PALOMA CHARLÈNE G. HAILLET

⠀⠀ "Oh, indeed, I shall," I replied. I was well aware that my death was imminent the moment I pointed the knife at him, and I resolved to use my remaining time to express the anger and hatred that I had always kept to myself all these times. ⠀⠀

⠀⠀ Once they had subdued me, Lord Laferriere slapped my face so hardly that I could feel blood trickling from the corner of my mouth. He then spat upon me. "You insolent eastern pig!" He hissed. "You shall regret this for the rest of your short life." ⠀⠀

⠀⠀ He signaled to the policemen to arrest me. They disarmed me with ease; I was in no position to resist, lacking both the stance and the skill for combat. ⠀⠀

⠀⠀ His face displayed a mix of surprise and offense. None of his slaves had ever dared to defy him like this, and I knew it only fueled his anger further, especially with almost all his slaves and two policemen witnessing the scene. ⠀⠀

⠀⠀ I dashed to the racks, seized a knife, and pointed it at Lord Laferriere. “What is the meaning of this? Why must you torment him so, you vile man! He is but a boy!” ⠀⠀

⠀⠀ A surge of anger overwhelmed me. This was not the first time I had witnessed Lord Laferriere's cruelty toward the slaves; I had seen him torment Oluwa to death. My patience had reached its limit, and the rage within me could no longer be contained. ⠀⠀

⠀⠀ Everyone gasped in shock at the brutality of the scene. I rushed to Baldrick’s side, his cries of pain intensifying as I examined his clearly broken ankle. ⠀⠀

⠀⠀ Without explanation or addressing the confusion of the kitchen staff, Lord Laferriere kicked Baldrick’s ankle, so hard it sent him to the floor with a scream. ⠀⠀

⠀⠀ “Where is the potato boy?” Lord Laferriere suddenly stormed into the kitchen, followed by two policemen, his expression so enraged I feared he might burst. The "potato boy" he sought was none other than Baldrick. He ceased his work and replied, “Yes, My Lord?” ⠀⠀

⠀⠀ As evening approached, the mansion remained crowded with police and detectives, interrogating everyone within its walls. I learned that the Viscountess, overcome with grief, had locked herself in her chamber, refusing entry to all. ⠀⠀

⠀⠀ I wondered if I was overanalyzing or if others in the room shared my suspicions. ⠀⠀