Re:trct

Chapter three

"Yes Mother?," Aira questioned in a cool and calm demeanor. Her hair was pulled back in a short pony tail. She wore a simple blue sun dress.

Erin could not help but feel like the girl that stood in front of her could not be the same one from the previous night. There were no traces of the wild child attitude she had seen in her.

"Sit down. We need to discuss something." Aira's gaze drifted from Erin to the empty chair at the table. Aira maintained a gentle smile as she sat on the chair.

"This is Erin. She will be staying with us for sometime. Erin this is Aira, my daughter-in-law. Do you think she could stay in Frank's room instead of us having to clean out any of the other rooms. All that dust would take days to clear," Madam Hesse stared intently at Aira waiting for a reaction.

Aira's body stiffened at Madam Hesse's words. She looked her in the eyes trying to assess whether she actually meant what she had just asked.

"No. I'll give her my room and sleep on a couch or something." Aira gripped the edge of the table trying to control herself. Erin wondered why Madam Hesse was pushing for some reaction though she sipped her tea trying to act disinterested in the exchange.

Madam Hesse laughed slightly at Aira's reaction. She turned to Erin," Aira will show you around later." She waved in Aira's direction.

Aira stood and left the table without another word.

"Former Commander Erin Yohan. On top of being a retracted one you're also wanted for treason. What did you do?"

"I escaped."

"Why? You had been commander for a few years. Doesn't the post come with many benefits? Did you tire of them?"

Erin thought long before answering.

"I struggled with their beliefs."

"The paper shows otherwise. The number of massacres you led...countless! Why after all that betray the State? Do you know they still want you captured alive?" Erin stayed silent." Do your kind even feel remorse?"

"I...why are you helping me?"

"I'm still considering...Never mind all that I don't know what I'm saying. You know my son, Frank, was like you. They got him shortly after he married Aira about three years ago. We haven't seen him since but I still believe he's alive. Boy could always find his way out of any tricky situation."

Erin had heard of Frank. What she had heard she doubted Madam Hesse would like to hear.

"You may stay as long as you please. Seeing as I ruffled the little flower girl's feathers, I highly doubt she's in any mood to take you on that tour but do feel free to walk around." Madam Hesse got up and walked back inside.

Erin finished her cup of (now cold) tea before she got up. She started by looking at the outside of the mansion. The grounds looked absolutely lovely with the manicured lawn, the sculptures posted at different places and the water features.

What caught Erin's attention the most, is the maze. It was one of the prettiest things she had ever seen. The hedges reached her mid-waist and she was a bit taller than average. The entry way was lined with pink roses and some white flowers that Erin couldn't recognize.

Erin turned to go back inside and wound up in a room with hundreds of masks hanged on the wall and others in boxes on the floor.

"I've been looking for you. Time for that tour," Aira said with a grin on her face as she suddenly appeared behind Erin.

"Hesse is obsessed with them."

Erin gave the room one more glance before following the white haired girl.

°

The tour had gone well although Erin spent most of the time wondering about Aira's sudden mood change.

Erin knew not to ask questions seeing as how they had provided her with a safe place to say.

All families have their skeletons, mine included.

Erin now sat at a chair in the corner of what she assumed to be Aira's room. Everything looked vintage. Aira was sitting on the floor beside the bed, reading a book and writing some notes down. Erin watched the girl with mild curiosity, considering interupting her but ultimately deciding against it.

"Get out!"