Chapter 2

I zap the bus and decide to go on foot. With a bit of luck, I'll start recognising the streets and neighbourhoods a bit. As I stroll, I think back to Sarah's curious attitude.

I saw how badly she reacted to the name Bathory. Was I imagining it? 

Maybe I'm just seeing omens everywhere…

Anyway, I'll find out soon enough! I'm seeing them tonight about the job. I'm looking forward to discovering where the Bathorys live and what kind of people they are…

After going back to the motel and ordering a taxi, when I arrive at the Bathory’s, daylight has long gone. 

I taher my suitcase out of the trunk and pay the taxi driver. I stand a moment and watch him drive away. 

As I go through the gates of the impressive property I stop short. This was not what I expected. 

Ab imposing manor house, in immense grounds, stands before me. Amazing! 

Must be nice to live in this kind of place. It feels like a real fairy-tale manor! Better than Hollywood Homes.

The wind suddenly gets up and rustles in the leaves of the tree. It's not very reassuring. The sound of the water flowing from the fountain adds a scary touch to this oppressive atmosphere.

I'm not afraid. Not even a bit!

I shiver and glance over my shoulder. The park is plunged into darkness. I can barely see my feet. I hunt through my bag looking for my cell phone. 

I dial my contact number for the Bathory's. The ring tone echoes in my ear. 

Go on, be nice. Answer the phone!

I try again and again. In vain.

When I look up to the sky, some big black clouds cast a shadow across the moon. The sound of a wolf howling in the distance makes me jump out of my skin!

Okay, that's it! I'm scared !! I can feel a supernatural force here. It's weird…

I hang up and go towards the house, guided by the lights in the windows. If this carries on my imagination is going to run away with me! This is the ideal setting for those sort of thoughts.

I take a hold of the bannister of the superb stone stairway that leads up to the entrance. As I climb the steps, I get a strange impression that I'm being watched.

I force myself to look around. This is ridiculous…! There is no one there.I look around again to reassure myself... Nothing…

Once at the top, I smother the anxiety mounting in my chest. A screeching sound. My breathing speeds up. I turn round. 

Is there somebody following me?

I can't see anybody. Just me and the shadows...I get to the doorway and lift my hand to knock, but another shiver runs through me. I hesitate.

What is that? No doorbell, just a metal ring in a gargoyle's mouth. A little ridiculous to be honest. 

I stay still, lost in thought, contemplating the figure. I'm nervous, but I can't help admiring the quality of the metalwork.

I take a deep breath and grasp the knocker in my hand. I knock three times. The sound seems to echo inside the walls.

After several minutes waiting and feeling foolish, I go to knock again. 

But before I can, the door opens making me jump and suddenly I find myself eye to eye with a pair of magnetic hazelnut eyes.

I don't know him. I've never seen him before. But there is something fascinating about him … 

And intimidating!

The aura of this guy is really mysterious. Slightly oppressive even. He doesn't say a word but just stands there, staring at me with a bored look on his face.

Maybe he's waiting for me to introduce myself, or something like that…

Nice welcome! 

I clear my throat. I'm suddenly nervous and my hands are sweaty. Besides, I'm not used to rubbing shoulders with such handsome boys.

His disdainful air doesn't really detract from his charm and his body looks as if it's

carved out of steel. Everything about him reeks of danger.

After a long silence, I realise that I'm just standing there, gaping, with my eyes popping out. It's the first meeting and I'm not making a good impression!

Come on Celi, get a grip!

I cling to the strap of my bag and try an encouraging smile.

"Uh... Hi ... Good evening I'm Celeste... I told you that I was coming tonight... Um ... I'm the new nanny.l…”

"Do you never stop talking?”

"No, well if ... but …”

I really sound like a complete idiot!

I blush and silence settles in. The unknown stranger adopts a nonchalant attitude and waits patiently. He obviously has no intention of helping me out.

Well, he doesn't care about what I have to say, at least that's clear…

His silence accentuates my embarrassment. His beautiful hazel eyes are still on me. I suddenly feel clumsy, and awfully uncomfortable.

"I was hired by Mr Bathory... to take care of little Laura.”

Still no reaction. I have the vague impression that he isn't listening to anything I say. As if I were invisible. It is very humiliating!

My embarrassment increases. I feel my cheeks blush. In a minute I'll be bright red, that's for sure! I'm not one of those popular girls that you notice at first glance, but still! No one has ever treated me with so little regard!

I'd like to teach him some manners, but no sound comes out of my mouth. I note that he hasn't even had the manner's to ask me in….

I really feel like I'm intruding. As if I'd got the wrong address. I start hopping from one foot to the other. It seems that the more uncomfortable I am, the more he seems to want to stay and stare at me. 

"Is there a problem with the job? Is it still OK? Or maybe …”

Without giving me time to finish, he abruptly turns away from me and walks off.

Uh... What about me? What am I supposed to do? Go in? Wait here? Leave?

A priori, he hasn't slammed the door in my face... So I guess I can go in. I'll see. At worst, what's the risk? disappointment or slight embarrassment?

Nothing fatal?

After a deep breath, I go in.

The lobby is huge. I'm very impressed. However, there's an almost unbearable chill to the air. Shame…