A Dark Intrigue

him her

Present -

Lucius felt a nudging on his shoulder and a far-off voice going, “Sir? Excuse me. Sir, are you alright?” said the stewardess of the plane that Lucius was on. He was flying to Paris on business.

“Yes,” said Lucius, “I’m fine, just paying too much attention to all this work.”

He motioned to the stack of papers on his lap. Lucius looked outside to see snow falling as they stared at the process to land the jet as the stewardess came to tell him that the car he ordered was waiting to pick him up.

It was now the winter of 1970 and love was in the air. Christmas was just two weeks away and some had saved enough money to get the presents they wanted to give. Most people had someone to spend the holidays with. But one young girl had been alone since 1963. She had no one to share a single holiday with.

Alicia got off the plane and escorted the gentleman to his car. He asked, “Are you sure you got away home, miss?”

“Yes, my servant Ivan is coming to get me.” Alicia answered adding, “He won’t let anything happen to me. He told me that he promised my parents that he would watch over me until they returned.”

“Ms. Mora, are you ok?” Ivan asked, handing her a coat to stay warm. “Good evening master how are you?”

“Yes, I’m fine Ivan.” Alicia replied as she looked from Ivan t the gentleman, finally, after minutes of silence she said, “Ummmmmmm, do you know this man?”

“Yes ma’am I do.” he replied, “This is Lucius Van Walken, duke of Southerland.”

Alicia stared then said, “Umm… Ivan takes the car home. I feel like I need to walk to get my legs to use to the ground after being on that plane for so long. I’ll meet you at home.”

Yet instead of going home she went to the covenant store, then to the library, and finally toward the park. Alicia walked down the abandoned alleyway carrying a basket of food, along with her favorite book. She looked behind her wondering nervously if she was being followed. Her pace quickened in hopes of reaching the lights of the park where she felt safest. Before she could reach the lights she felt a hand around her neck before falling into unconsciousness.