Lethal Affairs

IX - A New World

Always be wary of the dark.

Those words of wisdom has echoed in her mind for as long as she could possibly remember.

The dark was something to be careful of, for It was the witching hour when the evil reigned.

Sweet dreams eluded her, and the nightmares sought her out.

Ysabel awoke, drenched in sweat, and her heart racing as if she had just ran a marathon. When she had calmed herself, she found that she was no longer at Vern headquarters.

Perhaps they had taken her home, but then she was not in her dainty apartment.

Memories of the previous night's events reminded her that she was in a dangerous predicament. Her first reaction was one of panic, but the soothing calm Helen had placed on her mind and body was still in effect, and she could feel her mind rebel against her thoughts in irritation.

Ysabel calmly got off the bed and took a lazy stroll to the window. She felt as if nothing was wrong with her world, but she had the disturbing urge to flee or panic. Her insides turned in an emotional confusion, and she felt a dislike for Helen bud in her heart.

Gently, she pulled aside the blinds, and the sight before her both pleased and sent her in a frenzy.

Before her was an endless stretch of trees and greenery. She could tell that she was a few floors above the ground from the fog that hovered over the forest. The scene was peaceful, and Ysabel could already imagine exploring the land, and the several paintings that would stem out of inspiration from this sight.

For as far as her eyes could see, all she was green.

Ysabel tried to pin point her location from her little knowledge of geography, but she came up short. Her mind must have been exhausted if she had not been aware when they had moved her.

The door clicked open, and a woman dressed in a black and white maid uniform walked in.

"Miss," she curtsied, her voice just a notch above a whisper. "Lady Clai asked me to fetch you."

"Lady Clai?" Ysabel asked skeptically. "I do not know such a person."

The maid began to fidget under the glare that Ysabel was sure she was to giving her calmly, then she remembered that Helen's last name was Clai.

"Do you mean Helen?" Ysabel asked, the maid did not respond, in fact she looked more confused than Ysabel did. "let's go together."

The girl needed no further words, quickly she led the way, keeping a safe distance ahead of her. Ysabel did not blame her, she would be wary of herself if she could. By not being able to express the way she truly felt, she was a perplexing conundrum.

At the moment, many things were unclear about her life and future, but one thing was certain, the owner of the mansion she resided in had an eye for beauty. Exotic paintings and portraits lined the hallways begging for her undivided attention, vintage tapestries and furniture begged for her appreciation.

So much beauty, she thought, so much.

Her mouth fell wide open, and her eyes were dilated in pleasure.

"We are here." the girl said.

Ysabel shut her mouth and brought her mind to focus as she realized that they had stopped in front of a large, old oak door. The maid pushed the door open, and Ysabel felt relief when she saw Helen standing with an aged man.

The first thing Ysabel noticed when she walked into the room were the walls. Every inch of the wall was covered in some form of art, telling a story.