Another Realm

Time Stood Still

The day started like any other. I woke up wrapped in my white, silk sheets, listening to the birds wake up the sun for the day. Dragging myself out of bed, I went to the kitchen to start my coffee. The cold grey tile sent a chill up my spine. I shook it off and headed to the bathroom to grab my black, fleece robe. It was so soft and warm on my skin. I always hung it right above the register so that the heat became trapped in it while it waited for me to put it back on. After I brushed my teeth and brushed out my long auburn hair, I went back to the kitchen which was now filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Mm mm I loved that smell. Once I filled up my favorite teal mug, I settled my morning routine by retreating to my mini wrap around porch to watch the sun come up over the mountain range. As I went to sit down, I noticed a very thick, very large, manilla envelope sitting on the chair opposite me.

“That’s strange” I mumbled out loud. Who would leave this in the middle of the night? It was well after 10 p.m. when I arrived home. The envelope felt thick and bulky in my hands. Carefully opening the metal clasp, I pulled out the contents. On top was a letter addressed to me.

Dear Ms. Aria Thierry,

With a solemn heart, I regretfully inform you that your father, Arthur Thierry has passed on to the next realm on the eve before last. He did not wish to have a big spectacle when his time of passing came to be. Enclosed in this envelope you will find your father’s will and all the appropriate paperwork naming you the soul heir to its entirety. Please report to your new manor as soon as possible to ensure the transition goes as smoothly as possible. Best of luck to you!

There was no signature. No more information about my late father’s passing. Just an envelope full of papers. A single tear ran down my cheek. I was not entirely sure how I was supposed to feel about this. My father and I had been estranged for nearly 20 years. I gathered my coffee and the bulky, yellow life changer and went back inside. I had an uneasy feeling, like I was being watched. I had a hard time understanding what kind of person would leave such an important package on a porch in the middle of nowhere. I gave myself a little shake. “I guess I should see what lies in store for me.” I said to my cat who had come running in from my bedroom. Hollow was a small black kitty I rescued from being devoured by vultures after his momma had been hit by a car. He was such a sweet little boy. I gave Hollow his breakfast and sat at the kitchen table to start sorting through the contents of my father’s last wishes.

First, I reread the letter that was on top of everything. “Realm?” I am all for my supernatural novels and shows but who actually says realm when delivering this kind of news. I shook my head. Putting the letter on the side, I started with the first document. It was my father’s will. As far as I knew, my father lived in some shack off the grid leaving behind his family and everything he ever loved. That is what my mother always told me anyway. I couldn’t imagine he had very many things to leave behind let alone such a thick envelope full of things for me to deal with. I was inherently wrong and misinformed about my father’s activities after he left me. According to the paper in front of me, I was the soul heir to my father’s mansion, or manor as the previous letter stated, his bar, Thierry’s Tavern, all assets and his fleet of vehicles. “Son of a bitch!” I could not believe that all these years went by and my mother never told me about any of this. I went to the next page. Deeds to the manor and bar. Titles to the cars. Bank records with my name on them underneath my father’s. I sat staring at the number of zeros of the sum. Obviously, Thierry’s was extremely lucrative. There was a little black book at the bottom of the envelope. I leafed through it, but nothing jumped out at me that seemed important. Maybe it was the information for the employees of the bar? I had to admit, as sudden as all of this was, I was intrigued. “Well Hollow, I guess you and I are going on a trip to Louisiana.” The feline gave me a quiet meow in acknowledgement and pranced off to our bedroom. I sat, finishing my coffee, contemplating what and how much I should pack for this endeavor. I put all the contents back in the envelope after writing down the address to where my fathers’ estate was located and went to my room to pull out my suitcase.

It wasn’t a very long flight from Montana to Louisiana. We touched down about three and half hours after takeoff. To my surprise there was a limousine waiting for Hollow and I to arrive. “How did they know we were coming already?” I whispered to Hollow. I cautiously approached the gentlemen holding the sign with my name on it. “Greetings Madam, I am here to escort you to the Thierry Manor. May I please take your luggage?” He was a portly man, with a deep southern accent and a clean-shaven face. His brown eyes dim, but friendly. “How did you know I was coming Mr...“ I trailed off, waiting for him to inform me of his name. “Apologies my lady, my name is Donavan Devereaux. I served your father for many years. You can call me Donny, no need for formalities.” He reached for my luggage and ushered me into the limo. Donny offered no explanation as to how he knew I was on my way. I climbed in the shimmering black chariot. I tried again. “So, Donny, how was it you knew I was arriving? I only received the information early this morning and had no contact information to alert anyone that I would be flying in.” Mr. Devereaux glanced at me through the review mirror. “My lady again I apologize, I was not privy to the how. I was only instructed to pick up you and your companion and escort you to the manor.” He must’ve registered the look of confusion on my face and added “Perhaps Mr. Bennett will be able to answer your questions once we arrive. I’m sure you have had a very long, perplexing day.” Perplexing indeed. I sat quietly for the rest of the ride to the mysterious manor. The sun was beginning to settle in for the evening. The sky a mix of purples and pinks. An hour later we turned down a long, winding driveway. After passing through the prestigious wrought iron gates, we pulled up to the most glorious mansion I have ever seen in my life. Sitting atop 110 acres of land, sat a four story, black Victorian with white trim. Standing at the foot of the steps was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. Tall and muscular with blonde hair and bright green eyes that I could see glimmer even through the dark tint of limo. He stood with his hands folded neatly behind his back, awaiting my arrival.

(to be continued)