Sam's eyelids felt like they had a handful of sand trapped beneath them. He tried not to rub, but he was so tired that he kept forgetting that he didn't want to rub them. So he rubbed and then grimaced at the uncomfortable sensation, and then told himself to try and not do it again.

His clothes were wrinkled from their stay on the floor overnight. There was nothing to do about it, and he pulled them on and hoped butler wouldn't notice it. Likely, there was an iron somewhere in the manor, but Sam only had one uniform for clothing. He had nothing to wear down to iron his clothes. They would have to remain wrinkly.

When the door was unlocked and he walked into the hallway, it looked as though nobody would say anything about his unkempt appearance. Each of the dozen or so faces that emerged from doors lining the hall were just as haggard as he felt. Red eyes and dark circles abounded, and he felt a little better for how he reacted the night before. There was whispering, and people he had never heard speak a word were exchanging frightened words and glances. Chiro fell into step beside Sam, and they shuffled down to breakfast.

Cook came out himself to bring the bowls of oatmeal to all the staff around the worn rectangular table. He looked at them with his small, sad eyes. Then he walked back to the kitchen, returning with a pitcher of orange juice that he set in the middle. Everyone looked at the juice with surprise, but Cook was gone before anyone could ask why they received such a treat.

Around the table, hands pushed spoons around in bowls. Very little was eaten. When Butler walked in to monitor them, Chiro spoke up before anyone else could.

"What happened last night? Who was that in the hall? Where is the girl who serves meals?"

For a moment, it seemed as though butler would not respond. But then, in a smooth voice, he answered. "Sometimes the desolation of the estate can make a person lose control of their reasoning. Occasionally, that person will hide their malady well until they have a small break. When we discover it, we, of course, take them away to get help. You will see many people come and go while you work here."

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This was enough for most of the staff, who began to eat with more enthusiasm. Sam poured a glass of the juice but could not make himself attempt the solid foods. When Chiro turned toward him to talk, Sam kicked his foot underneath the table. Chiro was not very good at controlling his words or finding the best times to say things. Sam was worried that Chiro might say something he shouldn't. Butler was watching them all, but he watched Chiro most intently. Sam had a bad feeling.

Lunch was much the same, but by dinner, Butler did not seem to pay as much attention and even went out of the room twice to take care of some issue or another. Chiro, the usual wealth of gossip, had told Sam that sometimes Butler would make everyone leave the front hall while they were cleaning so that he could accept deliveries. The boys talked about it one meal. Sam, who was used to authority figures ordering everyone around without explaining, assumed butler had a good reason to not want anyone around when deliveries were made. As soon as he left the room. Sam leaned closer to his new friend and whispered, "I have a bad feeling. Don't let Butler see you questioning what he said."

"What do you mean? Why would he care if we are just talking?"

"I don't know, but I got in enough trouble back home that I can tell when someone is waiting for you to mess up-" Sam cut off when Butler came back in the room, and he started to ask questions about some sport activity that Chiro was talking about the day before. The two boys talked quietly about innocent things until Butler left again.

"You think he is lying, but what happened? That scream sounded scared. Could someone break so ready sure and none of us saw any warnings?" Chiro casually looked around, but everyone else was busy with their own meals.

"I don't know. But she was at my door when she screamed. I think she had the room across from me and one door down. I heard her saying something, but I didn't understand the words, like they were a different language." Sam nibbled at a piece of crusty bread as he spoke. "She was trying to get inside, but my door was locked. But she sounded so scared. And I think there was somebody out there with her."