2 The Man in Black

Waking up the next day wasn't any different from the rest. I got off my bed around 7 after rolling in it for about an hour and went straight into the shower. I'm an early bird or whatever. I set it to cold for no reason at all and kept jumping and making faces every time it touched my skin.

I live alone since I'm an orphan now but my parents literally left me a fortune and a big house full of all kinds of butlers and servants. Every important affair concerning family business is handled by my dad's most trusted butler, Rufus, who has literally served us for almost 30 years straight. My clothes were ready and neatly arranged when I stepped out of the shower and into my room.

One might think I live like a princess and I have it all but it really isn't anything like that.

Today, my dream was about a ghost child who has been playing alone in the town playground for 7 years now. I'm on my way there to figure out what it wants and give it just that so I can be free for the day and probably be able to attend musical class today, which is taught to me exclusively at home.

To be honest, I wasn't really expecting to have another dream so soon. I'm glad both yesterday and today turned out to be weekends. Despite how bright the day was and how clear the blue sky littered with random shapeless cloud forms which were spread far apart, and how gentle the breeze that hit my skin felt, I still got the jitters of something eerie in the air. Or maybe I'm just being cautious because I fought a giant rabbit yesterday...hmph. I simply shrug and keep walking. The estate my parents left was huge but easy to navigate since most of it was greens and paths of intricate designs. The playground is not that far from my place either.

Knowing that I dislike being surrounded by butlers, attendants and maids, Rufus allows me to go out provided I keep a weapon on me and call the police first if anything weird happens. Never called though --inner crazy me giggles maniacally-- but I still come home in one piece so nobody actually minds.

The guards, at the southern gate that is the closest to the playground, nod and open the gates for me who casually strolls out mockingly.

I hear a few snickers from behind me as I make my way past them. It's always been like this even before I lost my parents. I walk funny, they laugh, we all end up slightly happy for the whole day.

Ah well. I keep on walking after leaving my home. It takes at most 5 minutes to walk over to the playground. And I take my time so I can enjoy the scenery of people passing by living their repetitive lives with mostly forced smiles on their faces and stray animals scurrying through the legs of the people passing by. Food from the surrounding stalls wafts through the air and numb my senses as I make my way pass them. Should've eaten breakfast before stepping out....shoot.

I ignore the piercingly pleasant aromas and pick up my pace. The playground was less busy today and only a four kids were playing over at the slide and the sand box. One was alone immersed in her own world of sand and buckets while the three others were chasing and screaming at each other around the slide. Typically, I walk over to the lonely little girl. When she sees me coming over she stands up and tilts her head to the side clearly surprised that anyone would approach her. I guess that was with good reason too since her clothes were mere dirty white rags sewed together haphazardly. There was even stains of blood on them. Calling them white clearly doesn't fit the description but alas,....clothes are clothes. Even if they're like that.

I smile gently as I come to a stop in front of the little girl who stares blankly at me, showing surprise clearly in here eyes.

'Hi, I'm Erica. What's your name?' My tone, a gentle friendly one just like my smile.

She blinks still staring blankly at me. Maybe she can't talk.

'Why are you talking to me?' Her voice is low and raspy but calm and sweet.

'I just saw you over here all alone and wanted to keep you company.' I reply quickly. 'We can even be friends if you want.'

'Friends??' She takes a step forward, the corner of her lips curving slightly upwards.

'Yeah.....friends.' I grin widely to show how much I welcome the idea.

'I'd like that.' Her smile beamed so brightly that it was contagious. 'My name is Claire.'

'Let's go get something to eat after we get you a change of clothes.' I stretch my hand towards her waiting for her to take it.

She looks from my hand to hers and to my face and then tears slowly slide across her face as she puts her palms in mine. Her skin was almost white and her whole face was pale but she was beautiful. Very beautiful. Her hands were strangely warm but I think I've seen enough weird stuff to last me an entirety. So I'm not surprised.

I drag her off her feet and out of the sand towards the closest clothing shop around. And that would be The Dressing Hub owned by Aunt Greta. That's what everyone calls her.

Dismissing a long inquisitive conversation, I simply wave at Aunt Greta after we barge in and swiftly snatch a few clothes off their racks and lead Claire into one of the changing stalls. After a gruesome battle of deciding which clothing style suited her best, I and Aunt Greta decided to get her a simple skirt with a designer style blouse. Probably French or Dutch or whatever.

When she stood before the full body mirrors outside the changing stalls, she giggled and smiled with tears in her eyes. Clearly no one has ever been this nice to her. It kinda made me happy seeing her happy. The rest of the day was spent doing girly stuff that I'm sure nobody would bother to even wanna know about. I let her spend the night over at my place as we spoke until it was almost midnight. She walked to my balcony window and looked at the full moon that had made the trees around my place look so eerie yet beautiful. Silent yet with a clear voice. Strong yet gentle. Just like Claire.

She started to slowly light up as her body turned into tiny blue sparkles that rose out through the window. She turned and looked at me with a smile much more amazing than all the smiles I've seen off her. I saw her mouth a "thank you" before completely disappearing. I smiled silently to myself as I watched the beautiful sparkles fly away.

After she was completely gone, I realized there was a letter where she stood and a black raven just landed where the letter was. Picking it up in its beak, the bird flew out clearly taunting me to follow. I quickly put on my morning coat and rushed out determined to retrieve the letter.

The moment I opened the door, I saw the man.....that man..the reason why my dreams come to life...the reason the nightmares from those years ago killed my parents....the Man in Black with the raven perched on his right shoulder and the letter in his hand. I was angry but I couldn't move. I just watched as the man took my hand and placed the letter and another paper in my hand. I just watch as he turned and walked away, slowly disappearing into the black of the night.

'After all that time, why now?!' My screams fill the whole place as I collapse unto the ground after my legs gave up.

'Why did he have to show up now?'

'Why did he do this to me?'

'Why did the man in black come back?'

I look at the two papers in my hand and then back at where he disappeared. Rufus came to find me on the ground after hearing my screams. He saw me squeezing the papers tightly and wisely let me hold unto them.

He led me back to my room and had me attended to. And all I could do was watch the two papers in my hand.

I've been quiet long enough. I'm going to find him and make him pay for it all. I am going to make him regret doing this to me and my family. I drift off slowly reluctantly letting sleep take over.