Surprise Guest

Callie was surprised when her mother agreed so easily. She really didn’t think a thunderstorm was such a big deal, but it grew worse by the hour. The sky blackened a few hours before dark was even supposed to have fallen. Lightening scattered across the entire sky. The winds howled and shook the windows. Normally, she enjoyed thunderstorms, but this one was different. It was as though the skies were angry and venting all that anger directly at the town.

They returned to the library. Joyceta pulled a cord by the door that closed all the curtains in the room. Their thick velvet material successfully blocked out all activity outside aside from the sound. The room significantly darkened. Remedio had the servants start a fire.

Callie felt out of place with the servants moving about. She was used to doing everything on her own, though Jasper had been trying to get her mother to take on at least a housekeeper, but she was adamant that she enjoyed doing all that herself. Callie had been relieved. While having money sounded great, Callie didn’t like the invasion house staff would bring. It was odd to be anything more than just her and her mother.

Each of the servants looked like the butler and the maid who had cleared the table. They were either very tall or very short with a tropical look. Their hair was snow white. Callie tried not to stare as they bustled about.

Jardan led her to a small couch across from the fireplace. His parents took the large chairs off to the side. It wasn’t long before the fire blazed. The warmth from it gave comfort from the wildness that was outside. Callie felt herself drawn toward it as a chill settled around them.

Thunder rocked the house. Callie jumped as a thunderclap rattled the windows and seemed to hit the house to knock it down. Jardan reached over and patted her arm.

“It will be okay. You’re safe here.” His voice was warm and reassuring.

“Are you so sure? It could be a tornado.” Callie eyed the closed curtains suspiciously. Shouldn’t they be in a basement or a bathtub?

“Nothing will hurt you in this house, my dear.” Joyceta smiled. She reached down beside her chair and picked up a basket. From it, she pulled out a cloth and began stitching. From where Callie sat, it looked like embroidery from the colors she could see. Her husband picked up a newspaper, but Callie noticed how the man kept looking towards the window as though expecting someone to come through them.

“Let’s watch a movie,” Jardan suggested. He picked up a remote from the table next to him. The picture above the fireplace moved upwards, revealing a large flat-screen TV. Callie watched as the screen came to life. Jardan flipped through channels until he found a movie she wanted to watch.

Servants filtered out. As they exited the room, two walked back in. Their hands carried trays. The woman who had served Callie brought them cups of steaming hot chocolate. Callie took it willingly and sniffed the rich aroma. The other servant held a tray with two bowls of popcorn. Callie’s eyes widened as she took one and found the popcorn covered in butter and Parmesan cheese. How did they know it was her favorite? They settled down and tried to lose themselves in the movie and snacks while the storm raged outside.

It was after ten when they finished a second movie. It was then Jardan caught Callie yawning. She was curled up in the cushions next to him, and her head dropped periodically as the movie ended.

“I think it is past your bedtime,” he chuckled.

She turned her head to him. “I think so. I usually can stay up much later.” She fought keeping her eyes open.

His mother’s voice carried across to them. “Jardan, dear. Why don’t you take Calista up to the guest room that is prepared for her? There should be a change of nightclothes laid out for you as well as anything else you might need, dear.” Joyceta laid down her needlework and smiled at Callie.

Callie smiled in thanks, but it was stiff. Hearing her full name irritated her. She had stated that she preferred her nickname. “Thank you so much, ma’am. I really do appreciate you letting me stay, especially since the storm hasn’t let up.”

At her words, another clap of thunder echoed around them. The windows rattled in protest. The rain pelted against the rain and seemed to be whipped at the house.

The woman tilted her head to one side. “Head on to bed. Jardan, make sure all the lights are out where they need to be.”

Jardan nodded and led Callie out of the room and up the winding stairs. The stairs were wide, able to accommodate three people across comfortably. It looked like marble and…. Callie paused on one step and squinted at the stone steps. Where there flowers carved into the steps? Jardan’s steps called to her, and she rushed to catch up to him.

Callie couldn’t help but notice how richly-decorated the house was. Tapestries hung on the walls with ornate scenes depicted on them. Most were of gardens or at the very least had flowers somewhere in the design. The railing was carved wood with images of insects and birds as she had seen on the patio. She was starting to see a widespread pattern.

They reached the second floor and moved off the staircase which Callie noticed continued winding up. Craning her head, she thought it extended higher than the next floor. She frowned. From the outside, the house appeared to only have three levels.

The hallway was twice as wide as the staircase had been. The carpet was a rich green and felt extremely soft under her shoes. They past several doors on either side. Callie lost count as her eye kept landing on unusual decorating pieces. Through her sleepy haze, she knew she was missing so much more. She longed to see what other items adorned the house.

So lost in her observations, she collided into Jardan’s back, not realizing he had stopped in front of one of the doors. He turned around to hold her steady as she staggered back.

“Whoa! You okay?”

Callie felt a blush heat her face. “Yes. I’m so sorry. I was looking at all the pictures and things on the wall and just didn’t see you stop.”

He gave her a crooked smile, causing her heart to skip a beat. “Yep, there is a lot of stuff here. Accumulated over generations. Here is your room.”

He opened the door he stood in front of and led the way into a room that was the biggest Callie had ever seen. It was the size of four or more of her own bedroom in her house with a large canopied bed in the center of the room. The room was decorated in gold and black accents. Her eyes took in the large dresser, flat-screen TV, and ornate lamps that graced the night tables. The floor was hardwood with soft rugs covering the heavy traffic areas. Vases of floors were scattered around the room.

Sleep fled from her as she took it all in. “Wow! This is…amazing.”

“I hope you’ll be comfortable.”

“Comfortable? I…yes, thank you.” She suddenly became self-conscious. She didn’t want Jardan to see her as a starry-eyed street urchin looking at a house with heating and lighting for the first time.

His eyes smiled as he nodded. “Good. Mom made sure there are clothes laid out for you on the bed. You should also find what you else you need in the bathroom.”

Thunder crashed outside the windows which rattled in response. Callie couldn’t help but jump. Something about the weather was dark and threatening. It felt like it was targeting the house.

“You’ll be safe here. I promise.”

His words comforted her slightly. She wasn’t alone. She wasn’t out in the elements. She was safe and secure. Callie just had to keep reminding herself of that fact.

“I know. Sorry I’m so jumpy. This storm is just more severe than I’m used to back home.”

“Yeah…” His eyes darkened as he looked at the window. “We can get some nasty ones.” He smacked his hands against his jeans. “Okay, if you need anything, there is a pull cord next to the bed. Just pull on that and I’ll come. Oh, and there’s the TV in the cabinet there if you find you can’t sleep.”

Callie smiled. “Thanks.”

The door closed as Jardan left. Callie bit her lip. This was an unexpected twist to the night, but it was something she wasn’t too adverse to. It was almost like going on a mini vacation. She might as well enjoy it while she was there.

The clothes on the bed looked new. Callie picked them up to discover they were a pair of shorts and a floral tank top, perfect sleeping garments. She smiled and took them into the bathroom to change. While in there, she found a basket with a fresh toothbrush, toothpaste, and hairbrush for her. It didn’t take her long to get ready to climb into the large bed.

Callie turned off the light and pulled the covers up. The wind howled against the house. A shiver of fear ran up her spine. She could have sworn it had gotten worse since she had gotten to her room. The idea that it could be a tornado came to her again. She wasn’t sure if they got them in Shadowfort, but it was an idea. She wondered if she should ask her hosts where to go for safety, but they didn’t seem too concerned as long as she stayed inside.

She jumped with thunder crashed again. She reached toward the end table and picked up the remote. Maybe some television would help her. She clicked it on and scanned the channels until she found an old comedy series to help ease her tension. Before she knew it, her eyes had closed and sleep had claimed her.