Fiona was surprised.
The estate was bigger than she thought it would be. It could almost be called a mansion. It was two stories and looked to be quite old. Fiona remembered Alex mentioning how her grandfather's family had been well off. They parked in the garage, Hewie jumped back barking happily. Stretching his legs.
"He looks happy."
Fiona smiled. "We've been driving for a while."
Hewie's ears shot up, as is hearing something... then he took off into the darkness.
"Hewie!"
Alex laughed. "He probably just heard a rabbit or something, don't worry. Besides he probably need to do his 'business'."
Fiona paused. "True..."
The two of them headed inside.
While the outside of the main building made it seem like the house would be old, it was surprisingly modern. The house was warm and smelled of spices. Soft red carpets lined the halls and well-kept light fixtures gave the place a quaint, soft glow. It felt like a home. It felt safe.
Fiona followed Alex to the study. She spotted an old man, he sat in a large chair by the fire and as they entered his head jerked, as is he had fallen asleep.
"Who-Who's there?"
"Hi grandpa!" Alex said.
The old man smiled. "Oh, Alexis. You've made it, I was starting to worry, after you and your friend didn't make it yesterday... I tried calling you too."
Alex shook her head. "Sorry Grandpa, my phone's... broken."
In reality her phone had been taken my Riccardo and destroyed, possibly dumped in the middle of nowhere.
"I see, so is your friend here?"
Fiona took a step closer, she was surprised to see that the man was blind.
"Fiona, this is my grandpa, Donegan Reynolds."
Mr. Reynolds smiled warmly, outstretching his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Fiona, Alex has told me so much about you."
Fiona took his hand. "Likewise, thank you very much for inviting us to stay with you."
He laughed. "No thanks necessary. The Estate is usually empty, it'll be nice to have company.
Alex sighed. After all they'd been through these past few days, it was nice to be in a place she knew, a place she felt safe.
"So how was your drive here, anything interesting happen?"
They were both quiet. After discussing it in the car, Fiona and Alex agreed it would be best to never mention what happened. To anyone...
"Hey, grandpa, sorry but we're both exhausted from the trip."
He nodded, clasping his hands together. "Yes! Of course. I'm sorry. I can take you to-"
"Hold it right there!" They stopped as another man walked into the room, carrying a tray. He frowned at Alex's grandfather, making him look older. The man was black and incredibly tall man. His black hair was greying somewhat but his eyes were bright. "I can take them to their rooms, you sit down. It's time to take your pills."
Alex smiled at waved. "Hi Leo."
The man smiled warmly. "Good evening Alexis, and Fiona, isn't it?"
Fiona nodded giving a friendly smile. "Yes."
Mr. Reynolds swallowed his pills. "Thank you Leonardo."
"You just relax Donegan. Don't overexert yourself."
Mr. Reynolds nodded.
"I'll show you to your rooms."
Alex hugged her grandfather, then kissed him on the cheek. "Night, we'll have plenty of time to talk in the morning."
They followed Leonardo out of the study and further down the hall.
"Before I take you to the guest rooms, I want to have a look at your arm."
Alex bit her lip. "Oh... you noticed."
"Mind telling me how that happened?"
A giant monster gardener decided to play volleyball with my head...
"I... fell."
Leonardo gave her a look that said he knew better.
"It was a long fall."
"Check her back... and... leg too..." Fiona interjected.
Alex gave her a look, but Fiona was too worried to care. Especially when Alex wouldn't go to the hospital to get herself checked out... in case people started asking questions...
That sat in the room for a while, Leonardo examining the cut on Alex's back.
"This is a rather nasty cut, but there's no infection and it seems to be healing well... I can give you some medicine for the pain."
Then he took a look at her leg...
"You were shot."
Alex was silent.
"It looks like... the bullet went all the way through your leg... this wound is surprisingly well healed. When did you get this?"
Alex. "I..."
Leonardo stared at her for a moment, the checked her x rays. "The bone is healing... whoever set your arm was very skillful. We won't need to re-break the bone..."
Riccardo...
The three of them were silent.
"I'll show you to the guest rooms now. However. Tomorrow I expect a full explanation."
They followed Leonardo down the hall. After a few moments of silence Fiona asked. "So, do you work for Mr. Reynolds?"
"Technically, I suppose that's true."
"Leo has been a friend of the family since then the dawn of time."
Leonardo laughed. "Sometimes it feels longer than that. I'm Donegan's doctor, as well as a close friend. But, recently I've gotten into the habit of doing some household chores, since his condition has worsened."
Alex frowned.
"Is Mr. Reynolds sick?" Fiona asked.
"Not really. He's just old. Between the three of us... I don't think he has much time left..."
They stopped in front of some doors at the end of the hallway.
"These are the rooms, there's a restroom just down the hall. If you need something, don't be afraid to get it, although I probably won't be available... But Alex knows the place so you can ask her if you're hungry and so on."
He nodded politely at them and started to walk away, only to pause.
"I'm glad you made it. It think you being here will do him a world of good."
Alex smiled. "Good night."
"Good afternoon ladies."
"Oh, Leo!"
He stopped. Yes?
"We brought a dog with us, his name is Hewie. He's still outside so-"
He smiled. "I'll let him in if I see him, no need to worry."
When Leonardo was out of sight Fiona heard Alex sigh. "So, you okay?"
Fiona nodded. "Yes, this place is great."
"No, I mean..."
"Yes." She interjected. "Don't worry about me."
Alex nodded. "If you want to shower or anything go ahead, the place is pretty much empty. Only my grandpa lives here."
"What about Leonardo?"
"He lives close by, but not on the estate. Grandpa hires a few guys to shovel snow and stuff like that too... but besides that this place it pretty empty."
Fiona nodded. "I might just do that then..."
Alex yawned. "Right, I'm clocking out. See you in the morning."
"Good night."
The shower was wonderful, though she probably spent way more time in there then she should have...
Now she was clean, warm, wearing her own clothes. She was hungry, but that was miniscule compared to how tired she was. The bed was soft, and the sheets were clean. Someone must have washed them in preparation of them arriving...
She was so relaxed, she fell asleep almost as soon as she closed her eyes...
Long after Fiona fell asleep, the door to her room opened. A woman wearing all black walked into the room. A black veil even covered her face.
She walked silently, making no noise at all.
Fiona had rolled over on her side in her sleep.
The woman reached out her fingers just barely grazing Fiona's left shoulder blade.
The woman smiled.
Fiona woke up with a start, for a second her heart was pounding...
She heard the door close.
"Hello?" Was someone in my room!?
She stepped out of bed, walking to the door, she opened it. She just caught sight of a figure in black turning the corner.
"Wait!"
Fiona chased after them, but she lost them.
And now she was lost. The place was pretty large... After a few minutes of exploring, she found the parlor where they'd met Alex's grandfather. She could find her way from there...
Fiona paused...
Someone was inside the parlor... crying...
She opened the door. "Hello? Excuse me?"
She heard a gasp. She saw someone standing in front of the fire... it was Alex's grandfather.
"Mr. Reynolds? Are you alright?"
He sniffed. "Y-yes... I'm- I'm alright." His voice was horse...
"Are you sure...?"
He sighed. "No... No..."
"Is there anything I can do?"
He coughed. "Maybe... maybe you could... give me some advice."
Fiona started at the man. He kept his back to her, but she could tell by the sound of his voice that he was utterly miserable.
"I suppose... I could try."
He took short, deep breaths. "If someone you, you loved was... If they were sick. If they were dying, would you do anything in your power to- to save them?"
"Yes, of course."
"I-I mean anything... even terrible things..."
What...?
"I don't understand..." She backed up, toward the door...
After another loud sob, his breathing became... focused...
"My dear... did you really think you could run from what you are? From what's inside you?"
No... No...!
Slowly Mr. Reynolds turned around...
His hair was disheveled, His eyes were red and puffy... his shirt was unbuttoned and his chest exposed... and burned into his chest was a symbol she had seen before... It was back in the House of Truth... the cane was the same symbol...
"Please... what, what are you-"
"I'm sorry Fiona... I'll make this quick..."
He ran at her and Fiona screamed, running out the door.