Not My Home Anymore

Chapter Two

It’s only been a week since I’ve received Gran’s note, but I still read it every day trying to decipher the true meaning. The little box sits on my nightstand, still emitting the same importance as it did in the attic. Everyday I’ve made my way back up the old ladder into the attic but to no avail. Searching through every box, every little locket filled with my childhood will not explain to me what she meant.

“C’mon Victoria! Think. What would have Gran done?” I lean my head into my hands frustration filling my body.

Suddenly a little whisper enters my ear. Looking up towards my window I notice nothing, and surrounding me is the same patched blanket for which I cocooned myself in. I strain both my ears letting even my breath slow to a dull sound. There, again a whisper perhaps clearer this time makes its way into my ear, leaving behind a stiff meaning.

I sit up grabbing the box off my nightstand to place it on my vanity, sitting down in front of it. Tracing my fingers down the side I hear the familiar creek of the stairs as my Aunt attempts to again surprise me.

“Aunt Cassie, I’m telling you! I can always hear you!” I move to open the door as I talk. Turning the handle I swing the door open, but to my surprise there is nobody there. “Aunt Cassie?”

I hear a clatter down in the kitchen, and my Aunts head pops out of the corner, “Yes Vic, do you need something?”

“N-no,” I stammer. ‘I just thought I heard someone.”

Aunt Cassie shrugs her shoulders and disappears back into the kitchen and the clattering commences again.

Shaking my head I slowly close my door, turning around to see a figure sitting on my bed. No, not a figure, a man. Not just any man, this man has strange tattoo’s running along his arms that resemble vines and hair as black as the night sky. With eyes that could pierce the strongest tree, not to mention that those piercing eyes are staring straight at me.

“Are you done looking me over, or should I stay in this position for a few seconds longer?” He asks in almost a loving way but his eyes aren’t any less of sharp.

I step back, the door closing from my weight and cock my head to the side like a questioning pup looking for food.

“Those are some bold words for a man to be saying before he introduces himself,” The words come out in a train wreck, but they come out with a purpose nonetheless.

He chuckles as he stands, making his way to my vanity, placing a hand on the small little box. “Your Grandmother entrusted me with looking out for you. She did say you were quite the detective, of sorts,” He grimaced, looking more sarcastic with his mouth twisted like that.

Moving quickly I step cautiously to stand in front of him, politely taking the box from his hands and holding it to my chest. I look up at him, with many questions that maybe he could answer.

I small rap on the door makes me turn away, but realising that might be a mistake a turn back to make sure the man stays there. Of course, he doesn’t. The man who so easily won my trust vanished in a blink of an eye.

 “He knew my grandmother,” I whisper.

“Victoria, dinner is ready,” Aunt Cassie opens the door and looks at me weirdly, “You really do like that box don’t you?”

I laugh, and reply, “It does seem to bring along surprises.”

Aunt Cassie tilts her head but doesn’t ask me anything, instead she loops her arm with mine taking the box and putting it back on the vanity.  As we walk towards the hallway Aunt Cassie begins to brief me on tonight’s dinner. She knows I’m most likely not listening but that was always Aunt Cassie’s way; always get the conversation going.

All the way through dinner all I could think about was my grandmother. What was she thinking, who was that man she entrusted to protect me, and what does that note really mean. But mostly, will that man really help me.