A Series Of Unfortunate Events (Reader Insert)

Chores, Chores, Chores

Only moments after Count Olaf had made his way hastily out the door, ushering you to 'unpack' even though you clearly had nothing, the baudelaires and yourself walked over to the only bed in the room, hearing the wind whistle between the crooked wooden ceiling.
"Okay Sunny, he's gone." Violet said in comfort, as she sat down beside you and Klaus.
"He's horrible" Klaus trembled, as he fiddled with his fingers.
"Did you see the tattoo on his ankle?" Klaus asked, causing you to slightly tense, even though you hardly knew anything about your own tattoo. Only that you wanted to feel like a part of something.
"A tattoo is just a decorative pigment on skin. It's not a sign of a wicked person."
"Unless it's on a wicked person" Klaus retorted, to which you couldn't help not nod to.
"Guys.. I need to get this off my chest. That tattoo.. I have it aswell." You looked at the Baudelaires, whom's eyes were widened like deers in headlights.
"I didn't know Count Olaf had it, I just saw it on your parents' ankles before.. and on my own. I guess I just.. wanted to feel more involved with you guys." Klaus, Violet and Sunny nodded in understanding, though you could see the cogs in Klaus' mind spinning as he wondered why Count Olaf would have that same tattoo.
"How could our parents put us here?" Klaus suddenly piped up, causing a sigh to escape Violet's lips.
"It's just a mistake. It'll get sorted out. Until then.. we'll make this our home."
"Mother used to say; Home is where you hang your hat.. but we don't have any hats. Just rocks." Klaus muttered
"Klaus, have you ever read any books on people who make homes in difficult places?" Violet asked
"Of course he has" you said, letting out a slight smile, remembering how you would always see him reading in the Baudelaire library.
"There's a village in the pacific islands suspended on ropes above an active volcano."
"How do they manage?" Violet smiled
"They own very little in case it erupts." Klaus replied
"Then we're already one step ahead. We own nothing."
Klaus and yourself chuckled lightly, before he spoke; "if they can survive that, we can survive Count Olaf."
Suddenly, the creaky door burst open, and in walked Count Olaf himself, with a rusty metal bucket filled with murky water, and a broom in his hands.
"Showtime." He grinned deviously, shoving them into your hands.
After scrubbing many of the floors tirelessly, Count Olaf came and led you to the foul, bug infested bathroom.
You quickly covered your nose with some of the fabric on your clothing. After wiping the floor enough to sit on, the baudelaires and yourself, sat down, noticing the old toothbrushes, which you had decided to use to clean the bathroom, as the mop was far too big.
"Remember. If you work extra hard you get to go to the ball...room.. which is even grimier. Oh and hang on to your toothbrushes. You'll need them for your teeth. You grimaced while sunny quietly babbled how disgusting that was.
Momentarily, you had heard the doorbell chime the eery tune again, and started to stand up to get the door. Knowing that you were both praying it was Mr. Poe, coming to take you away from Count Olaf like he had when your parents had died.
"Stay here." Count Olaf spat. "And not a peep."
You looked back at Klaus and sat down slowly, returning to the cleaning as he slammed the bathroom door shut.
After scrubbing for what felt like an hour, but was in reality, only minutes since Count Olaf had left, he returned with a leg of lamb, and pointed at a corner of the tub.
"You missed a spot" you glared fiercely, highly tempted to smack the lamb out of his hands, and run with the Baudelaires. But you restrained yourself, allowing Count Olaf to walk out the room whilst the mouse under the crappy flooring, squeaked loudly.

- timeskip, hours later -

"I never want to use a toothbrush again" Klaus murmured, staring hauntingly at the dirty toothbrush that was still in his hand as you once again, sat down on the creaky bed.
Suddenly the bedroom door opened, revealing the wicked man forcing you to work so hard. "Why aren't you cleaning? My list was very specific."
"We finished it" Violet spoke up, as Klaus handed the list to Count Olaf, who quickly snatched it, skimming his eyes over the words, before turning the page over with the words "you missed one." and scribbling down another chore.
"We even washed your underwear" Klaus brought up, causing shivers to run down your spine. It was absolutely horrible.
"You still have to prepare a large meal for myself and my theatre troupe."
"We don't know how to prepare a large dinner." Violet spoke up, flinching as Count Olaf threw the list into your faces.
"Plan the menu, purchase the ingredients, prepare the food, set the table, serve dinner, clean up afterward, and stay out of our way." He growled.
"How can we purchase anything? We don't have any money." Klaus asked, to which Count Olaf pulled out a small, dirty, brown pouch, jingling the coins in it before tossing it over to you.
"Do you know that is?" Count Olaf asked as you caught it.
"Something greasy." You replied with sass.
"Money. Hard-earned money. The most important substance on earth besides applause and lip balm."
You rolled your eyes as Count Olaf continued: "Since the bossy banker won't let us use any of your parents enormous fortune, nor the grand Baudelaire Fortune, I am now forced to cough up my own earnings from theatrical performances, and the occasional bit of consulting work. Now.. quick. Get a move on. The troupe will be here at 7:00 sharp. And in the meantime, I will be up in.." Count Olaf stopped to smirk proudly "can you guess?"
You raised your eyebrow as you said; "your 'secret' tower room?"
"Wrong! My secret tower room. Which you are forbidden to go into. Understood? Forbidden!"
"Forbidden." Violet repeated drearily.
"That's.. Yes."
Once again, the door slammed shut, and once again, the Baudelaire and yourself, were alone.

- 1048 words -