Rose Garden

Secret Garden

Kylo had been driving for what seemed like hours, but he was too caught up in his own mind to even notice. He couldn't stand being in the house whilst his parents argued, and despite being old enough to move out, he knew his poor mother wouldn't be able to stay sane without him... And part of him knew he couldn't stay sane without here either. It was mid-winter, and the sky above was grey and dark. He noted that is may rain, but wouldn't be bothered by it. He never really felt the cold, even as a child. His mother would always try and get him into his coat, but within about ten minutes he would have practically torn it off, so after a while she just gave up.

He turned down yet another small road in his small van and then something caught his eye. He drove a few more feet before coming to a stop, then reversing back up to a large, thick, green covered wall with a rusting iron gate covered in ivy. He killed the engine and hopped out. A tall manor house towered over the garden, but it was run down and empty looking. He walked across the empty road and pressed a hand against the gate, and it swung open freely, a high pitched scream escaping it's hinges. He winced at the sound, before stepping inside the vast garden. A huge willow tree hung in the middle of the over-grown, brown grass. It's leaves covered the ground in messy piles. As Kylo stepped further inside, he noted the huge Rose bushes crawling up the walls on each side of the box-like garden. An abundance of other plants and flowers filled each corner, and below the Willow sat a medium sized pond, water lilies, some still rich with their colour, floated in abundance on the surface. The water was dark and there was no telling how deep the pond really was.

It was as if Kylo had struck gold, and without a second thought rushed back to his van to grab his sheers and a few other garden tools. He started work on the thick Rose bushes on either sides of the garden. Both were still pure with the crimson colour they would have in the spring. Kylo tilted his head slightly from side to side as he tried to judge which parts to cut away and which to keep. He soon began to sweat slightly, removing his jacket and soon his shirt, only leaving his vest, wet with sweat, covering his chest. He thought he may cut a few Roses free for his mother, knowing no one would mind, after all, the place was abandoned. 

He started on the left wall, closest to the huge, oak, back door. He hummed a soft melody to himself as he worked, for once not making too much of a mess.

And then it hit him.

The sudden, daunting feeling that he was being watched. 

He dismissed it several times, thinking it was just his mind playing tricks on him,  but out the corner of his eye, in the window, he could have sworn he had seen a figure inside the house. His stomach began to stir and he stepped back from his work. He rubbed his face and checked his watch. Almost three hours had passed since he had started, and his body was starting to feel a little fatigued. He placed the sheers down and walked to his van to grab a bottle of water before walking back into the garden.

His heart stopped.

A man stood in the middle of the garden, hands behind his back, seemingly admiring Kylo's work. Guilt riddled Kylo's body and he placed the bottle down. 

" Sir, I am ever so sorry. I could not resist. I thought-"

" You have done an ever so good job." The man's voice was soft and calm. Kylo felt his skin crawl, however, as if there was something not quite right. 

" Thank you, Sir." Kylo took a step towards the other, only able to see him from behind. 

The man wore a long, black coat. He had broad shoulders, though nowhere near as broad as Kylo's, and his height was just below average. His head was covered in short, well styled ginger locks and as Kylo grew closer, he noted the man's pale, sunken features . 

" Would you come again if I asked?" The man purred, his eyes turning to follow Kylo as he moved around to face him. They were a emerald green, almost hypnotic. 

Kylo gathered his tools as he spoke. 

" I suppose. Are you asking me for a job, Sir?"

" Perhaps. If you are this talented, " He gestured to the now neat and tidy looking Rose bushes. " I would be very grateful if you did come again."

Kylo nod at that, a nervous kind of smile covering his face.

" Thank you, Sir. I am sorry again, for barging in on your garden like this."

" Think nothing of it... Mister?"

Kylo thought for a second. Should he give his name out to this mysterious man? He usually did gardening jobs for people in the town, people he knew...

" Kylo, Kylo Ren." He said after a few silent, cold seconds. " And who do I have the pleasure of working for?"

The figure went silent, as if asking himself the same question Kylo had only moments before. 

" Brendol Hux." He winced, as if the name was some sort of curse. 

" Well," Kylo dusted off his hands. " What would be a good time for you?"

" Excuse me?" Hux raised a brow, disgusted at what the other may have been asking. 

" For me to come and finish up the job? What time?"

Hux inhaled deeply through his nose.

" Any time over the next three weeks. I will pay you a good rate for your hours of labour, do not fear."

" I'll probably need all those three weeks to finish up this place..." Kylo mumbled to himself, however he was heard, and Hux couldn't disagree. 

" It's a terrible mess, I know. I just don't have the time to clean it up." 

" Surely you can afford a professional gardener." Kylo frowned, his head tilting to one side.

Hux sighed again, pinching the bridge of his nose. 

" No one wishes to come out this far. I am quite amazed you found this place, Ren." 

" So am I, trust me. Though I don't think I'll regret it in the end. Once this place is done." He spoke as he backed out of the gate. He took one last glance at the man and he was almost... Beautiful. His sharp, pale features and mesmerising eyes were enough to make you feel a strange pain in your chest.  " I will come buy tomorrow afternoon to start over again."

" Wait, " Hux held up a hand desperately. " Allow me to pay you for the work you have already done."

" It's fine, Sir. I did this more as something for myself that anything else. There is no need to pay me." Kylo bowed his head before leaving entirely. He packed up his van and turned in a circle back towards town.

As he looked in the rear mirror, he saw the man standing there, waving softly at him before seemingly disappearing.