Free Garnet or Garnets Curse by Nancy Brewer

of rules and I had no defense against her tactics. That morning I became Arlene’s replacement. The following days found me on the ferry before dawn and returning with Nell after dark.
    Working at the cafe was a miserable job. I waited tables and served beer to the great unwashed. Sadly, I had become one of them. My clothes stunk of fish and my hair hung heavy from cooking oils. My reflection in the mirror had become this Margo. She possessed a gaunt face with dark circles rimming her eyes. Her clothes dropped off her, causing her to trip on the tattered hem of her skirt. If my father did not come soon, there would be nothing left of Garnet, body or soul.
    On Sunday morning, Nell told me to move into Arlene’s room and make use of her belongings. I agreed the room was more comfortable, but taking her things was degrading. I would have refused, but it would have been foolish not to claim them. Her heavy broadcloth skirt was more suited for work than my silk one. She had left behind a sturdy pair of shoes and a wool jumper.
    It was after dark when I finished the laundry and boxed up the last of Arlene’s personal belongings. I set the box in the corner of the room with thoughts that she might come back someday to claim them. In reality, I might as well have burned them. This place offered nothing but bad memories.
    I made up the bed and stretched out on the clean linens to read a book. Shortly, I heard Nell fumbling around in the hall. She knocked on my door, but I remained silent. “Margo, I know you are in there. Open up this door!” she sputtered.
    I knew she was drinking and I called out, “I am resting.”
    “Open this damn door!” she said, rattling the handle.
    I rose and cracked the door, braced to close it after I found out what she wanted. She barged into the room, took off her shirt and spread out on the bed. “My back is killing me. On Sundays I get a back rub.” she said, and turned to look at me.
    “With all that whisky in you, it is hard to imagine you are feeling too much pain,” I replied, as I started backing out of the room.
    “You don’t know nothing about me,” she spat out. “You should be grateful I am giving you a nice place to live and willing to do whatever I tell you. Now get over here and rub my back,” she said, rolling over on her stomach.
    It was the final straw and before I could control myself I began to lash out at her. “Nice place to live. Is this what you call nice? I might clean your fish, put up with your filthy customers, but I will NOT stoop so low as to give you a back massage. No, never!”
    At first, she looked angry and then her expression changed to more of a smirk. “Well, is that so?” she asked, walking across the room standing bare-chested before me.
    “I said what I meant!” I replied and turned with intent to go to the library.
    Nell reached out, grabbed hold of my hair and pulled me halfway to the floor. I screamed out in pain and she laughed. “Don’t turn your back on me, you little wench.”
    In defense, I began kicking her until she let go of my hair, removing a handful in the process. Once I was free, she slapped me across the face. I tasted blood. Then as if it was a hellish nightmare, she began beating me. I was nearly unconscious when she slung me on the bed, climbed on top of me and clasped her hands around my throat.
    I was sure that this fiend was Aurochs. There was no escape from the curse. In the midst of my tears, I saw Auntie’s face smiling down at me. I prayed for the Lord to forgive my sins and closed my eyes. It was then that my soul left my body. From above, I watched Nell choking my lifeless body, but there was no longer any pain.
    Suddenly, I saw Ox burst into the room. In a rage, he seized hold of Nell and with a mighty thrust propelled her across the room. I heard the sound of the dresser mirror breaking and saw Nell lying on top of the broken piece of furniture. She was not moving.
    Next came a high-piercing noise, and I felt