by Nancy Glynn
When he finished, he locked eyes with her, forming a connection, giving her permission to touch him. She reached out with hesitancy and felt his soft head, petting it slowly. For some odd reason, tears coated her eyes as she looked deeply into his. He was her friend; that was a vow he silently made to her. Usually, animals didn’t like her, would run away or claw at her if she tried to pet them. Her college friends with pets thought that was so strange. Eric would joke and bring up the antichrist again, angering her mother.
Her mother blamed herself for not letting them have any pets. She had blamed herself for everything, so Lana said it was fine, that she didn’t like animals that much anyway. It hurt to see her mom in pain like that. It would have been nice to have a dog or even a cat, something to cuddle, but she had accepted it.
“Hello there. I hope you don’t mind me coming into your home. Thank you for having me.” She didn’t know why, but she needed to honor this creature. She felt a respect from his end that she needed to reciprocate.
He stared a moment more before running off into the lush greenery that seemed to swallow him. Stunned, she sat still and took in her surroundings. This wasn’t a lost forest like her mother had claimed; it was beautiful. She knew what lay beyond the trees, hidden in the back, and would soon get a closer look in a few days. But for now, she wanted to inhale its beauty and tranquility.
“Lana.”
Her head turned in the direction of her name, whispering around the trees and through the woods. It grew louder, more insistent.
“Who’s there?” She stood and started to walk toward it, but then it would be behind her. She spun around, trying to discern its location, to see a face, but nothing.
“Lana, Lana, Lana, Lana.”
A calmness came over her as she didn’t feel afraid of this voice. It was the forest calling to her, claiming her, embracing her.
“I’m here,” she answered. She strolled through the paths and touched the rough bark of the trees with loving strokes. Looking up at the tall weeping trees that hung over her in a protective hug, she commanded to it. “You are mine. I am yours,” she said in a breathy whisper.
“Lana.” The voice trailed off, an echo cascading into a distance, satisfied with her response.
She closed her eyes and smiled. After starting back to her car, she turned around, feeling her wolf’s eyes on her. Rotating herself, she saw the glow of yellow orbs watching her through the trees. He gave out a howl before she walked away.
***
Eric strode toward her, frantic. “There you are! Where were you?”
Lana sat at the dining table, eating salmon and cubed baked potatoes. She looked up, surprised to see him so panicked. “I’m right here. I’ve checked on Papa, and he seems to be doing much better.”
“You’ve been gone all day and not answering my texts. Your grandfather needed you here with him!” He stood in front of her, obviously upset with her choices.
“I never got any texts. I told you I was going to Jack’s Den, and then I stopped at the forest…”
“The what? Not that forest…” He grabbed her shoulders, pulling her up to face him.
“Eric! What’s wrong with you? I’m fine. You think I’m the little girl you used to tickle and play peek-a-boo with, but I’m not!” She pushed his hands off, seeing something dark flash in his eyes.
“Oh, I know you’re not. But I still worry!” He pulled her to him, cradling her head to his chest, feeling his heartbeat. “I’ll always worry for you,” he whispered.
“You don’t need to be my protector. I really can handle my own life.” She pulled away and looked in his eyes, sad for what she saw there. “We really do need to find you a woman.”
“I don’t want a woman.”
“You seem so lonely. I’m sure there’s plenty around here that would love to be with you.”
He stared a little too long, his eyes lowering to her lips. She pulled out of his arms and sat back down to finish her dinner. “Did you eat?”
“Yes. A long time ago.” His hand reached out and pushed her hair away from her face.
“You sure you’re okay, Eric? You don’t seem yourself.” She sipped from her wine, pushing his hand away, feeling his eyes probe hers.
“I’m fine. I’m going to check on Mark. If you need me, I’ll be in my room reading.”
He bent and kissed the top of her head, sending a spike through her.
Nodding, she continued to eat her dinner.
Relief filled her when he left the room, bringing with him an energy she didn’t like. She knew he missed her mother, and would find someone for him. He definitely needed companionship, even though he denied it. But something in his eyes disturbed her, something she’d never seen before.
Granted, she didn’t see him a lot before her parents’ death. It had become one of those send a card in the mail on birthdays and holidays relationships during the years. Now she was presenting to him as a grown woman, and maybe he was struggling with that. She was, after all, Daisy’s daughter. That in itself made her more special to him than any woman would ever have a chance to be for him.
That put fear in her heart. She had always tested her flirting ways on him as a practice for when she’d really need to use them, but to think of it emerging into something more. Her father would not be pleased.
On Saturday, she would meet all the women and find someone for Eric, someone deserving of his love and affection. In the meantime, it was probably best to not be alone with him in this house. This house wasn’t the best place to be for unrequited love, for it stirred the most buried feelings and would bring them to the surface.
After dinner, she wished Lucy a goodnight and asked for some tea to bring her grandfather. She knocked on his door before entering and carried the hot tea in, finding him asleep.
His eyes fluttered opened as she set the cup down. “Lana girl. I’ve missed you today.”
“Sorry, Papa. I’ve been getting to know the town a little. Here’s some green tea for you, just how you like it.”
“Come, sit. Let me look at you. Feeling all right?” He sat up against his pillows.
She placed his glasses on for him and smiled. “I should be asking you that. But yes, I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
“Meet Mr. Red?” He sipped his tea and eyed her.
“I did. Not exactly the beast I thought he’d look like. I wished I would have known.”
“What does it matter? He is a beast in sheep’s clothing. Don’t ever trust him, love.”
“I know. I’m going to his church on Saturday.”
“Yes, I knew that would have to happen. The thought of that frightens me to no end.”
“It shouldn’t. I’ll be fine. I’ll let you get your rest. I hope you have a better second night here. We all seemed to have had some strange events occur last night.”
“What happened to you? Wait, let me see.”
“Don’t think too hard, Papa. I think your third eye is what’s giving you problems these days. Let’s just say it was interesting. Eric said he had some weird dreams. You got sick. I just want things to be normal in this house.”
“Ah, but, Lana, this isn’t a normal house. This is a house of horrors built on greed and lust. Those two sins run this house and make it tick; it feeds on them. Do me a favor and keep your door locked.”
Her eyes widened at the memory of Eric asking her about her locked door last night. She nodded and agreed. After kissing his forehead, she left for her room. As she passed Eric’s door, she wanted to check on him to make sure he was okay.
“Come in, Lana.”
His voice startled her. How did he know? She opened the door, barely sticking her head in. “Did you hear me?” she asked, smirking.
“I just knew you were there. Your scent is strong. Please, come in.”
Hesitation creeped in before she slowly entered the room, leaving the door open. She noticed the book he was reading, and her heart raced with fear. “Lolita?”
“I
found it here in the drawer, not my usual reading material, but I need to read something before bed. It’s pretty good, though.” He patted the spot next to him.
Biting her lip, she tentatively sat. “I just checked on Papa. He seems better. Hopefully tonight will be uneventful.”
“Uneventful?” He closed the book and laid it on his lap.
“Yeah, with him getting sick and you having wacky dreams…”
“Ah, the dreams. Yes.” His pupils dilated.
She paused, trying to figure out what was in his mind. “Well, I’m tired, so I’ll just get to bed.”
“Did you meet Jack yet?” He tugged at her hand to keep her put.
“I did.”
“He try to seduce you?”
She shook her head. “No, just invited me to his church on Saturday.” She had no intention of sharing what had really happened.
“Because he wants you.” He looked like a jealous lover.
“Eric, you don’t know that. He made a business proposition is all, nothing sexual about it.”
His face softened and he took her hand in his. “I’m sorry, Lana girl. I don’t know what’s come over me. Forgive me?”
Lana smiled. “Nothing to forgive. I love you. You know that.”
“I love you, too. Can I have a hug?”
She studied his face and sighed, realizing she was being foolish. This was Eric. Sweet Eric that she’s known all her life. She went into his outstretched arms and wrapped her arms around his back, his face pressed in her neck. Flattening her against his chest, his grip tightened, his hands caressing her back, his breathing becoming erratic.
She struggled to get away. “Well, goodnight, Eric.” When he finally released her, his eyes appeared glassy with hooded lids. “We really do need to find you a woman,” she said, laughing, trying to make light of the moment, to break whatever spell he was under.
“No.”
“You need one.”
“I said no.” His voice didn’t belong to him. Her face was still close to his, his heavy breathing on her skin, his eyes trailing to her mouth. “I think you’re projecting your needs on me, and it’s you who needs a man. You’ve always flirted with me. Don’t think I never noticed it. I did.”
Chills permeated her body. “Goodnight, Eric.” She freed herself and ran out of the room.
Fear set in for what the night would bring. After locking her door, she got ready for bed.
***
She woke up a couple of times, feeling restless, the flames of the fire crackling in the quiet room. After finally falling into a deep sleep, dreams came fast and furious, unwanted dreams. At first, they were of Eric, but she clawed at him, pushing him away. Then a man without a face, just murky shadowing in its place, while he hovered above her, his strong arms braced on each side. She reached out to his face to feel it or see it more clearly, but her hand went through it. His muscular body moved lovingly against hers with her ankles crossed over his back. A gold chain hung around his thick neck.
A bang on the door snapped her eyes open, this man disappearing in her arms.
“Lana, you okay?” Eric called out, trying the door but it was still locked.
Finding her voice enough to answer, hiding her irritation, “I’m fine, thank you. Goodnight, Eric.”
She must have been making sounds in her sleep loud enough to bring him to her door. The thought mortified her and wondered what he’d heard. It felt so real, unlike any other dream she’d had. A sadness reeled through her for a man she didn’t even know. She turned to her side and let the tears fall.
***
When she woke up the next morning, that sadness remained as if someone had died. She also worried about what Eric was going through and what the house was putting in his mind, weaving a web of lustful thoughts that didn’t belong.
They couldn’t remain under the same roof if this continued. It would change everything between them if they ever followed dark desires that were born out of evil. Nothing good would ever come of that. As a younger girl, she’d always wondered what it would be like to kiss Eric who represented a real man, not the boys she had fun with. She had had so many fantasies of fogging up his glasses and making him pant for her, but now it was different. This house was eliciting buried feelings and amplifying them.
The thing that really scared her was what her mother used to say about this house. There were no such things as dreams. There was only reality in the form of dreams. So if anyone ever dreamed, it was real.
Did that mean she really fought Eric off last night? Did he come to her in some dream-like state? The real test would be to see how he acted when she went down for breakfast. Would he even remember if he did come to her? Did it mean she made love to some stranger? A stranger she mourned when he left? The mysteries of this house would never be understood, but she would sure try.
She dressed in a pink sweater top and white cotton pants, pulling her hair up into a messy bun, and headed down to breakfast…and to Eric.
Chapter 6
“Good morning, Lana.” Eric looked up from his newspaper and coffee, offering her a smile.
“Good morning, Uncle Eric.” She tested him, taking the chair next to him as Lucinda brought her coffee. “Thank you, Lucy.” She took a sip and smiled back at him.
“No need to call me that, you know.”
“What’s that?” She played along.
“The uncle,” he answered, not taking his eyes off the newspaper.
“But you always corrected me, how I should call you that.” She sipped her coffee, nonchalantly flipping through pictures on her iPhone. She kept up with her former students and school staff on their Facebook. She also wanted to appear like she didn’t really care.
“It’s okay. We’re more friends than an uncle and niece, though, don’t you think?”
“But you’ve changed my diaper.” She glanced up to find him watching her.
He cleared his throat. “Only a few times. Leave the uncle part out, okay?”
And the game continued. Her turn.
“Fine, Uncle Eric.” She smirked, reading her messages.
“I said leave it out.”
She looked up and saw raw anger in his eyes. “Okay, Eric.”
“Thank you. Check on your grandfather?” He turned to the next page, waiting for her to respond.
“I did. He was sleeping, but I saw a half-eaten tray of food next to him.”
“Good.”
She laughed at something one of her former coworkers had posted, missing them more than ever. She tried to follow them on all their social media outlets, but it was impossible.
“What?”
“Oh, just something one of the teachers I used to work with said on his Facebook.”
“You screw him?”
“What’d you say?” Heat rose to her face, feeling shocked. Eric never spoke like that.
“You heard me.”
Staring at him, she finally responded. “That’s none of your business, Eric. I don’t ask you who you’ve been with, but the answer is no if you must know. I didn’t sleep with coworkers.”
“I bet he wanted to.”
“He’s married, happily married, with a baby on the way. I was laughing at something he said about being a new dad.”
“I don’t think anyone’s ever truly happily married. I know if I had to work around a woman like you, I wouldn’t be.” He flipped another page of his newspaper like they were talking about the weather.
“Eric, what’s gotten into you? The other day you were telling me how you loved me like a daughter, and now…I don’t know what’s happening. Maybe you should leave. This house is messing with us.”
“Why do you say us? Something happen last night?”
“Didn’t you just hear me?”
“What happened last night, Lana?”
“Nothing!”
“I thought I’d heard you screaming.”
“What?”
“That’s what made me run to you, but
then as I got closer, you were moaning like you were with someone. Can you explain that?”
“Oh, my God. I don’t have to explain anything to you! I’m going out for a while. Change your attitude toward me or you’ll need to go back to New York.”
“Lana, I’m sorry. Don’t go. I’m a jerk. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. Please stay. I’m sorry.” He closed his paper, his eyes softer now, like he returned from the jealous monster he turned into.
She sighed. “It’s fine. I need to get out anyway. I want to check out the rest of the town.”
“Can I go with? I’m bored as hell here. I’d like to drive past my old house to see if it’s still there.”
“Sure. But behave. No more creepy talk, okay?”
He chuckled. “I will try not to talk in a creepy way anymore, promise. If I do, you can slap me.”
“Oh, I will and I’ll enjoy it.” She regretted the words as soon as she said them.
A glazed look washed over him. “Oh, really?”
“Let’s go before I change my mind.” She left to get her keys and purse.
“I’ll drive,” he stated.
***
She still couldn’t tell if Eric had really been with her in a dream-like state. His strange behavior about wanting her to drop the uncle led her to believe he had, but then he said he heard her screaming. If a man had carnal knowledge of a woman, he’d definitely want her to relate to him as a man and not a relative.
“Where do you want to go first?” he asked, driving out of the gates and into the town.
“We can go past your house first if you’d like.” Maybe that would remind him who he was here, and who she was to him, and what this town was about.
“You got it.” He drove down some streets she didn’t know and turned into an open circular driveway and to the entrance of a house half the size of Stone Manor. It was a big house, maybe four thousand square feet, but small compared to hers.