Dark Fae (Skeleton Key)

by Lillian Cartier

  Pulling up to a local market about thirty minutes from the cabin. I get out of the car and grab a cart; I step into the store so I can take a look around and grab the essential food to get me by for a few days. Placing the bread, sandwich meat, and lettuce on the counter for the cashier to check me out, I dig through my purse for some money to pay the cashier.

  “Lauren?” Looking at the cashier, she has this shocked appearance. I peer over both my shoulders, thinking maybe she recognized someone, and I don’t see anyone behind me. Looking back at the cashier, she now looks confused.

  “Lauren, I heard you were sick and had to move. What are you doing here? How are you? What are you wearing?” I look down, confused by all the questions and not seeing anything wrong with what I’m wearing. What’s so unusual with a zip-up hoodie and jeans?

  “I’m sorry, I think you have the wrong person,” I tell her quickly, realizing that I hadn’t imagined my resemblance to my aunt. Her eyes seem to be drilling into me with as if she’s evaluating me.

  “You look a lot like Lauren, I’m sorry.”

  “I just found out Lauren was my aunt. I’m staying at her cabin.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, honey. Lauren was so sweet. The whole town loved her. We’ve missed her.” With a meek smile, I give her some cash for the items and grab my bag with a parting thank you. I can’t relate to what she was saying about someone I did not know, not to mention part of me has a little resentment that these people knew her and I didn’t.

  Dropping my purse onto the couch, I walk toward the kitchen with the bag of groceries. I grasp a note with my name on the refrigerator door. Placing the food inside the fridge and closing the door. I grab the note secured with a pink fairy magnet.

  Tessa,

  Wish I were here with you. Make yourself the home I wanted this to be for you. Your future may lie beyond the loft. Miss you. Love you always.

  Lauren

  It’s comforting to know that she cared about me so much, yet upsetting that again, I was robbed of another thing in this life. The only thing I have is my looks and a voice to be able to perform and not be judged. I am lucky to be able to let all my stress and worries flow out of me. The note is confusing with her reference to the loft, though. Perhaps she had some things she left there for me.

  Taking the steps up the loft, drop cloths spread around the room, covering things throughout the area. I remove the material covering one of the items, and it’s a sculpture of a woman with wings. It looks like my aunt had a hobby. I pick one of the pieces up and realize that she had a definite talent in capturing every curve of the naked body with soft wings that come out from between her shoulder blades. Beautiful.

  I look over the pieces that are placed throughout, appreciating each one. I want to bring them downstairs and put them around the house. They feel special with the knowledge that she made them. Unveiling each piece, it seems that she had a passion for people with wings. They don’t look childlike or as if they are from a fairy tale. They are pieces I think an adult would display proudly in their home.

  Folding each of the canvas sheets up, I place them in the corner. I want the loft open and all of the pieces uncovered. I need to understand them and feel closer to the aunt that I never had the chance to know. There is magic in this room, and I can almost picture her working with a serene look in her eyes that matches mine.

  Looking across the room, I see a big canvas sheet covering a wall with an easel placed in front of it, and a sketch it looks like she had started on. I place the easel against the wall and take the drop cloth down from the wall to fold. As soon as the canvas comes down, I see it’s covering a strange-looking door. It isn’t horrible looking, but it just doesn’t match the rest of the house. It boasts dark mahogany wood with a wrought iron scroll-like design, and it is quite a bit darker than the rest of the cabin. It is a little scary, but my curiosity gets the best of me.

  I try to open the door and it’s locked. I shake the doorknob a few times, but it won’t turn. Deciding to leave it be for now, I continue to clean the room up. The last of the sunset is coming through the window, as I head downstairs to make myself a sandwich. I take a glance through the wall of windows to see beautiful colors in the sky and pause to take it in for a long moment.

  Humming to myself while making a sandwich, I look at the note I left on the counter, wondering what she meant about my future being in the loft. Did she think I could sculpt as well? Yeah, that isn’t going to happen. I can’t sculpt a rock if I tried. Maybe she meant that I could make some money by selling them? That’s pretty odd considering I could be selling her cabin or car over a few beautiful sculptures and make more that way.

  I take a few bites of my sandwich, and it hits me that the door is the only one upstairs that’s locked. How weird. The door doesn’t even match the rest of the cabin. Wait. That glass key she gave me. Placing what’s left of my sandwich on the pretty white counter, I head toward where I left my purse last. I search for the envelope she left me and find the weird skeleton key that I left in there. Turning over the envelope to slide the key into my hand. Looking the mysterious key, I wonder if it's even functional. I’ve never seen, or a heard of a glass key opening any doors. How would it not break?

  I head back upstairs, taking two steps at a time with my growing interest in that door. Standing in front of it, I see a small hole that looks like it could be a lock and the key would fit above the heavy knob. Looking at the key, I slowly line the teeth up and push forward. The key holds and hearing a click, I try the doorknob again, and it turns. Opening the door, I see another room, stepping over the threshold as the door closes behind me. I don’t think anything of it; thinking maybe there is a hinge that automatically closes it.

  It looks like another part of the house; strange the door was locked. I hear some noise downstairs. Thinking I am the only person in the house, the term freaked out doesn’t begin to explain how I feel.

  “Hello? Is someone here?” I hear something crashing as if someone dropped something. Shit, I hope someone hasn’t broken into my aunt’s house when no one was here.

  “Who’s here?” I hear a feminine voice echoing from downstairs.

  “Tessa, my aunt gave me the keys to the cabin. Do you know her?” I say as I descend the stairs. When I get to the bottom of the staircase, I see someone coming around the corner from my peripheral vision.

  “Lauren never mentioned any family members. I’m Kara.” She extends her hand after wiping her hands off on a towel. A woman appears to be in her mid-thirties, with short chin-length blonde hair, and brown eyes. She seems nice from what I can tell.

  “Hi, sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. I didn’t know anyone was here. I should probably go.” I am feeling a bit invasive. She doesn’t seem to mind me being here, even though it’s obvious that I’ve surprised her.

  She waves her hand in the air with a dismissal of what I’ve said about intruding. “Don’t be silly. Any friend or family of Lauren’s is a friend of mine. I stop by every so often to help clean her cabin since she’s not here often. We’re friends. It’s what we do for each other. Plus, it keeps me busy,” Kara says as she smiles back at me. “Let me clean up the mess I just made in the kitchen and I’ll be on my way. You look tired and could use some rest.”

  “Don’t worry about it; it’s my fault. I’m sure I startled you. I’ll take care of it,” I insist as she tilts her head at me.

  “Are you sure? It will only take me two minutes tops. I feel bad for breaking one of the dishes,” Kara admits as something passes over her face. Is it guilt?

  “Absolutely. Thank you so much. I probably will take a nap, though,” I confess, as she nods with approval.

  “Ok. My number is on the fridge if you want anything. Any friend of Lauren’s is a friend of mine.” She passes me a warm smile.

  “Thank you. I appreciate that,” I tell her gratefully. If all of my aunt’s friends are like this, I’ll be happy here. Too bad it is so far from the job that I love s
o much.

  She places the towel on the kitchen counter and begins to head out the front door, calling out, “See you later. It’s nice to meet you, Tessa.”

  I turn to respond and her back is facing me. I see something that slightly sparkles lying against her shirt. Almost like wings? I shake my head, figuring I must be tired; I’m becoming delusional. I saw too many of those up in the loft, and I need to get sleep. Yes. Sleep.

  “Thank you, Kara. It’s nice meeting you, too,” I call back before she shuts the front door.

  Stepping into the kitchen, I walk around the shattered pieces that used to be a plate. They are pretty with a white background and a multi-colored flower pattern around the edge. Everything about Lauren seems so soft and light somehow.

  Opening the cabinet under the kitchen sink, I look for a small broom and dustpan. This house is interesting. It’s as if there are two houses in one, back to back. Guess it would make it convenient if she had guests over.

  Reaching for the broom and dustpan, I sweep up the broken pieces, scattered all over the floor, and empty them into the trashcan. With my body feeling so physically worn out from being awake for so long, a nap does sound good. Not to mention for someone to notice that I’m tired has to be code for looking like crap.

  Seeing a couch in the small living area with a throw laid over the armrest, I decide to take a nap on the couch. Using the throw pillow to lie my head on and covering myself with the blanket that I see folded up on one end, I begin to fall into a deep sleep, since I am too tired to head back upstairs to sleep in a bed. Appreciating the beautiful night sky full of stars before I give into sleep.

  Waking up from the faint sign of sunlight peering through the large window, I begin to rub the sleep from my eyes and sit up, so I can stretch my muscles. It looks like it’s early morning since the sun isn’t fully up. I can’t believe I slept through the night and the most of the morning. I don’t remember the last time I’ve slept this long. It’s refreshing.

  The sunrise is as beautiful as the sunset from my spot in the room. Everything about this cabin seems so perfect and peaceful, and I wonder again about the two sides to it.

  I fold the blanket and place it back on the arm of the couch. Opening the cabinets in the kitchen, in search of something to eat, I find a box of cereal. I decide this sounds good. I open the fridge hoping there is milk, and I find it in the door along with a fridge full of food. A big part of me is elated that the fridge in this part of the house is full, and I don’t have to worry about going hungry. Although if I had discovered this sooner, it would of saved me a trip to town.

  Finishing up my bowl of cereal, I place it in the kitchen sink and decide to take a walk around here. The weather is nice, and I want to explore around the cabin. There’s a sense of serenity here that I enjoy.

  I begin to explore the woods, and I love the flowers that are blooming around the cabin in the meadows. There are so many color and varieties, even some I don't think I have seen before. I catch sight of a couple of squirrels running around, chasing one another, hopping from one tree to another. I could see myself staying here. It is peaceful. That is something I didn’t realize I craved so badly, until now.

  I find myself smiling at how cute the squirrels are and how much fun they are having. I follow a trail that is covered with leaves to see where it leads. I love that it’s warm here, a feeling of tranquility.

  As I walk down the path, I see a building in the distance and wonder if someone lives there; if they know anything about Lauren. As I make my way toward the house, something comes up from behind me and runs right into me. Feeling the impact on my shoulder, I catch myself as I land painfully on my knees. “Hey! Watch where you’re going.” Flinching from pain of the hard hit to my shoulder as I get up, I brush the dirt and leaves off my jeans. With a frustrated sigh, I look around to see what crashed into me.

  I must be seeing things. There’s a man floating midair. No, wait. There’s movement behind him, almost a fluttering of sorts. Is that...? No. Wait. He has wings? “Sorry, I was rushing home. I didn’t see you,” he responds. This guy talks. Does he know he’s floating, no flying? What is happening here? “You would get to where you’re going faster if you flew instead of walking you know,” he informs me.

  “I’m sorry. What did you say? Fly?” I’m sure I look as baffled as I sound. I have to be seeing things. People didn’t just float in mid-air.

  “Yes, we all do. Stop messing around,” he replies as he rolls his eyes at me. "You know that since you're here."

  “You need to stop messing with me. I don’t know how you’re floating around or how cool you think you might be. It still doesn’t mean you don’t have to watch where you’re going, buddy.” I’m going crazy. I must have needed more sleep than I thought because now I’m seeing shit. Maybe I should just go back to the cabin and sleep some more.

  The look of confusion on my face must have set something off in him, as I see his demeanor change. “Do you know where you are?” Great, now I’m not sure which one of us is crazy.

  “I was taking a walk; I didn’t know I crossed on to some sort of private property.” I think I’ve had enough of a journey today. Turning to head back in the direction I came from, I decide that maybe I should stay closer to the cabin.

  I don’t get far before I feel a pair of strong arms wrap around me, restraining me. “How did you get here?” he demands as he holds me tight.

  Panic takes over me. “Let me go!” I yell, attempting to free myself by twisting my body back and forth. I try kicking my legs, as I realize a flying man would never attack me in the woods, if I had been paying attention. In the streets, I am always so aware of my surroundings, and right now. I am completely frustrated with myself. I scream at the top of my lungs, hoping someone will hear me. “Let me go, you asshole!” I can feel him tightening his grip on me, and I get more aggravated.

  “Humans are banned from our world; how did you get in?” he asks me in a rising voice. Great, this guy is crazy. He doesn’t appear to be on drugs; maybe he fell on his head one to many times.

  “I’ll leave as soon as you let me go!” I struggle again as he holds me tighter.

  “Not until I get answers,” he growls. I feel his arms tightening around my chest causing difficulty breathing.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Let me go, please.” Feeling dizzy, a floating sensation starts to take over my body. I feel my eyes get heavy and close, as if I will pass out any moment. My feet are no longer touching the ground. I open my eyes slowly for a moment, and it appears as if I’m floating above trees.

  “Tell me how you got in. It’s a long way to fall from this height. I’m sure for someone like you; you might feel it a bit.” There was a threat in his voice as fear fills my body. I freeze with the reality of the situation.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I whisper back as darkness begins to creep in.

  “Kristopher! What are you doing?” another man’s voice booms through the air, as I jerk in his arms

  “She’s human; she’s snuck into our world!” The jerk holding me replies to the inquiry, as he starts to fly forward. "I am going to find out how before she leaves."

  “She’s harmless; she’s alone. She can’t hurt us. Put her down immediately,” the stranger orders in a strong voice, as I feel myself trembling.

  “Not a problem.” I feel the very arms, which have been squeezing the life out of me, fall away from my defenseless body. Feeling my body tumble down toward the earth, I don’t even have enough breath to scream. My body isn’t responding. I’m just falling. This is it; this is how my life ends. After everything I’ve been through so far, I never would have predicted this is how I would die.

  Where am I? Is this a dream?

  I feel a hard hit against my body, thinking maybe I landed in the trees. I fight myself to look up, and I see a set of mesmerizing gray eyes looking back at me with concern. The last thing I hear is, “I’ve got you.” And I give in
to darkness.

  Inhaling a breath of fresh air, I realize that I am the most comfortable I’ve ever been. I am wrapped in the softest sheets, and I don't ever want to move from the very spot I’m lying. Slowly lifting my eyelids, I see the sunlight coming through the massive window, almost illuminating the sheer white fabric hanging from the canopy of the bed. I don’t know where I am. If this is heaven, death isn’t as painful as I have envisioned.

  It is absolutely beautiful.

  Then again, if I know this is the result of death, I think I would choose this life as an alternative to the one I grew up in. There is a sense of peace here. Contentment settles within me as I relax and close my eyes again. I enjoy it here.

  I am just about to fall back asleep when I hear muffled voices. Then I hear a crash, as if something hit the wall, followed by a door slamming. It suddenly occurs to me that I’m not alone. Am I back at my aunt's? Am I alive? I force myself to get up. As soon as I start to sit up, my head begins to pound. Placing my hands against my temples, I close my eyes, as I will my headache to go away.

  “I’m sorry I woke you.” Looking up to discern where the voice is coming from, I see a good-looking man at the doorway, with dark brown short hair, wearing a burgundy button-down shirt, black slacks, and a black cloak. A cloak? That’s strange. It’s a bit abnormal to see anyone wearing a cloak, to each their own I suppose.

  “No worries, I just woke up. I was going to see what the noise was about.” With my hand still on my head, wishing the throbbing would ease off just a bit; I’m hoping this man doesn’t mind if I try to sleep off this headache for a few hours. I’ve clearly passed out and I’m still here. I need to figure out where I am and what’s going on, but first I need this pain to stop.