《The Velvatine Murder》 A Zodiac Story

- Prologue -

Reminiscence

The click-clacking of delicate heels rang throughout the looming halls of the manor as a tall, lithe blonde woman made her way through, admiring the elegant paintings & sculptures from her childhood as they passed her. Every once in a while, she would close her eyes and try to recreate various scenes from her past, her eldest brother picking her up & spinning her around as they pretended to dance in the ballroom, smiles as wide as could be on both of their faces.

One of her older cousins singing her to sleep at night, only to stop midway while the girl reached to her, trying to mend the sadness that hid behind her eyes. To many it was unnoticeable, but to her, it was clear as day.

A faint smile crossed the woman's face as she recalled all the humorous tricks the twins would play on the staff, as well as the amusing look of frustration as her cousin, the daughter of Williams, tried to teach her how to effectively play chess to no avail. Despite what others may think, times were joyous here. They were better times, blithesome times...

And then...he left them...why did it have to happen?

"Mother! Mother!"

The voice that the woman had come to love over the years brought her out of her thoughts as she spun around to greet its owner. The young girl waddled in, the folds of her dress in one hand, a neatly crested letter in the other. The child herself looked quite flushed, as she was panting lightly. The windows of the manor were coated in such a thick layer of dust, sometimes it was easy to forget just what time of day it was.

Kneeling slightly to her level, the woman cupped the girl's cheeks as she fought to catch her breath. "Little one, what are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be waiting with your father," she asked. The girl, finally relaxed, handed the letter to her mother. "I was," she responded, "but I forgot to give this to you. It came in the post this morning. I think it's from Auntie Sullivan!"

Smiling, the woman reached down and took the letter into her hands. It's been so long...

"What have you been doing in here, mother?"

Exhaling steadily, the woman rose back to her feet. "Just...remembering the past, dear. Nothing more," she said, solemnly. "You should head back to your father, I won't be long-" "Wait!" the girl said as her mother was about to turn her towards the exit. Quietly apologizing for her outburst, she spoke again in an even tone. "I was wondering if...perhaps...I could explore the manor with you?" Skeptical, the mother asked her child why in God's name would she want to stay in a sad, haunting place.

"Well, I don't know anything about this place other than it belonged to your grandfather, and you seldom speak to me & father about your past." Walking closer to the woman, the girl clasped onto the skirts of her dress and looked up at her with the most pleading of eyes. "Can't you pretty please tell me something about this place? Why is it so special to you?" Oh bother, thought the mother. Not that look, again.

*Sighs* "Very well, you wish to know why this place is so significant to me?" Nodding eagerly, both daughter and mother sat together on an old, but sturdy settee and glanced upon the paintings surrounding them. "You see, love, a few years ago when I was about your age, my two elder brothers -your uncles- and I were preparing to visit our dear grandfather..."