Pisica Mica

In the game of life, you never know how the game will end. Being dealt a poor hand doesn't mean you'll lose. It doesn't mean you'll win either. Sometimes, it's best to go with the flow even if you have a few really bad hands. I was dealt some piss poor hands. But it could be worse. It could always be worse.

Growing up, I only had my mother. She told me she was an only child and her parents died when she was young. She told me they had also been only children and were not close to their respective extended families. That's fine by me. A kid truly does not care when they have no idea how strange that is. I didn't know anything about my father either. I only asked about him a handful of times. I had seen kids with their dads, and I innocently asked why I didn't have one. My mom said he died when I was still young. She never liked talking about him. It was likely very hard for her to talk about him. From what she told me, we were homeless for the first few years of my life. Odds are, we became homeless after my father died. No one wanted to employ my mother because of her status as an Omega. Omegas of all genders were not seen as equals. She couldn't even work for Castle Dimitrescu, who famously employs women only and hires any that apply. She didn't want to work there. She told me it was a death sentence to work there. It was strange to think about. A place to guarantee employment to women didn't accept all dynamics. To be fair, I know Castle Dimitrescu only hires Beta women so they're excluding other Alphas as well.

When I was about five years old, she found stable employment. Lord Beneviento needed a maid and agreed to accept me as well as long as I worked. Fortunately, due to my age, my "work" was playing games with the doll, Angie. I don't remember how my mother found Lady Beneviento, but I still remember the first time I slept on a real bed. As I grew, my duties changed. Lady Beneviento was kind enough to teach me to write my name and to read some. I started learning later than I probably should have so bigger words deeply frustrate me. Around fourteen, my mom and Lady Beneviento waited for me to come into my rank. We all waited. Fifteen. Sixteen. Seventeen. Four long years of nothing. We were all convinced I was a Beta. My father had been a Beta. It wouldn't have been weird. Being seventeen ended up being very traumatic for me. On a rare trip to the village, a pack of wild animals found us. They were disguised as men, Alphas. They tried to pry my mother away from me. They kept saying how much I'd be worth if they sold me to Castle Dimitrescu. I felt sick and gross. A stray lycan came as a glorious distraction. I watched as it gutted one man and went for another. I can't recall much of what happened after that. More came and I think I was the only one to make it out alive. I know because we had to bury my mother later. Lady Beneviento said I had run the whole way back to her house, smelling of preheat, a less severe precursor to a heat. I was an Omega. She said I looked horrible, as if something had dragged me away. It was a weird thing to say. 

The doll maker was a little odd, but who wasn't? She had grown very close to my mother and there was a certain type of companionship between them. I don't believe it was romantic or sexual but as a young girl, I was often busy entertaining Angie. Such advances would probably be made in private. Over the years, she had taken off her veil and shown us her true self. She was beautiful. Scars ran down half of her face and such scars mutated if she was using her strange abilities. My mother often told me women were a gift no matter their dynamic. Lady Donna and I only grew closer after my mother's death. I took her place and cared for the house. It never made sense to me why she needed a housekeeper, especially a live-in one but it was something that was discussed when my mother first started. At this point in my life, it felt more like we were two friends living together. I dare not say it out loud, fearful of the response she may give. After all, she was still my employer. 

That brings us to today. Angie had come up to pull me away from cleaning the kitchen to help Donna in her workshop. The little doll claimed her maker needed help packing away finished dolls. She didn't even wait for me and rushed ahead to the workshop. Donna was finishing custom dolls for a very high-end client. Even though I was allowed to come down here by myself, I was always instructed to knock. It was common courtesy. 

"Donna?" I called out, tapping my knuckles on the door. She had given me permission to call her by her first name on my 19th birthday. It had taken time to get used to but now it came out effortlessly. 

"Luci! Get in here!" Angie called from the other side of the door. I could hear Donna scold her for the attitude the doll had. She must be bored of watching us work and will demand some games after this.

I carefully opened the door, and the smell of paint and wood flooded my senses. I truly never understood how Donna could be in here for days at a time. The weird egg smell from the paint nearly had me on my ass the first time I had come in here. The soft limewood had no scent compared to the polish she uses. The sweet scent of beeswax almost covered the paint. Almost. The dollmaker was hunched over her worktable, painting tiny details on a tiny face. She looked like she hadn't slept in days, which is probably true. I've not really seen much of her since she had received this job. She was to make seven detailed dolls, all tiny versions of the man's grandchildren. It was demanding.

Angie floated over to me and stood on the ground next to me by the door. "She's not fucking moved in weeks!" she said, stomping her little foot. 

"Language," Donna scolded. Her voice lacked the edge, the true disappointment that Angie had said a swear. She must be exhausted. 

Angie wildly threw her arms up and towards her maker's general direction. "You hear that? She ain't slept in weeks either! Help me get this bitch outta here before she passes out!" The doll loved exaggerating but maybe her words held some truth. 

I walked closer and looked at her. Donna looked exhausted. Her veil was off, sitting somewhere else in the house. She never liked asking for help or admitting she needed it. I understand why. She told me she's always under some huge amount of pressure to perform her duties well and it had taken a long time to do so. She said mean things were said to her and about her while she was still improving. I'm not exactly sure what she does outside of making dolls, but I was always told it'd be better if I didn't know. 

"I'm not much of an artist like you are but I'm good at following directions." I was standing in front of her now. "I can help you, my Lady," I said. I only use the title when she needs the reminder that I still work for her, and she can make me do things outside of my normal tasks. 

The dollmaker let out a deep sigh. Her gray eye avoided mine. "Fine, if you wish to help, I suppose I cannot stop you," she said, giving in. 

"About fucking time! Let's get to work! I hate being stuck in here!" Angie yelled. 

Donna glared at the doll but said nothing. 

We started working right away. I was to finish sewing smaller details on the outfits of the dolls and then ask Donna for my next task. All the designs were drawn out on paper, so I was able to follow it with ease. I had to hand sew it which was not as easy. I pricked my finger a lot. Donna hand painted the rest of the faces on the dolls. We didn't talk much while we worked. Even Angie was quiet besides a few comments here and there. It was easy to mess up. If I messed up, I would have to pull the thread out and start over. If Donna messed up, I'm not sure what would happen, but I know she'd be incredibly upset. When I came down here, it was right before 9am. It was shortly before 3pm when our stomachs started growling. 

"I suppose this would be a good time to stop," I said with a little laugh. "But I can help you again after lunch!" I added quickly. I didn't want her to be stuck down here any longer than needed. 

Donna sat up straight and I could hear her back pop. "I think we should stop for the day. I'm getting behind on my other duties and I can't afford that luxury," she said softly as she stood.

Angie floated around Donna before perching herself on the back of her chair. "Watching y'all work is exhausting! We should celebrate how far you bitches got!" Angie happily exclaimed. 

Donna gave her a stern look. It really makes me wonder where she picked up that kind of language since Donna and I don't swear. "I can bake us a cake. I know how much you enjoy my cooking," she said, giving me a warm smile. 

"I will literally clean the entire workshop if you make tiramisu!" I offered quickly. I would rebuild the house from scratch if it meant she'd make it. The last time she had made it, it was my eighteenth birthday. It was my first birthday without my mother, and I had not been myself. Tiramisu was my favorite, but it was such a long process. If Donna started making it now, it would be ready after dinner, and I was willing to help. 

Donna only laughed to herself. "It has been a while since I've made that. Clean the workshop and then go back to your regular chores. Angie can help you figure out where to put some of the tools. And don't hurt yourself on anything down here," she added sternly. 

"Yes, ma'am," I replied quickly. 

Donna turned and walked out of the workshop. 

"Come on! If we hurry, she might let you lick the spoon!" Angie said as soon as the door was shut behind her owner. 

Nothing went as planned because not even a minute after cleaning, the phone rang. It was in a small room attached to the workshop. I wasn't allowed to answer it. The dollmaker doesn't even like having me in the same room as a ringing phone. It has made me subconsciously fearful when it rings. Its forbidden, different. Donna must be in the main part of the house by now. She will grab it on one of the other lines. I looked up and met the doll's little eyes. 

I know she is able to talk to Donna when apart, but I wasn't sure on how. "Donna said you can answer it! She's in the bathroom. It's most definitely the dude calling about the dolls," she said confidently. 

I swallowed hard and went to answer the phone, the doll on my heels. It looked old and dusty. I wouldn't be surprised if I felt cobwebs when I reached for it. I felt nothing but the smooth handle of the phone. I took a deep breath. They said it was Mr. Broz, the man who commissioned all of these dolls. He was most likely calling for an update. I have spoken to him before. I gathered his information as Donna had done an inventory check to make sure she had enough material for all of them. He was a sweet old man. It will be fine. 

The smooth plastic of the phone touched my ear, and I felt the nerves ease. "Hello, Beneviento residence," I said in the line. I was ready to give the old man an update. Maybe a few more days before we ship them out. He'll be very happy with them.

"Well, you're new," a feminine voice said over the line. My brow furrowed in confusion. This was not the man with the commission. "Tell me, who are you?" Her voice was calm but unsettling. As if it was the killer scouting for a new victim, careful to ask questions.

I felt a lump in my throat. Something about her voice put me on edge, as if my life was in danger. She was no threat to me. She couldn't be. No, Donna said I would be safe here. "I'm just the maid," I said, feeling violently uncomfortable. Her tone made me feel physically sick. Who the fuck is this? 

Her displeased growl engraved itself into my memory. I can only compare it to a rabbit remembering a hawk's cry. "That is not what I asked, now is it?" She snapped. 

What could I tell her? I couldn't tell her shit. Donna made me follow strict rules when I had to talk on the phone. I think this is the second time I have done it. I wasn't allowed to say my name, mention the Lords, especially Donna, or say anything about myself unless it was super vague. I was dumbfounded, unsure what to do. 

I looked at Angie, hoping she would take the phone from me. She did, very forcefully. With the phone in her tiny hands, she began talking. "HEY! GET OUT OF HERE! Sorry, she escaped," the doll yelled.

The conversation made me uneasy. I need to find Donna. I rushed out of the room and the workshop. She was in the bathroom before. Perhaps she is out, and I can catch her before she gets on the lift. I ran through the halls, hoping she got distracted by something. Who was that woman? Did Donna know this mystery woman? I could only assume so since she had called. Just thinking about her voice made my skin crawl. I checked a few of the open rooms to see if she had gone in and they were all empty. I thought about checking the doors that were closed and thought better of it. 

Once I got to the lift, Donna was patiently waiting for it. She turned to look at me as I ran closer. Her brow furrowed together, and her lips were pressed in a frown. "Luci, what are you doing here? Did Mr. Broz want to speak to me?"

I shook my head. "It was a woman. She asked who I was. I didn't tell her but then she got upset. Angie took the phone from me before I could say anything else," I said softly, a bit out of breath. Angie said I escaped. What does that even mean? 

I could practically taste the tense in the air. It definitely didn't make me feel better. The dollmaker wasted no time running past me. I called after her and she didn't answer. I quickly rushed after her. It almost felt like the halls were longer, with more twists. It had to be the anxiety. Yeah, that was it. Donna was already in the workshop when I got there. I caught a glimpse of her face and she seemed furious. 

I could hear Angie now that I was also in the room. "No! You got it all wrong! Ya gotta believe me!" Angie said to the woman on the phone. 

The doll didn't fight when Donna snatched the phone from her. It was very out of character for her. "Mother Miranda, I am so sorry you had to speak to Angie. I know how much you hate talking to her over the phone," Donna said coolly, as if she didn't look like she wanted to throw the phone out a window. 

The doll grabbed me by the arm and started pulling me to the elevator. "Come on, we're leaving," she said quickly, floating beside me. 

"Am I in trouble?" I asked meekly. I let her drag me along. My stomach was doing flips, anxious for what was to come. 

"Relax, will ya? We won't let anything happen to you," the little doll said, gently shoving me into the elevator. 

She wouldn't answer any of my questions. She avoided even looking at me if I asked about Mother Miranda. 

Angie did her best to keep me distracted. I'm unfortunately an anxious individual. Like my mother, I was prone to stress heats. I've only had two, but Donna had said she could tell when I was about to have one if she was nearby. The very first one was when my mother died. The second one was when I woke up to find the house empty. Donna had taken Angie to a meeting with the other lords, and they forgot to tell me since it was an impromptu meeting. It took hours to get the smell out of the house since I had frantically been searching for them. I've never had a heat or stress heat while she was nearby. I know it has everything to do with her abilities. She had told me it keeps her own heats at bay.

Three hours. Donna had a three-hour phone call with Mother Miranda. I'm no fool. I know who Mother Miranda is. I just thought she was fake like Santa. Why would she react so furiously at me? I've not done anything wrong. I've always been good and stayed out of trouble. There was a point in time Angie avoided me because I no longer liked causing mischief with her. I was good. I did everything I was supposed to do. 

Half an hour into the three, Angie pulled out some board games. We shuffled through a few of them before landing on Scrabble. We actually played for maybe twenty minutes before making up our own game. The doll started spelling swear words and now so was I. There are so many of them. She then decided she wanted to make a new bad word. It was fun and it kept my mind busy. We were laughing over the word 'slickalicious' when Donna came into the living room. 

The giggles faded when I saw her face. She looked as if she had been crying. Her eye looked puffy and a bit bloodshot. This wasn't going to be good. She sat on the couch, opposite of me and next to Angie. The doll went limp and slumped into the cushions. Oh, this was going to be so bad. 

"You wanna play?" I innocently asked.

She shook her head. 

I looked at the Scrabble tiles in front of me, trying my best to hold it together. "What does Mother Miranda want from me?" 

"I don't know. But there are some things you need to know. I don't know what she wants from you, but I can make a decent guess," Donna said slowly. She moved to sit next to me. "Mother Miranda has kept all of the village's Omegas somewhere secret. She does experiments on them. They are her test subjects. Your mother escaped and she had been on the run since before you were born. Since she had been so sick before, Mother Miranda just let her escape. She had hunters trying to find her, to kill her. Your mother was deemed worthless and was to be killed. She told me that horrible things happened to Omegas in Mother Miranda's care. Finding your mother was the first time I had ever heard of such a thing. I never knew. But Luci, if she comes here and demands you go with her, I can't stop her. I'm not as strong as she is," she said, placing an arm around me. 

Yep, this was awful. My mother was a human lab rat and Mother Miranda probably just wants me so she can run experiments on me. This is so screwed up. 

"Is there nothing we can do? Is she just going to come take me? Am I, are Omegas not seen as human?" I asked, my throat tightening as I held back a sob. 

The dollmaker sighed. "She doesn't view anyone in the village as human. The Lords are the only ones she sees as equals. But I'm afraid that since she has taken all of the Omegas, they are viewed differently. Like animals to be sold off to slaughter."

"Isn't there anything we can do? Can't I hide somewhere else?" I asked. I didn't want to die. I knew death would be waiting for me if Mother Miranda got me. 

"Well, there is. I told her you were a gift to Lady Dimitrescu. We had just finished a project together and I told her you were a gift because of all the help she gave me. She has given me a week to finish 'training' you. So, we have a week for me to teach you a few things and pack your bags," Donna said, looking a bit anxious. 

"I don't have a choice, do I?" I sighed. 

Donna pulled me in for a hug. "No, you don't. I would rather you be alive in Castle Dimitrescu than dead in Mother Miranda's lab."

"I have to live there forever too, right?" I whimpered. I couldn't hold back the tears anymore.

"Luci, I know it's hard, but this is going to keep you safe. You will be hiding in plain sight. Lady Dimitrescu will most likely make you her handmaiden and you will work just like you work here. And I plan on staying with you for your first month there or so. I'll visit often as well," she said, also crying. "She'll treat you so well. I promise it's going to be okay."

After we cried ourselves out (and Donna woke Angie up), the dollmaker excused herself to call the other female lord. Angie told me that she had blown up at Donna before she had a chance to explain herself. When she was able to explain the situation, Lady Dimitrescu had apparently calmed down considerably. She asked so many questions about me that I had to sit nearby to give the answers to Donna. They talked about so many things. My heats did come up. Without Donna, I would start to have them regularly. The dollmaker assured me that she will have suppressants ready for me to take daily. Listening to the women talk made me feel better.