Inside the Wagner House
Prologue
A vicious storm had broken out tonight. Raindrops pounded harshly against the windowpane, with a quick plink, plink, plink rhythm. In the distance, a chorus of angry howls could be heard cutting through the whistle of wind. The tiny landscape below seemed barely able to withstand the torrential winds pounding against the earth, rocking the sparse trees and uprooting loose plants from the soil. A sliver of pale moonlight shone down through the window of a humble cabin onto Gilda's book, and she positioned her candle further away from her eyes.
"It's quite a night," she stated simply, turning towards her husband. The wooden chair creaked as her weight shifted. Her husband looked up from the fishing rod he had been fixing.
"Mm-hm. I thought there'd be a storm, but they didn't mention anything this bad on the television." Silence. Albert looked back to his work, silently threading a new line. Outside, the wolves' melody rose in volume.
"I sure hope they don't come down here, cost me quite a lot to get the barn running again last time we had a raid…"he mentioned in a drained voice. Moving so close to the mountain ranges brought in its own fair share of troubles, namely chicken-snatching predators. The couple learned this the hard way a while ago. But it was void when compared to more recent events, still fresh in their memories.
His wife said nothing, but continued to stare down at her book. Her eyes merely glazed over the text. Albert sighed.
"I hate seeing you like this, dear." Gilda seemed not to take any notice, but her voice became more rigid.
"Just let it go, honey, it'll be alright."
"Sounds like you're trying to convince yourself more than me." His wife went stiff when she heard this.
"It's been a whole week…I'm just saying, we could always adopt-"
"You don't understand." She pushed herself up from the chair. Her hands came down on the table with such force that the house shuddered. Or was it the work of the storm? It had gotten so violent tonight that it was hard to tell. Gilda's husband looked up at her with sudden concern, and she sunk back into her seat.
"It's not as simple as that, Albert. We just have to forget about this. Move-move on," Her voice had cracked. Albert shook his head. He did understand, but he wished more than anything that he didn't have to. A whole year spent in preparation. One whole year, toiling away at a crib, at a room…a whole year of research, anticipation, welcoming happy thoughts of the future. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard his wife shut her book.
"This isn't something I want to think about tonight."
"I know it's not. Listen, Gilda. I know this is difficult. Yes, maybe we should have learned about this earlier than we did. But it's not your fault."
Slowly, he eased his way out of his seat, walking towards his wife. Before she could take the first step up the staircase he trapped her in a hug from behind. She stopped, and for a moment they stood there, content. Than Albert released his grip.
"We don't need a child anyhow. We've got each other." Gilda's hand went to her wedding ring. In the daylight, she recalled the sapphire glittering with a soft blue hue. A small smile crept across her face.
"You know I'd never leave you. It's been too long; and besides, too much of a bother looking for someone else." The couple chuckled. Outside, the rain had started to calm, slowing into a light pitter-patter. Perhaps, if one listened very closely, they could hear a commotion on the far-off mountain, and a splash in the waterfall.
"We'll get through this, dear, you can count on that."