The tower : A New start

Strange Silence

Time seemed slower at the cottage, almost as if they were in their own world. Sapphire often wondered on that thought as days slowly slipped by. Maybe it was the charm of the cottage after they'd cleaned it and made it comfortable for the two of them. Either way, things seemed calm like water on a clear day.

The calming quiet was also healing for her as her dreams and fear receded into the past. Perhaps Alex felt the same way since he seemed happier than she'd seen him in a while, more at ease since they came to the cottage after the car incident. They weren't that far from the main house so they could check in with the workmen from time to time and still get what they needed delivered. They also were able to check in with the Marshals, who even seemed to be as affected and calmed by the cottage as she and Alex were when they visited, as needed.

She spent her days writing her column, practicing her emerging skills and abilities, and, lounging on the chairs in the cottages back yard sipping ice cold tea. She rather enjoyed watching the squirrels and birds antics. On occasion she'd spy a deer looking for some tender piece of green to eat. Alex quite often joined her lounging in a chair of his own or practicing his skills along side her when he wasn't busy with his day trading and running of the furniture business.

The one thing that had her concerned, though was the fact that the strange accidents, and destruction of property seemed to have completely stopped. She often wondered if whoever was behind all the trouble had either become bored, was put off by all the people that roamed the grounds, or was just waiting, biding his or her time looking for the right moment to strike. Either way there was no way to know why the trouble stopped, but she was grateful for the reprieve no matter how brief.

Sapphire wondered across the yard enjoying the light breeze that stirred the grass, leaves, and her hair in the the warm summer day. It was late June, now. The summer sun filtered through the trees giving the yard a magical feel. Sapphire had headed across the lawn to take a look at a beautiful purple wildflower. She planned to sketch it so she could look it up in the wildflower and herb book she'd borrowed from the library at the main house.

She was so focused on sketching the flower that she didn't see the loose rock near the edge of the bluff nor did she realize how dangerously close to the edge she'd come. Sapphire stepped closer to get a better look at the flower not realizing that she'd stepped on the lose rock until it moved. Suddenly, she began to slip off the edge. Dropping her sketch book and pencil, she screamed as she grappled wildly for anything to catch herself before she plummeted over the edge. Somehow, Sapphire managed to grab hold of a small tree which stopped her fall, but was unable to get good enough purchase to pull herself back up. Her hands slipped a bit and she screamed again.

Alex heard Sapphire scream from the kitchen where he was pouring two glasses of iced tea. He set the pitcher on the counter next to the glasses and ran out the door. He nearly missed her dangling like a fish on a hook from a little maple sapling off the bluff edge. Spotting her head and shoulders just above the cliff edge hu bolted over to where she clung to the tree.

“Alex! I can't get any footing. I'm going to fall! Help!” She gasped as soon as she saw him.

“Give me your hand. It's going to be OK.” He instructed calmly as he reached for her. Sapphire reached out and grabbed his hand with one of hers. As soon as he had her hand, Alex tugged her upwards until he could wrap his arm around her waist. Then he pulled her the rest of the way back up onto the bluff.

Sapphire leaned against him once she was back on solid ground. She was shaking terribly and Alex just held her to him running his hands over her to make sure she wasn't hurt. Then he guided her away from the cliff edge to a chair.

“Are you alright? What happened?” Alex asked concern and fear still noticeable in his voice.

“I am now. I was getting a closer look at a lovely purple wildflower over there as I sketched it and didn't realize how close to the edge I'd gotten. I stepped a little closer and suddenly the rock I was standing on came loose and fell over the edge. I went with it. I grabbed that little sapling and held on for dear life until you got there and helped me back up.” She explained and shuddered at the memory.

“Thank God I heard you. When you screamed I thought the bastard was back and had gotten to you.” Alex said still catching his breath as well, Wait here, I want to take a look at that area again just to be on the safe side.” Standing up, Alex turned and walked back to where Sapphire had fallen. He meticulously searched the area looking for any sign of deliberate damage that would cause such a fall. He found nothing but her sketch book minus the pencil. It probably fell over the edge of the cliff, he thought. He glanced at the sketch and paged through the book briefly. All various plants and scenery meticulously drawn. She didn't miss a detail.

He returned to her side and handed her sketch book to her. “No sign of tampering or anything that would indicated someone arranged for that fall. Please be more careful especially near the edge. I think I lost ten years off my life.” Alex said trying to lighten the mood.

Sapphire smiled “I most definitely will stay back from now on. I wouldn't want to be the cause of your early demise.” She joked back as she accepted her sketch book.

“You've got some talent there. Did you ever think to make sketches of your ideas for your readers to show them what the room could look like?” Alex complimented her.

“I tried once, but they never turned out quite right. Seems room designs and buildings aren't where my skills lie.” She blushed at the compliment.

“Maybe I can be of help.” He offered, “I'm going to finish getting the iced tea. We could go into the living room and you could show me what you got.”

“I'd like that.” She agreed and gathered the things she had laying around the chair. They went back into the house together. They collected their glasses of tea and headed into the living room. Once they sat down she handed Alex the letters she was reading and working on. He'd barely gotten started when someone pounded on the front door. They both rose to answer the door at the same time.

“How can I help gentleman?” Alex asked the workmen who were now standing on the doorstep of the cottage out of breathe.

“We heard a scream from over this way and thought someone needed help. We thought we'd make sure you all were alright.” the foreman answered still breathing hard from the dash the three of them made to the cottage.

“Everything is fine. Sapphire got a little too close to the bluffs edge and slipped. I helped her regain her footing and she is fine. Just a little shook up.” Alex answered calmly.

“Good. Glad she's OK. That scream had us thinking someone was being killed or something.” The foreman said with a grin and a shake of the head, “However, if you happen to need anything call. If we are at the house we will be here in no time.” He handed Alex a paper with his number on it before they turned to leave.

Alex and Sapphire watched the workmen until they rounded the turn in the drive then Alex shut and locked the door. They glanced at each other and burst out laughing. “You sure know how to get attention when you need it.” Alex said between fits of giggles.

“I've been told I shriek instead of scream and that I could wake the dead. I guess I just proved that theory.” Sapphire said between giggles herself, “Thank goodness the emergency services didn't show up. What a scene that would've made.” Alex cracked up laughing even harder than before at that thought.

After managing to finally regain some composure after the fit of laughter, they sat back down and got to work. Alex created before sketches for the four letters she was reading and working on. It took a few hours for him to finish them. By the time he was finished with the first set she'd finished her responses to the letters and let him read through what she'd written while she examined the sketches he finished. She scanned them to her computer, e-mailed her boss requesting permission to include at least two sketches with her article, and gave her boss a brief update on the article.

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The two of them worked quietly absorbed in their work until a low growl filled the air. Both looked up at the same time confused until they heard it again. Sapphire and Alex started giggling as they realized what they'd heard. “Sorry.” She said around another fit of giggles, “Guess I'm a little hungry.”

Alex chuckled as another low growl sounded, “I think you're not the only one. Let's take a break and get some supper.”

“Sounds good to me.” Sapphire agreed and they both headed to the kitchen. Alex pulled out two fried chicken TV dinners and popped them in the oven. Sapphire made a apple pie for dessert and slide it into the oven with the meals. Then she heated up water for tea and set the table with Alex's help.

“Hey, have you noticed how calming this place is?” She asked, “It's so quiet here. I haven't had as many nightmares since we moved here. It's just amazing.”

“Yeah, I've noticed. I think part of it is because whoever is behind all the vandalism, pranks, and what not has stopped for some reason. Probably, because the workmen are up hear from dawn till dusk every day. Either way we shouldn't let our guard down.” Alex answered.

“I know. I was just wondering if you'd noticed. It really is quite strange. I've been wondering if maybe we are being watched or something. Personally I'd rather he get bored and forget about us permanently.” Sapphire said as Alex pulled the meals out of the oven. Sapphire turned her attention to checking the pie. She pulled it out to cool and joined Alex at the table to eat.

“I agree with you, but just in case we need to remain vigilant.” Alex said. Sapphire nodded and they began to eat. Half hour later, they both noticed the eerie silence that seemed to fill the air. There was no crickets singing, or frogs croaking. Not a single sound to be heard. Sapphire and Alex looked at each other. Alex laid a finger against his lips indicating for her to be quiet and slowly looked out the window by the table. It was pitch black outside. So dark it was impossible to see very much beyond the window. Then they heard it.

A low rumble that crescendoed above the cottage like some sort of explosion. This was followed by a flash of lightening that was nearly blinding. Then the rain began pouring down in a torrent creating puddles and miniature water falls. Add to that the gusts of wind that howled loudly and made the cottage creak and moan. Sapphire grabbed their backpacks they packed in case of emergencies and Alex got the weather radio and lanterns. Alex turned on the radio and set the dial for the local weather station.

“This is KTIT Weather. There is a severe thunderstorm warning in effect for the following counties: Rembolt, Landall, and Strogurt. Expect high winds, hail, and heavy rains. Tornadoes are possible in some areas. Take cover in a inner room or basement until the storm passes. DO not go outside. Stay tuned to KTIT for further information.”

Sapphire and Alex collected anything else they might need and headed to the kitchen to go down to the root cellar. Alex opened the trap door and climbed down first. Sapphire handed him everything they needed then followed. They had shoved their meal into the fridge before they moved the table. Now they sat listening to the storm and the radio. After what seemed like forever, the storm passed and they emerged from the root cellar. It was again eerily quiet then the crickets once again began their chorus joined by the frogs and other night creatures. Alex and Sapphire checked the house for any damage. Everything was unharmed except there was no power, therefore no AC or much else.

“Welcome to summer in the mid-west.” Alex said lightly.

Sapphire smiled, “At least we didn't blow away.” Alex laughed.

“That can happen if the storm is strong enough. Those are rare though.” Alex said.

“It'd be my luck that'd happen when I was out walking with an umbrella. Look ma! I'm Mary Poppins!” She quipped with a laugh.

Alex laughed and added, “I'd be more like: Look ma! No Gravity! And away we'd go.” They both had a good laugh at their jokes. They spent the evening painting, sketching, or reading by lantern. That was after they finished their meal and piece of pie.

They took turns practicing their abilities. From a collection of odds and ends spiraling delicately around the room to fire dances and water trails around the room. There were loop de loops and barrel rolls along with other fancy maneuvers. Finally they settled everything back where they should be. Sapphire gave a loud yawn. Alex smiled, “I think maybe we should head to bed soon. You look exhausted and I feel it.”

“Yeah, it's been along day.” Sapphire agreed tiredly. They took turns using the bathroom to get ready for bed. At least what they could do since the power was out, yet. Then they settled down on the cots to get some sleep.

Unfortunately, they didn't get to sleep as another peel of deafening thunder rolled across the sky followed by a flash of lightening that sounded as if it hit rather close by. They collected their things and headed for the root cellar once again with the radio announcing another storm.

“This is KTIT with your weather report. We have another round of severe storms heading our way. Expect more hail, high winds, and heavy rain. We are under a sever storm warning and tornado watch until 6 am. Take cover in a inner room or a basement and stay tuned to KTIT for further information.”

Once settled in the root cellar with their cots lanterns, emergency supplies, and backpacks they settled in once more. But neither could sleep with the storm raging outside. It sounded like world war three or something with the high winds and crashes of thunder over head. The flashes of lightening and lightening strikes nearby added to the impression.

The cottage creaked and groaned relentlessly until they began to wonder if it would still be standing in the morning. Finally, around four am it quieted down, both Sapphire and Alex finally fell asleep still in the root cellar.

Alex and Sapphire sleepily climbed out of the root cellar a few hours later to the sound of pounding on the door. They made their way to the front door still not awake. Alex briefly struggled to unlock the door. When he finally managed to get it open the foreman and several workmen stood waiting. Alex c****d an eyebrow as he waited for them to speak.

“Sorry to wake you. We were inspecting the work at the main house for damage from last nights weather and thought we'd check in with you.” The foreman explained. Alex nodded.

“We are good. Spent the night in the cellar but we are fine.” Alex reassured them even thought he'd rather shut the door in their faces and go back to bed.

“Good. We did check over the cottage from outside we didn't find any damage so you should be ok. Unfortunately, we still don't have power yet. We will have to wait to start work for the day until the power is restored. I wanted to let you know about the delay.” The foreman explained.

“That's fine. You know where to find us if there is further damage from the storm.” Alex said.

The foreman nodded, “You bet. We'll leave you to yourselves.” The workmen headed off back to the main house.

Alex shut and locked the door. “What time is it?” He asked. Sapphire glanced at her phone surprised it still had a charge.

“7 AM.” She said and groaned.

Alex groaned along with her. “Let's get the stuff from the root cellar, pull the blinds, and go back to bed. I haven't had enough sleep for anything.”

“Me either.” Sapphire agreed. They brought everything out of the storm cellar and set up in the living room once again. They pulled the blinds and laid back down to sleep for a few more hours. It didn't take too long for them to fall back to sleep.