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The weather was nothing less than rain thumping against the glass windows of the car as if hail was about to rain on us. Just as in the past the neighborhoods were the same as if they had been frozen in time. Lisa's Tailor Shop was as usual bustling with the rich kids, Hunter's Choice filled with workers drinking and eating to their heart's content, and Bedo Pharmacy as quite and still as ever . There were new faces however. . . and more cars on the street than I had anticipated.
As we crossed town's public park, I was taken aback a little by how abandoned it looked . Dead leaves flustered the eroded stone path, grass yellow and stained by patches of swedge water , the grand fountain broken and dry with red liquid stains on its frame, benches rusted, and street lamps exhausted and flickering. My guts twisted as I patted Bennett , who sat in the passenger seat in the back, as I stepped on the gas pedal continuing our trip down to the the forest . . . To the Ragvinder Manor.

It was old. . . Wall cracks freshly mended and vines climbing up the windows and hugging the balcony on the second floor. Crafted of stone and wood, it looked nothing less than medieval , perhaps even a hundred years old . It loomed over us threateningly . . . .warning us with it's erieful presence . The wind let out loud howl before fading into the chilly air . "It's good to see you in good health young master Bennett," an old yet stern voice greeted us from behind.

I flinched slightly and held my place alas Bennett only seemed less fazed by the stranger's voice and turned to greet the unexpected person. The man standing behind us was quiet aged himself, perhaps not that much younger than the mansion before us, yet surprisingly despite his age and bleach hair, he stood straight in his butler uniform, which consisted of a black suit and a white long sleeved shirt. " Forgive me, it seems we have another guest tonight," he noticed my presence and bowed his head down slightly." I'm Charles Dickson pleased to make your acquaintance madam."

I could only manage a nod and a casual wave, before looking back at the old architect of the building, completely fascinated. " How old is this place ?' I asked subconsciously, not even turning to the old man. " The structure and style can't possibly be of this era . . . Just look at these cracks."

My fingers brushed over the mended fractures of the wall. The scars left on this place we're completely visible. " That's not a relevant question to be answered, " a cold, dry and distant voice intruded.

I froze and hesitantly turned to the direction of the voice. Up at the balcony, stood a man tall and fine, his red hair ablaze; shoulders slightly broad and body protected from the cold in a thick black coat decorated finely with golden embroidery. He held his head high and looked down at us with a dominating gaze, before noticing Bennett trying to haul the baggage from the trunk of the car. " Bennett. . . You brought your friend ," he seemed almost upset with my presence as he addressed the disheveled friend of mine with an unfazed look. " Alas I'm glad you're home to visit, finally."

What seemed to be a glimpse of a smile curved up at the corner or the man's cold, marble face. "Is that how he smiles?" What I was hoping to be a whisper of a self rhetorical question ended up being heard somehow by the guy, since his face changed for the worse, with his eyes narrowing in a spiteful manner. "Bennett we have much to discuss about your . . . Life in the city. When you're done unpacking come to my office immediately."

Without another word he walked back into the mansion and left a heavy vibe pricking the small hairs at the back of my neck. It was exhausting getting all of the bags out of the trunk however and by end of it I found myself having to suffer another agonizing battle up a flight of stairs." The master insisted you stayed in the guest room on the second floor , west wing, last door to the left ," was all that old fancy geezer said before escorting Bennett to his room on the ground floor.

For Barbatos' sake, I was the person who was unfamiliar with the mansion. The wooden floor cried, it's bones crackling as I took heavy steps up the stairs with my fat assed luggage making me ever regret buying so many sweat pants. The hallway was long and the sight of it made me want to cry my eyeballs out as I started walking and using my noodle arms to drag the heavy bag along with me with it's small wheels getting stuck into the red furr carpet every now and then. By the time I reached the room I could swear a tear left my eye as I fumbled through my hoodie to find the key Charles has left me. . . Until I heard it. A small breeze blowing. A little cry. A small sniff of oak followed by light sobbing.

"B-brother . . . "

I rubbed the outside of my ear in irritation had the weather already hit my senses ?

For there was no one in sight at the floor. I looked outside the window at the end of the hallway to check for anything odd , strangely enough , all I saw was a man outside. He was standing amongst the rising fog , between the grapevines surrounding the mansion with a black umbrella in hand. His ocean blue eyes cut thought the mist and gazed straight up at me . He did not blink or flinch the slightest. . .He only smiled , before turning his back and disappearing among the fog, as he left another breeze swept through me, only this one was more forceful and carried a sent of ashes and berries. . .and the smell of the steel blade threatening to cut my head off.