Chapter 3 - A New Realm

I step over the bridge that connects us to the human world, It feels like in wading through water. The current pushing me back. The air becomes thick making it difficult to breath. I keep pushing forward, the more I push the harder it becomes.

Just when I think I cannot cross over, a bright light shines out through a crack in the void. Continuing forward finally reaching the source of the light and squeeze myself through. I fall forward and land on my hands and knees with loud thud. It was as if something was holding me up and now has released me from its grasp.

I gulp for air, trying to gather myself. I do not remember crossing into the headquarters before, although I must have done when Darren first brought me there so many years ago. But I am almost positive that it should not be as hard to cross over. It was like I was fighting an invisible force the whole way through.

My breathing evened out and I stand on wobbly legs as I take stock of where I am. I’m not sure what I was expecting to find on the other side, but I somehow I thought I would be in a remote spot. Instead I find myself in a small copse of trees, just beyond the tree line I can see a busy street, cars lined up nose to tail. Noise surrounds me, people chattering and children screaming and laughing, a car horn honked not too far away.  

Why would there be a portal so close civilisation. Look behind me at the bridge I have just crossed, surprised to find that the entrance is nowhere in site. I stick my hand out trying to feel for it, perhaps it is disguised. But my hand hit nothing, it waved about in the air. The portal had disappeared.

“Well there is no going back now.” I tell myself. Pulling my duffel off of my back I pull out the envelop Dario had given me not 15 minutes ago. I found it strange that I had just left the headquarters in darkness, yet I arrive on the mortal realm in full sunshine. Was it because time runs differently in the different realms or was I travelling for longer than I realised. Another unanswered question I will have to add to the list.

I open the brown envelope, surprised to find stacks of money inside. I pull out a wad of the cash. I haven’t even though about money in my rush to leave. If I ever see Dario again I will have to thank him. Just as I was about to place the envelope of money back in my duffel I notice a bright pink post-it note stuck to the side of the envelop.

Written in a lop sided scrawl was an address and a single name.

Lilith

Pear Tree Cottage

The Glen

Lower Crofton

Bowness

I had no idea where I was now, nor did I have any clue on how I was supposed to find this address. But Dario would not have given me this address if he didn’t think it would help.

With no other option and no idea where else to start, I head out towards the busy street.

Stepping out from the tree line I feel a light breeze cross ruffle my hair, electricity dancing over me making me shudder. I look over my shoulder only to find that the copse of tree were no longer there, instead a dark alley took its place seemingly heading to a dead end. I make a mental note, just in case I ever need to find this place again.

I turn back and look up and down the street, looking for some sign of where I might be. It looks touristy. People milling about drifting in and out of all sorts of knick knack shops.

A notice one sign ‘Bowness on Windermere wonder emporium’. At least I know where I am.

I take a left heading down hill, I notice a sign on the side of the road saying taxi rank. Luckily for me there is a single taxi waiting. Pulling up next to him I gently tap on the window.

“How can I help you miss?” he asks rolling the window down.

“I was wondering if you know this address please?” I pass him over the post-it his eyes glance over it before handing it back to me.

“Sure do, hop in and ill take you there.” He rolls the window back up. I pull open the rear door and climb in, placing my duffel on the seat beside me.

“Shouldn’t take long miss, maybe 20 minutes if the roads are clear. Traffic at this time of year can be killer. I don’t get many requests to come up to Pear Tree Cottage, not for many years.” He chatted away happily in the front seat. He wasn’t a small man by any means, his round belly protruding out in front if him. He was friendly enough and I knew he passed no threat to me.

“So where are you from if you don’t mind me asking, I reckon your not from around these parts?” his tone was casual and friendly.

“No I’m not.” I replied as vaguely as I could. The man continued his chatter, I tuned him out watching as the world flew by outside the car window. Although vehicles were not particularly common in the headquarter grounds, they weren’t unheard off. But I have never seen quite so many all in one place at one time.

Half an hour later the taxi pulls into a small country lane, we are right out in the middle of nowhere, no homes in sight, over looking a large lake beneath us. The view would be breath-taking, on any other occasion I would stop to admire it, but for now I was eager to see where this address would take me. The lane is slightly over grown, long floppy branches from thorn bushes jutting out and occasionally tapping the side of the car.

Eventually it opens out to reveal a gorgeous thatched cottage. Roses clamouring up the side of the walls in full bloom. The garden was neatly cut back in stripes and pretty flowers grew in boarders. A sign attached to the side of the building announced Pear Tree Cottage B&B. The sign was old and had seen better days, the writing barely visible anymore If nothing else at least I had somewhere to stay whilst I figured out my next move. I hope.

I thank the driver and pay him for his service before climbing out. The taxi slowly rolled away leaving me stood at the end of the garden path alone.

A strange feeling came over me, I felt like I had been here before. The roses feeling so familiar to me. And the door, I know I have seen that door before. I walk down the path, eyes transfixed on the little blue door with a knocker the shape of a snake. His body making a handle with its head staring out at the person daring to enter the premises. A chill went up my back. Quickly pushing the feeling aside I reach out and take the knocker in my hand. Banging once against the heavy wooden door before the door burst open revealing a tall woman with platinum hair falling about her face in waves down to her waist. Her eyes were the lightest shade of blue, almost verging on white. She wore jeans and a black floaty blouse, a stark contrast to her hair. Around her neck she wore a necklace, once again resembling a snake slithering around her neck. From first look you would guess   she was mid-twenties, but on closer inspection her eyes looked so much older. They held years of wisdom and knowledge. I stood like a fish out of water, not sure what I should say to this goddess in front of me.

“Can I help you?” she asks, her voice was sweet, like a melody playing on wind. She gave me a once over. Her eyes probing my body.

‘I’m,” I started, stuttering, “Well I am, I was just wondering if you might have a room available.” I managed to get out.

“Sure, your in luck.” A smile lit up her face as she steps aside to allow me entrance. “So the room is £80 a night, and includes breakfast. Would you prefer a lake view or wood view?” she asks as she leads me to a small reception desk at the far end of the hall.

“I don’t mind, you choose.” I give her a tight smile looking around me as the woman busied herself behind the desk. Still not shaking the feeling of having been here before. The cottage had a real homely feel to it. To left sat a living area, a large inglenook fireplace sat in the centre of the wall, three large Chesterfield sofas sat in a u-shape around the fire. On the ceiling above the fire was a huge iron clothes horse, one that you pull down as and when you need it. I expect it was an original feature of the house. Rather than clothes, rows and rows of drying herbs and flowers were tied to the frame drying out. A heady scent of lavender and rosemary surrounded me. On one of the Chesterfield a black cat curled up fast asleep. The rest of the room was filled with trinkets that looked like they should be in a museum. My eyes landed on a picture over the fireplace of a wolf stood atop a hill the full moon behind him making him appear as a silhouette. It was beautiful.

To right sat a huge dining table, easily being able to fit 12 people. It was a beautiful mahogany wood that was shined to a mirror finish. A huge stags head mounted above another smaller fire place, looming over the table like the master of the house. Its glass eyes seeing everything.

“Name please?” the woman asked, I jumped forgetting that she was there for a moment.

“Oh, umm, yes,” I was not prepared for giving a name. Should I lie? I had no idea of who this woman was or if I could trust her. The fact Dario had given me her address, surely meant he trusted her. I decided it would not hurt to give her my first name but I would change my last name just in case. “Avalon Miller.”

“Oh what a beautiful name.” She cooed “Not one you here much anymore. I am Lilith.” Smiling she handed me a key to my room. “Follow me.” She stepped out from behind the desk and headed up the narrow stair case behind her.

I followed closely behind, taking in the antique decor, trying hard not to accidentally brush against anything as I went.

“We are pretty isolated up here, so I doubt you will see anyone during your stay. We don’t have any other guests currently. I don’t tend to advertise as we are pretty exclusive with our guests. How did you come to hear about me?” she asks conversationally.

“A friend recommended you.”

“Oh?” she looks around her eyebrow cocked. “Does this friend have a name.” By now we had reached the landing and she walked to the furthest door along the corridor.  

“Dario Montario.” I replied, her hand stilled on the door. Looking at me with astonishment.

“Dario sent you?” she questions, a hint of disbelief in her tone.

“Yes that’s right.” Starting to feel uncomfortable under her gaze as she stood studying me.

“Right.” She said breaking eye contact and pushing the door open. “Well I hope the room is too your liking, I will be downstairs if there is anything you need.” I pass her as I walk into my room. Her eyes still lingering on my face as I passed. I could feel a tingling sensation over my skin like standing next to something cold for too long.

“Thank you,” I mummer as I close the door softly behind me, shutting out her probing gaze. The rooms temperature went up be several degrees and the tingling sensation disappeared.

Well this is interesting, I thought to myself. Who is this woman, and why was she so uncertain about Dario having sent me here. I mulled over her reaction, she definitely seemed on edge.

I suddenly felt exhausted. I placed my duffel bag down on the chaise lounge at the end of the bed and take a look about myself. The room was small but comfortable. The bed looked comfortable and inviting. There was a floral bedspread with pretty pink rose buds covering it. A window looked out across the valley below and over the lakes, under the window sat a small desk with a vase full of roses, presumably from the garden, and a small clock. The numbers read that is was three fifteen in the afternoon. Pulling my shoes off and lay down onto the bed deciding it wouldn’t hurt to have a nap for an hour.

My eyes drifted closed and I fall into a fitful sleep. Images and faces of people that I do not recognise swirling about in front of me. No noise, just faces upon faces. There was one face that stood out more that the rest. It was a young boy, the same blue eyes and platinum hair as my host. I watched mesmerised as his image changed from a young toddler and matured into an older child no more that 9 or 10. He seemed so familiar to me but I had no idea why. His eyes sparkling with mirth and his face split into a grin. He was beautiful. Who could this boy be?