After talking with Grimald last night I tried my best to keep my word, but hiding my terror was the hardest thing to do. I couldn't look my aunt in the eye, which isn't anything new, but this time it was for an entirely different reason. I did everything I could to stay calm and go about my day like I normally would. My aunt didn't seem to notice my existence though, all she did was read the books I brought back from town.
That's how my next week, serving her while she read those books. I hadn't seen Grimald but I knew that he was watching me every night. I did what I could to keep my head down so I wouldn't have a melt down, especially in front of my aunt. Honestly, I think she forgot I existed because all she did was read those books, she didn't even give me a glance. So imagine my surprise when I hear my aunt yelling for me from the living room downstairs.
"Alexis!!! Get down here right now!"
I was quick to run downstairs, didn't want t keep her waiting, who knew what she would do if I didn't hustle. Once I was standing in the living room in front of her I quietly waited for her next instructions. Did I forget a dish, or did I forget to do some other chore? God, I hope not.
"Go to town for me. I think it's time for us to stock up on some groceries. I went ahead and made a list of things we need and some things I am wanting."
I carefully took the piece of paper out of her hand and quietly looked over the list. Most of the things on this list we already had, so why would she want me to go get more?
"Why are you still standing here? Get going, I don't care how long it takes but don't come back until you have everything on that list. Here is my card, don't spend it on anything extra do you understand me?"
I nodded my head and slipped her credit card into my back pocket. It still made no sense to me but I didn't have much of a choice. So I slipped on my shoes and quietly left the house and made my way into town so I could get this done and over with.
I hustled through the store filling up my cart with cleaning supplies, food, and snacks that my aunt had put on this list. I was close to needing a second cart because she made an ungodly long list. Why does one person need so much stuff?
After carrying everything out of the store I noticed that I was there longer than I planned because the sky was turning a burnt orange color. Hopefully I could get home before it got to dark, I really hated being out at night. Walking as quickly as I could I didn't stop or slow down until I saw my aunt's house. I raced to her door and quickly walked in and set the things on the kitchen counter.
I walked into the living room to check on my aunt, but what I saw made me stop in my tracks. My heart rate picked up and I felt nothing but pure terror. There on the table in front of my aunt was the book used for translating Latin and right next to it was 'Accalia'.
If that wasn't enough to paralyze me with fear, the unexpected guest standing in front of my aunt talking quietly to her was. It was a man in black pants and a black dress shirt with a white color showing around his neck. That isn't what frightened me, the large brown cross that hung to his belly button looked like it was old. His face was pale and emotionless, his nose coming to a sharp end and a double chin to go with it. He stood as straight as a board and mumbled quietly and every time his head bobbed the light shone on a different spot on his bald head.
I was rooted to my spot even though my head kept screaming at me to run to my room and lock the door until the sun fully set. Then and only then would I have any type of protection. Maybe I could slip away to Sybil's house.
"What do you want girl?"
The scratchy and nasally voice of the priest broke me out of my trance. It was worse than my aunt's voice, I would much rather listen to my aunt yell at me than to this man speak.
"He's waiting you dumb girl!"
"Uh...I w-was wondering i-if I might g-go ch-check on S-Sybil."
"What a thoughtful niece you have."
The way the priest was staring at me, eyeing me up and down, made me want to crawl into a hole. I felt exposed and naked and I absolutely hated it, this man made me sick to my stomach.
"Yes well, I have been working hard to train the brat. She was so worldly and just absolutely disobedient and mouthy."
"Hmmm. Well you seem to have done an excellent job with her."
He spoke slowly, as if he was calculating each and every word. I just did what I do best, quietly stand there and wait for my aunt to allow me to escape this creeps scrutiny.
"You may go, but I swear if you are not back by curfew I will beat the fear of God into you."
I nod and run as quickly as possible to the front door. Before I could turn the knob and get out I heard that God awful voice.
"Why don't you walk me to my car girl?"
I gulped and with a shaky hand slowly opened the door and made my way outside. If it wasn't for the priest I would have sighed in relief, unfortunately that wasn't going to happen.
"What's your name, or should I stick with girl."
"A-Alexis."
He hummed while walking to his car. He turned to me and opened his mouth to speak to me but the voice of an absolute angel yelled my name.
"Alexis, sweetheart can you come help me out for a moment?"
I quickly hollered back a yes and turned to make my way quickly to Sybil, that blessed neighbor.
"Well Alexis. I WILL be seeing you again."
With that final goodbye the priest drove off leaving me with a raised heart rate and a spiked blood pressure. With my heart in my throat I made my way to the only safe haven I had, Sybil's home.