He came out from the shadow of the tree and crossed his arms in front of her.
Alex didn't move. "How long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough to hear enough of your latest accusations," he said coldly.
Alex stood her ground "I'm not making it up, Lucas is afraid of him. Take a look at his sketches, talk to Sophie and maybe even watch the boy for five minutes and you'll see it."
Julian shook his head slowly. "Gregory has served this family loyaly for over twenty years, I don't believe he can harm my son."
Alex's blood boiled in anger. "He's a bloody snake," she snapped at him.
Before Julian could speak, a timid voice spoke suddenly from behind.
"Lucas hates Gregory."
They both turned in surprise. Sophie stood there with a defiant look on her face, as if daring them to doubt her.
"Lucas is scared of Gregory, and he hides anytime he sees him."
Julian said nothing, neither did he offer any more defense on Gregory's behalf. He looked at mother and daughter for a while, then he walked away.
Alex found it very hard to sleep that night, she was very disturbed and kept tossing about in bed. When she eventually managed to close her eyes, the nightmares came for her, dark and merciless.
She dreamt of a raging fire, ravaging through the estate, and destroying everything in its path. She dreamt of Lucas screaming from behind a locked door, trapped inside while she struggled to open it.
She woke with a jolt, sat up on the bed, and almost screamed in the darkness. Her door was open, and standing silently in the doorway was Lucas. He face looked very pale in the moonlight, but there was no fear in his eyes. He had his sketchbook in his hands, and soon he stretched it out to her.
She stood up carefully and went towards him, taking the sketchbook and patting him on the head. She flipped through the pages, aiming straight for the ending where his latest drawings was sure to be found.
The last drawing made her gasp and look at the boy again, meeting his gentle eyes. The drawing was of her, done in pencil and colored beautifully. Beside her was a drawing of himself too, he was standing beside her and holding her hand. It was the first time Lucas had ever drawn her that way… drawn together and not separate.
Lucas looked up at her with those innocent eyes of his, then he moved towards her slowly, and wrapped his arms around her. Alex hugged him back, and he leaned his head softly against her chest.
There was nothing left to say, She was really earning his trust, and it was a massive boost.
She would need it for the coming Storm.
…
Later that night, long after Lucas had slept, Alex decided to get herself some water. She opened her door slowly and headed for the kitchen, taking care not to disturb anyone.
As she walked past the library, she was startled by the sound of muffled voices. At first she wanted to keep going, thinking it was her imagination, but she paused a little longer. She approached on tip-toe, hiding behind the door and leaning in slightly. She wasn't wrong, she could clearly make out the voices of Madame Miller and Gregory arguing… but they were not alone.
"What do you mean she's too much trouble? Fucking get rid of her."
"We're doing everything we can, but she's too stubborn, and he's not helping issues."
"Does she suspect?"
"Not yet, but with her curious and snoopy nature, she's bound to start asking questions soon."
"You must make sure it never happens, do anything you need to do, but she must never find out."
Alex just stood there, listening as the three of them discussed, argued and schemed. It was definitely Madame Miller and Gregory, but the third voice remained a mystery to her. It wasn't remotely familiar, and that scared her even more. She knew for a fact that they were talking about her, but was so important to be kept hidden away from her. Did it have anything to do with the hidden door? Were they planning to rob the house? So many thoughts flashed through her head but she couldn't really pick an option.
She turned to go and then stumbled into something solid with a dull thud.
"Quick, someone's there Gregory, find them." Madame Miller whispered desperately.
"I thought you said all of them would be in bed and out of our way, how the hell is someone roaming about." The strange voice whispered angrily.
"Could have been a mouse," Madame Miller replied with irritation. "And do keep your voice down before you actually wake up the whole bloody house."
Gregory was now flashing a small torchlight inside the living room, scanning every corner like a stalking hunter. First he checked under every chair in the living room, then he checked behind the bookshelves before, and then the curtains before moving towards the kitchen.
Alex froze inside the kitchen cabinet as she saw him approach, certain that he could see her through the little hole she was peeping from. But right before he stepped fully into the kitchen, something startled him and he paused, glancing around nervously before finally retreating back to the library.
That was her chance.
Alex eased the cabinet open, and sneaked out of the kitchen. She quietly hid behind the nearest couch and surveyed the library area. Satisfied that they were not likely to be watching her, she bolted up the stairs like a terrified rabbit.
She paused by Sophie's room and tried to open it, but it was safely locked. She peered through the keyhole, and she could see Sophie's sleeping outline on the bed. She breathed a sigh of relief, and went into her room. Lucas was peacefully asleep, clutching his sketchbook close to his chest.
One question kept tugging at her for the rest of the night as she climbed into bed, who was the stranger in the house with Madame Miller and Gregory? And most importantly, what were they planning against her?