A Peaceful Morning

Aiden awoke to the sound of his alarm blasting a heavy metal song in his ear. It was nine in the morning. Natural sunlight peaked in and filtered thru the red curtains behind him as he sat up in the strange room. It only took him a moment to remember he was in Violet's guest room. . . Where he had been locked in!

He dashed to the solid wood door and to his surprise the knob turned with ease. Aiden was certain it had been locked the night before. Perhaps it was someone's idea of a joke, though Violet didn't seem to be one for pranks (she didn't even crack a smile at jokes most of the time) and as quickly as it had locked there was no way Elizabeth could have done it. That left the Grandma and she didn't seem like the type to lock someone in a room, then again he remembered stories of various serial killers. Still, Doretha Puete didn't live with two granddaughters during her active years. It could've just been that the lock's mechanism getting stuck. Or maybe the house was haunt . . .

Aiden shook his head at the notion and noticed the extra blanket that had been spread over him during his slumber. It probably was the grandma checking in on him as she did her granddaughters. She likely accidentally locked the door when she realized he was still awake and came back later. Anyway, he had to get dressed and ready for the day. Violet had promised to take him back to his apartment or at least walk with him to Sam's Gun shop. He looked at the bathroom and decided to take advantage of having guaranteed hot water for once.

Violet was already getting dressed in her room. She put on an orchid v neck shirt light blue jeans. After dusting on her makeup, she finished the look with her amethyst cross on a brown leather string and light brown cowgirl boots. She grabbed her old leather messager bag and pulled out her planner. Besides her shift at the Cauldron and her appointment at the blood bank, nothing really major was going on today . . . Well, besides that book Elizabeth ordered being released. Violet had plenty of time to get Aiden back to his apartment.

She went out into the hallway. The sound of a shower running echoed in the corridors (another project that had been delayed). Jim was always complaining about the apartment building's plumbing and lighting. Why he hadn't moved back in with Himako was anyone's guess. Violet decided not to bother Aiden and gladed down the stairs.

Elizabeth was at the kitchen table wrapped up in her mint robe and wheel chair; a reminder of another failure. If Violet had only been there, but no she had asked Jim to pick Elizabeth up that day. Her little sister took a sip of coffee, "Aiden up yet?"

"Good morning to you too and he's taking a shower. That should give me just enough time to whip up some French toast and omelets." Answered Violet. She began surveying the fridge and pantry. "Let's see. . . He likes spicy food. Midwest omelets with strawberry French toast."

"Strawberry French toast like Dad used make? Wow, you've really fallen this time." Teased Elizabeth. Violet shot her a glare.

"I appreciate what he can do and we really need to recruit someone full time." Violet cracked and beat several eggs. In one bowl, she poured heavy cream and powdered sugar. "It also happens that Aiden's a really nice guy."

Elizabeth watched her sister melt butter in two cast iron skillets. "So, if you're NOT interested, can I date him?"

Violet dropped some bread in the sugar egg mixture. "Aren't you already dating Jim?"

"It's complicated. We broke up when I went college, patched things up over messenger, he saved me from . . ." Elizabeth paused and shivered. The demon still haunted her mind. "That thing, but we haven't been on a real date in three years. I've hardly even seen him in a month. What does that make us?"

"Simple. Soap opera characters. You just lack an evil twin and a half sibling from being ready for prime time." Laughed Violet. She was chopping up vegetables and fresh strawberries while Elizabeth groaned. "It could be worse. At least no one has tried to bury you alive."

"Not yet anyway." Elizabeth said. Grandma Rose came into the kitchen with Aiden. His platinum blonde hair was still wet, but was already spiked. "Good morning."

"We're going to have to have Aiden over again. Violet, making breakfast and it's not Mother's day?!" Laughed Rose. Violet blushed as she served the plates on the granite kitchen island. "An old woman could get used to this kind of treatment."

"I just thought Aiden would like a nice breakfast." Violet sat down between her sister and Aiden. "Sometimes I can be nice."

Elizabeth nearly spit out her coffee from her giggles."I'm guessing that means . . . you're picking up my book?"

"I'll think about it. It wouldn't exactly hurt you to get out of the house for something besides doctors' appointments." Violet replied. She refilled the coffee cups. "Grandma, you mind leading us in grace?"

"Heavenly Father, we thank you for our daily bread. We thank you for our guest Aiden. We ask that you watch over him and Violet as they protect our town. We ask that you continue to heal Elizabeth." Rose paused. "We ask that you let Hunter and Caleb know we still miss them. Please guide us and keep us in your will. In Jesus name we pray, Amen."

"So, Aiden, how did you sleep?" Asked Elizabeth. She scooped out some more strawberries for her toast.

"Okay. That storm was pretty loud last night." He answered. Aiden took one bite out of his omelet. "I think my door got stuck."

"As old as this place is, I wouldn't doubt it." Rose answered. "That room especially. We keep meaning to clean up the other rooms. It'll be okay. I'll have Chase get it checked out later."

"Or maybe the resident ghost wanted to make sure you didn't sleep walk. " Elizabeth suggested. Rose shot her a glare and Violet rolled her eyes. "He's very protective. "

"And still no clue who he is? You're slipping, sis." Asked Violet. She moved on to her french toast.

"I'm sure it's probably one of your ancestors." Said Aiden. Oddly enough, it was comforting to have an answer. "Your family is full of hunters, right?"

"The Thorn clan is rivaled only by the Van Helsings when it comes to hunters." Rose declared. "That goes back all the way to Ireland. Part of the stones that make up this house came from an old castle, along with a Banchee. At least that was the story my father-in-law used to tell the boys. Caleb never took much stock in the tale himself. It'sprobablyjust the house settling anyway."

"Caleb?" Asked Aiden.

"Our grandfather. He died back when Dad was a teenager." Clarified Elizabeth. "He was a Drifter during his entire career as a hunter."

"Well, thanks for breakfast, but I really need to be getting back." Aiden said. He got up and Violet followed him. "Jim's probably already placing ads for a new roommate."

"I doubt it. I think he'd come closer to finding a better apartment before he would throw someone out. Besides, there's not much of a waiting list for an apartment there." Elizabeth replied. "By the way, how was the book?"

"Oddly dark. Thanks for letting me borrow it." Aiden handed the book back to her.

"Anytime." And with that Aiden and Violet left the old stone manor.