Vixen

The Estate

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Chapter Five
Location: Chicago, The Lyndon Estate

The Lyndon estate was a large structure, a clear sign of wealth to be perched so nicely in an open space without being cramped by apartments. It was once a very happy place with parties nearly every weekend-most I snuck into- but it was a solemn place now.

The windows didn't glint with a warm glow at night, the doorway was somehow darker, the driveway heavy with weeds, and an aura of grief had settled over its stone. There were only two cars in the driveway, Clarke's being one of them.

I parked at the curb. The weathered structure brought back old memories.

In a sad truth, I  hadn't been here when it all happened. I was out with Mr. Lyndon, he'd been taking me to the library. Clarke had been home with his mother, uncle, and sister.

Clarke's mother was Sarah, her brother was Curt, and Clarke's father was named Phillip. Sarah and Phillip Lyndon had Clarke first. Nearly three years later his sister, Maria, entered the world. After Maria, was his baby brother Daniel. Daniel, only reached a year in age.

Feeling a tightness settle in my throat at the state of the house, and the unwanted memories, I hurriedly turned off the ignition. Taking a weary breath and stepping out of the car I  made my way up the stone path. It was settled in the un-groomed grass, like a river, only without water.

The front door was framed by a large archway built in a modern Greek style. Clarke's family always loved blending vintage and classical things with modern ways of life. One of my favorite adolescent treats was when they let Clarke and I, occasionally Maria if she was awake, dance to the vinyls.

The brass knocker made a loud thrum against the wood. It seemed impossible but that little knocker could make quite a noise. It used to wake Daniel up during his naps.

The grating of a door handle meant my knock had been heard. The door eased open on a set of oiled hinges revealing a beautiful twenty three year old woman.

She was very much like Clarke, but had a stronger resemblance to her mother. "Oh, Diana, it's you."

"Ah, I nearly forgot the sound of that name." The five letter word sent a pang of distaste through my core.

"Sorry, I forgot. It's been a while." Maria gave an apologetic smile. It was easy to tell by the way her frame was hidden behind unusually loose clothes, the pale pallor of her cheeks, and the redness of her eyes, that she was unwell.

Still, she had the same brown hair as Clarke, though her nose was less angular and sloped, her lips were thin in an endearing way, and her eyes were a vibrant caramel. She really was the spitting image of her mother.

"It's alright, no harm done. I...heard you were unwell, I'm sorry," Maria's tiny smile slipped into a fallen stare.

"It seems a rather dark presence likes the Lyndon family," Her eyes became fearful and she was quick to look elsewhere. Before I could ask what she meant she stepped aside, "I assume you're here for Clarke."

"Yes, actually, I wanted to make sure he was alright." Maria nodded at my words and pursed her lips in thought.

"I believe he's in the cinema room. He said something about watching old films. I think he...wants to be alone for a little bit." Maria swallowed hard and nervously wiped her hands on her dress.