Walter de Ville's Advocate

Chapter Four

I moved the vine charcoal in short strokes, filling in the shadows that blanketed my latest sketch. The moon beamed down on the lake – that focus of light causing the encroaching darkness to blot out any light from the distant manor. A human's eyes might eventually adjust and allow more observation, but it could also toy with their mind . . . possibly seeing more than what is there.

Perhaps the same could now be said about my hearing.

There were several cracks of twigs, the fast pace of something. I quickly blew the excess charcoal dust from my leather-bound journal, placed a spare piece of paper over the drawing, and wrapped it all up with the suede tie.

Whatever it was, the figure was still on the move. If it weren't for the trees, I would be able to see the mysterious creature clearly, so I made my way around the edge of the small bay where my Craftsman runabout was moored under the covered dock.

The creature walked on two legs, and seemed to be catching their breath. Pulling small speakers of music from her ears, I watched as Evelyn Alexander started to eye the icehouse about 100 meters from the rocky driveway.

Part of me thought it was quite adventurous of her to jog in such an unfamiliar place, so late at night. And the same could be said of her choosing to listen to music while blocking out the sounds of any suspicious beings, though it was really rather foolish.

She seemed drawn to the icehouse, as if a part of her might know who what lies there. Evie then turned around, not seeing me yet, and looked up to the house.

Ah, yes. Emmaline.

I often saw her, too; wandering these halls. Her image seemed to fade over the years, perhaps a sign that there was a limited amount of time one could haunt the Earth, though even from out here and looking up to the second floor at the Alexander Suite, Evie seemed to know exactly who was looking back at her.

Taking two steps first, I spoke up, "Evie?"

"Oh, shit!" she cried. "W—Walt?"

I smiled, but I doubt she saw it. "Yes?" I feigned ignorance, as if I had only just come upon her. "What are you doing out so late?"

Her hand rested upon her chest, rising and dropping quickly still. "Uh, um, I went for a jog. I normally go for a walk to clear my head, but figured that some exercise might tire me out. What are you doing here?"

Looking around, I was a bit irritated at having to explain why I was on my own property. However, this was a lovely chance at another meeting, so I took it for what it was, and walked towards her. "This is my home. I normally walk the grounds at night for a bit of calm."

Evie squeezed her eyes shut, and shook her head. "I am so sorry, I just realized how rude that was of me."

Ah, someone who corrects themselves when they are wrong, instead of when an authority figure first assures as much. Viktoria hardly ever apologizes without a stern look, and Lucy does it far too often.

"Well, will you be on your way to bed then? Or would you like to keep me company for a turn about the lake?"

She seemed to blush with those suggestions, though I did not know why.

"I could go for a walk," she agreed, and I gestured to the trail that looped the lake. It would take nearly an hour at the pace I would set, though we could double-back if she grew tired soon. For about the first ten minutes of our stroll, I asked her some questions about her life back home, and carefully answered some as well.

Although it was no secret to any of those in my staff or acquaintance that I despise modern technology, and struggled to keep up with the ever-changing culture, I hadn't longed for certain aspects of the past quite as much as in this moment.