Night Guardian

Chapter 1, Part 5

Kayla woke refreshed and happier than ever. The first thing on her mind was the wonderful time she had last night, and with a real gentleman. Last night was like a dream. Well, except for the one incident in the restaurant. Kayla generally didn't care about what other people said about her, but now she was curious.
I wonder how they'll treat me when I go into town. She thought.
She had no neighbors, so that was one less thing to worry about. Today, she would go to her studio and paint. There were so many commission requests that needed to be fulfilled for the month. Not to mention the ones that were already completed had to be packaged and shipped accordingly. Then there was a business meeting with Aramark to discuss a new image for their company. She noticed that her phone was blinking with a new message:

MICHAEL:

Good morning Kayla. I just wanted to say that I had a wonderful time with you last night. If you have the time, please join me at noon for lunch in the Town Center. If not, just know I can't wait to see you again.

Kayla's smile turned into a pout; there were many things on her plate for today, and a small amount of time to grab lunch before the meeting with Aramark. Maybe she could make it?

KAYLA: I can, but I have a meeting soon after. :) see you at 12!

*later*

Kayla dipped her brush into red acrylic paint, thinking a moment before applying the color to the half-finished piece. It was the last one she had to work on for this month. After that, she'd take a much needed break. Painting for others was fun, but at times it could be overwhelming. She missed painting for herself, without a deadline.
The studio was quiet, save for soft, relaxing classical music playing in the background. Sometimes it would be other types of music, especially if she wanted to rock out, but not today. Occasionally she would forget the time, but today was important. It was nearly 12 and she needed to get the packaged artwork to the post office. So, she closed up her paint and left the supplies where they were. She flicked off the light and locked the studio door.
Michael had given her directions to a cozy diner, conveniently down the street from where Kayla was to have her business meeting. The two were glad to see each other again, and they couldn't help but smile the entire time. At one point, Michael started joking around and they both ended up having to stifle huge guffaws of laughter.
"Look, look!" Michael whispered, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. He gestured towards a group of people passing by their table. When they gave him odd looks, he returned an intense stare, causing them all to bump into each other trying to walk away quickly.
The two snickered.
The bell on the dinner door jingled as a customer walked through the door.
"Greetings Mayor Sneddon!" The fat, bald shop owner called. Kayla and Michael immediately stopped chatting and looked around.
Mayor Thomas Daniel Sneddon was dressed in a brown, freshly starched and crisp suit with a matching tie, white dress shirt and shoes so polished you could see his reflection in them. His thin hair was graying and he wore brown rimmed spectacles. His haughty and haggard face was upturned into a scowl of superiority, his small blue eyes dark and menacing.
Kayla suddenly lost the desire to finish her meal. Michael, however, went to his drink and paid him no mind. She didn't miss the quick eye roll though.
A few more people greeted the mayor as he stepped up towards the counter, and his eyes roamed the crowd before resting on the couple.
Kayla nodded in his direction, but didn't say anything. This was her first time seeing the man, and she already knew she wouldn't like him in the slightest.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Ford." He drawled in a slightly southern twang. "A pleasure to see that you're becoming acquainted with this humble town and it's residents." He aimed a distasteful glance towards Michael. Kayla put on the fakest smile imaginable. "Yes, I quite like it here, and thank you for having me, Mayor Sneddon. I find some of the residents here to be very...accommodating." She made a point by placing her hand over Michael's. Sneddon looked slightly nauseated.
"Maestro," the Mayor nodded.
"Thomas."
The two gave a curt nod.
Maestro? Kayla thought.

"I see you're back in town, no doubt on some freaky business with the Manor... and I see you've made a new friend along the way. "
Kayla's eyebrows shot straight up. I know this old teapot didn't just-

"Actually, I was here originally on business, but it seems I might have found a reason to stay." Michael glanced at Kayla with an amused expression.
"Is there a particular reason why you chose to stop at this table, Sneddon? Surely, I hope your aim wasn't to intimidate a new resident." Michael said, sipping his tea. Kayla liked him even more; he was straight to the point.
"Of course not. I'm merely here to welcome and introduce newcomers to the customs and traditions of this humble, Christian town," he said. Kayla managed to zone out when he did. "It was nice meeting you Ms. Ford, and enjoy your stay." she heard him say. After one more disapproving look, he moseyed back out of the door with his purchase. The townspeople watched him in awe. The two looked at each other again. "I believe it is close to two o'clock, Ms. Ford," Michael said, disappointed. No matter how nonchalant they'd acted in front of the Mayor, he'd managed to sour the mood. Kayla looked at him with a scrunched up nose. "Michael, from now on, call me Kayla. You sound like that repulsive man when you say my name like that."
"Alright...Kayla." He said hesitantly. "I'm not used to addressing a woman by her first name. It wasn't how I was raised, but I will do it to make you more comfortable."
"Thank you," she said sweetly. She sighed. " Guess it's time for me to go. I have a meeting soon, remember?"
"Of course"
The pair walked outside. The fresh crisp air of autumn was refreshing in comparison to the stuffy restaurant.
"Is it okay if I text you when I get out?" she said.
"Sure. Let me know how it goes!" He kissed her hand and waved as she walked towards her car.
_______________________________________
The meeting with ARAMARK went smoothly. Kayla was able to present and sell her skills, experience, and expertise. She was now a designer for their company. Board members loved how she redesigned their logo to give it a fresh, updated and modern feel. All this she talked about with Michael when she got home that night. They ended up calling each other and talking for hours.
"I knew you would get the job," he said, genuinely happy for her. "So what have you been up to?" Kayla asked. Michael's thoughts immediately went to the problems occurring in the forest, but decided she wasn't at all ready to hear that. "Michael, you still there?"
"Oh, sorry. Was thinking about the screenplays I was working on earlier."

Not a complete lie.
"I'm nearly finished with the first one. It's about a man who begins life in poverty then goes on to become a self absorbed star who loses everything he holds dear."
"Oooooh, that sounds interesting."
"I hope so," he joked. "I send it to my editor tomorrow as a final draft." He sounded nervous.
"I'm sure it'll be amazing, you'll have to get me a copy when it's published!" she said.
"I most certainly will."
After a while he could sense she was getting sleepy, so they ended the call and bade each other good night. Maestro remained deep in thought, and wide awake. He stood and started walking, unsure of where he was going. His feet seemed to gravitate towards the ballroom. He sat at the piano and began to play a classic tune. Naturally, he was worrying about the pestilence. The protective charm they put over the undamaged part of the woods was holding up for now, but how long would it last? Who was this curse targeting?