The beginning after the end

It was just another day, a repetition of events will eventually lead to emptiness. And as usual, this void will not be filled by anything or anyone.

I look at the ceiling while lying down in bed, I'm tired but I can't complain otherwise I will receive punishment from my Aunt. And by punishment, I mean receiving a heavy blow of her cane at my back, that's an everyday occurrence in this house. My mom died when I was 8 years old and as far as I could remember I don't have a father. So all the rights that I have in our assets and savings are handled by my Aunt. Which I could pretty sure say went to nothing. My Aunt is a widowed woman with one son and a daughter, her son already has a family so I only see him twice a year or if there are any occasions, while her daughter is just the same age as me. I could tell that Lia my Aunt's daughter hates me. She made my life a living hell. She will pick a fight with me anytime just for any little thing. and of course, my Aunt will pick her side. Even though she's the wrong one.

I am already 16 years old but I can't live on my own, I need to reach the legal age to escape this hell which means I need to wait until I'm 18, but as I experience so much suffering I'm wondering if I could reach that age before I give up.

Like today I'm filled with loneliness but I can't talk to anyone. I don't have any friends to confide with, I do go to school but all my classmates hated me for being well-liked by our teachers.

As time slowly went by, With nothing to do I decided to take a bath so I went to the bathroom, it's the only place I could be vulnerable. I went inside the tub, I sit down, and hug my knees.

If only I could escape.

I want to disappear.

I'm drowning in self-pity.

I gradually lay my body down in the bathtub, I am holding my breath. I soak myself in the water. My eyes are closed and I was holding my breath for a few moments until I hear a shout.

I was pulled out of the tub, someone gave me a towel while I am coughing and someone is patting my back.

"Thanks."

I look around only to realize that I am surrounded by some women that I didn't know. They are all wearing the same black and white dress. As I look around I notice that I'm not in a familiar place though I am still in a bathtub it's more grand and spacious compare to our bathroom.

They're all looking at me with worried expressions on their faces.

"Uhm, who are you and where am I?"

I am confused about who are these people.

"what do you mean? Milady we're your handmaids. And you are in the bathroom in the Milord house." They are all looking at each other, confused as well.

"Yeah. Ok. Is Lia pranking me again? It's not funny."

I stand up, they all went near me and cover me with towels.

"Hey, guys! I can do it."

I was dodging their hands as they kept drying my body with towels.

"I'm sorry Milady but we need to take care of you otherwise Milord will punish us severely."

Still confused I let them do their job, as they say. They lead me to a chair, dried my body and hair, brush my hair, put it in a weird ponytail, put some things on my face. I am extremely confused as they move in sync and do all sorts of stuff in me, while I am sitting down.

When they are done with me. They all suddenly left, leaving me alone in this closet, Is this even a closet? It's bigger than my house. I open a door which leads me to a bedroom.

I'm wearing a heavy dress and some accessories. I went inside and sit on the bed. I'm having a hard time walking in this dress and shoes.

'What the heck is happening? If I remember correctly I'm in the tub and then suddenly I'm in an unknown place? for a few minutes? how is that possible? Lia is pranking me right now.'

I made up my mind to look for Lia so I stand up and look around but there are so many doors.

Where the heck am I?

As I am looking around I saw the lady that took care of me a few minutes ago, in the corner of the long corridor holding a tray.

"Hey!" I went to her. She seems shocked about something.

"Luckily, you are here! You seem shocked is there something wrong? anyway where is Lia."

She bows her head slightly before answering me.

"Milady do you not have a lesson today? And are you okay Milady? It seems like you are not yourself today, there is no Lia in this household. If you are tired I can talk to Milord to cancel your classes today."

"What do you mean no Lia? She is my Aunt's daughter."

She looks at me in the eye. She sighs and shook her head.

"Milady. I think you are tired. Milord doesn't have siblings so you don't have an Aunt. Rest for today. And in case you forgot as well I am your head handmaid. My name is Clare."

She bows her head again and leaves.

I suddenly have an outrageous idea in my head.

"Clare? do you have a phone?"

Clare looks back at me confused but she still responds.

"I'm sorry what is that Milady?."

I smile and shake my head.

"Nothing. Forget it."

She nods and leaves.

I turn around to leave as well.

I am starting to freak out. I went back to the bedroom that I'm in, a few minutes ago. I walk into to mirror to look at myself.

I gasp, my heart is beating so fast that the heartbeat is the only thing I can hear.

My hands are trembling as I touch my face. It's not my face. My eyes are not brown it's black, my hair is not brown ombre and it not this long and wavy, it's black and straight. I don't have a fair complexion, nearly looking pale. I have a warm ivory skin tone but now I have porcelain.

I have an idea in my head but I think it's a very outrageous idea that I could come up with.

I think I'm in the past and I'm in a different body.