Fear, love... and betrayal; that's what I feel about my new life.
It's a life I never asked for, at least not like that.
I certainly dreamed of adventure, of escaping from my ordinary life, but nothing prepared me for what would happen when my norma...
"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future." J.R.R. Tolkien
Who can boast about being born in such a spectacular place? I feel like running and throwing myself into the lake, floating there and staring up at the stars forever. Nothing could make me happier than to be suspended there at this moment in time.
"Was it really here that I was born? And she..."
"...she died, yes."
I feel a deep respect for this woman who gave me life, and being at this place cements it. The crickets and bullfrogs gently murmur, calming me after such a long day.
"Come, dearest, we must complete our ritual before midnight," Gertrude reminds me, putting her frail arm around me with determination.
I follow her towards this fantastic house.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
A great big black wooden door contrasts with the glazing that covers the walls of the building. The door opens, revealing Charles, who looks rather different than he did earlier this afternoon. He is dressed in a plaid housecoat with pants of the same fabric and is walking barefoot. He is puffing on a cigar and has a tumbler of whiskey in his hand; at least I assume the contents based on the woody scent that fills the entryway.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
He looks tired and seems to be fighting sleep.
"I had given up on you! Come in, ladies," Charles says, turning his back to us and spilling a few drops of the contents of his glass onto the polished concrete floor. He walks towards the living room where, in contrast with the modern décor, a rustic fireplace takes center stage. He stretches out on one of the two brown leather sofas, forcing Gertrude and I to share the small two-seater.
"You have a beautiful home and a drop-dead gorgeous view," I say, in a dreamy voice.
