Wysteria

The Evercrest Inn

I sat in the passenger seat of the car, watching as the trees fly by. I glance over to the man, Mr. Rhodes, as he drives the car to some unknown place. Who is this man? Why did he cover for me? And where are we going? I have so many questions, but no idea how to ask them.

"So.." He says "you're from Burrenhyde?"

"Thats right" I reply.

"Thats a pretty secluded place, surrounded by mountains"

"so?"

"how'd you get to a train station?"

I can't believe I forgot that Burrenhyde is so secretive it refuses any outside modes of transport, therefore the only form of getting around is either by horseback or with a wagon.

" I knew when the nearest neighbor picked up provisions every month, so I stowed away on their wagon hidden under a bunch of furs. Then I just snuck out when they were busy and headed for the station where I hopped a train while the workers were loading the boxcar"

"That was a very reckless thing to do"

I shrugged it off as if it was nothing but to my surprise, he didn't let the matter go.

"what if you'd been caught? you could've ended up in jail.. you could've been hurt... hopping trains, honestly"

I couldn't fathom what I was hearing, it didn't seem possible yet it was happening. I was actually being lectured. By a stranger, no less... and it sounded genuine... like he actually cared. My heart ached at the thought, someone who cared would be nice... but it's not gonna happen.

"we're here"

I look out the windshield, my eyes widen at the sight in front of me. There stood a large building made of greyish-colored stone, covered in lush green plants of all kinds, from ivy to ferns, vines to moss. The stone pathway is surrounded by flowers, many of them are unlike any I've seen before, in such vibrant and unbelievable colors. I could tell the building was old, but somehow it looks almost new. The air around it feels so calm, tranquil... I get out of the car, my eyes glued to the place before me as I grab my bag from the backseat, closing the door behind me. The man started forward, but I remained frozen, he turned back saying something to me, but I didn't hear it, I just stood there, staring in awe.

"Tera," he says

I jolt back to reality, the feeling still bubbling within.

"Are you coming?" he asks

" huh.. oh.. yeah" I say

the moment I stepped forward a feeling rushed over me, something warm and right. It felt like I was meant to be here. Like I was somehow connected to this place. As I walked down the path, i caught sight of tiny fairies flying around the garden, watching me. The tiny creatures seemed interested in my every movement, some almost mimicking each one. I look at the man, but he doesn't seem to notice them. Once we reach the front door, he holds it open and gestures for me to go on inside.

"oh, Tera," he says "That clipboard, let me have it"

I handed him the clipboard before going the direction he pointed me towards, which turned out to lead to a kitchen. I took a seat at the kitchen table and suddenly he came in, holding up the first page on the clipboard as he looked over it. he looks up, shocked.

"Did you do this?" he asks

I nod, not thinking much about it.

"Did I do it wrong?" I say "I'm sorry"

"No, don't be sorry. I just didn't expect you to actually know this stuff." He explains "but not only do you know it, but you also seem to be great at it. tell me, have you done this before?"

I don't really know what to say. I can't tell him I spent years filling out the order forms for my grandpa's resort and winery after my dad took it over, or that I've had to keep my father's alcohol cellar stocked at home. He can't know that I've handled all of my father's reports and projects from the winery or my father's job as a cop, all the case files I've had to look over... I couldn't tell him about my father.

"my uncle inherited my grandpa's tavern when he passed." I say " He showed me the ropes and when my uncle died a few years ago, I kinda just fell into taking care of the place until it burned down last month... It is one of two reasons I decided to leave Burrenhyde."

"I see. so, you know your way around a place like this?" he asks

"Well, yes," I say "but not quite this big"

He seemed to be lost in thought for a while. When a man comes into the kitchen, Mr. Rhodes looks up.

"ah, Jason, there you are," he says "can you make her something please?"

The man, now known as Jason, looks over at me and smiles. He's dressed in a suit with his brown hair gelled back nicely. His green eyes seem to be gleaming at the thought.

"of course, Kalen," he says "but might i ask who this girl is?"

"ah yes."

He turns to me gesturing to the man.

"introductions are in order... Tera, this is Jason Lederson, He's the Barkeep here. He handles the food and alcohol part of this establishment."

"Nice to meet you, sir," I say

"Jason, This is Tera Kaestor... She's my new assistant.. and the new inn keeper."

This shocked me, I knew he said assistant before but now I'm the innkeeper? wait.. is he being serious? When did I get a job? I didn't agree with this. I'm about to argue but the way he's looking at me stops me.

"Your far too young to be on your own," he says "so, you'll be staying here. we have an extra room at my place in the pack la-"

"No" I cut in

I couldn't stop myself from cutting him off, which he raised an eyebrow to.

"I may be new to this," I say "but if the genre of fantasy has any merit to it, then Rogues aren't exactly welcome."

"you're a child, they won't hold it-"

"I'm not going to any pack." I groan

I don't care what he tries, it's not happening. I'm not going anywhere near a pack's territory. Heck, I don't even like being this close to a pack, but at least I can hide among the mortals for a while. Besides, if the pack knew what I was, they wouldn't hesitate to kill me, that much I'm sure of.

"Tera-"

"I'm not going."

He sighed, shaking his head. I don't know what he's trying to do, and frankly I don't really care, all I know is that I'm not falling for it.

"Fine. you don't have to go to the pack. But I can't just let you leave.."

oh s**t, did I just find myself in a hostage situation? is that seriously happening right now?

"calm down."

"But Faye.."

" Even if he doesn't give us much choice but stay, I doubt he'd do anything to hurt you... he's had plenty of time to do so, yet he hasn't even tried"

she had a point. He had me alone in his car not too long ago, it would have been the perfect time to do something to me. But, not only did he not try to hurt me, he acted as though.. as though I wasn't some strange girl he'd found in a box car... The only thing I don't get is.. why?.

"Tera, He's talking to you.."

I was suddenly brought back to the world where Mr. Rhodes stared at me. He seemed displeased about something.

"you should really listen when someone talks to you."

I just looked away from him, wanting the akward feeling to go away.

"I was conversing with my wolf. You were saying?"

"There's an apartment up those steps over there. well really it's just two rooms, a bathroom, and a walk in closet; but you can use the kitchen and laundry room here."

" I don't.. understand"

" I can't let a child just live on the streets, even if I was willing to do so my mate would kill me if she found out.. besides, you know your way around this type of establishment, I'd like to keep you around"

" keep me.. around?"

" I wasn't kidding when I said your the new Innkeeper. I want you to work for me."

work? here? for him? No. I can't. I have to keep moving. If I don't, my father will find me.. I'm about to say something when he spoke again.

"look, I hate to do this but your too young to be traveling alone.. so either you accept my offer and move into the apartment upstairs, or I'm dragging you to the pack house and you'll stay there. Make your choice."

To say I hated this would be an understatement. I can't possibly stay but I clearly don't have much choice. If I run I have no doubt he'd catch me, I know I can't fight him in human form, but I can't shift either. Which means the only options I have right now are the two he just gave me.. and I have to avoid the pack, no matter what. With no choice but give in, I look at the ground.

"Great. the rooms empty except for the old window bench but we can easily fix that.. but we'll do that tomorrow, right now it's late. After you eat you should get some rest... Jason."

with a nod, Jason started to cook but I told them I wasn't hungry and headed up the place I'd be staying. once I opened the door, I noticed the bench that Mr. Rhodes mentioned before and walked over to it. It was old, the wood was cracked and faded. The cushion was torn and thin. I sigh.

"looks like we're stuck again, Faye"

"not forever. once your healed enough, we'll leave. until then just focus on getting better and play along."

I nodded before closing the door and walking towards the corner of the room. I laid down on the floor, my back against the wall and my front towards the door, ready for anything that might happen. once I had settled into my spot, I closed my eyes and allowed the darkness to consume me.