CHAPTER 2: MAGNUS
I was waiting for a taxi because some public transportation don't drive over the Calligarius residence.
My expression lit up when a taxi driver agree to take me there but he's expression was so confused and pale but I just ignore it anyway. Are they that dangerous? Tskk, is that how powerful family works in society?
"Are you sure about this address, ma'am?" asked the taxi driver, his worried expression visible in the rearview mirror. "Yes, is there a problem? Don't you know this address?" I asked politely.
"No, it's just that...no one really goes to the Calligarius residence. It's been abandoned for a while, and...it's quite far," he replied, making me feel uneasy.
"Really? How far is it?" I asked, and he paused before answering.
"I'll drop you off near there. We're not allowed to enter the area, and it's really scary...but ma'am, are you sure that's the right address for your new job?" he asked again, making my anxiety spike.
"Hey, don't say it like that. This is the address, okay?" I insisted, trying to sound confident. He finally stopped asking if I was sure, but I could sense his skepticism.
The taxi driver dropped me off, and the taxi sped away. I swallowed hard as I realized I was surrounded by trees and darkness. I jumped and felt a surge of fear when I heard the crows cawing and flying overhead. The air was thick with the scent of old moss and wood. I wanted to turn back, feeling like I was being watched, and the atmosphere was eerie. I glanced around, feeling like someone was following me, but whenever I looked, there was no one there.
I steeled myself and took a deep breath, but my feet seemed rooted to the spot when I saw the large, moss-covered black gate. I approached it, and my heart skipped a beat as it swung open by itself, as if expecting a visitor. I walked through the gate, and my heart pounded louder as it closed behind me. "Shems, I want to go home," I whispered to myself, but as I looked around, the sky grew darker, and a light rain began to fall.
I had no choice but to run towards the massive mansion and take shelter under the large double door at the entrance. I was nervous, but I knocked on the door anyway. There was no answer, and no signs indicated that this was indeed the Calligarius residence. Now I understood why the taxi driver had reacted that way. I was scared, and it was getting dark.
I pulled out my phone from my bag, and my fear intensified when I saw there was no signal. I tried to find a higher spot, but unfortunately, there was no signal at all.
I forced myself to swallow my fear. I could barely see anything around me, and it made me even more anxious. I took a deep breath and knocked again, but there was still no answer. I decided to open the door, and to my surprise, it swung open. I was shocked to find the interior of the mansion pitch black. I turned on my phone's flashlight and stepped inside, jumping in surprise as the door behind me slammed shut.
"What's going on...do gates and doors just open and close on their own?" I muttered to myself, looking around nervously.
I felt a surge of relief when I spotted a man lying on a wooden chair. I frowned, noticing how pale he was, and he seemed to be holding his breath. I approached him to get a closer look, and I was taken aback by how he looked – just a few years older than me. He was dressed in a black uniform, and his red hair was striking against his pale skin. His pants were folded up to his right knee.
As I drew closer, I noticed his skin was deathly pale, like he wasn't alive. "H-hello? Are you awake?" I asked the man, but he didn't respond or move. I placed a hand on his shoulder and gently shook him, but there was no reaction. I took his hand, and I recoiled, shocked by how cold it was. I panicked, feeling no pulse. My eyes widened, and I shook him again. "S-sir...you're not dead, are you? Sir, wake up..." I said, growing more frantic.
I decided to press my ear against his chest to see if I could hear a heartbeat.
I was startled as someone suddenly pulled me, and our positions were reversed. The man woke up, and he was now on top of me, pinning my hands down. My eyes widened as I stared at him, "How? How did you...I didn't feel you breathing earlier? What are you?" I asked, almost incoherently.
He glared at me, his eyes was a piercing grey. "You're too talkative! You saw I was sleeping, didn't you?" he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. He suddenly got off me, clutching his head in pain. "What's happening?" I asked, but stopped as I noticed something was off about him.
He looked up at me, his eyes flashing with anger. Without warning, he was in front of me, and I thought he was going to strangle me, but he suddenly pulled his hand back.
"Why are you here? Who told you to enter!" He retorted like he wasn't aware of my arrival. I suddenly remember that aunt Eleonor send letter here at this residence beforehand.
"I-I was here....to pay my families debt" I politely said, the madness and annoyance was still visible in his face. I was about to get near him and ask him but he suddenly took the nearest vase then slam it on the floor.
The sound of shattering glass filled the air, and I winced, covering my ears as I sat on the floor. "Don't come near me! Damn it! You...are you sure about this!?" he growled, his eyes piercing into mine. I noticed his chest was heaving, like he was struggling to breathe.
"I am certain...is this the Calligarius residence?" I asked and I want to clarify everything.
He stood up and he gently stroke the strands of his red hair. "Celine? Yes...it is the Calligarius residence, you must be the old man's granddaughter he was talking about" he said that made me curious.
"He...told you about me?" I repeated, an annoyance drifted from his face and he just move his index finger up and down signaling as a nodd.
He walked through the staircase and I observe the interior layout of the mansion and I am curious why didn't he open the light.
I bit my lower lip when I hit my foot on the nearest table and it hurts so well. He keeps on Walking upstairs as I was still touching every steps, afraid that any moment I might fall and break my leg.
When I was touching the next step my head bumped into something hard. I raised my head to see ut but I can't because everything was dark and he didn't even try to open the light.
I got curious and offended. Thinking that they can let other people owes them a millions when they cant afford electricity?
I got shocked when he talked. "We have electricity but I was lazy to turn it on, you have flashlight... don't you? Why don't you use it instead of touching every step before you move your foot?" He said sarcastically.
I was annoyed, but I held myself back, especially since he could be one of my bosses. He was intimidating, not just because of his cold voice, but also his demeanor and the way he spoke. Add to that his pale skin and movements, and he was downright scary.
"You knew my name.... don't you, Mr?" I said expecting him to reply back but he kept walking towards a corridor and I just followed him obediently.
I didn't expect him to answer but just a few minutes afterwards he decided to gave his name. "Magnus"