan. You are full of questions tonight."

"Am I allowed to go to College once I turned eighteen? I know my trust fund from my Dad will cover my immediate expenses."

"No!" he barked getting onto his feet he round his desk coming towards her. His very behavior was aggressive with the immediate intent to inflict harm but she carefully noticed how he retracts the scorpion's needle.

She was about to retreat when she noticed something familiar on his desk suddenly on high alert baiting her time that arrived sooner than expected.

"Morgan..."

Henry was reaching for her when the door burst opened and two guards stood there looking worried.

"What the devil, man?" yelled Henry.

"We have an intruder on the grounds. He seemed to have disappeared into the mansion, sir." answered one man very nervous.

"Find him. Now!" he yelled as he followed the man outside leaving the door slightly ajar.

Morgan moved quickly when she realized she was alone in the study. Moving fast towards the desk she reached for the very familiar diary. A piece of paper was also in there. Quickly scanning the ceiling she found the spot she was looking for. Slipping from her slippers she run and jump, stepping on the back of the chair, jumping into the air, touching the hidden compartment in the ceiling, pushing it open before slipping the book inside. It automatically sealed again as she landed on the carpeted floor, slipping her feet back into the slippers, now standing in the very spot Henry left her.

"The dream earlier, was this forewarning for this very moment? I wonder if my dreams are leading me?" she converse softly with herself before shutting her mouth.

"Morgan..." Henry hurried back into the study clearly concerned that he left her there alone. He looked surprise finding her in the same spot.

"Are you alright?" he openly looked at her.

"Yes sir. I didn't move."

"I am glad."

"Did you find the intruder?"

"Not yet. I want you to go back to the attic. I also want you to lock the door. I will place two guards outside in the hall."

"I don't have a key to the door, sir?"

Henry quickly went around his desk, pulled out a drawer and took hold of a key which he handed to her. "Go now and stay inside no matter what you hear. Do you understand me?"

"Yes sir."

Morgan walked out the door, two men instantly fallen into step with her. Quickly climbing the staircase she practically run to her attic bedroom and shut to lock the door.