Dust and Shadows

Chapter thirteen: Cole

Homes were not always "sweet", not at all. As I starting making my way down the cold pavement, I looked around and saw the large amount of people walking here and there, the buzz of the low whispering and loud talking, the loud sounds of the cars honking and running down past the pavement... Evening was already turning into Night, and the bright sun was slowly setting in between the tall skyscrapers. The street lamps were already shinning bright and the bright lights if the shops were slowly gleaming on the already bright streets. The night was no longer dark, now there was no difference in between the night and daylight. I didn't like it, the way the night seemed daylight, the way how the world was changing so suddenly... How everybody I loved disappeared in a matter of years, in the blink of an eye, everything had changed and disappeared...

My feet finally stopped and in front of me was a big mansion-like house, separated from the modern world with a large, rusted metal gate. It was made out of precious stones and decorated with old designs, with pillars and a small, rock pathway that lead to the entrance of the house. The windows were all closed and covered with thick white curtains that didn't let anyone see the inside of the deserted looking house. The doormat was old and almost worn out, ripped by the edges and burned hereand there, the words "welcome" fading with the light of the sun. Trees were standing tall and mightily over the walls, impeding any intrusions of any mortal and hiding the old mansion from the eyes of them. Vines were crawling around the walls of the house, some curling over to the roof, others curling along the clear window panes. My hand reached the lock, and with a small click the lock was now opened. The gates were opened and as soon as I stepped inside the house the gates closed on their own, a click sounding after it. Soon after I opened the door, it was always unlocked, at least to those who were allowed to enter. The door opened with a loud groan, the sound slowly echoing through all the house.

As soon as the door was opened the strong smell of wood and leather overpowered my nose, the moist feeling in the air didn't make it pleasant for one to enter the house. The house was dark, the only source of light being the slightest amount of light peeking through the thick white curtains. "I'm home." I muttered softly. Obviously there was nobody to respond my words.

"Such a big house for one person." I said, a sour chuckle leaving my blood-red lips.

Soon I started clicking here and there; slowly the house started getting brighter and brighter. The dim lights and lamps mixing with one another, making the house itself finally look alive. Once the lights were on, everything inside the house could be visible. The house was pretty much made out of golden and brown, dark patches here and there. The furniture was mostly made out of wood, they were old, surely they were. However they had their own majestic aura as old as they were, the beauty of the dark and light woods mixing with one another, all well polished and well decorated with skillful hands. Golden decorations hung and stood here and there: lamps and small boxes, old candle holders and chandeliers.

My hands soon slipped on top of a small round necklace. The necklace itself was a small, decorated with strips of golden and silver. In the center there was a carving of a pair of golden wings, the wings slightly folded. My hands reached for a small opening and with a click the necklace opened, a soothing and beautiful sound of a music box had soon filled the silent house. 

I held the necklace tightly, listening the sound that came from the small necklace. My eyes were still, staring at the golden necklace. 

"Will I ever... See you again..?" I asked to myself and a tear fell from the corner of my eye, rolling down to reach my chin and dropping down on the picture of the young woman who was in the inside of the necklace.

I was sure I wouldn't be able to do so, she was long dead and I was here living a long, terribly long life...