Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
“It really is a castle. I thought it was like the time you told me reindeers were real but it was really just a dog with a new nose.” He touches the tip of his nose.
That was a lovely day at the mall we had last year. I drove into the city to take him to see Santa. He ended up pulling the dog's nose off and made all the other kids cry in horror. A security guard suggested we leave. Colby suggested he not be a bully to me before he threw the nose at the man’s head.
“I was just as shocked at that revelation as you.” He rolls his eyes at me but smiles. “Come. I think the kitchen is that way. I need to grab some stuff Tina left, and then we’ll find our quarters.”
Colby reaches into his pocket, pulling out two quarters and a dime. He puts the dime back in his pocket and tries to hand me the quarters, making me laugh.
“You keep those, Bub. I mean we’ll find where we’ll be staying.” I snag the box off the ground to head toward the kitchen.
“Is this a restaurant?” Colby asks as we enter the massive kitchen.
“It is big enough to feed an army.” It all has been clearly updated, but they left a touch here and there of the historical parts “See, back when this was built I’m sure the owners entertained many people with parties and so on. The home would have been full of life with people coming and going. I bet this kitchen was fully staffed.” I gaze around, my eyes going to the windows that line the other wall to outside. It’s such a waste.
A small meow comes from the inside of my box, reminding me we need to get a move on. I sit the box down on the counter and venture around the giant island in the center of the kitchen in search of a pantry.
When I find it, I’m happy to see it’s fully stocked. I grab a couple cans of tuna before picking the box back up along with the folder Tina left for me. Colby is wandering around the kitchen looking curiously at everything.
Startled, I jerk around to look down the long hall that leads out of the back of the kitchen to the east side of the home. I stand silent for a moment, almost positive I heard something. The hallway fades to darkness at the end with no lights on. I stand there wondering if it was him or if my mind is playing games with me. Tina said don’t be surprised if he’s never around. He enjoys his space. Plus, there is that long list of rules that pretty much tell me that I won’t be seeing him.
After our introduction minutes ago, that sounds perfect to me. Still, curiosity has me wondering about the angry man that hides away from the rest of the world. It sounds lonely, if you ask me. I’d probably be angry too. Colby walks over toward me, taking my hand and looking down the long, empty hallway.
“It’s creepy.” He leans into my side.
“How so?” He shrugs, looking up at me. I drop down on my knees to be eye level with him, running my fingers through his short dark hair.
“Don’t fear the unknown. You’ll miss out on some of the world's most beautiful things.”
“I know.” He sighs, peeking back down the hallway.
“Come. We’ll find our room and then we’ll explore.” Colby takes off ahead of me over to the box with our new little friend. I stand, looking back down the hallway. I don’t scare so easily Mr. Schulz. Not after some of the things I’ve been through. You’ll have to try a whole lot harder than that.
5
Kale
A cat. They brought a cat to my house. I redirect the camera and zoom in on the striped furry creature. Wait, that thing isn’t a cat. It’s a kitten and it’s tiny with a smushed face and fluffy tail. It’s cute as hell. I hate that it’s here.
I push away from the panel of security screens in utter disgust. It’s bad enough that there’s a hot, soft woman wandering my halls, opening my drapes, and perfuming up my dank rooms, but now I have to deal with a bundle of fluff? I knead my temples and try to formulate a plan because I can’t stay in my east wing quarters and jack off for the rest of my life. I need to get her to quit and take her cat and her kid away from here.
She didn’t like me yelling at her, so I guess I’ll have to be a loud-mouthed asshole. I grab my sweatshirt and flip the hoodie up. It’s too hot to be wearing this fleece and I’m going to suffocate with the hoodie on, but if I don’t wear it, she might see me, and I can’t risk that.