Lady Of The Island

A Heart Of Stone

I stared at the older man, quite interested in what he had to say. Although, I was dreadfully confused.

"..what did I do?" I raised my head, though I started to slump backwards.

"You could be DEAD, Gray!" He snapped at me.

I was very surprised that he remembered my name.
"I'm afraid that someone may be...dead...now" I sighed. "I'm sorry..."

"Sorry just isn't going to cut it!" He slapped me and sighed. "The good thing about her having someone to 'feed on' is that she'll be distracted...for tonight anyway."

I pulled myself up and leant on the chair, taking in the smell of the coffee. He dragged me into a Café?
"Excuse me, Sir, but you've forcefully pulled me into this coffee shop, you've started shouting at me and you've just been so cold to me. I don't even know your name!"

The man rolled his eyes.
"I'm Burnett Stone, owner of this fine establishment."

I'd hardly call it fine, there were stains everywhere - including on his jacket.

"Why do you know so much about this thing?" I asked him.

"Well, Gray," Burnett began. "That really is not any of your business right now. I'm more curious on what you've done to anger her."

"Anger her?!" I laughed. "She's been hunting ME down!"

Burnett raised a hand and slapped me across the face.
"You've been investigating her, haven't you? You've been snooping around Allcroft Studios, haven't you? That's what you're here for! You're investigating her!"

"I'm investigating that missing woman!" I shouted back. "And I think I've found her, all in her grubby glory!"

Burnett grabbed a broomstick.
"Don't you DARE describe her like that."

"Why?! She's a monster!"

He hit me with the broom.
"Can it! Go upstairs and get out of my sight!"

I paused, letting the tension lower. I looked confused.
"Um...you're giving me shelter? Still?"

Burnett shrugged.
"I don't like to shut out the needy. Now go upstairs, before I change my mind."

I wasn't about to argue with that. I dragged my rucksack up the spiraling stairs, cringing with every creak...that sounds familiar...

At the top of the stairwell was a single door, clean and tidy.
Inside the room was a little bedroom, completely with an attached bathroom. It was clear that it wasn't used often.
On the wall was a framed picture of a much younger Burnett and a woman I recognised from the staff records as Tasha.
Stone.
That's their surname. They're married. I wonder where she is now.

"Tasha." Came a voice behind me. It was Burnett was a glass of milk. "Here. Yours." He said, placing it on a table.

"I recognised her smile." I took a sip, pulling the records out of the bag. "I found these in the studio. 1998...they seemingly got fired within weeks of each other...what happened? I'd like to ask that."

Burnett looked away.
"Tasha died, many years ago. She got ill and passed away." He wiped away a tear. "Im sorry, Gray. I can't do this. Not tonight. Goodnight."

And with that sudden change in tone, Burnett left me to be alone with a lovely glass of milk.
I quickly took my phone out and dialed a familiar number. It rang for a few moments, until a loving face returned.