Lilianna's Light

Family Secrets

Aunt Fae's community has apparently decided to turn itself into a fortress. The iron fence that used to surround the property has now been replaced by a 10 foot tall, solid brick wall with cameras lining the top every 20 or so feet. The second my tires touch the pavement belonging to the Magnolia Grove community 2 cameras zoomed in on my progress up to the keypad. The guards in the guard shack watched me skeptically from behind the automatic gate as well. By the time the car eased to a stop beside the keypad, I felt immensely safer. I punched in the code and the gate swung open, allowing just enough space for me to drive through. As soon as the back bumper cleared the gate, it slammed closed with a loud clang. I pulled up to the guard shack and a handsome man in his early twenties leaned his head out.

"Good morning, ma'am, and welcome to Magnolia Grove. May I ask who you're here to see?" he asked.

"Fae Laveau, please" I told him.

"Oh Miss Fae! She hardly ever has visitors, could I get the password for her visitors

please?" he asked, eying me as if I was lying about who I was here to see.

"Yes sir, the password is 'Lilybell'" I said.

The guard pulled a phone out of his vest, tapped a few buttons then nodded once.

"All right, everything seems to be in order. Do you know how to find Miss Fae's house or would you like an escort?" he asked with a smile, clearly no longer concerned that I was threat to the community as he slid the phone back into place.

"No sir, I'm sure I can manage. Thank you though." I smiled at him and moved to put the car in drive.

"Of course, ma'am, I'll call Miss Fae now and let her know that you're headed her way. May I ask you for your name?" he asked.

"My name is Lilianna Harrison" I said.

The guards eyes zeroed in on my face and there was an audible click as his teeth snapped together.

"Harrison? As in Jason and Calliope Harrison?" he asked, teeth clenched and eyes now scanning the road behind me.

Huh? How does this man know my parents when he is barely older than I am?

"Uh.... Yes sir? They're my parents." I said, voice laced with confusion.

"Stay here." He ordered as he spun on his heel and climbed back into the guard shack.

I could see the guards lips moving as he explained to his partner who I was. As I watched, all the color drained from the partners face and he reached for a set of keys attached to his belt loop with unsteady hands. After a short struggle with the latch he tossed the keys to the guard Lily had been talking to and waved him out of the guard shack, waiting until he was through the door and it had closed securely behind him before picking up the phone attached to the wall and pressing the number 2.

"I know you said you could find it yourself but I'm going to escort you to Miss Fae's house, alright? Just follow me." The guard said.

Before Lily could ask any questions he had spun around and was jogging towards a golf cart parked behind the guard shack.

The drive to Aunt Fae's house was a short and confusing one. Questions swirled through my mind and I couldn't wait to get there so I could demand the guard to explain his reaction to my name and how he knew my parents. As we pulled into the driveway though every question I'd had left my mind. Aunt Fae was standing on her porch waiting for me, concern plain on her face, and the sight was enough to bring fresh tears to my eyes.

As soon as the car was parked I was out and running into her arms, leaving the door open wide and the engine running.