The young girl followed the man through the town to an old two story house just a few yards from the last building in town. It was surrounded by trees and the walkway to the house was merely dirt, and the black iron fence around the property was definitely as old as the house; the gate creaked as he opened it and allowed her to walk through. She paused and waited as he closed it behind himself and then began walking towards the house again, and she followed again. She remained silent as they approached the house and he pulled out a key ring with quite a few keys and began flipping through them. Meanwhile, she looked over her shoulder and looked carefully about the grounds. She heard the sound of the door unlocking and opening, so she turned her attention back to the front of herself and he held the door open for her. She smiled at him and walked in, and gasped at the sight inside.

Although the outside of the house was worn down and dark, the inside was completely different. It was surprisingly bright and golden rails lined the left and right stair cases going to the second floor. Pictures of beautiful art hung on all the walls, with eye catching wallpaper behind the pictures.

“It’s beautiful-” she said slowly, taking it all in.

“Thank you.” He bowed his head then began motioned for her to sit on an elegant couch against the left stair case. “I will return shortly.” He smiled and bowed his head slightly and quickly went up the steps and disappeared into one off the hallways.

All she could hear now was silence; eerie silence. As beautiful and lively the inside of the house was it was still a little creepy with how silent it was. It was a few moments until she heard some footsteps approaching. She turned her head to listen to the hallway above her and soon someone descended the staircase across from her. He had short red hair and was wearing a black, button up shirt that lazily hung over his black pants. He didn’t notice her at first, but as he was near the last few steps he looked to the side and smirked at her, “So, you’re Rose?” He asked nonchalantly and stopped near the end of the staircase, staring her down. His dark eye makeup drew her attention to his turquoise eyes. She wasn’t sure of it, but looking in his eyes, it seemed that his smirk was an attempt to hide the fact he was poignant.

“Um, yes,” the girl said nervously and stood, “I’m Rosalinda, Rose for short-”

He nodded, “Yes, I know. Your brother talked of you a lot.” He walked down the last two steps and turned towards her.

The girl’s heart jumped, “You knew my brother? Where is he, can I see him? When-”

“Silence!” a shout came from upstairs, scaring the girl, however she noticed the boy with red hair didn’t even flinch.

He smirked again, “Might want to talk a little slower, and quieter. Our master doesn’t enjoy being disturbed. Plus, he isn’t very fond of females either.”

The girl felt her cheeks blush unintentionally, “I-I’m sorry…” she breathed and looked back to the ground, but there was a slight gust of wind and she looked up to find him gone.

Before she could open her mouth to say anything, his voice scared her. She looked to her right, “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. It’s been a long time since I was around humans. Please,” he used his hand to elegantly point the way through the double doors right under the walkway that connected the top of the two stairs, “this way.”

“Uh-I, um, thanks,” she stuttered, not sure what to think at all. “Why did he call me a human? How did he move so fast? Where are we going-”

He interrupted her thoughts, “We’re going to see your brother, but only after you go to your own room, of course.”

“But-” she began but he cut her off with a wave of his hand. The forcefulness in his hand movement wasn’t the strange thing, but she found she literally couldn’t speak any more. She grabbed her mouth and tried to speak out again but it failed.

She took two steps away from the red head and turned to run in fear, when she hit someone; his hands grabbed her shoulders to steady her and he asked with a concerned voice, “Are you alright?”