The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer Read Free Book Online

disconsolately on the floor.
    If only he could see something interesting outside the window. A section of wall blocked off most of what lay beyond. Through a narrow gap he could see a green lawn and bright pink flowers, but only enough to make him want more. A thin ribbon of sky let in daylight and at night showed a few stars. Matt listened in vain for voices.
    Scar tissue had formed a knot on the bottom of his foot. He inspected the writing frequently— PROPERTY OF THE ALACRÁN ESTATE —but the scar had sliced through the tiny lettering. It was more difficult to make out the words.
    One day a frightening argument erupted between Rosa and the doctor. “El Patrón wants me by his side. I’ll come back once a month,” the man said.
    â€œIt’s just an excuse to get away from me,” said Rosa.
    â€œI have to work, you stupid woman.”
    â€œDon’t you call me stupid!” the woman snarled. “I know a lying coyote when I see one.”
    â€œI don’t have a choice,” Willum said stiffly.
    â€œThen why not take me with you? I could be a housekeeper.”
    â€œEl Patrón doesn’t need one.”
    â€œOh, sure! How convenient! Let me tell you, it’s horrible working here,” she stormed. “The other servants laugh at me. ‘She takes care of the beast,’ they say. ‘She’s no better than a beast herself.’ They treat me like scum.”
    â€œYou’re exaggerating.”
    â€œNo, I’m not!” she cried. “Please take me with you, Willum. Please! I love you. I’ll do anything for you!”
    The doctor pried her arms away. “You’re hysterical. I’ll leave you some pills and see you in a month.”
    As soon as the door closed, Rosa hurled the bucket against the wall and cursed the doctor by all his ancestors. Her face turned chalky with rage, except for two splotches of red on her cheeks. Matt had never seen anyone so furious, and he found it terrifying.
    â€œYou’re responsible for this!” Rosa shrieked. She pulled Matt up by his hair.
    â€œOw! Ow!” yelled Matt.
    â€œBleating won’t save you, you good-for-nothing animal. No one can hear you. This whole wing of the house is empty because you are in it! They don’t even put pigs down here!” Rosa thrust her face close to his. Her cheekbones stood out beneath her taut skin. Her eyes were wide, and Matt could see white all around the edges. She looked like a demon in one of the comic books Celia got from church.
    â€œI could kill you,” Rosa said quietly. “I could bury your body under the floor—and I might do it.” She let him slump to the floor again. He rubbed his head where she had pulled thehair. “Or I might not. You’ll never know until it’s too late. But one thing you’d better understand: I’m your master now, and if you make me angry—watch out!”
    She slammed the door as she left. Matt sat paralyzed for a few minutes. His heart pounded and his body was slimy with sweat. What did she mean? What else could she possibly do? After a while he stopped trembling and his breathing returned to normal. He tried the door, but not even rage had kept Rosa from locking it. He limped to the window and watched the bright strip of grass and flowers beyond the wall.
    That night two gardeners, who refused to look at Matt, removed his bed. Rosa watched with a look of bitter satisfaction. She took away the waste bucket Matt had been forced to use since he arrived.
    â€œYou can go in the corner on the newspapers,” said Rosa. “That’s what dogs do.”
    Matt had to lie on the cement floor without any covers and, of course, without a pillow. He slept badly and his body ached like a tooth in the morning. When he had to use the newspapers in the corner, he felt dirty and ashamed. How long could this go on?
    Rosa merely plunked down the breakfast tray and left. She