Nocturnal Beasts

Chapter 6: Stormy Night

Evora

A warm afternoon walk was much needed today, especially after the strange incident that had happened at the house wondering to myself if it had been some strange hallucination probably from mold from how old our home was leading to the figure of my deceased brother, or the fact I haven't grieved him properly and I just imagined him, him leading me to a locked door in our home.

"Where would you like to eat?" I asked as Daniel and I walked down the street of town. He thought for a moment before answering "Andy's Coffee shop?" Daniel responded with a raised brow and thought to myself trying to remember what they served this time of day but nothing my mind was swarming with unanswered questions. "Yea, I could go for some coffee." I smiled as we continued to make our way to the small shop noticing that Daniel seemed a bit distracted, then a man walked up to us and he seemed a bit familiar but I couldn't put my finger on it.

"Hello Daniel." The man said with a smirk making Daniel and I stop in our tracks. "Michael." Daniel responded, as the man looked at him then at me noticing his face soften with familiarity. Where I have I seen this man at before and why does he seem so familiar to me? I ask myself as he spoke up "You're Erin's sister aren't you?" He asked in a soft tone which felt friendly. " Yeah...You knew my brother?" I asked in a tone that was almost a whisper. "Yea I knew him, I know you too but it's been so long you probably don't remember me." He laughed. "Hmm, maybe refresh my memory a bit then?" I laughed as I took a long look at the man trying my best to remember him.

"Well our parents used to take you, Erin, me and James camping every summer, that is until our mother passed away." Michael spoke face turning saddened. "Oh yes! I remember you now! We would always sneak out to catch lightning bugs.." I slightly smiled. "Hey Evora, we better get going or we will be late picking up your sister from school." Daniel spoke as he grabbed our coffee from the shop. "Oh damn it your right!" I spoke panicked as I have lost track of time, turning back to Michael whom I wished to talk to just awhile longer but couldn't. "We should catch up soon! You know where I live Michael so don't hesitate to stop by okay? See you later." I said quickly as we walked away from him and to our car a bit down the street.

It didn't take us very long to get to the school and we made it five minutes before dismissal, as we waited for Olivia to come out I was in a deep thought as Daniel spoke "I haven't seen Michael so relaxed in a long time." he spoke as he starred straight ahead. "Really? Why's that?" I asked. "He worked with Erin...on the Marcus case, they were both determined to find him." Daniel looked over at me with a sad expression. "Michael.. He's still determined, maybe more so now." I listened as Daniel said this taking in that Michael and Erin stayed connected and worked together to find this poor missing boy. But there are still so many pieces missing like why Erin didn't tell me about working with Michael or the strange circumstances in which he died, my mind raced with questions and no one is giving me answers not even myself.

"Evora!" a loud squeal erupted as students began leaving the school. "Olivia love, lower your voice you'll make me deaf one of these days." I laughed as she scrunched her nose at me. "I wasn't that loud Evora." She crossed her arms as she spoke "I'm glad you made it on time, did mom say I could stay with you tonight?" she looked up at me with bright blue puppy eyes filled with hope "Of course she did Poppy!" Daniel spoke as he popped his head out of the window. "Danny!" Olivia screeched as she ran to the window of the car and wrapped her arms around Daniels neck. "Oh so he gets a hug and I don't?" I raised my brow as I looked at Daniel possibly struggling for air at this moment. Olivia turned her head and looked at me crooking her neck as she thought of what to say then not soon after she speaks up "Nope." She shrugs with a laugh as she opens the car doors flinging her bookbag inside then getting in herself.

We soon arrive home and grab Olivia's things and walk towards the house. "You have a new neighbor?" She asks "Yes we do." Daniel spoke smugly looking over at me "An Englishman." Olivia's face grew confused as she spoke again. "An Englishman? What does that mean?" She asked as we continued to walk to the house. "Mean's he has an accent, from England most likely." Daniel shrugged. "Oh wow" Olivia gasped intrigued. "Can I meet him?" She said almost jumping with excitement. "Not right now Poppy, he's working today he won't be home till later." I spoke strictly. "What does he do?" Olivia raised a brow. Come to think of it he never told us where he'd be working but I'm sure he'll tell us later. "Not sure, but once he's home you can ask him alright?" I spoke as I nudged her to the porch.