A Man in an Overcoat

Prologue

 Prologue

The breeze lifted her blond golden hair on to the black railings of her small balcony, which watched over their wide front porch. It was midway through December on a cold, snowy morning that she decided to stare out into the open, as a blanket of snow covered the family’s farmland. The snow fell gracefully as ballerinas doing pirouettes, while Victorian lights glistened and reflected brightly in the distance. The occasional car swept by on the main road, half a kilometre away, making a faint cry but then gradually charging of in the distance.

The tranquil village of ‘Make-stone’ was the most still and relaxed place there was on the south- west of America. Make-stone held a couple hundred people all living in cottages or villa’s. Many were close friends or neighbours, who held different events at the town hall and hosted many outrageous clubs. Fitting in wasn’t going to be exactly straightforward for the Fosters and Ethel knew that from day one.

Birds in the willow trees finally started to chirp as the blistering sun peered out from the hills which were layered in frost. The white flakes were steadily   brought to an end and the 100 year old grandfather clock chimed a hollow, great, disturbing sound. When it stopped chiming 6’oclock downstairs, Ethel proceeded to the glass doors of her balcony into her room. As she held the cold door handle with her delicate fingers a gush of strong arctic wind reached her, slamming Ethel onto the chilly glass. Regaining her balance she glanced at the glass which reflected her most beautiful fine face. She gazed at herself in horror. Though now she was not gawping at herself, but a figure behind her.

The man in the reflection was a tall handsome man with chestnut coloured hair, covered by a beige cap above a pair of green silk eyes. He wore a brown overcoat with several pockets which contained many peculiar items such as; a magnifying glass, an old page which was torn out and a black thick pair of reading glasses. Apart from those, she saw the mysterious man clutching a bulky book with the title “Good Things Come to Those Who Wait” down below signed “A.J.Seacliff”. Generally a person would hold a book to their side, but Ethel noticed that the man was somehow showing her the book. He was trying to inform her of something important, but Ethel just didn’t know what.

After Ethel’s curious observing she immediately span round examining were the tall character had stood. Nothing. Not even a faint shadow was to be seen…