Chapter 2: The Second

Suni doesn't enter the house from the main door. Neither the back door. And neither the service door.

 

Through the window. But it isn't that easy. The challenge is - the second floor.

 

Climb up the window of the maid's chamber. Grab the vine growth on the outer wall. Use some power to push the rusty window panel of the room. And voila - a bit of common acrobatics will bring you inside.

 

You might think - maid would see. And report. But no, she never did.

 

Perhaps, she knows. She must be.

 

The room is absurd. Over the top. Unfamiliar. Doesn't seem like it was made with purpose of a living - silk decorations; giant pseudo-classic paintings; expensive carpets on top of each other; furniture, embedded with rare metals and minerals.

 

Suni only got here three days ago - understandable, he hasn't been accustomed to it yet. And since the last time - it's been around a decade.

 

They had to run. Run from the city to their provincial cottage.

 

Not everyone is as lucky as them. Nobody knows, how long will it last before the permanent blizzard will cover the city. Or rather, someone does know, but would never tell the common populace.

 

The signs were there. That's the only thing to reason with. Although, Suni considers it an effect of paranoia. Or rather, he wouldn't care to meet his fate, buried under piles of snow.

 

He didn't eat since morning - due to the unwelcoming situation at the dinner. Frankly, he doesn't have the appetite. Not after seeing that man's face. Mother's lover.

 

No, he doesn't need to remind himself about it.

 

Prepare the warm bath. Yes, that would help to ease the thoughts.

 

As his skin touches the hot water, he remembers how cold it must have been for the one that he met today to stand in the cold lake. Must have been freezing.

 

What an idiot, he thinks.

 

Childhood friend. But Suni forgot a lot. Probably, everything. Well, there wasn't anything to remember anyway.

 

Suni closes his eyes, leans his head on the bath's frame. Long, blonde locks, which are touching his shoulders, drown in the water. He wasn't sure if he likes the hairstyle. But the mother did, very much. She thought that the well-handled, long, and opulent hair of her son would show their overall wealth. Considering, how much any kind of chemical product, like shampoo, usually costs. In some places, unnatural ones are prohibited.

 

After the session of bathing and mind-wandering, Suni doesn't hurry to get some sleep.

 

Too anxious.

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He is waiting. And waiting.

 

Looks at the door.

 

Maybe, that is also an act of paranoia. Need to stop.

 

He can't.

 

Waits.

 

And waits again.

 

The door.

 

No, it's alright.

 

It's calm.

 

It's normal.

 

Peaceful.

 

Time to sleep.

 

Tomorrow is a big day.

 

First day at local college. He might meet the neighbor's kid again. That would be... nice. Maybe.

 

Sleep.

 

Closed eyes.

 

And mellow dreams.

 

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