Chapter 6: Transition

The week has passed quickly, as if it wanted to leave at once. The last few days have been a true challenge. Tomorrow is already here, and I'm still packing boxes. Many of my belongings will stay here because they are part of the property; I will take nothing but personal items.

The mansion is quieter than usual; the lights barely flicker, as if the house feels my farewell. It hurts to remember all the moments with my family. But everything is gone now. I finish putting the old photos and papers into the last box and place the mysterious closed scarlet book on top. I don't want to open it; I don't want to relive another horrific scene.

I called my work and they gave me a few days to organize the move. Thanks to Ruth, who has helped me organize everything and has been looking out for me; she also arranged a meeting with the lawyer-singer. Thinking about it, I still haven't asked her how she knows him so well, but well, maybe he's an ex or something.

The doorbell rang like an echo in the empty house.

"Hi, fat girl," Ruth said, hugging me.

I returned the gesture and managed a sad smile.

"Are you ready? Hey, I brought someone to help us," Ruth said, as always with her fantastic plans.

"Hello," I heard a voice I already recognized. The guy peeked in with his charming smile while scratching his head and placing his hands on his hips.

"Ah! Ryan, hello," I said, greeting him while glancing at Ruth. She made a gesture and shrugged.

"Well, let's get to work," Ryan said, rubbing his hands together. His huge truck was waiting outside; now I understand why Ruth sought him out.

We unloaded box after box, placing them in the vehicle. My chest tightened with each box I removed; my hands were cold, and I noticed the sky had clouded over. Apparently, my entire surroundings felt my sadness.

Ryan went for a large painting of my parents, and I asked him to let me do it. I felt the need to take it, as if no one else could take care of my memories.

The sound of a car made me shudder; I knew the moment had come to hand over my entire life into the hands of a stranger. I stepped outside, and there he was, walking toward me with such an imposing presence that he seemed to absorb the light. His black suit, along with his long hair blowing in the wind, made a haunting contrast with the dark sky.

"Emma Ford," he said, his voice both a whisper and an echo. "Finally, we've reached this moment that, let's face it, was inevitable."

"Don't celebrate too soon, sir," I said confidently, trying to look him in the eye, which forced me to lean back. Ryan and Ruth were coming out with the last remaining items.

"My name is Ryan, lawyer and friend of Emma," Ryan said, extending his hand to James with determination.

Ryan had introduced himself as my lawyer, and we hadn't spoken yet. Well, at least James will see that I'm not alone in this. But Mr. Audrey simply smiled and shook Ryan's hand with a calculated coldness.

Their gazes clashed like two rivals facing off for a fight.

In the distance, a slender silhouette approached with a firm stride; her red hair immediately made me recognize her.

"Good day," she said pleasantly, and her blue eyes landed on me. "Would you be so kind as to hand over the key, Emma?" Her arrogance irritated me, but her aura of power was clear.

I tightened my mouth and closed my eyes, taking a deep breath to give myself time and avoid a fit of anger. I pulled out the keys and extended them to James. As he took the keys, his expression changed briefly; I saw a fleeting sadness in his eyes, as if a heavy burden had affected him. It was an almost imperceptible moment before his arrogance regained control.

"Happy now, Mr. Audrey? I owe you nothing now; it's you who owes me," I said harshly. He smiled again, adjusting his suit and theatrically twirling the keys.

"I would recommend marking this day on your calendar," he said, as he handed me a card with his number. "It seems our paths will cross more than you would like."

Ruth and Ryan, who had been listening to the tense conversation, remained silent. The lawyer observed everything that happened from the sidelines, and her malice was evident.

Ruth lifted the small box filled with books and photos so we could leave at once; it was then that I felt something fall to the ground. The lawyer was slowly picking up the scarlet book that had previously caused the unpleasant scene and handed it to me without taking her eyes off it; her expression was confused. She said nothing about it, and I took it in silence, noting her strange reaction, and tucked it away.

Ruth's house was small, an apartment on the outskirts of town where low-income people had to live since most of Highland was populated by powerful people. I entered the small home; it looked cozy, although a bit worn down from the meager resources allocated to these constructions.

She showed me what would now be my room, small but at least I had a place to stay. I was deeply grateful to Ruth for the help I would have no way to repay. Ryan was unloading the last of the items from his truck.

"It's small; you'll have to adapt. It's not very pleasant to go from a luxurious mansion to a modest apartment," Ruth said while showing me the room. I noticed a faint sadness in her.

"Friend, I don't know how to thank you. This is more than you should have done," I said, hugging her.

"I know what it's like to lose everything, Emma," she lowered her head and sighed with pain.

"Wait, did you also lose everything? I mean, I know you lost your family too, but is there something more you haven't told me?" I said in amazement.

"Yes, well, it's a long story. I'll tell you later," she managed a faint smile. "Come on, I want you to meet María," she pulled me by the arm and led me out of the room.

Ryan was leaving, so I thanked him and we agreed to meet tomorrow for lunch and discuss the topic of my house.

From the kitchen emerged a tall girl with long black hair; her body was covered in tattoos, and she dressed in black with a dark appearance.

"This is María," Ruth said enthusiastically, pointing to the girl with the peculiar style. "She's my roommate, well, now she's our roommate," she said with the smile that characterized her.

The girl looked somewhat peculiar, staring at me intently.

"She's a bit eccentric; it's normal; don't be scared," Ruth whispered in my ear, turning to light her cigarette.

"Hi, I'm Emma," I greeted her, touching her arm.

"Your blood is black and thick, like the blood that runs beneath this land," the girl said, stepping away from me quickly, as if avoiding my touch.

Her words left me bewildered; my heart was pounding so loudly I felt it might burst from my chest. I stood frozen, and Ruth turned with a look of astonishment. The girl turned and went to her room.

"Don't mind her; she's not well," Ruth said, trying to justify María's words, but I could only sit down in the large armchair without saying a word. What does this mean?