Eugenia's Embrace

"When Clarissa said you were too ill to eat for two days in a row, I grew much suspicious," he said, helping Eugenia toward the door. "I remembered seeing you yesterday morning. You didn't look sick to me, so I decided to check a little while ago. To see for myself."

"You did?" Eugenia asked, so surprised to know that someone actually cared so much. "What if you'd been caught?"

"I waited until Clarissa left before I searched your room. She's gone now. By carriage. To town."

"Is Frederick home?"

"He hasn't been. All day. I'd know because he'd be demanding to be fed."

Eugenia's knees wobbled as Kiyomasu led her through the door, out into the hallway. Her heart began to race, only having to imagine where Clarissa would be headed. If Frederick hadn't been home all day, Eugenia knew that Clarissa had waited long enough for his return, and was more than likely on her way to search him out herself to tell him the news of all her discoveries of the day—and that he had a plaything hanging from a wall, waiting. It made her grow more lightheaded envisioning his approach as she would have stood there, shackled, waiting. She could even now see the redness of his face, the hanging jowls of his cheeks, the sleeked-down black hair, and his usually sweaty, pudgy fingers. She could even see him raise his cane to tap it on her shoulder, like he would a freshly purchased prize horse.

"We must hurry, Kiyomasu," she gasped, putting her fingers to her throat. "I must make my escape before Clarissa and Frederick return."

"Where will you go, Genia?" Kiyomasu asked, now opening the door that led to the staircase that would take them downward to the second floor of The Towers. From that point on, it could be very dangerous. If the front door of The Towers opened it would reveal all activity surrounding it in the interior of the living room, long hallway, and the spiral staircase that led to opened hallway and the second-story rooms.

"I'll have to go to my friend Dawn's establishment," she whispered. "The Old Homestead Parlour."

She could feel a slackening of Kiyomasu's hold. "The Old Homestead Parlour? Do you know what kind of… ?"

Eugenia laughed, amazed at herself for being capable of laughing at such a time as this. "Yes. I know what kind of establishment," she said. "But I have no other choice. And you, Kiyomasu? What's to become of you if they figure out who aided in my escape?"

There was a slight pause, then Kiyomasu laughed. "Do you think your friend could make room for me at her establishment?"

"You're serious, aren't you?" Eugenia said, stopping to study his dark eyes. Even though he had laughed as he had spoken, she could see fear etched all over his soft face.

"I want out of this house of crazies also," he said quietly. "I've seen too much for too long and have kept my silence. But I don't wish to be put in that position any longer."

"Do you mean you knew these things were actually happening? That there were other girls… ?"

"Yes, Missie. I was made to bring food up there. Many times."

Eugenia gasped. "How could you? Why didn't you tell the authorities?"

"I have much family scattered all around in Cripple Creek. Clarissa told me that Mr. Heinmarch would see to it that they'd all be sent back to Japan if I ever told."

"And now?"

"It's now been many years. My family all have close ties with their employers. They won't get sent back to Japan. I feel free to leave this place now and begin a life of my own."

"Come with me," Eugenia whispered, heading for her bedroom. "I must get my cape, then you and I will go to my friend. If I'm to live there, I'd want you for my cook anyway."

"You really mean that, Miss Genia?" Kiyomasu asked, his eyes lighting up.

"Yes. But we both have to get to safety first. Out of this house." Then something grabbed at Eugenia's heart. In her haste, she had forgotten her combs and Drew's watch. They were now her only possessions in the world. And each object reflected a closeness for two male individuals who she would always love dearly. Yes, she'd have to take the time to rescue them also. She turned to Kiyomasu, bending to meet his height.

"Kiyomasu, I left some things of importance in that room upstairs," she said, clasping onto his arm. "Could you run up there and get them while I go to my bedroom to get my cape?"

"What is it you want?"

"On the floor, close to where I was standing, you'll find two combs and a gold watch. I want them. They mean much to me."

"The extra time spent getting them might cost us our lives," Kiyomasu said hastily.

"Please," Eugenia pleaded.

"Yes'm Miss Genia," Kiyomasu said, then turned and disappeared into the darkness of the steep staircase.

Looking cautiously around her, Eugenia creeped on toward her bedroom, realizing the risk of being caught. It made her stomach feel as though it had a rock weighing it down as she opened her bedroom door and hurried inside. For fear of the light being seen from the street, she fumbled through the darkness until she found her closet door, then pulled it open, letting her fingers touch the