Towards the Farthest Side: A Collection Of Sci-Fi Short Stories And Novelettes

"Abomination Part 10"

Loren's Manor, my manor, felt different the last time I came to visit. It was too gloomy last time, but now, cars are parked everywhere, round tables dot the lawn where people in gallant clothes chat and drinks. The same scenario you only see when there's a wedding, birthday party, or the likes. The mournful atmosphere hanging in the place when last I visit was gone now.

I walk towards the gate where two men in white sleeves stands on the entrance. They held a palm towards me, motioning for me to halt.

"Good morning ma'am, can we ask for your invitation card please?"

I paused for a moment, thinking what to say.

"I'm Maybel's friend. I recieved no card but she invited me," I lied, hoping that they didn't caught the doubt in my voice.

The two men look ar each other. The other pressed a white earpiece with his right forefinger.

"Hello ma'am, some friend here said she knows you and wants to be admitted in," the man with the earpiece said in a deep voice. The other man look down on me as if reading any hint of lies on my face.

"Yes. Yes ma'am." The man speak through the ear piece, then turned towards me. "Ma'am, Miss Maybel is asking for your name."

"Cross, Maia Cross," I said. "We met a few weeks ago here."

"She claimed to be Maia Cross whom you met a few weeks back. Yes ma'am." The man with the earpiece said and then turned to address me. "She will be seeing you shortly."

Great.

I nodded in disgust.

A few minutes later Maybel came in a gallant looking indigo dress. She forced a smile when she saw me, but there's a hint of disgust in her face.

"Hello there Miss Cross." Maybel grinned sarcastically. "What can I do for you?"

"Sorry to disturb your party. I was not expecting you would have a gathering." I said apologetically.

I was not expecting a party being held soon by a widow. Like Philip, Maybel seemed to have moved-on instantly.

"Oh no need to apologize. This is a party before my migration to Canada next week." Maybel explained impatiently.

"Maybel I was wondering if I can get inside?" I asked in the most friendly tone I could muster.

"Not before I know what you're planning to do inside," Maybel said dismissively, a hint of malice in her voice.

"I am looking for an important document that Philip might have left, before her first wife died. Maybe something he left for his children." I explained, but regretted it afterwards.

"Oh no. Even if you're Philip's friend, it doesn't mean that I trust you." Maybel said stiffly.

"Look Maybel, it's an important document," I tried to reason with her.

"The more I can't allow you inside. If the document is that important, I cannot allow someone I don't know that much meddling with my family's affairs." Maybel said, I could sense growing anger boiling beneath her throat, anger or perhaps fear, I could not really tell.

"But Maybel-" I pleaded.

"Keep your eyes on this one. Do not let her near the place, not even her shadow." Maybel commanded to the two guards. Then she left the gate and returned to entertaining her guests, ignoring me entirely.

The two guards pushed me away, saying they won't think twice of using brute force if I don't comply. I have nothing to do but to follow. But this doesn't mean I am quitting.