In Another Life- Chapter 6

Lissana had waited at the palace of chaos. Holding a variety of exchanged letters her and Marzen use to do.

“I miss you, my love.” She whispered.

Though it has been less than two months since his passing, she couldn’t go a day without thinking about him. Her fingers stroked where his signature would be. The soft curve of his N. She smiled. Every Sunday they exchanged letters.

Her world gets interrupted when Lady Penny pushes the door open. Her guard Vince is standing by the door.

“I come bearing news.” She says.

Lissana gently set the letters down, standing up to match her friend's gaze.

“What is it?”

“Our mystery man is a member of the Synx household. Though I believe he is in communication with beings that don’t walk the same earth as us.”

“I see.” Lissana says.

“If I recall…the male heir passed away three years ago, correct?”

Lady Penny held out some old papers.

“I got a witness statement. In the last few days I was able to get in contact with the midwife. It seems like it was a typical situation where the head of the household had mingled with a maid.”

“And he grew up being resented for his birth status amongst his siblings?”

“Though I do not understand why that would cause him to seek eternal life. It is ridiculous.” Lady Penny sighed.

Lissana went through the papers. Everything was cliche. Except for one sentence. “There was a servant that always took him to the wash house. From ages twelve to seventeen, something must have changed since then.”

“You mean the spirit? I don’t think that’s the case, they haven’t ascended yet.”

“Someone must have connected the two. Even the ritual could take place there. I say we try.”

Lady Penny nods.

“At night?”

“It’s the best time to sneak around, isn’t it?’

***

“It’s quite empty isn’t it?” Lady Penny asked.

Clothes left hanging to dry. Washboards lying around.

“Nobody works at night after all.” Lissana said.

Inside it was even quieter. Water droplets dripping from rags and into filled baskets. The air was as cold as it could get in mid spring. As they walked around, Vince noticed something in the shadows. A human nose and glasses. When he looked away and looked back it was gone.

Lady Penny finger's went to a door handle, as she began to open it, her guard Vince put his hand on top of hers.

“Allow me.” He said quietly. His shoulders pressed into hers. Lissana pressed her lips together at the sight.

“O-of course..” Lady Penny said, moving away. As she locked eyes with Lissana, while her thumb rubbed against her fingers. Her cheeks began to heat up at their silent exchange.

Lady Penny looked away as Vince opened the door, she looked back at Lissana. As if to silently tell her to not say anything and Lissana simply shrugged with a smile.

Vince looked around, his sword unsheathed.

“Who’s there?” He calls out.

He took a few steps forward, and a glass cup rolled down. It stopped at his feet, followed by a low laugh.

“I see you.” It whispers.

Lissana and Lady Penny hold onto each other.

“What are you?” Lissana asks.

“I am…”

Vince stared at a tall clock. It ticked, counting the seconds. Though it was attached to a cabinet. Big enough for storage, and big enough for a person to fit inside. He stepped up to it and in the same heartbeat he yanked the door open.

A man covered his own mouth as he faced Vince’s glare.

“Hello?” He said.

Lissana and Lady Penny looked at the stranger.

“Who are you?” They say in unison.

“The one who got away?” He nervously laughed.