The Blue Wings

The Dark of the Night

My feet padded softly and slowly across the familiar hallway into the next room. The carpet felt soft against my feet despite the many years of use it had been through. I was searching for the old ring that my father gave me. The necklace that had held it had snapped as I  was reaching for a book in a higher shelf this afternoon and I hadn't noticed it roll across the floor.

Looking around the rustic room I saw a flash of light on the floor and slowly strolled over to the bookshelves pick up the small band of metal.

My father had made it for me when I was only six and I remembered watching him forge a small block of metal to the perfect size for my little fingers. After 12 years, it didn't fit around any of my fingers anymore so I wore it on a gold chain around my neck.

The old chain had broken and fallen off, leaving the ring to drop and roll around on the floor.

My slim fingers curled around the small metal band and my eyes scanned the room. Looking for the chain, I noticed the shadows outside move.

Moving to look through the open window, I look down and notice the moonlight reflecting off the shiny gold chain next to the arm chair. The broken pieces of the connector lay beside the old chain.

Looking around as I felt shivers up my spine as the cold wind brushed against my skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake. Ignoring the goosebumps I try to dispel them by rubbing my arms as I bended over to pick up the chain. Listening closely, I tried to detect any noises that caused my unease.

The familiar footsteps of the old guard echoed off the cobblestones down in the garden below the window. I moved back away from the clear pane to avoid being seen by the guard, I hid behind the old curtain and made sure to quiet my breathing before listening closely again. The creaking of the old lantern he always carried slowly stopped and there was a muffled thud.

I felt my muscles tense as I creeper back to peek out the window. Slowly inching back the curtain, I look out and see a retreating black figure as well as the guard lying on the ground.
Not caring about secrecy anymore, I slid the old window open and set my feet on the windowsill. I felt my muscles tense as I prepared myself to jump from the third story.

Feeling the adrenaline rush through my veins and my legs pushed me of and I slithered through the air and landed gracefully on the ground beside the body of the unconscious guard. Leaning down and checking his pulse, I listen for any other noises and carefully check my surroundings.

Using my senses, I try to track down any clues or scents the culprit may have left behind.
The guard groaned lightly as he started to wake up. I jump back and land silently in old lush green bushes that have been growing in the same spot for years. I remember watching the gardener trip them when they got to unruly.

Quickly hiding myself from view if the guard, I successfully sneak through the straight laced bushes to the empty side yard and listened intently for the guards shrill whistle.

The sound pierced through the night and with it came many more footsteps of many other guards. This  huge mansion was surprisingly well guarded and the only reason I was here was the fact that my father had snuck me in.

I was different from other kids and my father had kept me a secret for quite awhile. I wasn't about to let something such as my stupidity ruin his peaceful life here at the mansion.

He worked as an engineer here at Antoni mansion, and since they protected my father these past few years, I decided that I would protect them to the best of my ability.

The Antoni's were kind people who had taken my father in when they were still building the mansion.

I remember sneaking around the house and exploring everything quietly at night. I remember finding all the trap rooms and secret passageways that Leo Antoni and his wife, Violet, had designed into the mansion.

I wasn't but a babe when my father had taken me in. He missed his wife dearly after she passed during child birth and luckily my little brother had survived until he was about five.

That was the day the accident occurred.  My father had been out shopping and escorting Mr. And Miss Antoni with my brother when a carriage came out of nowhere and hit little Benjamin.

His injuries were grave and the doctors could do nothing for him but put him in a coma to ease his pain until he passed.

My father was distressed in so many ways and I could only do so much to help him ease his pain. I secretly helped clean the mansion and I hunted for mice when I could. I rearranged the books in the library for many nights until they were all in alphabetical order.

That was only the first accident however.