Sydney (Babysitter’s Club 2)

“Hello Claudia!” I turned up the volume as I put the headphones over my ears and listened to her scream, as my smile grew wider.

Sydney

“Are you comfortable in hell Claudia?” I made sure my voice was low even though no one else was on this level. I had five minutes before I had to go down to meet the kids, but I just couldn’t wait to say hello.

I watched on my computer screen as she stared back at me wide eyed. “Still don’t know what’s going on huh. Makes me wonder, just how many lives have you screwed over that you can’t figure out why karma came knocking at your door?”

The woman on the screen made futile noises behind the gag in her mouth even as she struggled pointlessly against the ropes and chains that bound her and kept her in place.

“Oh well, I can’t stay long, I have to go be a nanny for a while. I’ll be sure to wake you for the first part of the show later.” I gave a little finger wave before closing down the screen.

Now for the next scene in this act. I smoothed my skirt and blouse in place as I made my way out of the room. I didn’t know if anyone was watching, but still staying in character, I pretended to muddle through finding my way.

I made it downstairs without incident but from the reassuring smile the housekeeper gave me I knew my ploy had worked. “Not to worry dear, you’ll soon learn the ins and outs and every nook and cranny of this place.”

“I remember when I first came here…” I’m sure she had lots more to say but I tuned her out even though I was still standing there with that same insipid smile on my face as if I were all ears.

“Well, the children are in their playroom with their father, right through there.” She pointed to a door down the hall and I walked in that direction.

The children had two playrooms I’d been told. One was upstairs next to the nursery and the other was down here beside their father’s study. He liked having them near so he could keep an eye on them while he worked.

I guess he’d learned early on that his wife was not the mothering type and this was his way of making up for it. I knocked softly on the door and waited for his silk smooth, cultured voice to tell me to come in. I opened the door and slipped inside, my eyes going directly to the children.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that up close they truly did look like him and not the monster who’d birthed them. I don’t think I could’ve stood to see them for hours on end if they’d had her face.

My smile this time was genuine as I turned my attention to them. I love children, it’s one of the only things I didn’t lose along with the rest of my own innocence. The love and adoration for babies.

Before my life was turned upside down I always dreamt I’d grow up and have some of my own. It’s what most little girls dream of I think. Along with the dreams of those knights and prince charming.

“Hello little ones.” Twin replicas of their father turned to the door at the same time and gave me wary looks. My heart clenched for them, because I knew, even if their daddy didn’t, why two four year olds would know how to be wary.

He wouldn’t understand, not yet anyway, because he was a loving and devoted father. He cannot as yet understand how or why anyone would want to be anything but kind to them, or any child for that matter.

He doesn’t exist in a bubble I know. But sometimes those of high moral value find it hard to accept the darkness in others. Since I only know but so much about him, (he wasn’t as easy to hack and manipulate as others), I guess I’ll see with time.

“Come in Sydney, these are my angels, Cassidy and Courtney. Say hello girls, Sydney is going to be your nanny for the summer.” I got down on my knees and held my hand out to Cassidy who chortled and ran to her daddy’s side.

Courtney, who seemed to be the braver of the two, and who I could only tell apart from her sister because they both wore barrettes in their hair with their names, came to stand in front of me.

She was the more serious one I guess. She studied me as if she could see right through me, and then she did the oddest thing. She removed my glasses even before I had a chance to stop her.

“Courtney that’s not nice give her back her glasses.” His voice reminded me of where I was and why I was here. I played the role very well though, blinking and reaching as if I couldn’t see.