Huldrefolk

Episode 2

Rose stared at herself in the bathroom's big mirror. Pale olive skin, long blonde hair that curled around her waist, big grey eyes framed by sandy lashes, and tinted brows that Danie had helped her dye several weeks earlier. She was wearing a big, woolen grey scarf over her long-sleeved, V-neck black shirt with too-long sleeves and skinny-jeans. The ankle boots worked well with the outfit, but she was having second thoughts about her biological mother's locket. It was the only connection to who she was before Rose Martin, the billionaire business owner's daughter. It was a gold pendant, with blue and grey enamel patterns that swirled around like waves. She had gotten it dated a few years back, out of curiosity, and had found that it had been in the family for at least six hundred years. Rose had never taken it off since. It did clash with this outfit though. Tentatively, she removed it, and placed it in her purse, not wanting to leave it anywhere by itself. She kept it nearby, it had become a comfort to her. It was wrapped around her swaddling when she was dropped off at the Martin residence. It had been with her then, when her life was so utterly turbulent, fresh from the womb and left to sit in the freezing, Canadian winter.

She walked down the three flights of stairs from her room to the garage, popping her head into Pa's office to tell him where she was going, before leaving. He replied only with a grin and cheeky wink. Ma wouldn't be home until at least nine, because she was working on a high-profile case (lawyer stuff...) at the moment. She slumped down in her midnight blue Mini, closing the door and breathing in the sweet smell. Pa collected loads of cars from all corners of the globe, but Cooper was Rose's favorite. She didn't make any annoying or scary noises and drove pretty smoothly. Plus, she smelt like roses. She smirked, strapping in and starting her up.

'Like a charm', Rose thought, driving out the garage, past the pruned, snow-dusted gardens and shining (frozen) fountains of the Martin front yard, then out the towering gates, and onto the street. It took five minutes to drive to Kade's place, then another two to actually find it. It was nestled among a vast pine forest and farmland. The house itself was very modern, white concrete, two-story, with a homey garden that didn't look overly unkempt and seemed to consist mostly of herbs. Rose parked so she was not blocking anyone else, including the garage, just in case. Then she took a few calming breaths, before getting out and knocking on the door. Unfortunately, it wasn't Kade who answered the door. It was a boy, maybe a year or two younger than Kade, with a sculpted jaw, wider green eyes, but the same floppy gold hair, albeit his wasn't as curly as Kade's.

"Can I help you?" He asked, raising his sandy brows.

"Depends. I'm looking for Kade?" Rose says, shoving her hands in her pockets shyly.

"Oh. My brother. Of course, you're looking for Kade. Excuse me for a second." His eyebrows furrowed, as he turned around, half closing the door, before yelling "KADE!" at the top of his lungs. Rose heard footsteps running down wooden stairs, and a brief, hostile exchange. Suddenly, the door opened wide again, and Kade's grinning face greeted her. The boy who had opened the door for her was nowhere to be seen as she entered. Kade placed his hand gently on the small of her back, looking at her as if to ask 'Is this alright?' She smiled and nodded, before glancing around at the immaculate house. A whitewashed bookshelf contained all manner of large, leather-bound books, a flat-screen TV sat in front of big white leather armchairs, and a fluffy black mat.

"Welcome to my humble abode, Rose Martin."

"It's really nice."

"Good- I mean, good that you like it." He shrugged and she could tell for the first time he was nervous.

"You can relax," she said, folding into him and placing a hand on his chest.

"I know. So can you." He teased, brushing his lips over her closed eyes. God, they were soft. She placed a hand on his waist and another on his shoulder, letting it slip slowly down his back when suddenly he grabbed her wrist. Not tight enough that it hurt, but enough that she could tell he wasn't comfortable with it, though his face showed no evidence of discomfort. He replaced her hand on his hip this time.

"Hello, to the stranger provocatively embracing my son." A cheery voice called from the open-plan kitchen. Rose flinched away, surprised. A freckled woman with short, auburn hair and attractive curves. She looked as though she was in her early thirties, but she was probably older. Her startling blue eyes were smiling, which meant she was clearly not bothered by said stranger embracing her son. "I'm Liz. And would my darling child like to introduce his lady friend?"

"This is Rose. Rose, mom, mom, Rose." Kade gestured between them, and Rose waved uncertainly, comforted by the friendly grin on Liz's face.

"Okay. Well, if you kids want anything, the chickens are free-range." Rose opened her mouth in shock, and Kade chuckled and led her up the flight of wooden stairs.

"That's Lindberg code for 'the kitchen is open'."

"Lindberg? Is that your surname?" Rose asked as he opened his bedroom door for her. "I thought you said at the assembly that it was Dawson?"

"Yeah. I forgot to mention that, didn't I? Dawson at school, Lindberg at home. Don't ask why. We're… secretive." He wiggled his eyebrows and smirked. Rose giggled at this, walking through the doorway and following him into his room.

"Yep." Rose glanced around the room. It was painted a grey-blue color, darker than the other parts of the house. She had expected posters of edgy bands to be plastered to the wall, but instead, there were paintings. Exquisite paintings showered the room in color. She didn't recognize any of the artists, but some were landscapes, with the sun rising over snow-dusted villages, while others were Renaissance-style, with naked women lounging on Roman couches surrounded by winged cherubs.

"Do you like them?" He asked, watching as her eyes followed the paintings around the room.

"I do." The comforter was the same blue-grey as the walls but paired with black sheets and pillows. These contrasted nicely with a desk of the same color across the room. It was strewn with heavy novels and folders of music. She spied a guitar resting casually against the desk and a door that looked to be an en-suite. She had seen something resembling a linen closet near the bedroom, which she assumed was likely to be where he stored the rest of his horde.

"What's your brother's name?" She asked, unable to keep her curiosity at bay.

"Eli."

"Does he go to our school?"

"Yeah. He's a junior."

"Right." She spun around and wrapped her arms around his neck, unable to help herself. He had an effect on her- like they were north and south on a magnet. His presence had a calming effect, paired with a subtle sexiness that made him more attractive than anyone she'd ever met. Even if they had literally only met this morning.

"This is moving way too fast, but I really want to kiss you," he whispered. His breath tickled her cheek, and Rose felt a blush spread through her entire body, as her stomach suddenly became alive with butterflies.

"I know. It's crazy." Rose replied.

"You should probably leave before I shove you down on this bed and make out with you."

"Good idea. That should probably wait until like... next week."

"It should,” he chuckled, goodnaturedly. "Goodbye, Rose Martin."

0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0

She couldn't find it. Rose had turned the house upside down, tossing cushions and upheaving tables, chairs, and couches. She had unplugged drains and screwed off bits of pipes, before she had collapsed in front of the 'smart' TV, tears streaming down her face. She'd lost her mother's necklace, and there was nothing left of her anymore.

After having a good cry, she looked up at the news channel, which was permanently on, by order of the housekeeper, Gretchen. Her name practically summed up her crabby personality to a T.

The lady reporter was holding a microphone and standing in front of Grove Academy. Rose's blood turned to ice.

"Hi Sam, it's Kate Jansen reporting from Grove Academy in Inuvik, which has now taken a dark turn. A body was discovered here just hours ago."

Rose took in the scene behind the reporter. Flashing lights, and police tape. "We haven't been given more information about it, other than that this is likely a student, George Parker, and it is certain that a homicide investigation will ensue. We will inform you as this story develops."

"Did you know him?" Ma asked, looking at her from the adjoining kitchen of the lower-story lounge room.

"He sat in front of me in math. He wasn't very nice."

"We shouldn't speak ill of the dead, Rose." She scolded, before resuming her cooking. It smelled like she was making her famous beef and mushroom casserole, and Rose's stomach grumbled in response.

It seemed silly not to speak ill of the dead, especially when it wasn't as though the dead could hear you. Rather than argue with Ma, which never ended well, Rose opted for the easier option.

"How's the case going?" She changed the subject, not really willing to talk about the murdered boy outside the school.

"Good. I think we have a win," Ma beamed as she pushed the gravy and mushrooms around in the pan before her.

"How are my girls doing?" Pa walked in, looking like Gatsby, as usual. Paul Martin was permanently suited up in a full three-piece. Rose was sure he had never once been caught without one, let alone with a single hair out of place from his slicked-back style.

"Good, Pa." Rose kissed him on the cheek before running up to her room. Suddenly, she wasn't hungry. Her stomach was once again in knots over the loss of the pendant. Seeing her adoptive mother doing mother-things, and her adoptive father calling her 'his girl', had left a poor taste in her mouth. In the darkness, she noticed the notification light flashing on her phone. Rose seized it, seeing that she had a new message.

'I found a necklace on the floor. It's not anyone's from here, so are you missing one?'

Thank god for Kade! Rose thought, sending a reply back explaining her dramatic afternoon search and the pendant's sentimental value.

'Omg, sorry Rose! I would have texted earlier if I knew! I had fun today. Meet me in the woods at lunch on Monday?'

Rose responded quickly with a sure, before laying on her back, letting her phone rest on her chest as she grinned widely, before closing her eyes and submitting to the dense blackness and relief that was sleep.