Cursed by Fate (COMPLETE)

Chapter Nine

I drove for hours, no real destination in mind. The only thing on my mind was getting away. Away from Mathias, away from Elias, away from everything. I needed to start somewhere new, start fresh where no one knew who I was, or what I was. I didn’t even know what I was, or how I was going to handle changing into it, but it didn’t matter. The change didn’t scare me, it made me more wary than anything. The unknown was never a friend of mine. 

When I came across a small town I stopped. It was quaint, and looked friendly. The people were all smiling and talking as they walked around what looked to be downtown. It looked historic, almost like mayberry from Andy Griffith. And I loved it. I always wanted to live in a town like this, a town where everyone knows everyone. Neighbor helps neighbor when in need. 

I pulled in front of a window that read Ravenwood realtors and got out. If I was going to stay here I would need a place to live. Buying a house was not an option since I didn’t know if I would be staying but I could rent long term. There was no way they could find me easily or quickly. It would take months or even years to find me. Especially since they don’t know me very well. They don’t know my preferences, don’t know if I like the city or country or anything. I was confident I could live here fairly well hidden for a long time.  

I clutched my bag to me, casting wary glances around me like I expected someone to pop out of the shadows. I only released a relieved sigh when I stepped into the office, the air conditioning blowing freezing air on my sweat-covered brow. “Hello.” A woman chriped from behind the counter. Her brown hair was pulled into a bun on top of her head, red rimmed cat eye glasses were perched on the bridge of her nose making her brown eyes pop. She wore a white button down shirt that was too small making her breasts all but fall out of it and her red bra was in clear view. And to top it off a lollipop hung out of her mouth. I was shocked she was allowed to dress like that in a professional office. 

“Yes, I was looking for Mr. Ravenwood about possibly renting a house.” I said to the woman. She pulled the lollipop out of her mouth with an audible pop and smiled. Her teeth stained blue from the color. She pressed a button on an intercom on the desk and spoke through it quietly. “He’ll be with you in just a minute.” The woman said, her tone going almost sultry as she spoke of him. 

I furrowed my brow at her marginally before nodding and sitting in one of the chairs in the small lobby. My leg bounced nervously as I waited for the man to come out. I wanted to get out of here, get out of the public eye before being seen too much. My nerves were still on edge, my mind still reeling with the possibility of being followed. I couldn’t stop my eyes from darting around the room, looking for any threat, any sign that someone was around me other than the woman behind the desk. 

The creaking of a door opening made me jump, my eyes shooting to a door behind the woman. The man that came out surprised me. He was handsome, his smile bright and genuine. His brown skin was flawless, long black hair was tied at the nape of his neck and flowed halfway down his back. Bright brown eyes looked back at me through thick black lashes. He had a straight long nose that matched his features and a slightly squared chin. He was clearly native american. I was half Cherokee, that’s where I got my high cheekbones, gold colored eyes and tanned skin. But this man was clearly full blooded and he was beautiful. 

I stood as he walked from behind the desk and extended his hand. “Hello, I’m Lance Ravenwood.” His voice wasn’t deep, but it held authority and was masculine. I moved my bag under my arm and shook his hand. “I’m Nicole Legend. It’s nice to meet you.” I said, giving him a small smile. 

When our hands touched a shock went through me making me jerk my hand back rubbing it with my thumb. Lance looked at me, questions in his eyes. His body was suddenly rigid and tense. His smile was tight and unsure. “Uh, I was wanting to rent a house if that was possible.” I murmured, suddenly wary about my choice in staying here. “But maybe I should continue on my way.” 

I turned to rush out the door. “Miss. Legend, wait.” Mr. Ravenwood called following me out the door. I turned to face him but continued to back away, panic was gripping my chest like a vise. “I have a home available for rent if you’d like to stay in town.” He said quickly. His haste made me uneasy, his eyes looked almost pleading as they stared back at me. 

Maybe I was projecting my fears on those around me. Seeing things when there was nothing there. I needed to settle down somewhere, needed rest, a decent shower and food. I needed to feel safe, calm the never ending panic that ate away at my nerves. “May I see it?” I asked, holding my bag in front of me like it would protect me from the man in front of me. 

He nodded motioning for me to follow him back inside. I hesitated briefly before letting out a ragged breath and following on his heels back into the office. It didn’t give me the same sense of relief as it did before. I felt confined, boxed in. It only made my panic rise. My heart began to beat out of rhythm, sweat broke out on my brow as I began to shake. “Follow me please, Miss. Legend.” Mr. Ravenwood said quietly, holding the door to his office open. 

I looked past him to the smaller space beyond him. There were no windows, the desk was crowded with books and papers, the wall nothing but shelves of books. That’s what caught me. I loved books, the smell of the pages calmed me, getting lost in another world, taking on another persona and being someone else took my thoughts away. 

I sat in the leather chair across from him and stared everywhere but at him. The books took all my attention as I stared in wide eyed wonder at his collection. It was massive, all kinds of books lined the shelves. Some looked old, some so old they were falling apart. Leather bound books, some looked like they were bound with skin, which is what was used centuries ago. “You have an amazing collection.” I whispered. 

“You like books?” He asked, almost amused. I turned to him and nodded. “Yes. They give me an escape, take me away from the hell that’s become my life. Books allow me to be someone else, be somewhere else.” I sighed shaking my head. “About the house.” I said changing the subject. Mr. Ravenwood nodded and dug through the papers on his desk before presenting me with a small packet of paper. 

It was an old farmhouse. It had a wrap-around porch downstairs with a porch swing tucked on each corner. A widow's walk spanned the entire length of the top floor overlooking what looked to be a massive property. The inside was up to date, open and bright. The kitchen was big with an island in the middle, the walls bright yellow giving the space a homey happy feeling. The rest of the house was off white, with blue trim. The furniture is almost victorian. It was marvelous, beautiful. 

The master bedroom had a four poster canopy bed. The canopy was powder blue and tied neatly open to each post. The duvet and bed skirt matched the canopy. There was no closet but it had a large antique armoire that took over a quarter of the far wall. The master bath held a standing shower and expansive clawfoot tub. The floor was white while the walls were a purple color that reminded me of spring. The house was perfect. It radiated happiness. “It’s perfect.” I said looking up to him. 

He smiled, pleased with himself. “Great. We can go over all the paperwork and get everything signed and I’d be happy to show you the way out there.” I smiled, nodding enthusiastically, more than ready to be there and get settled in. 

An hour later the paperwork was done and I held the keys to my new home in my hand. I clutched the key to my chest, unwilling to let it go, unwilling to lose it. Mr. Ravenwood saw and furrowed his brow but said nothing. I followed him outside and got in my car while he climbed in his. I wasn’t surprised to see he drove an older model pick up, it suited him. 

The drive took ten minutes before we made it to the drive way of the house, and my excitement grew tenfold. I wanted to to soak in that tub, cook a nice hot dinner and eat at an actual table in my own home. I wanted to unpack and settle in, and just lose myself in my isolation. I relished being alone. 

“Here we are.” Mr. Ravenwood said as we stepped out of the car. 

I was practically bouncing on the balls of my feet, my face feeling like it would crack with how big my smile was. “Thank you Mr. Ravenwood.” I said happily, pulling my bags from the trunk of my car. I picked up extra necessities along the way, knowing at some point I would find something and not want to leave for a while, not until I felt safe again. All I would have to do was go get groceries. And since I got the money back from my tuition and from my apartment I had plenty of cash not to leave a paper trail. 

“Please, call me Lance.” He smiled. “Here, let me help you with that.” He said as he saw me struggling with my bags. I gave him a grateful smile as I made my way to the door, unlocked it and threw it open. I was home. I inhaled deeply, taking in the feeling of finally being at ease. The weight that had been pressing in on me alleviated almost the instant I stepped over the threshold. 

“No one should bother you out here.” He said almost reassuringly. “It’s pretty secluded, your closest neighbor is over a mile away.”

I smiled brightly at the thought. No one was near me, no one could bother me. “It’s amazing,'' I said. “Thank you. Would you mind helping me get these upstairs?” I asked, pointing to the bags on the floor. 

“Of course.” Lance said with a smile. He threw the bags over his shoulders like they weighed nothing and I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself. Men were such show offs. 

“Now to just go get groceries.” I said with a grimace. I did not look forward to going out again. I didn’t want the weight to return, I didn't want to be looking over my shoulder. I quickly added the house key to my key ring and moved to walk out the door. 

“Miss. Legend, are you alright?” Lance finally asked. I knew he was trying to gather the courage to ask, I could see it in his eyes. 

“Yes and no.” I answered honestly. “I have people I don’t want to find me. I’m not in any trouble so you don’t have to worry about me bringing trouble to your town. But they are people who have lied to me, hurt me and seem to think they have some kind of ownership over me.” I shivered at the thought over being someone's possession. “I just don’t want them to find me, so I’m going to get what I need and stay here, hidden away from everyone until I need supplies again. And please just call me Nicole, Miss. Legend is too formal.” 

Lance’s eyes seemed to darken, his face crumpling in anger. “No one should find you here.” He said, his teeth clenched. 

I stared at him, tilting my head in confusion. “I believe that.” I said honestly. “I drove countless hours before I stopped. I just need to go get some food.” I went to move past him and he stepped in my path. My body tensed. 

Lance quickly stepped away, his hands in the air in surrender. “I’m sorry.” He said instantly. “I just wanted to offer my help. I can go get the supplies for you. That way you don’t have to leave the place you feel safe. I noticed the way your shoulders slumped, and you sighed in relief when you entered the house.” 

“Why do you want to help me? You don’t even know me?” I asked, both confused and suspicious. 

“Because I don’t like seeing a woman on the run. I don’t like seeing a woman so scared that she feels the need to look over her shoulder every few seconds to make sure she’s not being followed. Or scanning the shadows to make sure she’s not being stalked. I only want to help.” He assured me. 

He seemed sincere, his words rang with truth. “Alright.” I said with a nod. I reached into my bag and handed him a few hundred dollars. He looked back at me wide eyed. “No paper trail.” I said with a shrug. He growled as he took the money and put it in his pocket. I quickly wrote a list of things I preferred while he paced the floor, obviously irate at my situation. 

I handed him the paper and smiled. “Thank you.” I said gently, hoping my tone would calm him even slightly. 

His brown eyes looked from the list to mine and softened. “You’re welcome Nicole.” He replied before walking out the door. I watched as his truck pulled out of the driveway and out of sight. He was a sweet man, helpful and kind. He seemed truly worried and truly wanted to help. I smiled at the possibility of having an ally already, a friend.