Persephone

3. Company

He watched as she scurried away.

His mind was made up, this was the one he wanted.

Bending down, he plucked on of the brilliant crimson flowers that sprouted around his feet. Iter had been correct in his wonderings, they small blossoms had lead her closer to him. He had her scent now, he could easily find her, not as if it wasn't easy before.

He had meant for her to see him. If only to hear the slight raise of her heart beat, pumping with fear. He was done with being invisible, soon he would strike.

~~~~

Persephone burst through the front door of the little cottage, her heart still pounding at the mirage of a man in the woods, she wasn't quite sure why, but he had instilled a sense of fear in her that she hadn't quite felt before.

Taking a few breaths, as not to worry her mother at her silliness, Persephone stepped into the kitchen.

A cacophony of scents met her nose as her mother whirled round the kitchen, hurriedly preparing dinner for that night.

"Oh good! You brought eggs, did you remember the flowers?" Her mother's singsong voice met her as she place the carton of eggs on the cool granite countertop, nodding in assurance.

"Lovely! Can you arrange those in a vase, then start the cookies? Nysus will be here in about an hour."

Her mother didn't spare her another glance, to which Persephone was glad, she didn't wish her mother to see the fear that still lingered in her eyes.

As Persephone arranged the array of wild flowers in a small blue glass vase, she thought about this man that her mother was bringing to dinner. Nysus , like 'nice-us,' had become manager of the restaurant her mother waitressed at, after the last one, Michael, disappeared.

What Persephone found peculiar, was that she had never seen him around town. This was strange because, in this small town that she called home, everyone knew everyone, but no one knew Nysus outside of the restaurant.

Finishing her flower display, Persephone placed it at the center of their little square wooden table, and began the cookies.

Just as she was sticking the trays of chocolate chip cookies into the oven, there was a knock at the front door.

Frantically, her mother smoothed down her hair and removed the apron from around her waist, chucking it into the laundry room.

Persephone laughed, "Mom, you look fine."

She froze, "Are you sure?"

Persephone grinned, "Of course, don't keep him waiting."

Her mother returned her smile before gently grasping her shoulder, placing a kiss on her cheek, "Thank you, Sephie," before hurrying to the door.

Persephone followed her mother to the front room leaning on the doorway, watching as her mother took a deep breath before opening the door.

Just outside the door stood a tall, muscular man, with curly coffee colored hair. Stepping forward, he embraced her mother, "Cece! It's so nice to see you."

Her mother grinned up at him, "You too, Nysus."

Presenting a green bottle before her, he stated, "I brought wine," before turning, flashing a grin, "And you must be Persephone."

Smiling, she gave a wave, but she couldn't help but notice one thing that stood out about him, how white and sharp his teeth were.

"Can I interest you in a glass of wine, my dear?"

Persephone looked up from where she stood at the counter, switching cookies from the hot tray to a set of metal racks to cool, smiling sweetly she replied, "I'd love to, but I'm underage."

Her mother smiled from the table where she was placing down napkins and utensils, "Oh, Persephone, a glass couldn't hurt, it's not as if you drink all the time."

A deep chuckle filled the room at her mother's joke. She smiled again, "Only half a glass."

~~~~

Throughout dinner Persephone managed to remain quiet, speaking only when called upon by Nysus, to answer a question he had asked, observing the behavior of the pair in front of her, almost feeling like a parent.

Her mother would laugh at every joke he made, and he, her. The pair seemed to be having a wonderful night, making Persephone feel almost like a third wheel. though Nysus did do his part in including her in the conversation, often asking her opinions on things they spoke about. He carried many of the attribute that she, herself would have picked in a man for her mother.

After excusing herself from the table, she quickly made a thumbs up at her mother behind Nysus' back before scurrying up the stairs to her bedroom.

Taking up half of the small attic, Persephone's bedroom was a simplistic mix of cream and a soft spring green, with not much but a twin sized bed with a bed stand, a desk, a bookshelf and a window seat. Nothing personal surround the room's aura, being thy she spent almost none of her time in it.

Changing into a big t-shirt and a pair of shorts, Persephone climbed into bed, attempting to fall asleep, but every time she closed her eyes, that figure in the woods reappeared in her mind.

Had she really been imagining?