Chapter 1-Welcome Home

“Have you ever thought to start all over when the rain comes? To have the rain wash away everything and leaving behind nothing in its wake? To be reborn a new and setting out on a new course, not knowing what fate has in store for you.”

She heard the whispers all around her. She couldn’t see them but all the same, she knew they were there. Watching her every move; silent as death once they stopped their whispers; waiting for who knows how long for her. For whatever reason they’ve been waiting for her, she did not know. All she knew was that as soon as she stepped into that manor, she felt their presence.

All around her, her heightened senses could sense the change of atmosphere in the air. The way one feels when the enter the home of one of their close relatives after not seeing them for so long and a sense of something changed over time while you were away. That’s what Isis was feeling right now only she had never been here before yet that sense of familiarity came to her still.

Another’s person’s memories played in her mind. Images of brightly colored figures dancing about in a splendid ballroom, the sound of music filling hr ears as the sweet aroma of lilies fill her senses in a daze. Such an entrancing scene was soon broken by a sound next to her.

Turning her head, Isis saw the middle-aged man there waiting patiently beside her. His poker face could’ve fooled Isis if it weren’t his kind old brown eyes twinkling down at her. “May I show you to your room, Miss Isis?” he asked politely to her, making Isis wonder if he were a butler or something. She nodded her head and watched as the man took a hold of her two suitcases and began to lead her up towards the stairs a few feet away from the front entrance.

The elegant Renaissance architecture complimented the Victorian styled decorations and furniture. From the scarlet, black and golden designed carpet to the paintings of the past family members hanging in one side of the wall. Isis paid attention to all but that one painting, seeming to not notice it as she passed the wall. If she had, she would’ve noticed a familiar face that would’ve made Isis think she was looking into a mirror when looking into the girl’s identical eyes gazing into her own.

-

“Here is your room Miss Isis. Please, settle in as I go and make tea in the drawing room.” The man said in a calm voice. He laid the two suitcases down on the floor then turned and stood at the doorway. He waited a few minutes to see if Isis would reply to him but she simply remained silent.

After a few more moments, he left the room while closing the door behind him silently, leaving the estranged girl to her thoughts.

Isis walked over to her queen sized bed and plopped down, letting a long awaited sigh out. Finally, she was alone in the solitude of silence.

No noises buzzing around her.

No humans to bother her in any way.

Isis traced a hand on the baby blue silky bed sheets with black rose designs. Turning her head, her eyes saw the wooden bedpost at the end of the bed. A night able with a lamp with a book that looked to be a bible at first glance and had a title that read “The complete works of Edgar Allen Poe’ in golden letters. Looking farther ahead to see a make up stand with a mirror in front of it, making it in order to her to see her reflection as she put on make up or whatever on her face while a bed of roses sat idly around the stand, in colors of red and white. The purple colored walls of a darker shade seemed to glow from the now dimming light coming through the large window to Isis’s right. The curtains hung on either side of the window as the wooden frame glowed under the fading sunlight. There was a dresser against on the left side of the room with a wooden closet made of a wood. It had carving designs etched on it as the golden metal handles were shining from the light. The floor, also made of wooden, was slick and smooth by the looks of it with a dark blue carpet lay on top of it in front of Isis’ bed where a black dresser with golden outlines on was.

Isis loved everything about this room. So perfect for her to lose herself in her dreams, just falling asleep right now seemed so tempting right now.

The day was growing moist, rain clouds rolling in herds and blocked the sun from view. The world of gray coming forth that both seemed to calm and depress everyone, depending on the person, and rain fell down on them in sparkles of water.

Isis loved days like this. It meant the world was being renewed as it cleansed itself in washing away all that has happened. Starting over to the beginning once again.

She positively loved these days because it meant a new beginning for her. A new way to start out life again, taking a different path in the road before her.

To Isis the rain meant one thing to her…

Rebirth.

-

The shadows shifted and shivered, hissing when a figure drifted through the hall, his form thin and tall as golden eyes narrowed. The dripping of something liquid echoed in the empty halls. The figure raised their arm where claws made of blades dripped with fresh blood. Getting out a piece of clothe to clean off the blood, he grumbled in annoyance. Being sure all the blood is gone, he flexed out his claws with a flick of his wrist. Putting the clothe away, he then took one surveyed around and left.

He slinked off to the shadows as quiet as death, not once making noise in his steps. The only sound that could be heard was the faint voices from down the stairs. Making sure to not be seen by anyone, the figure darted through shadows quick as lighting. Seeming only a blur to the human eye.

Heading towards the stairs, the figure stopped suddenly. Stiffening when hearing the very thing he thought he heard for the last time that day.

Just behind him in the door to his right, he could hear the rhythmic beating of something. A heart beat.

Turning in the direction of the sound, he strode over to the door, his claws ready to strike at any given moment. Peeking through the crack of the door, he saw a girl in the room. Her soft raven hair shined under the light as her pale skin would make anyone think she was a ghost or something.

Narrowing his golden eyes, he tried looking at her face but soon jumped back when he stepped on a loose floorboard. Cursing his clumsiness, he jumped back and quickly looked for a hiding place. Seeing the spot behind the staircase where the walls went outward and made a little hiding place, he dove over there and thanked whatever being is out there that the sun never shone there. The shadows shivered when his form came with them in their hiding place, he was already used to their presence. He crouched down and looked from where he was hiding to see if the girl was coming out.

There was the sound of the doorknob being turned and the creaking of the wooden door opening. The girl stepped out. She looked both ways down the hall and called out a hello to see if anyone was out there.

He chuckled at the childish way the girl seemed to be. He looked at her then to see her form coming over to where he was. He started to panic and went deeper into the shadows, cursing his luck.

The girl came closer to his hiding place, passing by the opening of the stairs. She stopped a few inches to where the shadows lay, her dark eyes searching through the darkness. It was then that he got a sort of good look at her, though of course, the shadows made it hard for him to see with their lack of light but he could of sworn he saw her before. She seemed so familiar. He could place where he saw her in his past life but something about her eyes they seem so similar to another pair of eyes he knows.

“Miss Isis! Tea is ready!” The voice of the butler was heard and the girl, Isis, called back “Yes, I’m coming!” She took one more glance at the shadows then departed, going down the stairs and leaving him with the shadows.

He sighed in relief when he saw her go away, muttering under his breath.

He stood up straight, his form seeming to move like a rag-doll as he said under his breath “Damn, is Psycho gonna be pissed when he finds out about this.” Then he turned and ran down the other end of the hall, muttering under his breath again.

-

Isis slid down the banister stairs and jumped off when it ended at the bottom. Landing on her feet like a cat, she stood up straight and looked back up the stairs again. Isis had gotten the feeling of being watched while in her bedroom and went out in the hall to see if anyone was there. Seeing no one, she was about to go back in when she saw something green in the shadows. Wondering what it was, she went over near the shadowy place behind the staircase where something gold caught her eye. The golden thing looked to be a pair of eyes but when Isis was about to get a closer look when the voice of the middle aged man, whom she guessed then was a butler, called her downstairs. She replied back and taking on last look at the shadowy place, Isis darted downstairs. She still wondered what was there still when a sweet aroma filled her nostrils.

Isis set her sights towards the door where the smell of something sweet filled the air. Feeling a little hungry after her trip, Isis shrugged her shoulders and went over to the door.

After entering the drawing room, Isis could see a white and greenish room set before her eyes as she went over to the table near the big window over looking the garden. Isis gaped at the sheer beauty of the garden. From daisies to lilies and Forget-me-nots to Roses, there was practically every flower Isis had ever known in here. Looking down at the table, Isis had another surprise to find a full tea party before her. There was a plate of biscuits on the left side while a small strawberry shortcake was in the middle and a china made Tea pot with tea in it as a teacup already filled with tea sat waiting for her. It all seemed so fancy and nice. Isis couldn’t help but giggle at the mini tea party she had to herself. That is, if she didn’t start dreaming of course.

“Now, let’s all have a happy un-birthday, shall we Mr. Hair?’ Isis said in a lady-like voice as she sat herself down on the silky cushion chair. Isis sat up straight and took a sip of her tea, giggling at her childish antics. “Why, this tea is oh so delicious. I say, due be a dear Alice and hand me a slice of cake would you now?” Isis got up and went to the side of the table. Getting into position, Isis then pretended she was Alice serving herself “Yes, Miss Isis.” Cutting a slice of cake, Isis set into an empty plate that was behind the cake and set it next to her teacup. Going back to her chair and sitting down, Isis nodded politely where Alice would’ve been and took a little bit of cake.

“Why, it tis a most lovely pastry! So heavenly and fluffy, I could lose myself in it.” Isis giggled while sipping some tea.

“Having a happy un-birthday Isis?” A woman’s voice sounded behind her. Isis gasped, jumping out of her chair in surprise and turned around to see a young woman standing there.

She was even more painfully surprised to find that the woman looked almost identical to her mother. In fact, if it weren’t for her bright emerald eyes, she would’ve actually thought it was her mother. Isis awkwardly fiddled with the bottom of her red Abby shirt that had black skulls over it.

“I’m sorry, did I frighten you?” The woman apologized in a soft voice. She smiled at Isis who shyly looked up at her. She saw the olive skin that seemed smooth and clean while short black hair reaching past her shoulders looked silky under the sunlight. She wore a white Japanese kimono styled shirt with some pink Sakura blossoms decorated on it. Black pants with boots made of fine leather. Isis thought she had the looks of fashion model.

The woman knelt down to Isis’s level. It was not that the woman was tall or anything, Isis was merely short and looked to be eleven years old rather than the thirteen year old she was. Isis was entranced by those green emerald eyes that seemed to draw her in “Hello Isis, I’m Elizabeth Heardt, your mother’s sister and your Aunt, I hope you like it here so far.” The woman, Elizabeth, said in a gentle voice as Isis snapped out of her trance.

Extending her arm out, Isis held her poker face as she in turn introduced herself “Hello, Aunt Elizabeth. I’m Isis Edens and I shall be staying with you for the remainder of my life. Well, until I go to college and start my own life of course.”

Elizabeth chuckled at the childish way Isis said this and grabbed a hold of her hand, shaking it. “Well, let’s make the best of these years together then.”

Isis couldn’t help but give out a broad smile up at her Aunt. Her cheeks blushing while her eyes sparkled with a new light in them. She was starting a new. Isis still mourned the loss of her parents but one thing that kept her going was the saying her father used to say her to her when he was still alive.

The past is in the past, the future is a mystery, but there’s no day but today.

Isis had no idea what adventures might lie ahead of her. She could as well as said her father was wrong about the part of the beginning of the saying; “The Past is the past” because, starting right now, the past is going to come back at her in full blow. And some dark secrets don’t stay hidden for long. Sometimes, the truth is far more gruesome than one can think.

Icy blue eyes stared at the girl intensely. Their coldness seeming to send any person shivers down their spine. With a whisper of the wind, the owner of those eyes vanished, a single petal of a blue rose fell to the ground. The rose petal matched the exact color of those cold as ice blue eyes.

A single whisper in the wind sounded off as the owner of the eyes softly said to Isis “Welcome home.”

-

There was a sudden chill running down her spine. Isis glanced around to see if any windows were open. They were not.

“Um…I think I’ll just head on back to my room.” Isis said while taking a few steps back. She could’ve sworn someone was watching her.

“Oh, but your tea. Would you like me to have Arthur bring it up to your room?” Elizabeth asked her niece. A hint of worry traced along her features when seeing the far away look on the girl’s face. “S...Sure! That’ll be…awesome! Yeah, go ahead. I’ll just get going then…” Isis sprinted out the room as fast as she could. There was a strange feeling that the person watching her was going away and the sudden impulse to catch that person that came to her. Though it was a childish thing to think, only children have such wild imaginations in their heads yet Isis never really was what you call “normal”. No matter how old she gets, she still manages to keep the innocence and dreams of a child in her. Even though Isis is a teenager now, that didn’t matter to her. Back to the wild imaginative chase at hand, Isis had a mere thought of the person she was chasing, whether be produced from her imagination or a shadow she saw, being in her room crossed her mind as she bounded up the steps.

Isis reached the first landing at the top step and ran down the hall to where her room was, opening the door wide with a slam and stopped at the opening. Breathing hard, she looked around the room, expecting to see someone here. There was no one.

Breathing hard for a few moments, Isis soon caught her breath and sighed. She was never really good with her people skills. Not even her parents seemed to help much, except for her mother at times. No matter hard they tried, Isis couldn’t talk properly in a conversation. However, with Elizabeth, she seemed rather alright by her standards even though she and her mother looked a lot alike, there was something strange about her. A part of her aunt she cannot place.

That’s what she liked. Things strange and abnormal, it always brought Isis’s interests out.

Her mother used to tell her to be good and polite to others. She was a kind and good woman who can take authority and argue like a Lawyer. Ironically enough, Isis’s mother actually wanted to be a Lawyer but chose another job instead. Something about an office, Isis couldn’t recall. The young girl’s always drifted off whenever something boring occurred around her.

What Isis loved most about her though was when she told her dark stories full of magic and wonder, each story always had a happy ending with the dragon of the east being slain or the ghoulish ghosts being brought at peace. It was always a new story every night in her childhood. Her mother would write it down in a journal when telling the tale, so that Isis may re-red it again. That journal still remains with her to this very day. Safely hidden in her suitcase, waiting to brought out and be read for its stories that it contains.

When Isis turned ten, however, her mother stopped her stories. Isis couldn’t pinpoint when in time but she remembered waiting in bed for her mother to come. She waited and waited for almost an hour until her father came in and told her to go to sleep. Confused, Isis did as her father told and went into a restless sleep. In the morning, ten-year-old Isis walked down the stairs to the kitchen where her mother was preparing a cup of coffee. “Mommy, why didn’t you come to my room and told me stories last night?” Isis’s innocent question seemed to have triggered something because her mother turned to her and harshly spoke to her “You are too old for such silly stories. It’s time that you start going to bed by yourself without such foolish nonsense.”

Isis went back to her room hurt and confused. Why did mommy say that? What did she do wrong? Isis never asked for a story again and went to be bed every night without the ‘foolish nonsense’; her mother seemed to call them now.

Isis’s mother deeply regretted what she said to her daughter. Taking out her frustration at her due to work and a letter from her sister seemed to make her turn into someone ugly. Isis’s mother knew Isis would only want something unless she asked for it, so she waited patiently for Isis to come and ask her for a story. But she never did. From then on, Isis’s mother seemed saddened whenever Isis went to bed. Every so often, she would ask her daughter if she wanted a story or not. There was a hint of a spark to Isis’s eyes but soon vanished just as it came. Isis would then shake her head, climbing into bed for the night. Isis’s mother felt a little hurt by this yet she moved on from it later on but every once in awhile, Isis’s mother remembered the ugly dragon she had become to her daughter and promised to never become that person ever again.

Isis lay down on her bed and curled up into a ball, thinking of her mother brought that stinging pain in her chest. She shut her eyes, suppressing the tears beginning to form in her eyes. Just thinking of that horrifying scene brought nightmares for nights on end. True, she just came here after a few days in the America, being checked up in the hospital and meeting a psychiatrist for trauma. Talking to someone about the horrifying incident seemed to lift a weight off of her shoulders. If only a little; even so, that image would haunt her for the rest of her life.

Lifting her head up, Isis looked out the window to see the rain hit against the glass. The day’s gray skies greeted her line of vision. Casting a spell upon her as she slumped onto her bed. Staring out the window in a dream like state, Isis softly whispered out loud before entering her land of fantasy.

“Welcome home Isis. Welcome home.