CHAPTER 2

Moonlight from the open window spotlighted the stranger, who appeared slightly below 6ft. My statued body came to life under the spell of the illuminated figure. Reality struck me like a bee sting and I hastily reached for the baseball bat beside my bed. I was frantically grabbing nothing, but thin air and my chest could be seen bulging from the unbearably fast palpitations of my heart as I realised I wasn't home. Before I could scream the attacker muzzled me with his heavy hands. "I'm not going to hurt you, please don't scream when I move my hands okay," he spoke in accented English. I nodded in agreement as he slowly moved them. He victoriously exhaled as I stood at the edge of the bed quietly, but I deeply inhaled as I punched him in the face. I capitalised on his disorientation and pinned him to the floor. "Who the hell are you?" I questioned firmly, high on adrenaline. "I'm Emerson Haines, I-I am your grandmother's groundskeeper," he stated clearly struggling to breathe. I couldn't let my guard down with just that information, so I applied more force. "And why the hell are you in my room?" "I heard you screaming, I am s-so sorry madam." His words washed over me as I quickly released him, having flashbacks of the horror that taunted me before I awoke in a scream. I felt stupid about my response, but my mind was too clouded to have manners. Emerson held his neck, coughing as he caught his breath apologetically looking at me. "I am so very sorry to scare you, I heard you screaming, and I was in the garden shed so I climbed up to help," "Well I'm fine so get out," I shouted at him and he hurriedly left through the window. One.... two.... three I counted as I took deep breaths of air to process the series of overwhelming events. I gently circled my temples in hopes of gaining composure. This proved to be useless as the events of the dream sent a prickling pain along my spine. I hadn't dreamt since her death because I felt so empty, and these thoughts left me crippled for the night.

I was awake before the cock could crow. The periwinkle skies of dawn offered a cold morning wind parading through the attic. I looked at myself in the mirror and I looked no better than I was in Chicago. My hair was untamed and lighter brown shades of stripped hair could be seen amidst the dark brown, my skin was still pail with hollow cheekbones. 'What a wreck' I thought, I didn't want to be this version of me anymore. I needed to move on, no matter how hard it was going to be, that's life. The rising sun was my cue that I came here for a change and I was determined to do so. Taking a hot shower was the start to this endeavour followed by getting dressed using actual effort and then heading downstairs.

"Good morning, did you rest well?" "Yes, I did, thank you," I replied to Rosalinda who was in a much chirpier mood than yesterday. "Please, enjoy as much as you like, the boys are sleeping in." Freshly brewed coffee, without the bland machine-made tang of Chicago's shops along with crispy sausages, poached eggs, homemade butter buns and oatmeal infused the kitchen. The layout before me reminded me of how difficult it was for me to eat for the past few months and with that thought I sat and gave it a genuine try to have a decent breakfast, which was much more difficult than I thought. "I would like you to meet someone," Rosalinda stated in that usual teacher tone.

There he was stooped over the flowerbeds in the backyard. Rosalinda spoke, pulling him out of his laborious manner. "Emerson, I would like you to meet my granddaughter, Aila." He held out his hand, "It's my pleasure to meet you," he said in the politest way. I shook his hand as I took notice of his features. He had dark brown hair and a princely look to his face. Our hands remained interlocked much longer than I liked, and Rosalinda spoke once again to break the awkward silence emitting. "He is the groundskeeper and stays here occasionally, he would be happy to provide any assistance you need." "Yes, I would be happy to help," he said with a mannered smile. "Thank you very much," I replied, hinting much more than gratitude for his help but for keeping his mouth shut. I was beyond grateful Rosalinda was unaware of what transpired last night. I was embarrassed enough as it was, and I didn't need her authoritative attitude lecturing me.