The Librarians And The Caretaker's Prophecy

A Father's Gift.

The Annex was quiet once more. The footfalls of the colonel and the new librarians no longer echoed through the halls and Jenkins found himself able to breathe and let some of the tension fall from his shoulders. Finally having finished some of his newest experiments, the caretaker replaced the lab coat he had been wearing and donned a red and blue silk dressing robe to wear over his suit. It was getting late after all, and the children had left home for their mission. He went to the old gramophone and wound it up before gently resting the needle on the edge of the record. A light smile graced usually stern features as the sounds of Satie filled the annex.

Jenkins poured a large glass of whiskey and sat back on his old Chesterfield sofa. As the cool crystal touched his lips, he heard the doorbell.

Muttering beneath his breath in several dead languages, he stood and walked to the front doors of the Annex. Opening them, he felt the rush of wind and rain cloud his vision briefly, the smell of wet grass and earth attacked his nose. Looking up, he saw the one man he truly had not wished to see in centuries.

"Dulacque." His voice was grave. "Out for a stroll in the moonlight and got lost?"

The tall, thin Englishman smirked and shook his balding head. "Oh no, my dear boy... I am delivering a gift to my last relative." He stepped aside, leaning on his cane with one hand as the other handed out a woman from behind him. Her blonde hair was damp from the rain, still halfway in its French twist, and grey eyes met Jenkins'. The young woman seemed much too thin and seemed to have trouble holding her own weight, or lack thereof.

"My lady, please..." Jenkins held out his hand for her and she took it with only slight hesitation.

"Ah it seems she remembers you. If even unconsciously." Dulacque couldn't help a smile as he turned on his heel towards his car. "I'm sure we'll see each other soon, son. I know you'll take good care of her."

Jenkins quickly slammed the door closed, making the young blonde jump.

"Apologies, my lady, please... come inside." He offered her his arm and quickly led her back to his rooms. What had Dulacque meant that she only remembers him unconsciously. What had happened to her? As he sat her down, Jenkins noticed that she wore a new dress and shoes, despite the fact they were soaked through. Her hands gripped onto a small piece of paper and on her finger... her signet ring. A wolf beneath the stars of winter.

"My dear, we should change you out of those wet clothes before you catch your death." He went to the side room where he had a bed and wardrobe. He grabbed her a shirt and a pair of clean briefs. They would be much too big for this lithe woman but it was better than her catching the flu.

Jenkins came back with the clothes and found her cuddling a cushion, looking up at him with something akin to curiosity and a little fear. He knelt down.

"My lady, please," he offered her his hand. "Trust me." As you used to, he refrained from adding. She frowned and shook her head.

"Do you know who you are?" Another shake. "Who I am?" She couldn't make up her mind about that one and shrugged. "I am Jenkins... You are Maria."

"Maria?" Her voice sounded metallic from disuse. "Yes... Maria..."

Jenkins smiled softly. "Come, let's get you changed yes?"

After a moment, she nodded this time, dropping the paper and the cushion and taking his hand to stand. He moved an old changing screen and passed her the clothes over. It was only a moment before he heard her hiss as she changed into the clothes he'd provided. Coming back out, she held her arms tightly around her waist.

"Tea and bed I think, yes?" She nodded and took his hand once more as he led her to the kitchen of the annex.

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