The Stranger

She stepped out of the lukewarm shower feeling clean. Her body had relaxed from the symphony of sensations. Pulling the soft towel around herself she padded out into the bedroom. The temperature in the room has suddenly dropped several degrees and she felt a shiver pass down her spine. She walked to the thermostat as goosebumps began to prickle along her skin. Discarding her towel she pulled on a shirt night dress that was a soft pink.

She reached for her brush and suddenly thought she heard a whisper.

"Anna..."

Turning quickly behind her, her eyes roamed the dimly lit room. Nothing there just the furniture and darkness. Jesus, you really do know how to psych yourself out. She scolded herself. She sat Infront of the vanity mirror and started to untangle her wet locks. She felt a soft touch to her shoulder. She startled, dropping her brush.

"Anna..."

"Alright who ever you are show yourself," she squeezed out.

She was met with silence, only rustling of the curtains from the heat blowing in. Convinced she was hyper vigilant from her intense dream she made her way back to the bed to lay down. She pulled the duvet up to her chest and laid down. Reaching over to turn of the light she saw in the dark a slight glint in the corner. Quickly she turned the light back on. Heart was pounding in her chest as she surveyed her room once more. Again, nothing. I swear I am losing my damn mind! She cursed out loud to herself. Laying down once more she firmly swore no matter what she was sleeping.

The light out once more she settled into the soft sway of the mattress. Her breath slowly evened out and her body relaxed. Beside her in the darkness he lay, staring at her still form. She was finally beneath his roof within his walls. He breathed in her scent like red plums from the garden. He snuggled in closer to her and lay there watching her. This was the solace his demon needed to be whole.

"Soon my darling, soon we shall be together always, " he whispered out.

A soft moan came from her as she turned into him. She remained blissfully unaware of his presence. He ran a solitary finger across her cheek. He felt his heart flutter. For this he would have sacrificed anything. He was strategically placing her right where he wanted her, and soon she'd be unable to escape. He smiled as he realized how perfectly the pieces were falling into place. Tomorrow she would see him for the first time. He would ensure it would render her speechless. He mused over his thoughts. Glancing at the clock he realized it was almost near dawn. Time to take his leave.

******

Anna awoke feeling oddly at peace. She had not had any more dreams or odd feelings in her room last night. Today she felt ready to tour the castle grounds. Her first priority was the massive castle garden said to house a mystery unsolved from the building of the castle. She stretched and placed her feet to the floor, well mystery be damned here she came.

She put on a lovely sundress that was lilac on color and reached her knees. It was a v-back that crossed in the back. She put on her soft silver flats and headed out for adventure. Down to the hall to the elevator she went softly humming a tune to herself. Once she reached the first floor she turned right and made her way to the library and walked to the glass french doors overlooking the garden. She opened the doors and was greeted by a cool breeze across her face. She stepped out to the patio and took in the view. Gardenias, lilies, roses, and plumeria greeted her. Tall weeping trees blowing in the breeze.

"Venturing out miss? " a clerk to her right said.

"Yes ,new discoveries to be made," Anna replied.

"Indeed. This garden is said to have many mysteries. Perhaps you will solve one. "he said with his head low tending a bush.

"Maybe, or maybe I will find good distraction." and with that she took off.

The first path was a straightforward green road to a fountain. Almost too predictable for her liking. As she stared at the fountain she noticed an off center statue near a tree. Thinking to herself perhaps it was moved by storms or ground shifts she went closer to inspect, and there a small pebble path lay hid. Curious isn't it Anna, she mused to herself as she turned onto the path. She began to wind behind large bushes and trees deeper into the garden. After a few moments she became concerned it was a red herring when another out of place statue appeared. There behind the statue lay another path.

She stepped off the stone pathway onto what seemed to be made of shell. She wandered down a wall of roses. Thinking to herself the time and dedication this must have taken. Wondering if this was built as some secret game between husband and wife, or merely a lords fascination to humiliate guests. She wandered into another fountain area. As she gazed at the fountain she felt almost a sense of deja Vu. She was so deep in thought she missed that she was no longer alone at the fountain.

"Remarkable isn't it?" his baritone voice came out from the trees.

"Oh, I am sorry I thought...." Anna looked over and stopped mid sentence. There he was, the man who had tormented her dreams for three years.

"You were alone? I have been wandering these gardens for sometime trying to answer the mystery myself." he stated.

"Mystery....I mean yes, the mystery. Well I was looking for a distraction." Anna quietly replied.

"Did you find it?" he asked a curious smile crossing his face.

What was she to say? Well yes, by the way why do you stalk my dreams? Who are you? Am I hallucinating? Instead she froze, silent on the spot.

"I am Ian" he broached.

"Anna...Anna Redglass" she breathed out.

"Well, Anna I believe this is very serendipitous indeed " Ian said with a Cheshire cat grin.