Whisper in the Night

This had become a routine, I switch shifts with Jack at ten at night and after exactly thirty minutes, I do hear a whisper. A whisper that only I can hear and no one else, I presume and this was no phantasm of mine. It is like a conversation happening within two.

That day, directly after I heard that whisper, I followed the same route starting from the main gate of the lavishing castle of my master marching through the round porch towards the backyard. But, when I reached the backyard, the sound stopped, as always.

I wandered there for a few more minutes to cross-check, if someone was there in the dark, someone framing against my master. Frustrated, I reverted to the main gate and continued my assigned duty being a guard for the late-night-to-morning squad.

I have been serving here for eight years but never got encountered such torment, and I was determined that this is happening because of our new housekeeper who came a week before. The day he arrived, the same night, I heard that whisper for the first time but scorned. Now, I could allege that it was all because of him.

I saw him the other day entering the palace front in a snoopy way while returning from the backyard. He was hiding something and I could ensure that.

The night went smooth, and the sun rays scattered all over the magnificent castle. It is charming to see this view, looks more tempting with each passing day. It was time to take a break from my charge as Jack had arrived to switch back. I glance over the fountain, fixed at the porch, that just started splashing out crystal white water.

I was about to leave, when the housekeeper materialized at the front door with the watering cane and turned to the backyard. Without further delay, I followed him silently, so that he doesn't descry me. He watered all the plants as per the master's orders and last, he went to the corner where the bunch was full of lilies-of-the-valley. He knelt down beside them and started pouring some water and muttering something, as if he was talking to them but flowers can't talk, I smirk and approached him. "Finally!" I announced.

He noticed me, and stood back on his foot leaving the cane on the ground, the colors dispersed off his face. "I knew, it was you who whisper, every night here. What are you up to?" I asked firmly, as I was assertive.

His eyes were damp by then, "It's them." pointing towards the little bell-shaped flowers. I frown, and tried to understand what he wanted to say when he continued, "They told me, the first time when I came, and sprinkled the soothing water on them."

I still don't get it and questioned, "Told you what?"

"They told me 'the secret'. The horrifying dark secret of our master that is graved in this corner under these sweet flowers. Yet I can't help them." the housekeeper answered in grief.

I could see the helplessness in his eyes after getting the complete details, but we both kept quiet and stayed with our job, lacking the courage to fight with our powerful master.