Chapter 2

The sweat clung to my light cotton dress, as I pulled the stubborn weeds from the flower bed. The sun held high in the sky still, though it was late in the afternoon. It seemed the sun loved torturing me with its blistering rays. I would have enjoyed this sun, for in the city, as there were gas fumes and rain clouds always in the sky, so one couldn't experience such weather as the clear sky this was. But the air was anything, but clear. It was a wet heat. The rain from the morning still draped in the feeling of the outside, since water particles still gasped to the edge of tree branches and the air was still thick. Oh was it thick…and wet…and hot.

It annoyed me, the though of I didn't have to be here, pulling these weeds for an ungrateful man, but I wasn't to speak unkindly of the sick now was I? If I had any kind of a soul, I was obligated to be here and tend to him, the stranger, the man that left us with nothing, but pain and utter despair. But my darling father was sick. I would burn in hell for not taking care of him. He was still and will always remain my father, though how often I wish that part of me could just disappear. Mother had wanted me to come, though I had resisted. If I was to get anything from the will, I would have to care for him first, she had explained to me numerous times.

My manipulative Auntie Rose dragged me out here. And I mean literally 'dragged'. She pulled my wrist and heaved me out my mother's estate and into her buggy.

"You are part of this family now no matter what that witch says." She often referred to my mother as a witch, the person that made my father miserable, so miserable he lived two lives, had two wives, two homes, two families.

"If you want anything of a reward, you'll have to earn it." She threatened to me one summer morning. As much as I hated to admit, we needed the money. My sister Claudette and mother need the money. Claudette wanted to go to a college somewhere off the coast of Maine and to afford the best as she deserved we needed money. My mother was recently disabled and in a wheelchair, so she hadn't a chance to go back to work. What was I to do, except go to my father's cottage, his second home by the way, in the middle of no where? I wanted everything he had left to me in that will, and would do anything to get it. And I would get it no other way then to care for him during the comma.

"Please Annette." My mother had pleaded with me the night before. It was all his fault, we were scrambling around for anything we could get nowadays, all his fault my mother's face was buried in her wrinkled hands. "I know it will be hard for you, living on your own with that… man." She spat.

"But we have not a choice. Sarah has left him and Aunt Rose would just gape at the fact of leaving her perfect home to take care of her only brother, her only family left. We're all he has at the moment."

I knew this. And of course by 'we' she meant 'I'. Claudette was in school now, and mother was in no state of mind or body to aid for the man that had left her with nothing. So it was just I, now pulling weeds from a muddy flower bed, in front of a house where within lied a man that knew nothing of me nor did care.

A brisk wind came again, and I smelt the smoke of a near by fire. Who in their right mind would be cold enough to light a fire on a hot evening as this? Seeing that the sun was going down quickly and the last weed was pulled, I decided to take a short bath and then find out.

Of course I had already knew it was them -the strange visitors from the lands beyond here. I dressed in my best gown, a scarlet dress, with a plunging neck line and long length. Surely the towns people would gape at me if I was to arrive in town dressed as this. But I was not heading for town, but in the opposite direction to the lake.

I snuck towards the front door, almost laughing at myself for tiptoeing. The man was unconouious! I made it to the outside air in no time, the sneering sunflowers staring at me and moving slightly in the light winds. The sky was a great pink. This would just be the time when I went into the house not out of, for night would come within ten minutes. I followed the familiar dirt path to the main road, but turned in the adjacent direction. I stopped only to smell the wonderful aromas and sensations in the air. Spices once again filled the evening space. I heard chants and a strumming guitar in the distance and within each step it grew louder. My stomach began doing flips and my breath lightened. In no time I would see these alienated nomads. It was exhilarating.

Closer the lit torches appeared down the main dirt path towards the lake. I could smell the incense stronger now. It burned a deep hole in my throat and made me instantly drowsy. As the small camp site came into view, I had a slight feeling to return back to the cottage, but the entrancing lights, smells, and music beckoned to me, leaving me to drown into their soothing sensations. I suddenly grew scared through my excitement. Were these mysterious aliens as menace as the town's people claimed? What if they took be aboard their ship never to be seen again, and without a trace to my mother and sister?

Instead of strolling in on their party, as I planned, I hid behind surrounding trees in search of some kind of answers to my haunting questions. At last I had found what I was in search for.

The torch lit path led to the dock, where a fire ablaze and meat of some sort cooked. Its seasoned and smoky aroma filled my nostrils and instantly made my stomach rumble. Three men sat close to the fire, their backs turned to me. From the distance, I saw the same bronze skin of all three, the skin of their land and ancestors.

They seemed normal to me and dressed in reds and blacks their attire seemed quite presentable. T he three men by the fire all wore black slacks and satin black vest. Beneath their vest were maroon shirts. Though a very gothic fashion was represented by the strange visitors, their laughs and humble strums of the guitar said something else. They were regular people, dressed in the clothing of their land. I almost laughed out loud of the crazed and shallow talk of the town's folk.

Men and women soon filed out of the ship, holding crates and such for the celebration. I found myself studying the women more then anyone else.

They wore long gowns of black, purples and reds all arranged in years the other one upheld. The elder women that spoke the language of their land, wore black robes, dragging across the floor and black scarves around their face. The younger women hair was in plaining sight. It was long and rich as the men's flowing freely. Some had braids intertwined with golden tread, other's had bandanas restraining their hair away from their faces.

A woman about my age, lit another fire and the elder women brought a pot of other strong spices. They seemed to be making a zesty stew. This made my mouth water even more.

Children also filed out of the boat, wearing normal clothes of the town's children, except theirs were simpler arranging in colors of tans and whites.

The children ran and played by the surround trees where I stood and quickly I got worried. What if I was spotted?

"Mady!" A little girl pulled the arm of the man strumming the guitar. His side was turned to me and I instantly blushed. He was one of the most attractive men I had ever seen.

"Mady, there's a memelose in the trees! Come see!" the little girl pleaded to the breath-taking man. My heart throbbed recklessly.

"There is no memelose in these parts. They're in the town late at night, in search of wondering children!" He threaten, a charming smile swept onto his face. My knees almost bulked. Perhaps it was time to go out of hiding. It was considered rude.

"But Mady!" The girl looked in my direction again. "I see her! She's a real life spirit!"

Before I knew what was happening, I stepped out of the trees. The visitors all stopped what they were doing and looked at me in great surprise and suspion. Some even gaped at me.

"Hello." I said kindly, the feelings of fear coming back to me once again.

"It's the memelose." The girl whispered quietly, her voice almost escaping in the sudden wind. "I told you, Maddy."

"Sorry if I caused any interruption." I said too suddenly.

"What exactly are you doing here?" The man known as Maddy eyed me susioiously.

"I…well." What was I doing here, exactly?

"Look, we didn't kill your cat, I didn't brake your fence, and I didn't summon Satin against your crops, okay? You simple folk need to just give up your close minded ways and stop accusin'."

"I didn't come here to accuse."

Maddy's eyebrows rose. Everyone stood waiting.

"I came here to welcome you to Harvey."

They all continued to glare at me in silence, testing if what I said was true.

Suddenly a weak, crackling laugh summoned from the crowd. Everyone turned their gaze from me to the old lady dressed in black. She began to laugh uncontrollable and soon like a disease, it infected the whole group. I stood their, immobile, unsure what to do and why they were laughing.

The elderly laughing woman limped over to me, her cane clinched in her wrinkled hands. Her dark, mouse like eyes looked into mine, making me feel instantly warm and comfortable inside that I almost smiled. It was a strange effect the lady casted upon me.

"Okay." She declared, taking my hand in her's. "We make you food and music."

Her voice was cracked as her soft hands, but sure enough it was as soothing to me as her eyes. The other visitors seemed to lighten up as well, returning back to what they were doing.

"What's your name, Dear?" Another old woman grasped my cheek roughly, making me almost wince in pain.

"Annette. Sorry if I am any kind of intrusion, I'll turn back now if you wish…"

"Pish Posh!" The women muttered, linking my arm in hers and led me to the group of women around the, now boiling, pot. "My name is Siberia and this is my daughter Poitu." She pointed one boney hand to a gorgeous lady with rich skin and hair. She batted her eyelashes at me and said hello. I smiled politely.

"That laughing kook over there is Peenia." Siberia then introduced me to the laughing, kind woman who was the first to greet me in the group. Peenia then muttered something in a distance tongue and the ladies giggled in response.
"Pay no attention to them! I am fine in health and mind!" Siberia claimed, shaking her head in Peenia's direction. As Siberia turned around, Peenia held up an imaginary glass in her hand, drank it and pointed to Siberia, as if demonstrating what Siberia did in her free time. I laughed quickly, so she would not catch me. But Siberia paid no attention. She continued with her introductions.

"That is Willie, my ne-tu…net-fu…" (Siberia stumbled on her English but quickly covered it by, "my sister's son.") She pointed to the man tending to the fire, with a large thick braid down his back. He gave me a brief wave, while eyeing me up and down and went back to the fire.

"This is Alsha, me don't know how he is in relations to me though." She shot him a confused look and shook her head.

"And the dashing boy right here is Madden. He is my cousin's son." Sibera then sat me down in a chair next to the fire. I sat across from the beautiful man named Madden. He glanced at me quickly and I looked to the ground. "Hope ye be hungry, Deary. We're havin' a feast!" I smiled as the insane lady walked away.

"So why are you really here then? Doing some spying on us for the council? It's a free land, Love, we're allowed to go where ever we see fit." Madden's voice kept low as if he didn't want the small tribe to hear.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" I replied bluntly, looking back at his dense gaze. "I've only been here a few weeks, so its unlikely I know if there is even a council in the first place." His eyes were so deep and captivating. The single flame of the fire reflected in them.

"Oh Mady, leave the girl alone. You're so damn paranoid." Willie winked at me slyly. "Besides its not every day we get such fine, fine, company. We wouldn't want to scare her away now would we?"

"So you say you just came to these parts. Where did you come from?" Alsha asked inquisitively, as if testing if my facts were true.

"Lonsonberg." I replied with a sigh. The meat seemed ready now, its sauce dripping off and into the fire. A large burly man appeared, sinking a knife in the moist meat cutting thin slices.

"Hey Areesh say hello to our friend here, Annette." Willie arched his eyebrows and gave me a hinting look again.

"'Ello." Areesh's eyes glared at me then back to the meat once again.

Unexpectedly music played, sounding off that supper was ready. A group of men played many instruments including those I had never seen before.

The woman seemed to know the words and sang to it while dishing out the unique broth.

"Deary, get a plate and join us, yes?" Siberia waved over to me.

I couldn't wait to fin out if the food tasted as delicious as the smell.

The kind crowd gave me a bowl of the brew, strange, sweet bread, and a shaving of the meat. And it did taste as delectable as anything I had ever tasted. The exotic spices and taste lingered into one satisfying bite, making me close my eyes in delight.

"Try a little of this." The boys around the fire coaxed to me. Madden watched at a distance diagonally from the fire. They handed me a small cup filled of purple juice. Its strong scent of alcohol made my noise tingle. I drank the sharp liquid in one define gulp and felt it burn a pleasing hole in my stomach.

"Is this safe?" I asked naively, when Siberia was near.

"Of course!" She declared taking a drink herself. "Its old machine. Good for the blood and nerves. Handle it with care though. Salute!"

The exotic food and music made the experience so worth while. After people finished eating, they danced a cultural dance encircling one large fire. Around the women's feet, bells of silver were tied making blissful noise at every step. They reminded me of gypsies and perhaps they were, twirling with scarves of oranges and reds.

Willie and Alsha left the two of us, to join the dance. Soon we were alone, sitting besides a burnt out fire.

"I apologize how rude I was before, though you can't blame me. It was unthinkable we would get such a polite visitor." Madden gazed at me with softer eyes. I blushed contently in pride.

"Its quite alright." I watched the small flame flicker in and out of the charred wood.

Madden, at once stood up and held out his hand. I stared at him with puzzlement.

"Come on." He reassured. "We're going to dance."

"I'm not sure..I know how to do this.." I stuttered in pure uneasiness.

"I'll lead then. Any bloke can do it with two feet."

I took his rough, warm hand in mine and he led me towards the music.

He kept his hand over mine and placed his other on my waist. My skin tingled under the warmth. I grasped his solid shoulder delicately and we were off, dancing into the dark, just the flamed torches reflecting in his eyes.

"It's a sort of waltz. Do you know how to waltz?" His breath touched my cheek.

"Yes."

"Do you know it well?" Madden teased.

"Yes!"

"Its like a waltz but fast. Very fast and has a simple seductiveness to it." He laughed as I stepped on his foot in anxiety. Did he just say seductive?

"Relax. I thought you said you knew the waltz well."

"I do. Perhaps you were just taught wrong."

He laughed again and changed the pattern of his feet, his hand more distinctly on my waist. I followed well, changing the tempo of my stubborn feet, to a faster paste. My waist twisted as he directed in circles, his eyes never leaving mine.

And then we were one. One in the same movement and breath.

The song instantly became faster, and I tried so desperately to keep up. We twirled around the ground now, in the dark evening sky. We were a lot closer, nothing in between us. I'm sure he could feel my heart beat rapidly, as I felt his.

The music had stopped as abruptly as it began, and we took time to let go of each others bodies and eyes.

"Come with me." He whispered after quick gasps of his weary breath. He let go of my hand and placed his in his pockets. I folded mine awkwardly and followed him.

He led me to a top of a hill, overlooking the lake and campsite. A million, perhaps trillion, stars twinkled down on us. I took a large gulp for air. I had never seen the night before in this rural area. I had avoided it, much like my father.

"Its beautiful." I murmured in awe.

"Yes." Madden cooed softly. I felt his eyes on me. "It is."

I glanced back at him, blushing uncontrollably.

Madden cleared his throat and whispered again. It seemed strange to use normal voices in such a place like this.

"Who are you staying with, if you are a visitor?"

"My father." I said, not noticing the bitterness in my voice till later.

"If you can call it staying." I added.

He faced me now, peering at me questionably.

"He's in a comma right now. He's sick. He doesn't know what's going on and if he ever wakes up, which is unlikely, he won't know who I am."

"I'm sorry for your lost. Death here, unfortunately, is considered a sorrowful act."

"He's not dead, yet. Just sick." I said firmly.

"If he can't see your face, or breathe this sweet air, or experience anything… If he is not living what is he?" Madden turned to me, his eyes filled with lost and grief.

It was silent then. I hadn't a thing to say, nor anything to consummate.

"I'm sorry for your lost." He muttered, staring at the skies again.

I nodded quietly.