It's a kind of magic!
Part three
Nikki
woke, stretched and wondered were the hell she was. The smell of coffee drifted
up to her and the events of last night returned to her. Hopping out of bed she
went to the window. The day was bright and sunny in total contrast to the rain
filled night. Looking around she noticed her clothes had been laundered and laid
out on the vanity. Someone had also thoughtfully provided a new toothbrush and
other toiletries. Nikki quickly got ready and made her way downstairs. The only
other occupant of the kitchen was Linzi.
"Morning."
Said Nikki.
"Morning,"
returned Linzi smiling, "There's fresh coffee in the pot." Nikki
helped herself to coffee and cereal and sat down. Linzi resumed reading the
newspaper. Nikki couldn't help but think that there was something strange about
her. Her brown hair was pulled up in a ponytail and it made her face seem, Nikki
shook her head, it wasn't her face that seemed strange. The thought kept
slipping away from her as she tried to think about. 'I'm imagining things' she
decided, 'lack of sleep and an over emotional few days.' Rae entered the kitchen
from outside. With her was another girl. She was the opposite to Rae having
straight black hair and dressed in black. Nikki felt her apprehension return.
Rae noticed her a quickly introduced her to Witka explaining how she'd came
across Nikki in the woods. Witka offered to let her stay for a while if she was
having problems at home. Nikki accepted the offer gratefully. There was no way
he could find her here. At the same time she pushed down the niggling little
thought that questioned how Rae and Witka seemed to know what they did.
"Do
you want a guided tour of the house?" asked Linzi suddenly jumping up.
"Sure."
Replied Nikki. She and Linzi set off.
"Okay
obviously this is the kitchen," said Linzi with a giggle, "And through
the hallway we have the study and the living room." She bounded over to the
stairs swinging on the newel post. Nikki wondered were the hell she got all her
energy from. Linzi sprung up the steps. "Up here we have the bathroom,
Witka's room, Catherine's room, the stairs to the attic which holds Rae's and
Katya's rooms and finally my room." Linzi concluded breathlessly throwing
open the door. Nikki followed her in. The room was fairly neat, a typical girls
room with cosmetics and other toiletries strewn across the vanity.
"What
d'ya think?" asked Linzi.
"Nice."
Replied Nikki wondering why there was an iron shutter on the window. As she
turned to leave she noticed that the back of the door was covered in sheet iron
as well. Nikki allowed the niggling thought that had been bugging her to
surface. There was definitely something strange about Linzi. As they made their
way downstairs Nikki noticed Witka disappearing into a so far unmentioned room.
"What's
in there?" she asked motioning towards the room.
"That's
the study," Replied Linzi innocently, "Catherine will be in there. She
spends most of her life in there."
"Actually
I meant the other room." Said Nikki as Linzi ushered into the study. Linzi
wrinkled her nose.
"That's
Witka's room. It's nothing important. Catherine this is Nikki." Introduced
Linzi. Nikki surveyed the studious looking girl in front of her.
"Hi
Nikki." Said Catherine holding out her hand. Nikki shook it and looked
around the study curiously. Bookcases lined the walls and old looking parchments
were scattered across the desk. Sitting in the midst of this clutter looking
strangely out of place in the old-world house was a sleek computer.
What
do you do in here?" Asked Nikki intrigued.
"Research
mainly," laughed Catherine, "I've discovered something really
interesting Linzi."
"Yawn
Catherine. You know how that stuff bores me to death." Said Linzi her eyes
flashing with meaning.
"Erm...oh...yes,
of course...yes. I'd forgotten." Catherine sounded flustered.
"Come
on I'll show you the garden Nikki." Said Linzi.
"Sure,"
said Nikki bewildered, "Bye Catherine. Nice meeting you."