The Eyes of Aunt Simone

Sun was peeking through the blinds as Maya Rikson opened her eyes. It was devilishly hot. Sheets stuck to her body, she knew it was time to get up. Another night filled with terrors and dreams of bizarre nightmares had worn her out. Was this how it was going to be from now on she wondered. Waking up soaked in her own perspiration questioning the reasons Aunt Simone chose her. Unemployed, just shy of 40, she couldn’t help but second guess her decision to walk away from a job and a man she loved. How could anyone choose her in this scenario?

Bitch! Biiiitch biitch biitch! Biiitch! screamed the phone in Khia’s voice on the nightstand letting her dogs know she’s conscious, therefore available for a walk. Sip of water, sweater, poo bags and leashes.

“Come on, you ungrateful fluffs! Come on! Who wants to go for a walk?” dragging her feet in the morning haze, Maya made her way to her favorite coffee shop dogs in tow. Chris, the barista, gave his usual air hug and planted a cup of fresh brew in her hand. Bless that man and that bean juice! Cell phone in her pocket buzzed as Maya scooped up some dog poop trying to balance the precious cuppa joe. Damn!

“Hello?” failing to catch the caller she sat on the curb and dialed a familiar number with New York area code.

“Spencer, Bell & Pitcher! How may I direct your call?” announced overly enthusiastic voice on the other end of the phone.

“Hi, yes, it’s Maya Rikson, I am calling in regard to Ms. Simone Rikson’s estate.”

“One moment please!”

“Hello? Maya? It’s Howard. Howard Bell. I’m handling your aunt’s assets. How may I help?” his voice sounded solid, reliable and warm.

“Mr. Bell, lovely to speak to you. I am ready to get the papers finalized. Would you need me to come to the office?”

“Oh no need! I will courier them over for you to sign. Have you chosen the savings account yet? The $20 000 she left you is only meant for the down payment for a house and released in exchange of a realtor’s signature.” The lawyer sounded like Maya’s father.

“I know.” It won’t be for a while she figured as unemployed people generally weren’t the best suited people for mortgage approvals.

“Umm…Maya? Has anyone ever told you about Simone?” his tone of voice changed.

“I’ve heard some stories. Is there something to worry about?” all of a sudden she felt hollow inside.

“No, no. She was a…unique woman! Nothing to worry about. I will have the papers drawn up and check mailed over once I have your signature. Take care now.” The phone clicked off.

What an odd thing to say. Mom had always spoken of Simone as someone insane and mysterious who lost contact with the family over the year. She was like a best worst kept secret of the Rikson clan. All the stories of seeing beyond! Beyond what, nobody ever explained. How did she even know how to find Maya? They’d only met once, shortly after her birth. The legend has it that Simone had taken one look at baby Maya and announced that she was going to be special. Isn’t every little girl special? Ever since a copy of Aunt Simone’s will landed in the mailbox Maya’s dreams had taken a bizarre turn. For some unbeknownst reason to her, Aunt Simone had insisted on leaving Maya a small amount of money to help her ‘get her life together’. As if she knew how life would unfold ahead of time. Maya shook her head to clear the mind of all the questions.

**

The light flickered from fluorescent cold to warm.

Aliens, she figured. Pentagon had just confirmed their existence. Disoriented and feverish, sheets stuck to her bare body again as the bed jolted forward in a bizarre yank. The projection of a digital clock on the wall burned her eyes with 3.15 AM. Bloody earthquakes! There’s a loud bang. Screams about not being able to breathe echoed through her bedroom. Sirens. People running. Glass breaking. Moaning in shivers, Maya gasped for air before falling into death like oblivion. What were all these dreams about?

Bitch! Biiiitch biitch biitch! Biiitch! screamed Khia through cell phone speakers again.

In her attempt to find the phone, she slapped it off nightstand. Trying to get the sticky sheets off her body, dogs ran in to lick Maya’s clammy face. She knew, it’s time for a walk as per usual in her Groundhog Day like new routine.

Dark clouds, unusual for Southern California hung heavy in the sky like a sign of impending doom making her skin crawl. The two dogs she was responsible for stared at Maya with big sad eyes begging for a walk. The harnesses on she clicked the button on the back. Rainbow-colored umbrellas popped open covering the pups making them look like walking freedom flags. “That’s strange,” she had never noticed those before. Neither the note that had been left for her next to the bundle of keys.

“Whatever you do, don’t let them out of your sight!” The words echoed in her head settling uncomfortably in the stomach. She read the note again. It was her own handwriting. The feeling of undefined danger lingered in the back of Maya’s mind. Must have been a delusion of sleep deprivation, she figured.

Grey, moody and ominous, heavy dark skies welcomed the trio outside. The air was foggy, humid and sent chills down Maya’s back. Two tiny rainbows ran down the street sniffing every tree and dog crossing their path. People on the street, dressed in light summer wear looked almost out of place. Could they not see the pre-thunder weather? Or did they just not care? Confused by what was happening, she pulled the sleeves of her cardigan down to fight the cold. A sudden high-pitched screech pulled Maya out of her daydream. Another one followed sounding similar to a crow or a crying fox. She turned her gaze to the sky and screamed in terror. It was filled with vulture like creatures popping in and out of thick layer of clouds. Their eyes fixated on people down below; their big snake like heads bobbing up and down, heavy long claws dangling in the end of their skinny cracked legs. Maya couldn’t breathe. She had seen those creatures before in her dream. She’d read about them in a Swedish children’s book. She was certain, those were Mardus’; three-headed snakish dragons who would prey on anyone they deemed unworthy.

“Everyone, hide! Get inside! RUN!!!” she screamed scooping up the dogs in panic. Nobody seemed to care. Oblivious to the imminent danger the people on the street gave her judging looks as they passed. She looked like a crazy homeless person. “LOOK UP!!!! PLEASE!” she tried once more from the top of her lungs. No luck. The Mardus’ changed their direction and were now hovering over Maya. Circling in silence, following her as she ran to the safety of her apartment. Panting, she locked the doors, closed all the windows and blinds. Petrified, she huddled in a corner of her sofa hyperventilating, clutching her cell phone with no intention to move.

“Sara?” Maya was crying.

“What’s wrong? Are you alright?” her best friend answered the call.

“Sara….I think I’ve gone insane. Something is wrong. Can you please go and take a look outside of the window for me?”

“Maya, I am worried. What’s going on?”

“Please, can you go and take a look?” she was hoping to be wrong about the vultures.

“Sure. Umm…it’s nice and sunny. Lovely actually, why?” Sara sounded worried.

“No clouds in the sky? No…. birds?”

“No, it’s just clear blue skies. Maya, are you alright? Do you need me to come over?” she asked.

“No, no…. It’s okay. I think I have a fever. My dreams have been intense. You know, ever since the whole Aunt Simone thing. I’ll just go to bed. Thanks, Sara. Love you!” Maya hung up and started sobbing. I’m a crazy person! I have lost it! I… I …what is happening?

**

Sound of a metal mailbox door being shut woke Maya. She was still on the sofa, both dogs snuggled tightly around her snoring. It was late afternoon, and she could see sun peeking through the blinds. Thirsty and confused, she opened the curtains. Bright light burned her eyes and sound of birds chirping outside was almost deafening. Just another nightmare she assumed. It was today that Aunt Simone’s paperwork had been finalized.

Not bothering herself with any shoes, she walked to the mailbox bare feet. An electricity bill, some spam and a large envelope from Spencer, Bell & Pitcher sat in the hollow metal box. She took the envelope and opened it. Copy of the paperwork, a check for $20 000 and a little black notebook fell out.

‘Maya, I was directed to send this after everything was wrapped up as per your aunt’s wishes. All the best, Howard.’

Maya took a deep breath and opened an old, worn out notebook. Regardless of its rugged look and torn edges, the notebook was blank aside from dedication addressed to her.

“My dearest Maya,

Some call it insanity, some say it’s a gift. All you need to know is that the vultures are harmless. They have always been there and will never disappear. Circling the skies. There are very few of us, lucky ones, that truly see the world for what it is. From the first day I met you, I knew. You are my blood. You are my eyes. You are my legacy.

Love,

Aunt Simone”