The Four Seasons

Chapter 3

“I hope I didn't startle you.” The girl said, curtsying to them slightly. Frost and Noel exchanged glances. She's really formal isn't she. Frost thought, watching as she tucked a lock of her brown hair behind her ear. But there's something about her...

“My name is Aurora. Your parents sent me to get you. We're only a few blocks away...” Noel stopped her before she could finish, her mood suddenly changing from confused to fuming mad. She shook her head and threw down her arms.

“Our parents sent you? No way. We're not coming with you!” Noel stated, jumping backwards and blocking herself with Frost. Aurora gazed at them solemnly.

“They won't be happy... They haven't seen you for so long, they'll be heartbroken.” Frost furrowed his eyebrows. This doesn't quite make sense... What did she say?

“We've only been gone for about 2 days. Maybe slightly less.” Frost commented, eyeing her as his head turned to the write. He watched as Aurora's expression brightened. Frost furrowed his eyebrows.

“Oh! I meant your grandparents. Yeah, that's what I meant. Well then, come on!” She beckoned, padding towards the forest before them and chattering rather quickly. The trees seemed to sway much more in her presence. Several evergreens released their pine needles as she began padding into the forest. They fluttered down to her feet.

“You coming?” She questioned, spinning around and cocking her head slightly to the right. Her wide smile glimmered and she batted her eyelashes. Was that on purpose?

“Should we follow her?” Noel whispered in her brother's ear. Frost stood there for a moment, considering the possibilities. If we follow her, we may fall into a trap. She seemed to change her mind fairly quickly about our parents being our grandparents. But she may also take us to our grandparents...somewhat unlikely, but let's see...

“Let's follow her.” he breathed. “If you see anything suspicious, let me know and we'll get the heck outta there.”

“Here we are!” Aurora exclaimed, revealing a long brick house. They walked down the curved black driveway, following Aurora across the sidewalk and up the one step. Noel stood in awe, noticing every detail from the dream she had had here. The same porch, the same bushes, the same bench, the same trees, everything. It seemed to welcome her back as her feet crunched into the snow on the ragged, snow concealed lawn. The only difference was the fact that it was summer in her dream and winter in the present existence.

“I've been here before.” she announced, ogling the bare maple tree where she had stood in her dream. Frost stared at her, but Aurora only blinked and smiled. What's with that? Noel thought, her eyes darting away quickly.

“Um, Noel? We've never been here before, this is our grandparents house. We don't even know them.” Frost yawned. Aurora giggled, swatting the air as if motioning for them to stop.

“What?” he shouted, but she only shook her head and padded up to the door. Frost sighed and ushered Noel along, brushing the hydrangea bush as they stepped up after Aurora.

“Cut that out.” Noel snapped, shouldering her brother away. He glared at her, but said nothing as Aurora rapped on the large, brown door. Crystal glass decorated the center of it, allowing a small glimpse of the inside of the house. A small door to the downstairs, a peek of the office, what was to the right of the house...? Frost's thoughts were interrupted by Aurora's voice.

“Cynder? Arthur? Are you home?” she called peering through the window in the center of the door. She opened the door slowly and the trio padded into the house, glancing around for Cynder and Arthur. Neither were in sight, but Frost seemed drawn to the backyard. He walked through the office, peering at the desk and floor, covered in scattered papers and pencils.