Sally Bandel, a Mouse: P.I. For Hire Story
Chapter 1: The Golden Cage
(TW: abuse, forced marriage)
As a kid, I always wanted to be loved by anyone: my father, my siblings, Marlone, my friends... Everyone appreciated me for who I was. I was cherished, even considered as the most beautiful girl in the world... I know it would seem that I'm pretentious, but everyone cared about me no matter who I was.
But there was one only person who hated me the most. And that person was my mother.
Elizabeth Dunlop, born in 1841 and 4 years younger than my dad. I once called her "Mother"; now I call her "the Greedy Madwoman". She married my father, Charles Bandel, a magician and occultist like me and my son, in 1861 when she was still a seamstress in Curdsville. While she married my father for money, he married her for love. But the scumbag didn't feel the same way. From that marriage were born three children: my sister Derby, my brother Bramwell, and me ! I was ten years younger than my sister and four years younger than my brother. They both looked like my mother; she gave them affection. THAT affection that I could and would never have from her.
I've always been in good terms with my siblings. My sister Derby was the voice of reason among us three and a saint: some traits she inherited from my father. On the other hand, my brother was extremely optimistic and sweet Even if he was annoying sometimes! Hehehe! Yeah, I know. And now that they are adults, Derby is a fashion designer while Bramwell is an inventor ! Derby came to visit me and my baby boy when he was around 3-10 years old, but now she caalls me via phone to ask me about Steve's well-being. And as for Bramwell... he had a wife and a son. Unfortunately, Bramwell's wife died when his son was born and his son died of tuberculose when he was 4. While Derby couldn't have kids because of her work, she managed to have an affair with a rat and poof! Her daughters Alva and Minerva was born ! I wasn't married yet, but when I saw my nieces for the first time, they were PERFECT ! Now, my nieces are illusionists and stage designers.
Since my birth, my mom saw me as a curse she would get rid of because I looked exactly like the husband she never loved. I was often trying to impress her, even to love me back in my days. But unlike my father... my "sweet Mommy Dearest" would look at me in the eyes and say that she'd rather die than supporting my presence. Other children received hugs from their mothers; I received blows and criticism from mine. She even threatened to burn my doll to ashes one day, because I couldn't recite my poem without panicking. Luckily, my father was here. But I couldn't understand why she hated me so much, which was the reason I temporarily ran away at only seven.
The mansion where I was living in before was situated in the forest. And since there were a lot of trees, I was losing myself easily there. I was scared. Afraid that wolves would come to eat me. Afraid I would never see my family again. So I cried. And then, I heard a voice.
"Are you okay? Why are you crying?"
I rose my head, with tears in my eyes. Then I saw him. That little boy. 3 years older than me. A mouse with black hair and who had regular pupils most mice have; I was among the 50% of the mice population who had light hair, but also among the rare mice with pupils and irises, long before my son becomes just like me at birth. The little mouse, who was 10 at that time, was a son of fishermen. He wore ripped clothes because he was poor, but it didn't matter. Because he had a bright smile.
"Who're you, and what'cha doin' here?"
"I-I..." I muttered. "I ran away..."
He listened to my story carefully, then he proposed me to come over his house while my family was looking for me, which I accepted. His parents were such angels, and I had so much fun! I was forgetting my issues, my own mother, and then... I had something inside me that I've never felt before...
After 3 hours, my grandparents, my dad and my siblings came back for me. They were so worried about me! I was relieved, but at the same time...
When I came home, you can't imagine the hardest slap I ever received from my mother. Over years, I began to be scared of her. And the spark inside me was almost gone. However, my father and the rest of my family were always here for me! Especially Marlone...
She was my neighbour and the one I saw as my second sister figure! My family moved in Mouseburg when I was 3 because business and industry were very important for our family. As for Mint, she was born in the North of Mouseburg and moved in the South East of the town when she was 14, because her parents were almost never here for her because of work. So, her brother was taking care of her most of the time. From day 1, she was one of the best friends I ever had thanks to her calmness, her intelligence, her kindness and her empathy. There were times where she was scolding me, but...who cares? Speaking of "friends"... I continued to see Marlone. I even told him that I loved him...and he told me it was reciprocal ! I was so happy to have someone in my life!
Then came the time I turned 18. My family was in bankrupt because of a "friend" who betrayed us. So to gain more money, young women were married to some decent men to provide for their family. Sometimes, their marriage worked. But sometimes, their marriage turned into a nightmare. I was among those women. And I was in the second group.
My mother Elizabeth summoned me into the dimly lit parlor of our mansion. Then, she carefully laid out documents on the table showing mounting debts and the threat of losing their home. She spoke to me at length about duty, family honor, and the only path left to restore their name and security. Then, my mom presented me to my future husband, who was 3 years older than me.
William. William Oxford, as his real name indicates.
He had black hair slicked back with gel and a thin mustache, as well as a scar on his right eye. As for his clothes — Oh how handsome he was with his suit ! And those shoes... How could any girl not fall in love with him?
He was presented to me as a respectable man who wanted to save my family from povrety. I even thought he was a wealthy banker who's willing to solve all our financial troubles ! Of course, my mother was telling me things like the fact that our family was fortunate enough that such a man would even consider us, and stuff like that. For several days, my mom spent days criticizing me and threatening me while praising William as the savior of our business. ALL over some stupid f**king financial struggles we had at that time!
And because of her, I had to accept. Because I was afraid of the others' judgement, of being homeless, of being a disappointment! But before that, I had to tell Marlone about it. When I told him about the situation, we both silently cried in each other's arms before he gave me a seashell and told me:
"Sally, if one day you think about me, look at this beautiful seashell so you won't forget me ! Promise me that !"
I kept the seashell next to my chest, then I said "yes". We kissed each other, then I left in my parents' car. My dad, who saw pain in my expression, couldn't hold back his tears. First, his oldest children had to leave the house a year earlier, now his last one?
He couldn't stop the tears running down his cheeks. I couldn't see his face. But I could feel what he was feeling.
On May 1895, after struggling with the dress — since I HATE dresses — I finally assisted the ceremony. Wearing white, I was looking around all of those people who were staring at me. As a kid (and even now), I've always loved attention and praise. Wasn't even afraid of preparing magic tricks for the audience! Not because I was forced to be like my father, of course ! Because I WANTED to be like him! I wanted to change society thanks to my perserverance ! But there...
Those looks during the ceremony weren't satisfying to me. They were rather... distressing.
William was waiting for me, with his white suit and a flower bouquet on his left hand, on the platform. Suddenly, when I was walking straight to the platform, I saw a masked guy among the audience. And there, I could recognize Marlone.
I could recognize his face, and see through his black hair a tear running down his face. Oh, Marlone... I wish the groom would be you instead of that man!
It was the last time I saw him. Long before I'd know I would never see him again...
The scarred mouse, after I finally stand next to him, was looking at me with a soft smile on his face. He had a beautiful set of teeth ! And considering how beautiful I've always been, I can say that for myself too. I heard the priest asking us if we'd accept to make each other as spouses for the rest of our lives. Like William, I accepted. Everyone was cheering at us; others were crying of joy. Or of fear, depending on how willing these people were to assist the wedding. Because while my father was forced to watch the scene, I saw him crying. And it was sickening me. But I had to keep a happy face.
I thought I would be happy again. That anyone else besides my family and my friends would finally recognize my potential.
And my heart was still belonging to Marlone...
A day after the wedding, my father saw me going to another side of Mouseburg, heartbroken. I was looking behind me, watching my father and my family members waving their hats to say goodbye. Suddenly, William told me:
“Watch the road, Sally. I will take care of you starting now, right? Now, look at the light, and let’s just go choo-choo.”
So I did. The whole time, I didn’t ask myself once if the man I was marrying would act strange. Just told myself that I should obey and that it would be fine. Nothing else.
But of course it’s not like he’d hurt me, right?
We can’t make cheese without milk. But if the milk gets raw, the cheese tastes funny.
I remember what William’s house looked like when I was a young bride. Inside, the layout was built the way a Versailles castle would be built. Clear and warm, like goat’s cheese served with honeysuckle and delicious fondue! I’ve always been over money, but a lot of valour - there was! A bit less than what my family has, but still worthy enough to adopt a dog or even to buy a ship, for all I think!
“Sweet gorgonzola! There’s so much white in here!!”
“My family was working so hard to have this, see? Even my garden bloomed faster than my grandma’s flower pot - I suppose you lack these?”
“No, since we live in a city. But my family, although strange, has always been a rich one! I mean — if we exclude the bankruptcy we had recently!”
“How unfortunate. Let’s see if I can be your deus-ex machina to help you regain that wealthy status.”
Like any woman with issues to fix, I believed in him. I told him about my family’s wealth! And at the same time, he promised me he’d treat me better than my mom could – like a goddess he’d always adore, he said! How naive was I to believe those lies... But like they say: love can make you blind. Blind enough not to see what’s under the mask.
And I learned it the hard way.
2 months after the wedding, I was tidying our room while my ex-husband was working. It was 7 PM; ten minutes before he came home. When I was tidying the laundry, I saw a falling box falling on the ground, with pictures and pieces of paper coming out of it. At first, I didn’t dare pick them up. But then... I did. Unfortunately. And I wish I didn’t figure out that what my mom and husband told me were lies. Lies that would break my heart forever and managed to do so.
I’ve learned, from the freakin’ beyond, that William wasn’t a banker helping my family with money. He was a dangerous criminal! A snarky scumbag ready for everything to gain more money ! And it wasn’t over… He didn’t marry me for love… he was seeking the resources, connections and remaining influence that was coming with my family’s name. And he wasn’t gaining money with his own money: the mob was involved in it…
He was, in two works: a hitman. Only seeking to gain social legitimacy and to climb the social ladder. A filthy codger trying to steal my money !
I was so shocked that my hands started shaking. I thought I was gonna lead a happy life; I was wrong. William’s footsteps startled me so much that I dropped the box. Unluckily for me, the sound was so loud we could hear it from the living room. He came; he saw me, standing still. I couldn’t hide what I saw from him. He already knew. And, with a frozen voice, he asked me:
“You didn’t see it… did you?”
I turned myself towards him. He could see the heartbroken expression on my face.
“How could you do this to me, William…” I asked with a trembling voice.
I couldn’t bear it, so I decided to confront him. His expression went from frozen to cold in an instant. Despite that, I was questioning him. Why did he hide any of those to me? What did he want ? Wanted him to answer, to tell me the truth; he didn’t respond. But before I’d repeat my question, his hand brutally touched my cheek. Of course my mother was doing the same, though I didn’t lose balance like at that moment. Then I looked at him: that filthy rat wasn’t the same man I knew. He was… different.
Spiteful. Intimidating. Unloving.
He was the ice. I was the water he’d frozen.
I was holding the right cheek that was burning me the most. He was so horrible that I was feeling cold in my bones. Without knowing it, I was feeling water running over, from my light widening eyes to my face. Before leaving the room, he’d said things to me that I’d been trying to forget for years now, looking down at me:
“You’re lucky I’m the only one out of all people who can love you enough. Otherwise I would’ve chased you... Do you know why?
I didn’t dare respond. Too frightened to do so. Just when he continued:
“...because no one else would ever love you like I do.”
I watched him leave without saying anything. At that moment, I realized I'd never trust anyone else again. If only that man was Marlone...
Great gouda, if it was Marlone instead...
But no story would have a happy ending before adding a plot and more angst on it. I looked at the window, then at the dove next to me. Oh, that white dove, trapped in a cage.
Soon, I'd be as trapped as she was for almost a year. Trapped in this loveless marriage where love became nonexistent. As for that sorry excuse of a killer...
