Familiar

7. | The Hermit

WALKING TO THE trolley from Fiona's after finishing four more boxes of books was a relief. The crisp autumn air perking me up, but not enough as I thought of tonight. I waited patiently behind a short line of people already gathered and suddenly felt a light pressure on the back of my neck. I looked over my shoulder to see no one and my eyes scanned the trees and shrubbery to no avail. But I knew someone was watching me.

Trying to ignore it, I stepped up when it was my turn and dropped my money in the till, walking briskly to a single seat. When it was clear that no one else was boarding, the trolley jerked into motion and only then, as we were moving did the pressure ebb though it didn't go away.

As I disembarked at my stop the pressure became more insistent, forcing me to pivot in a circle, looking for the object of this staring to stand out like a sore thumb. Again, I saw nothing out of place and quickly dashed across the street and through the iron gates at the front. I knew that whatever was out there might not be friendly and the only thing that could keep it at bay was the warding spells that were placed on the property to keep uninvited creatures out.

Ascending the porch steps, Price opened the door right as my foot touched the top step. He bowed slightly when I crossed the threshold and my mother was waiting, her hands clasped in front her and she smiled tightly, like she had to exert the muscles around her mouth.

"Odette, how nice of you to return. We we wondering where you'd gone and you left without notice nor took your phone."

"Yes, I'm sorry Boyd and I were at Fiona's," I nervously cleared my throat as quietly as possible, watching my mother attempt to restrain her features from becoming drawn.

"Well, it's an hour until dinner and our guest is waiting in the main parlor, so you need to get upstairs and make yourself presentable. Now!" She hissed under her breath then turned on her heel and walked away. I hurried up the stairs to find Lenny waiting for me in my room with clothes laid out on the bed and a bath already drawn.

"Miss, we must hurry, your mother-"

"I know Lenny, she's in a bad mood." I sighed and began stripping down. Lenny bustled about the room while I washed quickly, not realizing how dusty and grimy being inside Fiona's renovated store was.

I was quick to wrap my hair in a towel after having wrapped a separate one around my body. While I put lotion on my skin, Lenny started on my hair, first combing through it then blow drying it. I took a small reprieve from hairstyling to slip on the the pale green dress and beige heels Lenny had laid out and then sat right back down so she could style my hair.

Lenny was deft as she pulled and twisted strands of hair, pinning it here and there to hold it in place. It wasn't long until she stepped back and told me she was finished.

"Thank you Lenny, it looks great, as always," I smiled at her through my reflection in the mirror after seeing her work. She bowed and I crossed the room, not exactly running when I was out in the hallway.

I slowed my pace when I got to the top of the stairs, allowing me to steady my breath before descending. Each step that brought me lower filled my stomach with anxiety. I had no clue as to who my parents invited for dinner tonight only that I really had no desire to meet him.

My hands couldn't stop bunching the soft tulle of the skirt the nearer I got to the parlor room where I could hear the familiar voices of my family and one I didn't. I rounded the corner and tried to unclench the fabric of my dress when I saw my mother sitting beside a man with reddish brown hair and dark eyes.

He stood upon seeing me enter and bowed, then striding over to grasp my hand. He brought it to his lips and his near black eyes flicked up to meet mine.