(Part 1)
It was the closest drive way he could find.
The gate was shrouded in a tangle of trees and vines.
The road was cracked and crumbling in places.
Everything was damp from the late fall mist that settled.
Although it wet everything there were no puddles, gatherings, or running of water.
The sky was a uniform gray with a tinge of blue.
He wrapped his coat a little tighter and felt along his collar to adjust the fold.
He suspected there was a house at the end of the drive.
As he walked between the gates he rehearsed what he might say to the occupant of the estate.
After a bend in the road the pavement became more smooth and maintained.
A row of posts linked by heavy chains lined one edge of the drive.
Another bend brought him within sight of a large house.
The drive had now become pristine without any signs of age or wear.
As he slowly walked up the slight grade the trees moved aside to reveal more than a single structure.
Some of the foliage here still retained its green.
The house was also larger than it first appeared from its concealment.
Off to one side was a garage with doors for five bays.
The farthest one was open.
Emerging were noises of some mechanical work being performed.
He was at too oblique of an angle to see inside.
He paused undecided weather to approach the house or the garage.
Consideration of proper etiquette in this dreary landscape lead him toward the house.
As he closed the distance to the house he made a quick glance toward the garage.
A glance that was intended to be casual.
He almost tripped in mid step.
Leaning over the open hood of an automobile was a woman, unmistakable as she was clad in only summer bikini swim wear.
Her long full copper hair covered her face as she leaned over the edge of the car reaching into the gaping engine compartment.
"Good God she must be cold!" He thought as he scanned down her body marked by occasional smudges of grease and grime.
She had to stand on tip toes in already high heeled shoes.
It was like one of those automobile tool company pin-up calendars so often displayed in service station garages.
He notice an odd glint of metal as she seemed to have some large bracelet around her ankle.
Just as he tried to focus on the shiny object he heard the door of the house open only a dozen more steps ahead in his path.
"May I assist you?" Came the slow controlled query.
He turned trying to re-focus on the nearer object.
"Ah.... Yes... my car seems... to have... broken down."
Came his reply embedded with awkward pauses.
Nothing such as he had planned.
"Step inside, please" came the well cadenced offer.
He completed the distance and mounted the few steps to the large door where
what appeared to be a servant invited him.
He stepped into a dimly lit hallway.
Warmth from the interior greeted and surrounded him.
He chanced one look back out the door as it closed like a curtain
being drawn on the day light.
His heart literally paused and skipped a beat as he got a momentary image of the woman looking his direction.
Both her hands reached for a wrench as they seemed fastened together by what may have been handcuffs.
A black strap crossed over her face holding what looked to be a round object in her mouth.
The voice intruded upon his shock and tugged his attention. "Wait here sir."
The servant vanished by the time he looked his direction.
For the moment he was left alone with his racing thoughts.
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Copyright © 1997 by Teri Grey |