Forgotten Photography: The Case Of Maddison Valentine

Chapter 4

Evergreen squeals, jumping away, shaking.

"Oh! I'm so sorry! Calm down, I didn't mean to scare ya, lass. You look like you've seen a ghost." The old man looked worried, eyebrows furrowed. After Evergreen had a moment to catch her breath and slow her heart rate, she took a second to actually look at the man she had just about had a heart attack from.

He was actually pretty handsome for an older fellow, a stocky man with salt and pepper hair, well, cayenne pepper. He was grayed in some areas of his ginger hair, and had long locks tied back in a ponytail. He was eccentric, you could tell, and while he was pale he was not sickly at all. He wore a black dress shirt that looked like it was made of silk, with a red tie that looked like velvet. His tie was adorned by a skull pin that looked like it was made with real bone and the metal looked like real gold. He smelled of good Scotch and vintage cologne, and not the stuff that smelled so strongly of cheap, factory synthesized ingredients.

His dress slacks sat nicely on his frame, and he wore vintage leather boots that both looked good for a business meeting, but also like they could stomp skulls if needed. He wasn't a hulking beast, but he was tall and stood confidently.

How had Evergreen not met him before?

She took a deep breath.

"I'm so sorry about screaming! You just startled me, did you not see—" Evergreen looked over at the tree once again, the woman gone just as fast as she came.

"Aah, so you see her too? Sometimes I think it's my dear niece...But hopefully that isn't the case. I want her to be alive and well, even if that may be a false hope some days." The man teared up a bit, but grabbed the handkerchief he kept in his shirt pocket and dabbed his eyes. He put it away and jet his hand out in front of him, an offer to shake his hand to Evergreen. "The name's Edgar, Edgar Valentine. I apologize for the terrible first impression, I just didn't want you to get stuck in the way you were. Weird stuff happens in this town..." The man spoke gently and empathetically, making Evergreen feel extremely comfortable. She took his hand and shook it firmly, maintaining a strong image.

"I'm Evergreen, Evergreen Williams. It's so nice to meet you." Evergreen's voice cracked a bit, and she cringed. Not a time to be losing her composure.

The Hades barked. He was clearly jealous, wanting attention. He took to Edgar quickly, showing him his butt for scratches. Edgar laughed and started loving Hades.

"My, what a good strong boy. What's his name if I may ask?" Edgar started smushing Hades's face, giving the dog kisses on the nose.

"His name is Hades. He's my best friend." Evergreen smiled, watching the twos' interactions. She couldn't shake the feeling to keep looking up at the tree, the nauseous feeling returning. She was terrified, and Edgar noticed.

"Say, I run the local museum. I can see your discomfort out here, why don't you come with me? I can show you some of the photos Maddison used to take. I see you are also a photographer." He nodded at her camera, and Evergreen quickly grinned.

"Absolutely! I have loved photography since my dad bought me my first little disposable camera. I haven't been the same since!" Evergreen continued to grin, becoming a little ray of sunshine as soon as her interest came up.

"Alright, kid, well follow me. It's just on the other side of the square here, and I get a strange notion that we are being watched currently." Edgar looked around and started to lead Evergreen and Hades to the museum, he even looked spooked.

What did he just see?

It didn't matter, as they made it to the stairs of the old building. It was beautiful, tall columns and a huge ornate door. It looked like it was the bank of the town back when it was founded, and was converted into something even better now. Edgar unlocked and opened the door, letting Evergreen and Hades inside, and entering himself. He locked the door quickly, and took in a deep breath.