The next day I had woken up to a knock on my door that broke my sleep.

Anyone who broke my sleep faced the consequences of my morning rage as I was not a morning person and hated anyone who disturbed me.

As I walked to the door and opened it I was surprised to see a lady standing there holding a cake in her hands.

"Hello! I'm Avery, your new neighbour?" Her voice was way too enthusiastic and she was dressed professionally. She must have been headed out for work. I definitely hadn't seen her here before which meant she was new.

"Good to meet you". I responded and was aware of how poorly I looked. I didn't exactly get the best sleep at night and it was morning, I didn't even have time to get dressed before she appeared knocking on the door.

"Here's a welcome gift from me". She shoved the cake in my face and proceeded to step into my apartment.

My eyes widened at her boldness. Well that was one way to make an entrance. Her eyes scanned my surroundings and she flashed me a huge smile.

"You didn't have to, really".

"Oh but I did. It's only expected of me as I'm new here, and I was also hoping you'd show me around the city too. I am kind of new here".

So there was a meaning behind the cake. I eyed her suspiciously and then glanced at the cake.It was chocolate and that was my favourite after all.

"Sure, let me get dressed and then I will get back to you".

She nodded her head and stood staring at me while I looked at her awkwardly hoping she'd wait outside. I wasn't about to change in front of some random new neighbour, even if she was a girl.

She must have gotten the hint because she headed out.

"I'll just wait out here for you".

I took a shower and proceeded to get dressed wearing a short checkered pink skirt with a white tight top and paired it with a coat.

I remembered how Erebus had opened my hair tie allowing my hair to flow loosely and that itself made me want to rebel against him . I lifted my long auburn hair into a high ponytail and did my makeup.

Nothing, and I repeat nothing would make me feel inferior today, not even certain people who's existence I didn't want to remember.

I headed out to find Avery still standing against the wall as she waited for me. She either really wanted to get to know the city or she had lots of free time and was bored.

"So let's get going then". She followed me suite as we headed down the many stairs of the apartment. I began walking and she stopped by a blue Benz.

"We're not going to walk are we?" She questioned me as she stared in disgust at the floor.

I rolled my eyes. "Well I am, if you want the tour you can tag along".

"But I have my car right here. Come on we're taking my car".

She hadn't allowed me to utter another word as she slipped into her car and left the front door open for me.

This would make it the third time I stepped into a strangers car, but who's counting?

I entered into her polished leathered seats as she began driving through the streets until we reached the Main Street where all the businesses bustled and people moved.

"I'm actually working at XC modelling enterprises". She relayed proudly to me and I sort of felt that this was life's humour of telling me 'Fxck you'.

So he accepted another even way more prettier girl and didn't think twice of it and yet he turned me down as though I had no worth.

"Congratulations, I actually tried and got rejected". She turned her head to me in sympathy as her glossy lips pouted.

"That's just not fair. I can totally imagine you being way better than me"

I fake coughed, from her dark red curls that fell in perfect waves across her back, to her green eyes that anyone would kill for. It was already obvious who the better choice was.

"Well you are perfect, so you deserve it". And I had meant my words. It turns out Erebus didn't have a problem with pretty girls. He just hated girls who were ugly and tried out for modelling.

"Alright so where's the best cafe around here?"

I began directing her to the best cafes, the malls and almost anything you could think of. We drove around for what seemed to be hours as she questioned me tons of things wanting to be well 'acquainted' with this city.

There were no places we hadn't drove past until she mentioned a place I was dreading to go to.

"We still haven't visited the Art gallery by the famous painter Vidarr". I kept uttering the word 'No' to myself aware that this was exactly what I didn't want, especially not after Erebus implied that I was simply one of many girls who Vidarr brought to his studio.

It wasn't my right to be upset, he could have had as many as he wanted to. But for some reason, I felt something sink within me as he said that.

"It's around here somewhere I'm sure of it". She began muttering to herself as she tried finding his Art gallery.

"Aha! Bingo". She pulled up to the curb almost instantly as her eyes lit up.

"I've always wanted to visit it! Maybe we'd get lucky and see him too?" She questioned me in excitement as I dreaded the very thought of being here.

"I don't think that's a good idea, they're probably closed too".

"Nonsense, we have to go, come on". She got out of the car and stood waiting for me expectantly.

I didn't want to portray any emotions that would show my inner feelings, be it anger, hurt or even the tiniest spark of jealousy.

I exited the car as she linked her arm within mine.
"You know Erebus? The famous Erebus who practically owns this entire city?"

Oh boy, not him again.

"Yeah... I've heard he is a tyrant".

She giggled as we stepped into the gallery.

"Nonsense, and if he were I wouldn't mind. Not with his dreamy looks."

If only she knew the truth about him.

"You know him and Vidarr are best friends. They're practically loved by everyone, but you already know that. You do live here".

I nodded my head. It's true that I lived here but I only moved out here recently after I had completed boarding school and this city changed so much I was positive I no more knew anything about it.

The last incident I ever remembered was the incident in the forest that occurred here with the strange man I had met,and then I never returned.

"They're good looking, don't let it fool you". I warned her and spoke as Erebus's cold demeanour burned against my eyelids.

She looked at me as though I were crazy and shook her head.

"You speak as though you know them".

Maybe because I kind of did. In that moment the voice of Vidarr rang through the halls.

"Eira?"

Avery stood shocked beside me as she whispered to herself. "So you do know them".

"Uh hi".

I spoke awkwardly and wasn't sure of what I was expected to tell him, things did get kind of weird as I was dragged out of his studio yesterday and he did nothing at all to help.

He glanced to Avery and then back to me. "Can we talk in private? Its important".

The whole while Averys jaw was open as Vidarr spoke to me.

I nodded towards him. "I'll be right back Avery".

Vidarr held his arm out for me to which I took it as he led me deeper into his art gallery while we began walking through the pathways that led to various paintings.

"Look, I'm not sure how to begin this but I'm sorry. Erebus has that controlling attitude over people and it is my fault for not stopping him.I hope you can forgive me".

He turned to face me and his eyes were full of sincerity as he spoke. What else could I do but forgive him? I knew exactly first hand how Erebus treated everyone and that it wasn't easy to deal with.

"It's fine forget it".

I brushed it off and offered him a small smile.

"Great because you do know today's your first day of work right?"

He had his arms across his chest as he smiled at me expectantly.

"But... I thought that Erebus—-"

"—-Erebus nothing. I gave you the job and I'll stand by my word. Plus... between me and you I already handled him. You'll be working here everyday".

He turned to one of his paintings that hung on the wall and smirked to himself as he seemed lost in his thoughts.

He really did that for me. I felt a sense of relief for some reason. It was good knowing that there was at least one person out here who he couldn't force to fire me.

"Thank you, Vidarr. That means a lot". I placed my hand on his arm with gratitude as I thanked him and he held his hand over mine holding my grip there.

"I know we don't know each other much, but you can trust me".

His eyes searched mine as he spoke and usually anyone who said 'trust me' would be considered a red flag. If you were trustworthy you didn't need to assure everyone of it, yet I could see the genuineness in his eyes and I was thankful.

"I'll keep that in mind".

"Good, because there's a painting I'd like to show you".

I followed him as he led me to a huge wall with a painting that stretched across it. The artwork made me stop in my tracks as I assessed it.

It was a painting of a girl in a midnight forest with a full moon behind clouds. The girl seemed to be one with the forest as it enveloped her entirely and on her wrists were vines that seemed to cage her to it.

I felt my heart rate slow down. He stared at the painting and then at me as though he waited for a reaction or a response.

It had to be a coincidence. A girl in a forest? It brought me back to the memory I had three years ago. People painted forests all the time,it couldn't have meant anything. I sucked in a deep breath and tried smiling.

"It's quite a deep painting".

He smiled to himself as he stared at the portrait.

"Yes, yes it is".

"Does it have a meaning behind it?" I felt my heart thump louder with every word I uttered.

"Every painting has a meaning". He responded as he neared the girl in the painting and caressed it allowing his fingers to turn at every stroke of colour.

He avoided the main question but I didn't feel like pressing him on and so I simply smiled and admired it.

"It's beautiful".

I lost myself in my thoughts for a second as I recalled that tomorrow would be a full moon.I would do it, I would go to the forest, I needed to confirm for myself if my thoughts were crazy or if I was correct.

"Look I brought a friend. I need to leave but I'll be here tomorrow to start work if that's okay?"

Vidarr nodded as he seemed too engrossed in the painting. I took that as my chance and began leaving when I saw Avery still waiting for me at the front.

I was in no mood to be bombarded by her quirky questions and over exciting personality.

"I'm leaving". She followed behind me and we entered the car.

"So... care to explain?" She questioned me as I rested my hand under my chin and she started the car.

"Could we talk later? I'm tired".

Avery stayed silent for the rest of the car ride until we headed home. It was already nightfall and I fell onto my bed almost instantly as all my thoughts consumed me.

I must have fallen into a deep sleep for I didn't awake except that I felt a strong wind gushing into my room.

My eyes opened ever so slightly as I heard shuffling noises in my room. I was on my right side as I slept but I grew aware of a shadow that towered above my body and I froze as my heart beat sped up in fear.

I didn't dare move as I began to feel hands caressing my hair.

"Oh... beautiful, beautiful girl".

I didn't recognise the voice as it was muffled but there was a dangerous edge to it.

It was dark and I knew I wouldn't be able to see his identity even if I did have a chance to catch a glimpse of him,but only a madman would attempt to stare at someone who broke into their house in the middle of the night.

Just as I was about to shut my eyes closed I felt hands grab my body and turn me onto my back so that my eyes were now staring at him.

His eyes were masked and this strange man's lips hovered above mines ever so slightly.

"What do you want from me?" I whispered as my body began to shake unable to hide the fact that I was scared.

His fingers caressed my lips and he breathed in my scent as whispered, his voice barely audible.

"I want you, and I'm coming back for you".

~~ ~
Dun dun dunnn!