As the days passed, Annalise was aware of how an owl spied on her day after day, watching everything she did.

The servants were surprised to see her interact so close to people, despite the fact that most of the time she would leave within seconds of noticing her presence. And when her remaining time was finally up, Annalise began working for Madame Rocette.

Last night shee had warned Miriam what her job would entail: she would not be able to receive visitors, unless it was something extremely important; she would have to stay in that house for short periods of time, so she would have to get used to her absence, and, that would have to obey the instructions given to her. She would also be prohibited from entering the forest. And when morning came, she left before the servants and her daughter woke up.

She followed the same path as before, carrying a suitcase with everything she thought necessary, feeling more nostalgic than before. The journey had been shorter and quieter, while the sound of wings accompanied her; probably from the owl that was following her, although she couldn't see where she was. And after an hour of leaving, she found the house where she would work.

It was a large house, built simply and rustically on a cedar tree. And wherever I looked I found windows, all of different shapes and sizes; along the sides of the walls grew large and beautiful rose bushes, decorating the worn walls. On one of the branches hung two wooden figures, both of a copper color; there were no doors.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Madame Rocette mentioned appearing next to her.

This time she was wearing a red dress, which reached to her feet, and a white jacket. She could tell that she was still wearing the boots, while a black and rusty key hung from her neck.

"Sorry, I didn't see you". 

"No need to apologize. But, I see that you still don't understand it." she informed, looking at her calmly "Remember, Annalise: You don't have to see me to know I'm there."

Annalise nodded, feeling even more nervous.

"Ready to start?"

And, before she could answer, a door appeared in the middle of the trunk. It was a rather weathered door, black in color, while the knob and lock still maintained their copper color. Quickly, Madame Rocette opened the door, allowing a view of a part of the interior of the house.

The interior was much more fascinating than the exterior: They had reached a spacious room, with carpeted floors. In the center of the room was another tree, diminutive in proportion to any outside; around it was a table, with some cups and candles as decoration. One wall was lined with shelves full of books, some written in her language, others in languages ​​she couldn't recognize. While, in the center of the room, in front of the furniture and armchairs, there was a large glass window, which overlooked a field of flowers, which was not really there.

"This" Madame Rocette mentioned proudly "is our living room. You are welcome here as long as you wish, as long as you are not distracted by your obligations."

"It's a wonderful place." Annalise pointed out.

The comment seemed to please Madame Rocette, so she agreed to let Annalise pace the rest of the room. Annalise surveyed her surroundings with curiosity, questions filling her head: How could the house be so spacious? And how had they managed to get the window to give a full view to the outside? After a pause, Madame Rocette began to say:

"This house kepts a secret in it, which is why every room will also have one. But, in order to save and protect what they hide, each room will change places once you leave it. Therefore, you must be careful."

Annalise kept asking herself how it was possible that Madame Rocette had such a facility to speak that she managed to convince anyone that the most unreal things could be common.

"Well, I'm sure you'll get used to it sooner than you think. Now follow me. I'll show you where you work."

And, as she said this a door appeared in the middle of the wall, showing how some stairs went down towards a stone passage, illuminated by the weak light of the torches. They were silent as they made their way down, until they were in front of a golden colored door.

"Each door eads to a different room, so you must be careful when entering any of them. And this," she said, pointing to the door "is yours. It will work as your workplace and your room at the same time. Is everything clear?"

Saying this, Annalise walked into the room, realizing what it really was like: It was spacious enough for her, with high ceilings and stone floors. She bserved how at the foot of the bed, in the center of the room, there was a wool rug, while in one corner an immense mahogany piece of furniture was spread out over it, and in the other, leaning against the wall, was her desk, littered with papers and pincushions. In the middle of the entire room was a window protected by metal bars, which faced the back of the house. Other than that there was nothing else.

"It's everything clear?" Madame Rocette repeated.

"Yes, Madame."

"Excellent. Now, in the closet you will find all the materials you may need. You can have breakfast and lunch here, but at dinner time you will have to go up; We usually eat at eight o'clock, so you must be punctual."

Annalise listened carefully as Madame Rocette went over all the instructions she had given her.

"Oh! I almost forgot: The house can help you. If at any time you urgently need to go to a specific room, you should keep in mind the room you want to find, and she will give you the right path." she mentioned"But remember, the house will be able to know the intentions with which you are looking for it."

And once she said this, she assured her that she could start with the dresses. When Madame Rocette Closed the door, Annalise heard that she locked, leaving her trapped.

Seeing herself completely alone and without escape, she began to sew. With the passing of the hours, she saw how her fingers were filled with blisters and wounds, thanks to the punctures of the needle; however, she refused to stop. "The faster I finish, the faster I can go" she used to tell herself. Until someone knocked on the door.

"Miss?"

For a moment, Annalise hesitated to answer. She didn't want to risk a possible distraction, or some kind of trap orchestrated by Madame Rocette, but the person on the other side kept insisting on getting an answer, knocking harder on the door.

"Yes?"

"Finally! I thought there was no one... Are you the seamstress?

Annalise said yes to which the girl on the other side of the door added:

"Madame sent me to deliver your lunch."

"And how will you get in if the door is locked?" Annalise asked with a mocking tone. The girl on the other end remained silent.

For a moment Annalise thought that the girl had already left, until she spoke again, telling her that she would have to settle accounts "with madame" once she returned, for having rejected her.

"Even if I wanted it, you couldn't come in... Take it away, I'm not hungry." Annalise settled, ignoring the girl's comments, who ended up getting fed up and leaving.

Annalise continued to work on the dress for the rest of the day, pondering the things that might be happening simultaneously in her house: Miriam would be recounting her day to the housekeeper as she walked her from room to room, checking to make sure everything was clean; the cooks would be working on dinner, while the rest of the maids would be finishing the rest of the chores. And she felt a small sting in her heart, it hurt to think of her family...

The day went on quietly until it was time for dinner. Madame Rocette came downstairs herself to check on Annalise's progress and to inform her that it was time for dinner. As with lunch, Annalise refused, saying that she had no appetite, while Madame Rocette assured that she fully understood, leaving after a few minutes, but not before locking her up again.

The next morning the same routine was repeated: Annalise got up at dawn and began working on the dress, pausing only to wipe the blood from her finger if it had been pricked. At lunchtime, she refused to eat anything, assuring that she was still not hungry, and at dinnertime, she reported that she was very tired, so she preferred to go to bed earlier. To her surprise, Madame Rocette seemed to understand the situation, so she simply resolved to leave her alone, until she decided to go out.

On the third day, unable to bear the discomfort she felt for days without eating or drinking anything, she decided to accept lunch, while the servant patiently watched her eat it. When Annalise asked her why she was waiting for her, she replied that she was just following orders.

"Madame Rocette wanted to make sure you were okay to continue with the job." the girl had mentioned, shrugging "Also, I'm here to check that you don't run away the moment I open the door."

And when the girl left, the door would lock again.

At dinner time, Annalise met the rest of the servants in the dining room. It was a room completely lit by chandeliers, and the fireplace at the back of the room; with smooth walls and stained glass windows. The table had been supplied with hundreds of food, giving the impression that it was a banquet: There were trays full of fruits, salads, breads and cheeses; various types of crimson, desserts and glasses filled with wine and water. "Every day should be a celebration, don't you think?" exclaimed Madame Rocette when she saw them enter, ordering them to take their seats. A few minutes after it started, people started talking animatedly, while they filled their plates with what they wanted to consume. Annalize did the same. And, while they ate, Annalise could see how Madame Rocette's plate remained empty for the rest of the hour, while she just watched how the rest continued to taste the things that were on the table.

Once everyone was finished, they retired to their respective rooms, but not before being announced that they could not prowl the rest of the house once the last candle had been blown out. And once they were far enough from the dining room, Annalise asked the lunch girl the reason for the instruction.

"You may hear anything about it, but it's Madame's way of making sure no one wanders from room to room. Also, we all know that there is a specific secret that we do not want us to know; though I'd like a hint as to what it might be." the girl settled, while they reached their rooms...

Six weeks into her stay at the house, Annalise finally finished the requested dress.

Thanks to this she thought that, if she won Madame Rocette's approval, she could request at least one day off with the excuse of visiting Miriam, and once she was far enough from the house, she could devise a plan in order to to flee the town. They would leave for some far country within hours of their arrival, where they could settle down and start anew; they would have just enough time to get away before they start to miss their absence. And, while carrying out these reflections, she sat on the edge of the bed, looking through her window, repeating to herself over and over again "Very soon we will leave, it is only a matter of hours."

But Madame Rocette did not come down. A servant did it instead, insisting that she go up to dinner with the rest of the people; and when she got there she saw how they had added another chair. As they sat down, the people no longer spoke, but merely stared at the plate; looking up only to take the glass of wine in front of them. Five minutes passed in this way, until the silence was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching the dining room. Finally the last guest entered: a man in a hat and dark glasses, Hexiciah.

"I see we have a new member," Hexiciah exclaimed, sitting in the last chair facing the rest of the servants "Who is it, Madame?"

Annalise listened as Madame Rocette answered her, without taking her eyes off her. She immediately started shaking for no apparent reason.

"The you are the... seamstress. Yes, it seemed to me. Madame had already told me about your work before, and I'm pleased that she finally found you." he exclaimed, looking at her "What's your name?"

"Annalise. Annalise Dahl, sir."

"I see. Welcome, Annalise! I have to assume that my wife has already explained everything about the house and its rules, but, I would like to add one more corridor if possible: As you know, you are free to walk around and investigate the perimeter of the house, but, there are rooms that cannot arouse your curiosity for what they hide; Having mentioned this, I urge you never to seek or enter my laboratory," he exclaimed patiently, as if it were a speech he had said many times "What is there or what is inside is not necessarily a reason for distraction from your obligations, but, I anticipate your assumptions: there are chemicals and instruments that can be harmful if they are not used correctly, so I do not allow anyone to enter Without my authorization. However, if I find out that you have sneaked into my laboratory, I will have to take more drastic actions in response to this disobedience, but it seems to me that I can be confident that you will respect this order."

Annalise watched as Madame Rocette studied her carefully, while the rest of the people waited in silence, now looking at their empty plates.

"You can go. Good night to all!" exclaimed Madame Rocette with a friendly smile.

"It was a a pleasure to see you! If you need something, don't hesitate to tell them" Hexiciah said goodbye to them, while he watched them calmly leave.

Annalise got up and headed for the door like the rest, watching them both act calmly, as if it had just been another family dinner. Despite all the time she had worked in that house,s he still could not accurately define the personality of the owners, perhaps for fear of discovering something that would put her life in danger.

"Annalise! Before you go..." Madame Rocette, turning towards her "I already saw your dress, and I'm sorry to inform you that it's not entirely to my liking. I know you put a lot of effort into it and it has taken you a long time to finish, but I must ask you to start again. I reiterate, I am aware of your talent and how original your work is, but you should present something better the next time i'll see it."

Annalise looked at her disappointed, as she felt how tears slipped down her face. If she started again, it meant s he wouldn't be able to see or hear from Miriam any longer; couldn't leave the house anymore.

"Madame... please..." sobbed "If you'd just let me see my daughter, I could stay as long as I need to. I only ask for one day to return to my house."

Madame Rocette looked at her in surprise, while little by little her friendly smile turned into an indifferent one.

"And how do I know that you'll be back, Annalise?" she asked "What makes me trust you?"

"You can't lock me up here like a prisoner!" she yelled desesperately "Am I serving a sentence? I have been locked in that room for more than a month, enduring your indifference! All I ask is that you let me out, even if it's just for a day."

Hexiciah stood silently in front of the fireplace, calmly watching the flames slowly die down. Madame Rocette continued to regard her indifferently, as if she knew something that Annalise did not.

"You can't be a prisoner if you decided to come here yourself, Annalise. Also, this "condemnation" as you call it, you imposed it on yourself, remember?"

And, after a pause, she added:

"You accepted the job, daring to go blindly with what a letter showed you. Don't blame me, Annalise, for your mistakes and failures" Madame Rocette exclaimed "Now, I'm afraid you won't be able to leave the house until I give you permission to do so; I'm afraid you know too much about the house, and I don't want our secrets revealed. You know, as a precaution."

Annalise idn't move from where she was. For a moment all she could hear was the ticking of Hexiciah's watch.

"Why you're so unfair? All I've done is work day and night for you. I gave up everything I had: my integrity, my freedom, my family, my own life! All for your vanity, and now you refuses to listen to a simple request? How dare you even think that I'll still be working for you after this, after you've denied me my own freedom?"

"Annalise, I'm being fair enough to you despite your lack of me. Do you think I wouldn't notice you'd run away? I'd be a complete fool to overlook a betrayal like that. You will have to bear the consequences of your actions" Madame Rocette comented "So that you remember that you could trust me and you didn't; because, I would have helped you with pleasure, but you decided to go on your own, right?"

And, taking a box of needles and threads, she continued:

"See what fear can do, Annalise? It just blinds you, leading you into blind alleys. But you weren't even brave enough to accept that you were terrified. How do you want me to trust you after that?"

"Madame... don't do it..." Hexiciah warned, looking at what his wife was doing "STOP!"

But it was already too late. She had driven hundreds of needles into her hand, while tightly tying the threads around her fingers. Annalise cried out in pain, as she tried to move her hands.

"That will teach you not to betray me..." Madame Rocette whispered.

Annalise looked at her in bewilderment as she watched everything around her lose color and sharpness, as if she were looking at everything through foggy glass.

And then, nothing.