Chapter Four
The roses were red outlined, the leaves thin green lines. The water was clear as a summer's day, in the middle a column went up that carried the water to the top where an angel stood on its tip toes, knees bent where another one sat looking at an open umbrella where the water came out of the point. The angels were made of white marble.
Beyond the fountain stood a building, the biggest one in Antykla. There was a clock on the front of it above the big doors. The doors are bright white, with the same pattern as the fountain painted on it. The men walked up the path, up the marble steps and stopped in front of the doors, there was a piece of string with a rose at the end of it, Wilfred grabbed the rose and pulled gently, a bell rang out from inside the building. The door opened and inside stood an older gentleman dressed in a blue fitted suit with top hat and tail.
“Wilfred, what can I do for you?” asked the gentleman. “Albert, is there any chance we could come in please?” Wilfred replied. “I am sorry but it is too late now, you will have to go straight home.” With this Wilfred and Albert said their goodbyes, Albert closed the door and watched the four men walk down the path through the window next to the door. Once at the end of the path the men turned right and walked out of sight. Albert closed the curtain and disappeared into the building.
The four men walked up to a building. This is an inn, they will look after you Jonathan and Michael. After dropping them two off Nicholai and Wilfred walked towards a house, the curtains were slightly open, it was natural not painted, it stood out from the rest of them. That was the house they went to, Wilfred walked up to the door, put in a key, twisted it and opened the door gently. He stepped in, turned and asked Nicholai inside, “Welcome to my house, I will introduce you to my family tomorrow, I will just nip and get you some sheets as the only place we have for you is the couch.” Nicholai replied, “Yes the couch will be fine, thank you, it is very nice of you to offer me this.” With this Wilfred went upstairs to bed.
Nicholai lay on the sofa just staring into a dark room wondering what Wilfred’s family is like. He just lay deep in thought about what had happened so far and where tomorrow could lead. At some point during his thoughts Nicholai fell asleep.
Upon opening his eyes he blinked a couple times to focus them as all he could see was blurry figures. Once they were focused he seen four children of descending heights stood looking at him, “Children move away from the couch and come eat your breakfast.” Wilfred shouted from the doorway. The children skipped out of the door and vanished. Nicholai sat up on the edge of the couch with his head in his hands, Wilfred walked in “Is everything okay Nicholai?” jumping up he replied “Yeah, I’m just confused about the week so far, a lot has happened.”
The children walked back into the room, Nicholai looked up at them and said “Nice to meet you, I am Nicholai, I came last night, how are you all?” They all backed away slightly, staring at the man sitting on their couch. “Children, this man is here because of me, you can talk to him.” with their father saying that the youngest one walked up to and said “I am Luca, I am four years old.” “Nice to meet you Luca, how are you?” “I am very well thank-you.” With that Luca walked away to his mother in the other room.
The other three were still just standing watching Nicholai and what he was doing. Wilfred came over and said, “This is Elijah, he is our eldest at fourteen, then it is Katarina at ten, Abigail at six then little Luca at four who introduced himself and vanished to his mother.” Their mother and Luca came back, and she introduced herself, “Hello, I am Emilie, Wilfred's wife and the children’s mother.” “Pleased to meet you Emilie, how are you?” “Yes, I am good thank-you very much, are you well?” “Yes, I am good thank-you.” replied Nicholai.
With this the whole family and Nicholai walked into the kitchen where there was a table topped with a magnificent spread of food. Pastries, tubs of cereal, fresh bottled milk, hot pots, one tea, one coffee. The parents sat at either end of the table, Luca sat to his mother’s right, Abigail to their mother’s left, between Abigail and their father sat Elijah opposite him sat Katarina. They had made a seat for Nicholai between Abigail and Elijah. But there was a seat placement set opposite Nicholai.
The door knocked, Wilfred got up and walked out of the room and opened the door, “Niklaus, please come in, we have a visitor I would like you to meet.” with that the door closed and the two gentlemen walked into the kitchen. Nicholai stood up and walked over to them, “Pleased to meet you, I am Nicholai.” “Well Nicholai, I am Niklaus, I am Wilfred’s brother, my wife and children could not come today due to prior commitments but maybe you will meet them another day depending how long you are in town.”
Nicholai looked to Wilfred who said “Nicholai, you are welcome to stay here for a few days if you wish, we will help you with finding your belongings. Do you have any photos, or could you describe the items to us please?” “Well, there is a first aid kit, a bag of clothes, just the usual stuff you would usually have when travelling.”
Nicholai walked out of the room and up the stairs. “Where are you going?” asked Wilfred. “I was just looking for the bathroom, I’m guessing it is not upstairs.” “Oh, we have one up and downstairs, the one upstairs has the blue door.” “Okay, thank-you.” Nicholai went into the bathroom. “How long do you think he will be with us?” asked Emilie. “I’m not sure Emilie, I will take a walk around with him to find his belongings once the children are at school.” Wilfred replied.
Nicholai came down the stairs and overheard the conversation, “If it is easier, I can go stay in the inn with the other guys I don’t mind, my wallet is in my pocket, if you use ducat currency.” offered Nicholai. “Are you sure? We do not mind you staying, Emilie was just wondering due to the seat placements and how much of each meal she would be required to make.”
“Oh, well then I will hand you some financial aid for as long as I am here towards food and bills. I can nip to the shops and buy today’s evening meal if you would like.” “Only if you are sure Nicholai, we have plenty of food in.” replied Emilie. “Yes, I am sure as it would not be fair for me to eat your food meaning it would not last as long as it would have if I had not been here.”
With that Emilie got the children into their shoes and coats. The children grabbed their school bags and lunches and went out of the front door. Emilie was driving them to school as it was a fair distance away. On the other side of the town Wilfred and Nicholai followed a few minutes later to go and find the last of Nicholais belongings. They walked towards the gates to head out of Antykla. “I think I remember where your car is? If the candle stays lit we can get to the car, then we can search around it and expand our search further out slowly.” Wilfred said. “Yes, I think I also remember, not one hundred percent though.” replied Nicholai. “Okay, we will take the candle with us to be safe whilst we look for your belongings.” “Yes, okay that’s fine Wilfred, thank you for the help.”
As they were walking through the tree’s Nicholai points in a north-eastern direction. “The car is this way. I remember seeing this little well on our way to yours.” stated Nicholai. “Yes, it is very memorable isn’t it.” Laughed Wilfred. “My car was near a bridge, but didn’t the entity move it?” “Yes, but for so far around the bridge your car will not work. A mechanic will not be able to do much to get it working without towing it out first. The issue is that their truck will probably break down and be unable to pull your car out.” said Wilfred.
The men knew it was the entity who is causing the vehicle failures. The candle flame started moving. “Oh no, the plastic has a small hole in it from the heat melting it.” Nicholai said. “We need to move faster or find something to cover the hole over so it doesn’t blow out.” Wilfred replied. The two men looked around for something to cover the hole in the cover.
Nicholai walked in the direction of his car, Wilfred started going the other way to find something to cover the hole. “Nicholai, please help me find this so it does not get blown out.” Nicholai ignored him and carried on going towards the car. A strong wind blew, the flame danced around viciously. Wilfred put his hand in front of the hole as close as he could without feeling the heat.
Nicholai was right near his car. He turned around excited but noticed Wilfred was no longer near him. He turned around and all he saw was black eyes with yellow pupils. There was a big smile with pointy teeth. They were weird because they were purple. He turned to run away but ended up off the floor. He must have gone too far away from the candle.
Wilfred turned up the candle still lit. I found something to cover it, Nicholai. Soon as he got closer Nicholai fell to the floor. “WHERE DID YOU GO?” Bellowed the entity. The two men looked around to find what Nicholai had found, they grabbed it and Wilfred suggested they go back but Nicholai just kept looking for his stuff. All of a sudden the wind blew strongly, it whistled through the leaves. Wilfred startled and shouted “Please come back here the wind is a bad omen, the event is coming we need to go back to the house.” “But I think I have found something, I just need to move this to check, I won’t be long.” Replied Nicholai.
Rustling came from in the trees, Nicholai looked up in the direction of the noise, he thought he saw a shadow, he closed his eyes, shook his head and when he looked again there was nothing there. He just looked down and carried on searching. “Nicholai, please come away from the car. It is not safe.” Stuttered Wilfred. “You must move away right now, it is going to move!” he said with a worried tone.
Nicholai looked up and saw the shadow again but this time it was closer. “I am coming now, Wilfred.” He picked something up and ran towards Wilfred. As he got there the car started to float slightly, swaying back and then it settled on the floor as though it was a feather falling through the air. The two men looked at each other with confused looks on their faces. They turned away from the car and started walking. They heard a noise behind them, Nicholai looked around and saw the car was in the air again but this time it was higher and had been spun round so the engine was towards them. The car started moving through the air towards them, they turned and ran but the car was moving faster.
All of a sudden it was above them rocking back and forth again. Wilfred looked up “Watch out Nicholai!” he shouted then he pushed Nicholai away from him and jumped in the opposite direction just as they landed the car crashed to the ground. “What was that, what happened?” asked Nicholai. “The entity from the castle just over the bridge hates people getting too close to it, he does anything to scare people away.” Explained Wilfred. The key was in the ignition, Nicholai spun the key and amazingly the car started up, both men jumped in and drove back to Wilfred’s house. “I would still like for a mechanic to look over the car as it has just had a nasty bump.” “Is it okay if we do that tomorrow, I will show you the way to the nearest one as it is in Tryxon Village.” Said Wilfred “Yes, that is fine. For now if it is okay with you I would just like to rest and get my head straight, that was a weird and scary experience.” Replied Nicholai.
The two men were sitting in deep thought when Emilie and the children came through the door. “So, I see you managed to find your car and get it running” said Emilie. “Yes, but it still needs a look over to make sure nothing is broken and it is still safe.” replied Nicholai. “How did you get it running?” asked Elijah. “We will tell you the story later when the other three are asleep.” Replied Wilfred. “But that’s not fair” exclaimed Abigail. “You three are too young,” said Wilfred.
Emilie entered the room, “Nicholai do you know of any allergies you may have with food?” she asked. “I have not come across any so far in my life, could I ask what you are planning for our evening meal?” answered Nicholai. “Of course, I was planning smoked paprika haddock with garlic and butter baby potatoes and some steamed vegetables.” Explained Emilie. “Oh gosh, that sounds delightful,” said Nicholai. “I cannot wait to taste it.”
Emilie walked out of the room and turned right towards the kitchen, Wilfred turned to Nicholai and asked “Nicholai, is there anything you wish to ask me about what happened near your car? I will answer whatever I can”. "Erm, I'm not too sure at the moment, could I have a think and get back to you?” “Yes of course you can, the offer is open for as long as you stay in our village.” “Thank you, that’s really kind of you.” With that Wilfred walked out of the room and joined Emilie in the kitchen.
Nicholai was left alone, he just sat thinking about the events that just occurred. He just sat there staring into the room. There was a tap on his shoulder. “Nicholai, are you okay?” The voice asked. He turned to see who had tapped him. He couldn't make out who it was, his eyes were blurry. He closed his eyes tightly. When they reopened he noticed it was Elijah.
Elijah looked worried. “Dad, come here please?” He shouted. Wilfred came rushing into the room. “What's wrong?” He asked Elijah. “It's Nicholai, he's just staring around. I think he struggled to see when I tapped his shoulder.”
Wilfred looked at Nicholai. “His eyes look normal, I do not understand what could have happened.” He said to Elijah. Elijah ran to get his mum as she was more educated than his dad with this sort of stuff. They both came into the room. Emilie looked at Nicholai. “Go get a cold wet towel please?” She asked into the room. Elijah ran off again to get it. When he got back Emilie took it and placed it on the back of his neck. Nicholai slowly came round.
He looked around the room. “What happened and Emilie where did you come from?” He asked. He put his head down. “Where did this towel come from?” He was confused just looking round the floor.
Wilfred placed his hand on Nicholai’s knee, looked down at the floor and said “I’m unsure what happened Nicholai, you were just staring into thin air.” “I got the towel.” Said Elijah. Emilie looked at him, she looked to Wilfred who nodded and walked out of the room taking Elijah with him.
Nicholai looked down and covered his face with his hands. He started crying. “What is wrong Nicholai?” Asked Emilie. “Since I came for this job my life seems to have gone weird and I do not like how it makes me feel.” Eilie sat next to him and placed her arm around his shoulders. This made him cry harder.
Luca came into the room, he looked at Nicholai and ran to him to try and comfort him. “Luca, you are supposed to be in bed. Please go back upstairs.” Emilie said. He looked worried, “But mum, I want to help make Nicholai feel better.” Wilfred turned to Luca. “Son, it is bedtime you have nursery in the morning, please do as your mother says and go to bed.” Luca put his head down and walked out of the room towards the stairs.
He stopped at the bottom of the stairs. “But dad, please.” He said “Go to bed Luca, this is the last time you will be told.” With that he ran up the stairs and into his bedroom. Wilfred looked at Nicholai, trying to read him to see if he could figure anything out. Nicholai looked at Wilfred and said “why are you looking at me like that? I’m fine, I just need to sleep.” Emilie looked confused. “Do you know what just happened?” She asked him.
Nicholai just lay down and closed his eyes. Wilfred got up to walk out the room, as he got to the door he turned around, “Emilie, are you coming? We should let Nicholai rest.” Emilie stood up and started walking towards Wilfred. She turned back, “if you need us Nicholai please come and get us.” There was no reply.
After they went up to bed Nicholai opened his eyes and packed the little stuff he had into a bag. He then went to the bathroom and got his belongings from there to put in his bag.Once everything was packed he lay back down and drifted off to sleep. He awoke to the whole family standing at the door, the children in their school uniforms. They all looked worried. “I am fine, please do not worry.” were the first words out of Nicholais mouth. The children walked over to him. Elijah knelt down by the sofa and just placed his hand on Nicholai’s then got back up without saying anything.
The other three just stood back, staying where they were. Emilie was the first one to talk. “Nicholai, we are all worried after yesterday, that was abnormal.” She then got the children and walked them to the door. Wilfred turned to them and followed. “Goodbye children, have a good day at school and I will see you later.” With that Emilie and the children went out the door and down the path.
Nicholai got up and went to the bathroom. When he came down Wilfred was holding his bag. “Nichlai, why are all your belongings packed?” He asked. “I am moving on today. I am going to leave your home why the children are in school, I do not like goodbyes.” With that he grabbed his bag of Wilfred and headed to the door. As he was leaving he turned around and said,”thank you for all that you and Emilie have done, you have been truly amazing. I will never forget your kindness.” He then walked out the door, closing it behind him. Wilfred stood there shocked, wondering where this sudden need to leave came from.
He ran to the door, opened it and ran out. Nicholai was gone, he could not see him anywhere. He went in, got his shoes on and started to look for Nicholai. He ran round the streams shouting him hoping he would hear and they could talk. He was about to give up hope when he saw Nicholai about to leave the town. He ran as fast as he could to the gates, “Nicholai, please stop. I want to talk to you.” Nicholai froze on the spot and turned around. “Wilfred, what are you doing here? I told you I am leaving.” Wilfred grabbed his arm, “you cannot just leave without a proper goodbye, I know you said you do not like them but Emilie and the kids will be upset they did not get to say bye.”
Nicholai just said “sorry.” He turned around and walked out of the gate without a single look back. He was cold with Wilfred, it was like he was not himself. He just walked on, he stopped as if he was going to look back but he just turned left, looking straight on and walked out of sight. Wilfred went to run out of the gates to get him but he heard a voice behind him. It was Albert. “Wilfred, stop. Do not follow him. I feel there is a danger surrounding him. You do not want to leave your family in this life without you.” Wilfred froze and turned around slowly.