In The Before Time

The garden was getting out of control. Certainly Mitch would have to be brought back into line before the grounds got too wild, but Thaddeus had a sense that there was very little his grounds keeper could do to restore order to Cleophas House. Maybe once, before decisions had been made that could not be un-made, but that had been eons ago.

Something moved in the gloom of the hallway behind him and outside something moved in concert at the edge of perception. The light of the setting sun still painted the sky a rich purple, but the sun had long passed below the artificial horizon of the trees skirting Cleophas Estate. It had, in fact, passed below the true horizon perhaps half an hour ago now. Thaddeus had always been an early riser.

"I'm going to see Curtis," he announced to the empty space behind him. Lucy was somewhere in the darkened house but he didn't believe she understood much of anything that was said to her anymore. Mitch might be inside or he might be out, but either way he made no note of the comings and goings of his master. As he had been taught. Thaddeus thought again of how he would miss Mitch when the time finally came. "If Jacinta comes, tell her nothing."

And what if she's already here?

What if? Things skulked in all the darkened corners of the house now, was she any different than the others? Or the thing in the closet?

Boom!

As if turning his thoughts to it had awoken its rage again, the sound of meat and chitin pounding against wood filled the house. He had to remind himself again that no matter how loud or how dangerous it sounded, there was no way for it to free itself.

"Shut up," he muttered softly as he pulled a leather jacket over his silk shirt. The weather was unseasonably cold the last few days. He didn't feel the cold anymore, of course, but it was important to maintain appearances. Reaching into the left pocket he found his gloves and slipped them over his hands before stepping out onto the porch. He closed the door carefully behind him but didn't bother locking it. Anyone who could reach the threshold uninvited wouldn't be deterred by a simple deadbolt anyway. Quickly crossing the crushed rock walk, he slid into the smooth leather seats of the 535i. The engine, as always, came to life with the liquid-velvet purring sound he so loved. Adam missed so much by not driving himself around. To his left one of the topiaries, the bear, shifted it's massive head at the sound and the sudden splash of light, but made no other move. Thaddeus smiled softly, wondering if it was still following his instructions or if it had simply considered him unworthy of further investigation. It probably didn't matter now.

Shifting the car into first gear and letting off the clutch lightly, he started down the path to the gates and then on to his meeting with his old rival.