The sound of the car engine coming from behind me made me turn around immediately, almost like I had hoped for company. A taxi, a young woman stepped out of it, she was stunning, her features delicate, she looked around my age, just slightly shorter than me, she paid for her taxi, and turned around, facing me, she strode towards me, she looked nervous, as she came closely, her features came to light more, she had big eyes, they were almost huge, her pupils amber, her nose small, her plump pink lips trembling mildly, "Hi" she blurted out, her voice shaking a tad bit, it was subtle but I caught on, "Hey, are you here for the job?", "yes" she nodded, I sighed, relief loosened the tightness in my chest. As I watched her, memories of the day I filled out my own application for this job flooded my head. It felt like a lifetime ago, although it had barely been two weeks…
I had already made up my mind to leave for Willowdale, I knew it would be foolish of me to leave without at least securing a job for in Willowdale, I lay on my bed, the light from my laptop illuminating my room, I was exhausted, I had been scrolling for hours on job ads hiring around Willowdale, my eyelids heavy, I was two seconds away from turning the laptop off and calling it a day, but one ad caught my eye, my eyelids flying open, I sat up straight
Help Wanted, Live-in Domestic Assistants
"Two discreet and diligent young women are required for service at the Ravenshade Manor, Willowdale. Duties include general upkeep, kitchen assistance and minor errands
Room and board provided. Confidentiality is imperative. No appliances to be brought in.
Applicants of strong character and sound health preferred.
No experience necessary."
My gaze lowered, "the manor" I mumbled under my breath, the name brought a smile to my face, I've heard whispers about this place in my hometown, strange sightings, mysterious sounds, sudden disappearances, but more importantly, the library… I heard the place was ancient, housing books that held secrets untold marked in golden inscriptions. I had to know the truth, about my dreams, about the woman, about those eyes and why I was so drawn to them. If I could get my answers anywhere, it would definitely be in that mansion. I stared back at the application, determination in my eyes, I filled it out quickly, it did look more like an oath of secrecy than an application letter, but I didn't care, I didn't even read properly. All I knew was that I, Athena, was going to get into that library, no matter what it took from me…I remembered the rush in my chest as I clicked "submit." The same shiver ran through me now, dragging me back to the present. The glow of the screen was gone, replaced by the cold moonlight and the looming shadow of the Manor. The girl was still watching me, her breath visible in the chill. I straightened, forcing a small smile.
"Come on," I said softly. "What's your name?" "Clara" she said, almost in a whisper, I noticed she kept her head down a lot, I said nothing but softly smiled, maybe she was just nervous, I was too, we both dragged out suitcases behind us walking past the statues, and approaching the manor, it felt strange that we were asked to come without any appliances, I had never felt so cut off before, no phone, no signal, just this dark mansion, the unease I was trying to suppress slowly crept in, Something was definitely wrong with this place, I could feel it, but it was too late now, I already signed up for this, I comforted myself, pulling the ends of the white sweater I wore.
The big wooden doors slowly opened as we came closer, almost like the Manor itself was expecting us, I wondered what kind of technology it was, Clara on the other hand didn't seem to mind, we walked right into the large golden halls, crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceilings casting a quiet warm glow on the walls and portraits lining the walls, hinting at the mansion history, I was too nervous to look at them individually, but if I was going to be living here, I would definitely look my fill, inside the Manor was definitely a sharp contrast from how the outside looked, it still held a dark eerie aura, but it felt lighter, beautiful, a man dressed neatly in a suit approached us, presumably, the butler, This was it, I used my free hand to cup my necklace, something I did whenever I felt nervous, he was tall, his posture perfect, his strides confident, "Welcome to the Ravenshade Manor", his voice boomed, his salt and pepper hair combed to the side, betraying his age, judging from the hair he should be around forty, other than that, his face was chiseled and strong, he was handsome, he still carried an aura of quiet authority, his sharp gaze swept over us, like we were prey, I felt Clara shiver, her gaze even lower, "Ah" he mummored almost amused, "What do we have here, an omega and oh… a human? perfect", my breath caught, "human "?,
The word hung in the air, cold and heavy, I didn't move for seconds,I couldn't shock, held me in place, he almost laughed "Oh you have a lot to learn, miss?", he dragged the last syllable, hinting at me to reveal my name, I opened my mouth, but no sound came out, his gaze felt crushing now,
"Athena mister, And I am Clara",
I turned to the girl I had just met, the one who had just been labeled an "Omega", I barely knew what that even meant even meant, but I knew she wasn't "human" like me, her gaze was low as if she just did what she wasn't supposed to, "Good", "follow me", he turned around sharply and began striding forward, one hand behind him, heading for the stairs, I finally gained control of my lower limbs, and slowly followed, Clara turned and slowly gestured to move faster, I felt betrayed, my fingers tightening around my suitcase handle till I could feel them whiten, I followed till the base of the staircase, polished, lined with portraits that seemed to track my every step, my free hand was still on the silver accessory hanging from my neck, it felt like a shield now more than ever, I looked back at the doors, they were sealed shut, I didn't remember hearing them close, my heart dropped, the two figures in front of me? No, they weren't people, I had no idea what they were, and I was walking right into their trap…