Chapter 19: Different vibes

Chapter 19: Different vibes The soft morning light filtered through the curtains as Zafron stirred in his new bed. For a moment, he felt disoriented, but the events of the past couple of days quickly came flooding back. He was in his temporary home, hidden away for reasons still unclear to him.

Over the past 48 hours, Zafron had settled into a tentative routine. The initial shock and confusion had given way to a wary acceptance of his situation. He'd spent time exploring every nook and cranny of the house, familiarizing himself with his surroundings.

In the kitchen, he'd discovered a variety of foods stocked in the pantry and refrigerator. The act of cooking had become a welcome distraction from his swirling thoughts and unanswered questions.

The bookshelf in the living room had provided another source of comfort. Zafron had always enjoyed reading, and he found himself losing hours poring over the eclectic collection of novels and non-fiction works.

Despite the comfort of the house, Zafron couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped. He'd ventured into the small backyard a few times but hadn't dared to explore beyond the property's boundaries, heeding Matilda's warning to stay put.

As he lay in bed on this third morning, Zafron sighed. He could hear the usual distant noises along with birds chirping and insects buzzing.

The initial fear had subsided, replaced by a gnawing anxiety and restlessness. He was safe, yes, but from what? And for how long would this isolation continue?

With these thoughts weighing on his mind, Zafron pushed himself out of bed, as he moved towards the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Zafron padded into the kitchen, his bare feet cool against the tiled floor. Despite the uncertainty of his situation, he felt a small sense of comfort in the familiar task of preparing a meal. His time with his stepmom had taught him well, and he approached the kitchen with confidence.

Opening the refrigerator, he surveyed the contents. Eggs, vegetables, some cheese, and a pack of bacon caught his eye. In the pantry, he found bread and various seasonings. His mind began to work, considering the possibilities.

"Hmm," he mused aloud, "Maybe a hearty omelet with toast? Or perhaps a breakfast sandwich?"

As he weighed his options, a sudden noise from the window startled him. It was a sharp, distinct sound, unlike the usual distant noise, chirping of birds or rustling of leaves he had grown accustomed to over the past couple of days.

"That's people talking. I never knew people actually lived in the houses behind!" he wondered aloud, his heart racing with apprehension. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ N0vᴇlFire(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Zafron's body tensed, Matilda's warnings echoing in his mind.

Cautiously, he moved towards the window, his heart rate quickening with each step. He pressed his back against the wall next to the window, then slowly, carefully, peeked out.

As Zafron peered out, his initial fear gave way to bewilderment. There, just beyond the edge of the property, stood two young women engaged in what appeared to be a heated argument. Their striking similarity was immediately apparent - they were clearly twins, though not identical.

The taller of the two sported flowing blonde hair that caught the morning sunlight, while her slightly shorter sister had dark, raven-like locks. Their faces, though similar in structure, were contorted with the passion of their debate.

"Oh, please Vivienne!" the blonde exclaimed, tossing her hair dramatically. "Everyone knows blondes have more fun. Men can't resist us!"

The dark-haired sister, Vivienne, scoffed, rolling her eyes. "That's such an outdated stereotype! Dark and mysterious is what truly captivates. I'm clearly the more alluring one, Giselle!"

"As if! Remember last week at the tavern? That handsome traveler couldn't take his eyes off me!"

"He was probably just mesmerized by how your hair reflects sunlight like a mirror. I'm surprised he didn't go blind!"

Zafron found himself biting his lip to stifle a laugh. The absurdity of their argument, especially given his current circumstances, struck him as oddly hilarious.

The blonde sister, Giselle, struck a pose. "Well, I can't help it if I'm dazzling. It's a curse, really."

"Oh, spare me," her sister retorted. "The only thing you're dazzling is yourself every time you pass a reflective surface!"

As their bickering continued, growing increasingly ridiculous, Zafron remained hidden, torn between amusement and confusion. Who were these women? Why were they having this argument here, of all places? And most importantly, did their presence pose any threat to his safety?

He continued to watch, his breakfast plans forgotten, as the twins' argument unfolded like an bizarre theatrical performance.

He watched as the bickering twins made their way to the nearest house visible from his window. He realized that the faint noises he'd been hearing over the past few days must have been coming from there. "So, they're my neighbors," he mused to himself, "Distant, but still neighbors."

He walked away from the window and turned his attention to finding something to eat. It had become a regular routine for him to take his time deciding. He opened the refrigerator once more, staring at its contents, pondering what to take and what to leave behind.

"This is stressful!" He mumbled.

As he was still pondering, a sudden knock at the door startled him out of his thoughts.

His body tensed, waiting for a second knock, but it never came. Instead, he heard the distinct sound of a key turning in the lock.

"It must be Mistress Matilda," Zafron thought, his heart racing with a mixture of relief and anticipation. He quickly made his way to the door of the house.

However, as he reached the door, he was met not by Matilda, but by Mara. She was just closing the door behind her, and when she turned, her eyes locked onto Zafron's with an intensity that made him pause.

"Mara," Zafron said, surprise evident in his voice. "I... I thought it might be Madame Matilda."

Mara's expression remained unreadable as she stood there, her gaze never leaving Zafron's face. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words and questions.

Zafron shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny. "Is everything alright? Has something happened at the mansion?"