Chapter 6
Lawson
For fuck’s sake, this girl is going to be the death of me. I let out an exasperated sigh, feeling like a certified creep as I pivot right to use a tree as covering. Ever since the Council “tasked” me with keeping an eye on her a month ago, I had given up any pretense of the accidental run-in. I’m not a fan of consistently stalking when the target is unaware, so I just started showing up where she was, offering no explanation for my sudden presence. Which constantly dually served to amuse me, her face always tightens at the sight of me, and fulfill my contract with the Council. Some part of me wouldn’t let myself lie to her, anyway, not outright at least. Withholding was a whole different game. Not that it even mattered, after obvious disdain and a question sprinkled here and there, Raelyn rarely pushed conversation any further than she had to. Safe to say, she cared no more for me than I did her.
Which was all fine and dandy except for the fact that here she was after seven on the weekend sneaking around the O’Hare’s. Which meant here I was after seven on the weekend sneaking around the O’Hare’s. Grunting, I pull out my phone to send yet another last minute cancellation text to Brittney.
Raelyn
Digging out my lock picking set, I jog up the veranda spanning the entirety of the mansion now that the cameras are taken care of. My hands tremble slightly as I squat in front of the door, memories dancing through my head. I thought nothing of it when dad taught me his ‘special’ technique when I was eight, gifting me my own set that he had carefully curated with all his personal favorite tools when I turned ten. Shutting off that part of my brain, I bite my lip in concentration as I bring to mind dad’s voice as I let his past lessons instruct my hands. Geez, how many years had it been since I’ve done this? I chastise myself when I shove too hard causing the tool to fall from my hand. Picking it back up, I really hope this is similar to riding a bike. Ya know, the whole you just had to get back on and everything would smooth itself out and all that? Blowing my hair out of my face, I finally hear that sweet sweet click. Putting the tools back into their own individual spots, I roll the little cloth holding them back up, then shove that into my bag. Holding my breath, I turn the knob all the way to the left, opening the door as slow and quiet as I’m capable. Which isn’t saying much. I’m really trying my hardest to make the most minimal movements possible in case there’s a motion detecting camera on the other side. When I’m all the way through and have shut the door behind me, I find almost complete darkness, thankful for the the two standing lights turned on in shadowy corners. Oh wait, there’s a rustic wall sconce light fixture with a flickering flameless candle in it floating to the side of a winding staircase. That catches my eye even in the flickering darkness because I love a winding staircase.
Coming up with a plan for once I made it inside the house should probably have been on the top of the to do list, but as typical, I had approached this mission with a lot more gusto than hopeful preparation. From my obscured view, I could make out that I was in what seemed to be their foyer, noticing a couple of interior doors that probably led to bedrooms and a balcony above. Gravitating towards the closet to the right of the front door, I open it, shining the light of my phone to make sure it has a space big enough that I can temporarily hide in, should this night go sideways and shit hit the fan.
Annabelle
Watching from the shadows, my eyes track the stranger tiptoeing around my house and it gives me the first real feeling I’ve had in months, breathless intrigue. I had first noticed the skulker outside my window when a red beam reflecting across the driveway caught my attention. Having already been drawn to the window, I was staring out at the trees when I saw the light. At first I thought maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me. Needing to know for sure, I kept my eyes trained directly where I had seen it, unblinking, until sure enough, the red gleamed back at me.
My parents are so controlling, and their henchmen truly scary to everyone in town, that no one from the island would ever dare attempt breaking in like this. Disabling the house’s alarm system, I take no time to contemplate my actions, just knowing that I need to do whatever I can so the stranger can continue their trespassing. In addition to the house alarm, there is a silent alarm that I’ve been instructed to press, since birth practically, if anything like this ever occurred. Instead of following the very clear expectations set for me, I find my feet distancing myself from where it is. Long dormant curiosity fueling my actions as I do my best to quietly stalk my stalker from above. My eyes continue to follow every movement the intruder makes, watching as the small figure darts from room to room, knowing they'll start the long trek up the stairs next.
