I
IT SEEMED as if all Landon Barrett ever did anymore was work, work, work. Couldn't he just get a break?
"Mr. Barrett," someone called his name from behind.
Apparently not.
He sighed inaudibly and rolled his eyes before responding with a debonair smile. "Yes?"
It was the new receptionist that had inquired his attention: blonde hair, blue eyes. The same awful orange tan that so many teenage girls had these days. She was definitely no different from any teenager he'd seen in Orange County, and he didn't have to think twice about why she was hired. The boss had quite a sweet tooth for the pretty ones.
"Mr. Weldon asked me to give you these. He says they're of high priority."
High priority?
To Mr. Weldon any document that required more than a glance to sign off on was "high priority," and a new wave of weariness washed over him as he retrieved the manila folder from the girl's hands. He definitely was not going to get a break today.
"Thank you, Miss..."
"Miss. O'Neil." She smiled, revealing all of her perfectly whitened teeth.
"Miss. O'Neil, then. Have a nice day," he said as he began to walk away.
"Oh, Mr. Barrett!"
He winced and contemplated ignoring her, but his soft heart got the best of him again. "Yes," he asked, putting on his award winning fake smile. He could see her cheeks flush slightly.
"Well I was wondering if you could help me with my writing later. I have an article coming up for the school paper." He watched her with great interest as she bit the inside of her cheek.
With a head-full of blonde hair and eyes that could only be compared to the clearest of blue skies, Landon had an exotic, European appeal that for some reason attracted American women.
"Of course," he replied. "But I really must get back to work now."
Her eyes lit up with excitement, and Landon actually felt a bit of pity for the girl. Unfortunately for her, he couldn't give her the type of attention she wanted.
LANDON WATCHED the manila folder sit on his table unopened as he slouched back in his chair. The last thing he wanted to do right now was see what Mr. Weldon considered to be of "high priority."
But work was work.
He sat forward and opened the folder, revealing a stack of photos. The top photo was of a woody scene, and amidst the leaves of one of the trees was the figure of a tiny woman. The wings were easily scene protruding out of her back.
"You can stay here," she said, pointing to a tiny cabin amidst the trees. Stanley was confused and frightened. His leg was bleeding and the pain unbearable. He didn't understand why these things were happening.
"Please. Tell me why they're after me."
The girl's eyes lowered shamefully. "Because of me."
"But what did you do," he asked baffled. Stanley had never seen this girl before.
"Because you can see me."
