Huis-Clos » h.s

e i g h t

The little screen on the dashboard indicates 8am when Harry drives into the bleak propriety. For the first time ever, I can clearly see from the outside what the place he lives in looks like. It was too dark earlier to find it out. It is a huge mansion with dark frontages and high windows surrounded by fir trees and wild brambles. That doesn't really make you want to drop by and say hello to the owner. This isn't the type of place you want to visit, but more to run away from.

I look up at the manor as I slowly get out of the truck Harry parked just a few meter away from the doorstep. The imposing sight of it is intimidating and its shadow stretches far behind me. Behind the castle, the skies are grey and it emphasizes the dismal look of it. Do I really have to go back there?

I turn my head to where we came from. There is a path through the undergrowths that surround the manor and I would be lying if I'd say I wasn't tempted to escape right now.

"Come," his raspy voice calls me to order and I can hear his warning tone in it. Seeing me watching at the woods with such yearning to escape might make him realize that he has to be ready to pounce on me anytime. Even if he has been good with me this morning, that doesn't excuse him for holding me back. Nothing won't ever excuse him. Nothing won't ever be a good enough reason to excuse him.

I sigh and I can tell he relaxes at the very moment when I finally decide to follow him to the house. I do it with regrets as a bitter taste spread throughout my mouth. I experienced liberty for the first time for weeks today and I could give everything I have left - actually not that much - to experience that again. But on the other hand, it wasn't complete freedom since I couldn't go wherever I wanted to, whenever I wanted to, and above all with whoever I wanted to.

I stand right behind Harry as he opens the huge creaking wooden double door with a big old key. He slips it back in his pocket before walking into the house. From where I stand, I can see how dark the inside is. Indeed, the thick dark red velvet curtains are drawn, which doesn't allow the dull light from the outside to illuminate the rooms. Who would live here? I mean, apart from him.

I step inside but doesn't close the door behind me because if I close that door, it would mean I would lock myself in, in other words, it would be as if I'd agree to be held captive and I don't want that.

I'm not yet completely in that a silhouette hidden in the shadow near the staircase comes out of the blue. It is not Harry's since he is taking off his jacket a few meters away in the living room, and I have never seen anyone in this house before. I take a step backwards, fearing of the unknown.

"Harry, here you are," the unknown man speaks, though he keeps staring right at me. "I was wondering where you've been all this time."

Surprisingly, the stranger gets no answer. Harry turns a deaf ear and I don't even know why. Why doesn't he react at the unexpected presence of this stranger in his house? The guy takes a step forwards and the light that comes in through the doorway allows me to see his face. He has short dark hair and pale skin, his eyes are a dull shade of grey and the expression on his face is both cold and devilish. He is probably a bit older than Harry and his likeness with him is indubitable. Maybe he is his sibling, maybe it's the reason why it didn't surprise Harry that much to see him here.

He walks past me and when he approaches I step aside. He then shuts the door close behind me, leaving us all three in the darkness. I do not dare to make a move because it doesn't look good to me at all. My eyes follow his every move as he walks around me in a slow pace. He has a drink of liquor in his hands and he brings it to his mouth from time to time without taking his eyes off me. His simple presence and the way he behaves scares me. Why doesn't Harry react at all? He could at least greet him.