Chapter 4. Kitten on the Loose
The old man yawned, smiling to himself, was it that time already he wondered? He felt that familiar pull that had existed since before he could remember. The need that yearning every 31st of October. This was a little different, he thought as he looked down at his watch. The time was too early for trick or treaters, but he couldn't deny the pull.
Megan ran from home to home, Mark had finally lost his freaking mind. Having hit her screaming and yelling. She couldn't take it anymore; this was why she was breaking up with him. She had enough of his attitude and caustic reactions to everything. She just needed to find someplace safe to hide from him until he went away, she thought.
That was when she felt the pull tugging her down a street she rarely ever walked down. Her legs pumping past houses until she came to the one that looked old, and weather beaten, before she knew it she was walking up those creaking steps.
"Hello dear, is there something I can do for you?"
The old man at the top of the stairs looked perplexed, but not off put as he smiled warmly at the young lady. He noticed the bruises her blouse tried to hide. He noticed the disheveled state of her hair. The panic in her eyes spoke volumes and before she could answer another voice rang out.
"Megan what the fuck, get your fucking ass back here, you belong to me."
Narrowing his eyes, the old man looked towards the voice. He typically wouldn't meddle in human affairs unless they were thrust on him. This young man came to his home and started shouting profanity and being threatening. That would not do at all the old man thought as he felt the house's displeasure hearing its creaks and groans.
"Young man, perhaps watching your mouth is prudent, now if you wish to come up and discuss things like adults. Then I am sure we can get to the bottom of what's going on. I highly doubt the young lady is your property slavery hasn't been legal in over a hundred years and even then, it was highly taboo."
The young man looked up at the old man, his face sour, his eyes crossed as his face turned red. Megan shivered knowing the temper that Mark had, hoping the old man knew he was poking a hornet's nest. Scrambling behind the old man Megan tried the door to the house. Which was unlocked slipping inside. The old man quickly looked over his shoulder.
Shocked and stunned the old man shook his head only assuming the house wished to protect this young lady. It had called to her sure enough otherwise she wouldn't have come at such a time so early on the 31st. The old man was sure the house did not like the intruder coming up the steps.
"Look old dude going to kick your ass and take the bitch that is all there is. I am not even going to let you step aside."
The boy spewed his venom getting to the top step and getting inches from the old man's face. The boy looked up and felt perhaps for the first time in his life that a mistake had been made. That perhaps this wasn't a fight he wanted to pick. His instincts telling him to run as his pride rooted his feet to the floor.
Shaking his head, the old man stood his ground and just like that the boy vanished. The floors under him opened, swallowing him whole. The entire thing is as anticlimactic as one would assume such an event could be. The house had decided the boy was unwelcome. The old man wasn't sure what was to become of the boy, but he was sure the house would handle it.
Turning to the door he peeped at the startled and stunned face looking out from the glass visage. The girl, having witnessed what had just happened, seemed to be in a state of shock as the old man opened the door carefully pushing her aside. Taking her hand, he led her into the house letting the spirit of the house guide them.
Taking her to the living room, he noticed that the fireplace was already active, the flames dancing in the hearth casting shadows on the wall. He smiled and gestured for the young lady to sit down on the plush couch, which she did quickly enough. Her mouth quivered as she spoke.
"Mark he just"
She couldn't finish the sentence. What she saw was so fantastical Mark had been standing there sizing up the old man that was super imposing then Mark had just vanished almost like a void had opened and swallowed him whole.
"Yes that arrogant boy is gone, was his name Mark? Mark can't hurt you any longer."
The old man eyed the bruises on her that he could see, as she shivered at his gaze trying her best to cover up. Embarrassed and ashamed of how she had been treated. Though there was no denying she felt like she could relax and suddenly let her guard down. She didn't think this old man would do anything but protect her.
She felt safe as she finally let the breath she had been holding out. The world around her slightly melted as she cozied up on the couch. She suddenly felt sleepy, sleepier than she ever felt before. She rested her head on one of the ultra-plush soft pillows. Her eyes suddenly became so heavy as she blinked at the old man who seemed to have looked away from her instead focusing on the fire.
She was just going to take a quick nap. She was so tired, and a catnap sounded marvelous, she thought as she started to softly snore. The old man's attention went back to her as he shook his head. His voice came out in a soft whisper that wouldn't reach her ears.
"I guess you have chosen her hmm?"
He spoke to no one particular, but the house seemed to groan and squeak in response as Megan's dreams started. Her eyelids started to flutter and move about. The old man wondered what she dreamed about, perhaps he would even be given the chance to ask, but for now he would just watch over her like a sentient guardian which he guessed in this instance he was.
In her dream Megan stretched the nap having been everything she needed as she looked around for the old man. He wasn't around but she felt safe still even with him not there. There was something about the house she thought as her tummy rumbled and she got up off the couch. Her world was hazy as she made her way into the kitchen.