The Clockwork Manor

Chapter I

    Today was the day. The day I would finally get to complete my life goal. Working at the Clockwork Manor. I was so excited to be able to help people, people struggling to make a living, struggling to care for their kids, struggling, just like me.

    I shot up in my bed. I glanced quickly at my alarm clock as I slid on my fluffy slippers. 7:05. Shit, I thought, I'm going to be late. This is gonna be the only job I can get. I can NOT be late for this interview. 

    I jogged out of my room and slid down the hallway, tugging my robe over my arms. I entered the bathroom after grabbing my phone off the hall table. I had been planning this day for ages, so I had a series of alarms set for scheduling. I switched them all on as I cranked the shower handles on. 

    Maybe when I move I'll have a bigger apartment. I thought as I kicked off my pajama pants. My current living arrangement was not ideal. It was a tiny apartment, with a separate bathroom and bedroom. The table barely had enough room for 2 chairs, so I could never have people over. The couch bed I slept on was still pulled out. The bathroom was shabby, containing a shower stall, a cracked toilet, and a sink with limited counter space. The entire place was kind of disgusting.

    I heard my little brother stirring as I wrapped my towel around my chest. He slept in the bedroom, because I felt bad. He would end up moving to the Manor with me, but wouldn't be able to start working until he was 19. 

    "Mackie!" I called from the bathroom. "Please don't turn on the sink! I just took a shower!"

    "Okay!" I heard his voice yell back from the main room. My little brother, Mackysk Berral, was 9 years old. I was placed in charge of him when our parents were killed 7 years ago. He didn't remember them, thankfully, but I did. They were killed in war, a noble way to go out.  

    I walked out of the bathroom in my robe and opened my closet. I took out a button-up shirt and a denim skirt with overalls, and a pair of thigh-high boots. I went back to the bathroom to get dressed. I combed my mint green hair with my hand, and tied it up into a high bun. I put on simple makeup that made me look older than I was. I also looked like I was 14, so...

    "Good morning, loser." I said, ruffling my brother's hair. I took an English muffin out of the cabinet and popped it into the toaster. I needed to hurry.

    "Can you not do that?" Mackie asked irritably

    "I'm sorry... old habits...I don't know..." I trailed off, mumbling to myself.

    "Don't be worried, Rorie," my brother chided. "I have never EVER in a thousand million years have met someone who wants or deserves this more than you. You're gonna do AMAZEBALLS!!"

    I am getting lectured by a 9 year old. 

    "Thank you Mackie. I needed a pep talk." I said quietly. "Okay, I need to go. Are you okay leaving by yourself?"

    "Yeah, you can trust me. I'll text you when I leave and when I get home."

    "Okay. I love you."

    "I love you too."

    And then I was out the door, off to a new future.