Love Of A Stranger (On Hold)

Part One

As the child grew over the years so did her heart. Her mother raised her to be loving, kind, responsible and independent. Now at the age of seventeen she is no longer a child but a beautiful young woman.

“The duckling swan lived happily ever after. The three older swans became his best friends and they swam and flew everywhere together.” Eloise read aloud. While tracing her fingers on the indents of the Braille.

The little children she read to, stared at her with amazement. She could hear their soft gasp of surprise when they found out she was blind. She could almost see their hungry little face devouring the words that came out of her mouth.

Eloise was happy to share a few hours with the children. Most of the time she would lovingly trace her long slender fingers through the Braille to capture what her heart wanted. An adventure fit to last a lifetime.

“The end.” She closed the book.

“Elly could you read us another one?” A little girl asked tugging on the hem of her shirt.

“I’m sorry but I have to go. I’ll be back next Wednesday.” Eloise smiled and patted the little girl on the head.

“Bye Eloise.” The Kindergarten class said together.

“Bye everyone.” She waved as she exited the class. As Eloise walked home, little did she know that the adventure she has always longed for was now ready for her.

Across town at a dark damp bar it became seemingly darker when a man, Bowen stepped in.  With a ruthful smirk he called to the bartender for a glass of brandy on the rocks. The bar went quiet for a fraction of a second, but it continued it’s sordid actions not wanting to anger Bowen.

He was a visitor and not a welcomed one in this little town. Bowen laughed quietly to himself knowing he had the town wrapped around his pale finger because they feared him.

And the people had reason too.

Every few years or so he would return to steal a woman to be his bride. If the woman doesn’t make him happy he kills her and finds another. Everyone has heard the stories but not all believe them unless it happens to them.