My Lonely Duke

Halloween- Part I

Hazel POV 

As I wake up, I keep my eyes still closed. I have left the balcony door open last night and I now thank myself for that. I could hear the magical sounds of morning. I have never realized that some things could make you smile without costing anything. 

The sound of the birds chirping outside, sound of the wind as it hits the curtain, the little cool air, the soft sunlight coming through touching the outlines of the door. I feel like I could lie all day on my bed and listen to these sounds and keep smiling. 

The room is getting darker and I am surprised by then sudden change, I open my eyes finally to look what has happened. As I rise up from the bed, I see the sun has gone behind the clouds now, the dark clouds. It didn’t feel like it would rain but I hear sound of lightening and hold the bed tightly. 

The sounds of birds is replaced by the sounds of drops of rain, the smell of fresh flowers is replaced by the smell of wet soil. 

I had plans to go outside today with my Grandma since Kathy has given me the day off. She has certain plans for Halloween which she didn’t tell me neither I asked. It already looked scary when she gave me the evil grin like I am supposed to understand. I gladly accepted the fact and took the day off. 

The weather has changed my mood, but I still want to go out in town. I have missed it a lot and would like to see what all has changed. 

I take a shower and change in my tank top, shorts and boots. I have put on a raincoat as I couldn’t think about carrying umbrella like most girls here do. 

Yeah I have changed, I don’t think I am a princess anymore and I don’t want people to notice me now. 

Maybe one day again I would be a princess, but to survive I have to buckle up and face the world even if it means getting in the mud. 

I take the stairs, sliding down and jump at the last step. 

I see that my Grandma is already dressed up and cooking me breakfast. 

I heard from Grandma that the fair isn’t far where we intend to go for shopping. Unlike me my Grandma isn’t dressed for rain. She should be taking care of her at this age but she is too busy in her social life. 

I frown looking at her as she tell me to start moving. 

“You don’t need raincoat?” I ask 

“Dear, Do you want it to keep raining?” She asks me back 

“Nope, I don’t want it to rain, we are supposed to shop” I say but is it of any use i think to myself 

As we open the door, I see the rain has stopped and my Grandma happily moves out. I just lower my cap not trusting the weather. 

“Too strange” I say 

As we reach the fair, it is very crowded, apparently many people have chosen today to shop too

“Dear, why don’t you look for what all you need, I have some things to buy myself” saying this she moves away 

Wow, I thought we would have some time together

I am looking at the shops when my eyes fall upon one of the necklace which is of blue and green color and I perk up. 

As I am about to touch it someone grabs my hand. 

It’s an old guy dress in a robe. it’s complete grey and his face is almost covered with it. 

I jerk my hand away while he smiles at me. 

“Finally you have arrived” he says 

“Who are you?” I ask 

“Your fate has led you back and you would be much closer to your destiny tonight” he says in a calm voice. 

I am little creeped out by what he means. 

“Okay” is all I say and turn back to look for my grandma 

when I turn back again, the man is gone. The place is too crowded to see clearly where he has gone so I drop the idea of looking for him. 

My Grandma is back with somethings in her back and is looking at me with worry. 

“Hazel Dear, I am sorry, I won’t be able to make it tonight” she says 

Ah again, I sign 

“But Dear, stay at home tonight okay. I don’t want you to go out after night falls. I would be back in morning I promise and we would go somewhere on weekend” she completes her sentence totally scaring me now. 

“Okay Grandma. I would like to rest too after so much work” I say regaining my search for the necklace which is now gone. 

I sign in frustrations and start looking for decorations and candies for the night. If I am staying at home I would spend the time decorating then making it scary for the kids. 

But then again, it feels like I should go out tonight. I don’t know why I feel this way but it’s like if I don’t I would regret it.