2
Simon didn't get much sleep that night. I mean, who would, a woman who was near death was currently sleeping away in his bed. He stared at the ceiling, his back alerting him that the couch was probably not the best choice for him. The events of the night seemed blurry, but he was certain of one thing. Tiffany had called off the engagement. Before he let his mind wander more, Simon let the cruel darkness of sleep take over.
He awoke to the sound of something rummaging through his kitchen. He blinked, the sunlight streaming through his blinds and hitting his eyes. His blue eyes widened as he remembered the woman. Simon sat up quickly, his gaze turning to his room where clean, folded sheets sat on his bed.
"Morning," he jumped as a feminine voice greeted him, "Sleep well?" He squinted, grabbing his glasses to give himself a better look. Though the woman was still covered in dried, brown blood, the color seemed to have returned to her cheeks. Her auburn hair was tangled and matted. Her eyes caught him off guard. They were a striking, crystal blue, but something seemed to swirl in them.
"M-Morning. You look… Well?" He chuckled nervously, doing his best to not seem alarmed. The woman smirked, her eyes rolling as she sipped from the cup of tea she must've made for herself. "Well? I'm flattered." He checked her arm, noticing that her cut was just a thin line now, "Your arm! It seems healed." The woman glanced at her wound, "Thank you… For last night. Believe it or not, most of that blood wasn't mine."
His eyes widened and he did his best to hide his nerves with a smile. The look on the woman's face meant she wasn't buying it, "Don't worry. It doesn't involve you… Yet." Her smile was catlike. Simon felt safe, but she seemed like the woman brought danger.
"I-I'm Simon," he stuck his hand out to shake her's, "Simon Seville." Her delicate fingers accepted his offer, giving his hand a soft shake. "Nice to meet you Simon. Do you have a shower?" He nodded, pointing her in the direction, "Aren't you going to introduce yourself?" He asked as she began to make her way towards the bathroom. She shook her head, smiling at him apologetically, "You already know too much, Simon."
He muttered an okay, scratching his head as he stood and decided he needed coffee to get through the day. As he walked by his house phone, he noted the red blinking light. A voicemail. He pressed play, cringing as he heard Tiffany's shrill anger fill the room.
"Simon Seville! I can't BELIEVE you left me last night. Don't even think about calling back because I won't answer. It was a big night last night and you just threw it away. I bet the woman you helped is already dead. Was she worth it? Whatever I don't care. If I never see you or hear from you again, I'll consider myself lucky. Goodbye, Simon."
There was no sadness in the woman's voice, just disappointment and maybe even relief. He grabbed his phone and punched in her number. A dial tone never began. All Simon got was the beeping of a busy or disconnected line, "Stupid." He slammed the phone back into the receiver.
Simon made it about halfway through his kitchen until his task was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Oh what," he hissed to no one in particular. He opened the door and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Hello," a tall man said. He was wearing a round hat and a rugged suit. Simon did his best not to cringe at his teeth as he smiled, "My partner and I," he motioned to a short, stocky man who stood next to him. The man's hair was a fire red, his teeth just as strange. "My partner and I are looking for our cousin. She's been running around all night and we are quite worried."
A feeling sunk into Simon's stomach. He felt his palms begin to sweat. "Have you seen this woman?" The shorter man held up a poster. The picture looked like the woman who was currently showering in his house. Bethany, the name read.
"Who are you guys?" Simon asked as his eyes ran over the poster. "Us? Well," the tall one said, "I am Lloyd and this guy here is Varnet," his palm messed the red hair up on his companion. "Have you seen her? There is a reward…" Simon shook his head. Though he wasn't sure why he was lying, something told him it was in his best interest to keep 'Bethany' hidden. "Can't say I have."
Lloyd's face turned into a scowl. He didn't like Simon's answer. He pushed into the house, Simon growing a bit defensive, "Wh-What are you doing? You can't just come in like this!" Lloyd opened and doors and cabinets, sniffing the air, "I-I'll call the police on you!" Varnet snickered, "They won't help much, laddie."
Simon's face fell as Lloyd triumphantly made his way to the bathroom. He flung the door open, only to find a clean, unused bathroom. "Hm… I-I'm sorry," stuttered Lloyd, "I thought I sensed her. Please forgive me." He gave Simon a toothy smile, showing his full mouth of canines.
Simon just nodded, "M-Mistakes happen." He pushed his blue glasses up the bridge of his nose as he watched the pair leave. "If you do see her," said Varnet, "You will call, right?" Simon gave them a nervous smile, "Of course." The men chuckled.
Simon closed his door, hitching every lock he could find. He scratched his head, trying to figure out where the woman could have gone. "Where did she…" He jumped in surprise as she came out of the bathroom, drying her long hair in a brown towel.
"Where were you?" He asked, a bit skeptical, "That man looked in the bathroom." She shrugged, smiling, "Well I was here." He shook his head, glancing around. "But where?" The woman stopped, giving him a look that meant she knew more but wasn't going to share with him, "Here. In your home."
The man just nodded, "Yes yes certainly… So you are Bethany?" The look on her face meant she didn't like the name much. She shook her head, "No. Brittany. My name is Brittany." Simon let the small victory sink in.
Brittany was cleaned now, the blood no longer sticking to her clothing and skin. He noted that she was a stunning woman. Her hair was shined and her features were delicate. "So Brittany," he said, "What's next for us?"
She raised an eyebrow, her fingers raking through her long hair to tie it up in a messy ponytail, "There is no us, though I am truly sorry." He felt the apology in her eyes, "Sorry for what?" Simon couldn't help but press. Brittany smiled, "You'll catch on soon enough."
"Catch on… WHAT IS THAT?" The man reached for his shoe and threw it at a form that scurried across his floor. "Stop! You're going to hurt him!" Brittany grabbed the shoe, whacking Simon with it. "You can come out…" She said to the creature.
Simon blinked, not wanting to believe what was happening. A small rat scurried out of a corner and crawled into Brittany's grasp. "He didn't mean it," she cooed, giggling softly as the rat squeaked back. "He wants you to apologize," she glanced over at Simon.
"To a rat?" Simon said flatly. The woman nodded, the look on her face telling him he had better apologize if he knew what was good for him. "Yes… Apologies Mr. Rat…" That seemed to be enough for the rat. It quickly leaped from Brittany's hold, getting lost in the walls. "Do you have a piece of paper?" Brittany was rummaging through his drawers, "and a pen…"
Simon nodded, grabbing the supplies from a nearby table as he handed it to the woman. "Sure… What're you doing?" He peered over her shoulder. Her hand began to write a letter, the words in perfect cursive. Simon was a bit impressed by her penmanship. "I'm writing a letter to someone who owes me a favor. I'm in need of their assistance."
Simon noted the small accent in the woman's voice, maybe Australian? He couldn't tell. Brittany finished up her letter, her fingers quickly rolling it as she searched in her pockets and came up with a rubber band, "Aha… I knew I had one," she mumbled to herself.
The woman rushed to the window. She pushed it open and whistled. A dark crow flew to her, "Hello old friend," she said to it. Simon knew he looked more than freaked out. His mouth hung open as he watched her tie the note to the bird's leg, "Now, don't be too long. I'm on the run," she smiled at the bird, willing it to take flight.
Brushing her hands together like she just completed a task, Brittany turned back to Simon, "What. You've never seen someone send word by bird?" She was being sarcastic. A joker, great. "You know something is up here, right?" He was trying to pry. He needed more information. Brittany shook her head, acting as if she didn't know what he could be referring to.
"I'm afraid I don't follow," her smirk returned to her lips. "Look," Simon said, trying to sound a bit stern. Brittany's eyes widened sarcastically at his tone. "Look," he started again, "I-I deserve to know what is happening. I saved your life!" He threw his hands up, hoping his dramatics made the woman give him a bit more information.
"For that," she said, "I am forever grateful." Her hand was placed over her heart, "But for now this is as far as you go." She gave him a flashy smile, turning back to the window. The crow returned, a note bound to its leg. She read it quickly, her fingers crumbling it when she was done. The paper disappeared like dust.
"Well," Brittany said, "Looks like it is time to part ways. Simon, I truly do apologize for what has happened. I hope one day you'll forgive me." She gave him a smile, her palm pressing to his wall. "Forgive you? For what?"
She didn't answer. She gave him one final smile before she disappeared from his view.
Simon blinked at where she was standing, shaking his head to clear his mind. "What in the world…" Simon Seville decided to forget. He made his way to his bathroom, hoping a shower would clear his mind.
As the water hit his body, Simon heard his front door open. He froze and stepped out, grabbing a towel to wrap around his body. "Yes! This is one of our most popular floor plans," a woman who was dressed as a Realtor said, "It's quite spacious."
A couple followed close behind her, "I love it," said the woman, "Though the decor is a bit tacky…" Simon glared at her, "My decor isn't tacky…" His eyes widened as he realized these people were in his home. HIS home.
The group made their way to the bathroom and Simon panicked. He stood, wrapping the towel tightly around his waist, "The bathroom is spacious!" He cleared his throat as the woman peered in, "What are you doing in my home?" She seemed to not hear him… Or even see him. His heart sank a bit as he ran out of his bathroom, standing in front of the Realtor. "Why are you selling my home? I still live here!" The Realtor looked through him, smiling at the woman's comment.
"So what do you guys say? You like it?" The couple glanced at each other, smiling, "We'll take it!"
Simon's mouth hung open, "Did she just sell my home? What is… What is happening?" He rushed to his bedroom and threw on a pair of dark jeans and a loose blue v-neck. He slung a light coat on and stuffed his wallet into his pocket. The man rushed out the door.
He ran to his job, taking note that his desk was full of someone else's things, "My stuff is gone… Excuse me!" He yelled to his good friend. The man didn't react, he didn't even flinch to Simon's raised voice.
Frustrated, Simon left his office and ran to Tiffany's place of work. "Tiffany!" He yelled in front of her office door. The woman answered, giving him a smile, "Do you have an appointment?" He shook his head, "It's me, Simon." A look of recognition flashed across her features. Simon smiled, relieved that she was no longer angry about the night before, "Tiffany… I'm so happy you remember…." A man walked through Simon's body, greeting Tiffany with a handshake. "So glad you could make it," her attention seemed to switch to the man.
"Wh-What?" Simon turned on his heels, running back out into the streets of London. He panicked, stopping as he noticed a man who saw him. "Do you know where we are?" The man gave him a confused look, "Of course I do…" Simon nodded, "London, right?" The man threw his head back in laughter, "Ah… Ahaha… Afraid not. You're in Reigndom now, son." Simon blinked back his confusion.
"Could you help me?" The man shrugged, "Have anything to trade for my help?" Simon quickly dug through his pockets, pulling out a few coins, "Hm?" The man grabbed the coins, inspecting them in the light, "Follow me."
Simon followed the man into a tall door. The place they entered was cold and damp. Simon squinted into the darkness, trying to pull out shapes or anything familiar. "Here ya go…" The man stopped, pushing Simon forward.
"And who is this?" A voice asked. The voice was soft and feminine, but definitely in charge. "A straggler from London," The man said, his voice indicating he was already halfway down the hall they had come through. "Delightful," said the woman.
Simon's eyes adjusted to the darkness. The woman in front of him was short and blonde. Her hair was braided into two French braids, "I am Eleanor, welcome… I guess you need help?" Simon nodded quickly, his eyes noting the other forms that wandered around the darkness. "Y-Yes… Where am I? I-I'm Simon." Eleanore snickered, "I know. The rat told me about you. Brittany got you into some trouble? I suppose its her you're after."
Simon nodded, "I guess. She apologized, but I'm a bit confused as to what is happened." Eleanor shrugged, "First, you're lucky the rat liked you. He said you threw a shoe at him? Rude," the woman smirked, "Second, you're in Reigndom, the city on top of London I suppose." Simon did his best to let the words make sense, "They can't see me?" Eleanor shook her head, "You no longer exist to them, Simon. By helping Brittany, you let yourself slip through. That's why she was apologizing."
The woman sighed, rubbing her temples, "She always drags people into her messes. Anyway, I guess we should begin." She turned, Simon following because he had no other choice, "Begin what?" Eleanor stopped and turned to face him, "Gathering and joining up with the others. You're in this now, Simon."