The Shadows

Marlena

Munster, Ireland

Someone touched my shoulder, "Em, we have landed time to get going," said Uncle Tony.

I looked out the window and it was night time. I felt stiff; I bent my back, stretched my legs and sighed. I scooped my bag and stood up. I was still disoriented but I started to walk. I got the feeling that someone was looking at me. I turned to my left; Gabe was staring. I ignored him. I should have changed to my ballet flats instead of these boots, my feet were killing me!

We landed at a run-down airport. The people in this place probably did not use it anymore. The buildings looked dilapidated and it was not well-lit like big airports. We waited in line together with a few passengers. After all the verifications, we waited for our ride. The other passengers took the airport's white mini bus. Then another one stopped in front of us.

"Is this the shuttle from the airport?" asked Maggie, "I don't have time to rummage my hand sanitizer in my bag you know!"

I wanted to roll my eyes but I decided not to. Uncle Tony ushered me to get in and I complied. I gave the driver a husky hello. I dreamt of traveling the world before, I did not know it was this tiring! I took a seat three rows away from the door and planted myself near the window. I placed my bag on the other seat so no one could sit beside me. I looked out the window, maybe there were trees outside? But I could not be sure because it was so dark. I gave up and closed my eyes.

I was not sleepy, I just wanted to calm my mind. I could hear Maggie's hand sanitizer opening and closing. Maybe she would not stop until the last drop.

"Where are we going, Uncle T?" Maggie asked.

"It's not that far, about an hour drive from here," Uncle Tony answered.

"An hour drive is not far for you?" Maggie asked. She was definitely testing Uncle Tony's patience.

"Try to sleep if you like," he said to dismiss Maggie.

After precisely an hour. Our bus stopped in a place where there was a road in the middle and both sides were trees. Where are we? We all stood up. The driver went out first followed by Uncle Tony.

"We have to go by foot from here," said Uncle Tony.

"What! It will ruin my Prada boots!" Maggie as usual.

I really hoped that it was not far of a walk; my boots were two inches high. It would really bring out the worse in me. We left our luggage in the minibus. The driver was nice enough to give us some extra torchlight.

We were walking for about three minutes now. I lost track of time. All I could feel was my boots sinking in soil and grass. My shoulder bag felt heavier by the minute.

"We are here," announced Uncle Tony.

"Here? Where?" Maggie asked, her voice sounded annoyed.

She was right, I could not see a thing either. All of a sudden there were lights, colorful Christmas lights. It was lined to follow the shape of the house. But I could not really see the house; I think it was painted black.

I could not tell how big the house was. I think we were only seeing the front side. The door opened and it illuminated us. A small man came out and I noticed he was wearing a hat. I find it weird because it was night time but who cares!

"Come in please," the small man said.

Uncle Tony was the first to walk and we followed. Inside, the foyer was painted in powder pink and white. There were wall lamps and a very beautiful crystal chandelier. It was like we were in a dream.

"My name is Elmo, I'm the manservant of the house," the small man introduced himself.

Maggie started, "Your name is Elmo? Where is the cookie monster? Big bird? Count Dracula?" Maggie just named the characters of Sesame Street!

"Maggie!" Uncle Tony stopped her; he gave her a warning look. This was Maggie in her best b***h mode. The butler just looked at Maggie like she was out of this world.

Elmo turned to Uncle Tony, "She's in the black door, straight ahead if you please," Elmo said as he pointed at the only black door in the hallway.

I did not notice it earlier; there were doors with different colors: red, yellow, blue and black. We walked on the carpeted floor. Yikes! We were leaving dirty shoe prints. Sorry, Elmo!

Uncle Tony turned the gold door knob then we entered the room. Someone was painting the walls. It was partially done; the effect was black and white tiles. There was a woman on a ladder who was wearing overalls with paint smudge on it. Her hair was in a bun. I think her hair color could be called a brunette? She sensed our presence and she glanced at us.

"Hi!" she said, smiling at us. She put down her brush in a pail of water.

"Working late?" asked Uncle Tony.

"Yeah, you know me," she responded, "I'm a mess! Did you eat already? I'll ask Elmo to prepare the dinner,"

"We can wait!" replied Uncle Tony.

Hmm, there was something weird about her and my uncle. Are they together? Well, it was none of my business.

I looked around the room to avoid the awkward moment. This room really looked familiar; I was thinking of where I saw it.

"Do you like it, Emerald?" the brunette asked. She knows my name?

"Yes!" was my only response.

"Do you know where I got my concept?" she asked again.

"I'm not sure, but it looks like it was from Disney's Alice in Wonderland, the Tim Burton film," I answered politely.

"You're good!" the brunette said, "It's the room where Alice eats and drinks something that makes her big and small."

"Right! How fascinating! Do we really have to listen to this conversation?" Maggie cut in.

"Ooh! So, I guess you're Maggie?" the woman asked. Maggie just brought her eyebrows up to her and the woman just smiled.

"Pardon me for the delay. Elmo will show you to the dining area," she announced.

"I'm going to wash," the woman continued. When she was at the door, she removed her hair bun. Making her beautiful hair down loose.

"Oops! I forgot my manners, I'm Marlena du Bois," then she left.

When we were seated in the dream-like dining room, I was in awe, it looked like the Madhatter's place in the movie. We were just waiting for Marlena, our host so we could start eating.

"Is she one of the elders? She looked young, like twenty-something?" Maggie commented about Marlena.

"Age is not one of the qualifications to be an elder," replied Uncle Tony

"Power is!" said Jared. I totally forgot about him and Gabe.

"She has powers?" Maggie asked, "Is she like an influential artist?"

Gabe smiled and shook his head, Jared snorted.

Jared continued, "Let me give you a hint, she can be a descendant of Merlin,"

"Who's Merlin?" Maggie asked astounded.

The dining room door opened. Marlena entered or so I think it was her. She was breath-taking. She was wearing a beige colored net-like dress. It was sparkling and like a second skin. The effect was that she looked naked. Alluring.

There was something about her though. I could not point it out. She was very charming. I was thinking of a better word for her. Bold, daring and bewitching? Is she a witch?

"Thank you for the compliment, Maggie. I like what you said about me being young and looking twenty," said Marlena as she batted her eyelashes at Maggie.

"It's not a compliment!" snapped Maggie.

"What is it then?" asked Marlena.

"It's just me analyzing you," Maggie said in her most bitchy tone. She even lifted her left eyebrow to make it worse.

"Oh, I didn't know you were that interested in me," said Marlena as she smiled at Maggie. It appeared to me like Marlena was luring her into a trap and Maggie was falling for it.

Maggie gave an insulting laugh, "What made you think that you're interesting?" I thought I should intervene.

I opened my mouth before Maggie got into trouble, "Um Marlena I've read about Irish coffee. I'm not a fan of coffee but I wanted to try it."

Marlena glanced at Maggie's face then smiled at me, "Yes dear, Elmo's Irish coffee is very delectable, would you like it strong?"

"Oh no, less whiskey please, thank you!" I answered nervously.

Elmo went out of the dining area. The servants started to bring the food.

"I wanted you to taste Irish stew. This is prepared with a twist you know, especially made by my French friend."

"How thoughtful of you," Uncle Tony said while he tasted the stew. The two boys were awfully quiet.

"I don't eat lamb!" declared Maggie all of a sudden.

We ignored her but Marlena was eyeing her. Elmo entered the room with my drink. He placed it in front of me. I smiled at him and said thank you.

I took a sip; it was a mixture of flavors in my mouth. I found the whiskey very strong, I grimaced. I was not a fan of alcohol! I guess this could be added to the things I do to save Maggie's ass!

I heard Maggie asked for a garden salad. Elmo looked at Marlena, she nodded and Elmo left the room. He came back with a very pretty salad. It was colorful and with apples. 

We ate while we listened to Marlena. She was endorsing the province to us. Like a tour guide, she told us where to go, what to see and I was all ears. I really wanted to see Ireland; I would be a willing tourist! She was stopped when Maggie yelped.

"That stupid midget put a lot of dressing in my salad. I'm on a diet and I..." she did not finish.

She flew from her chair; all of us were frozen in shock. She landed at the wall in front of Marlena. She was looking at Maggie intently. My cousin was plastered on the wall and she was teary-eyed.

Marlena started to speak, "I never thought that I would agree with Dasha about you. You're worse than garbage, excuse me for the word!" She stood up.

"Please remain seated!" she said to Uncle Tony when he started to stand.

I did not know what to do or how to react. Marlena started to walk towards Maggie.

"Dasha said you're a b***h, I did not trust her judgment. But now I know," she stopped two meters away from Maggie.

"You called my friend, Elmo, a stupid midget? How dare you!" Marlena said patiently.

"Elmo is a leprechaun and I don't think your tiny brain knows that!" Marlena continued, "Elmo can kill you but he didn't. So, here's what I can do for you..."

"One, I can reap you apart, two I can break all the glass in here and smash it all to you. Three, I can make you strangle yourself. Four..." I could not listen anymore. I stood up.

"Marlena, I'm really sorry for what Maggie said to..." Marlena pointed her finger to silence me.

"I want to show Margaret the reason why I'm chosen to be an elder. You see, I was bad tempered before but training helped me control my anger. I was ruthless, I showed no mercy. "The great black witch" as they called me before."

I looked at Maggie. A tear fell from her eyes down to her cheeks; she mouthed "help me", my eyes pooled in tears but I held it.

"So," she turned to Maggie, "What am I going to do with garbage like you?" Marlena gave a long sigh.

"Here's my decision, listen well to all of you!" She said, "Margaret will marry the vampire. She will join the damned in eternity. As for Emerald, she can go on with her life on the condition that she will keep our secret to herself. And she will visit me every year." Then she walked out of the room.

Maggie fell down screaming. Based on her fall, I was not sure if she could walk. Uncle Tony was beside her the moment she hit the ground. I was about to come near Margaret when a hand stopped me.

"Madame wants to see you before you leave," it was Elmo, "Follow me!"

I met Uncle Tony's eyes and he nodded.

Elmo brought me back in the hallway and ushered me to the yellow door. He knocked and said, "Marlena, she's here,"

"Let her in," I heard Marlena say from the inside. Elmo opened the door for me and closed it when I was inside.

The room was incredible. It was like a scene from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. It was full of fireflies! The floor was painted in green, giving a moss-like effect. The walls and ceiling were painted in black with sprinkled silver, making it look like the night sky. Marlena was seated in the middle, looking like a nymph.

"You like the room, I can tell!" Marlena said with a smile in her eyes.

"Yeah, it's like a scene from Shakespeare's play," I said while I walked towards her, "Did you make this?"

"Who else?" Marlena said proudly, "Anyway I don't want to cause a delay. Tony is a businessman, for him, time is gold. Summer, you will visit me here. The trees and the surroundings are all in vibrant colors. Go now, they are all waiting for you outside."

I smiled at her and waved, "Bye, see you!"

"Where are we going now?" Maggie asked.

We are now back in the company jet of Uncle Tony. He said it was under maintenance, that was the reason why we took a commercial flight to Ireland. Maggie was a little shaken. We always knew that she was a strong girl with a feisty attitude. She would forget what happened. I hope so.

"On the other side of the globe," Uncle Tony answered her.

He looked tired. Good thing though, this would be the last location that we had to go. It felt like I aged every other day when we flew. Jet-lag really got me.

"What exact country?" Maggie was so persistent.

"Japan." Uncle Tony said as he closed his eyes.

That was the most beautiful word that I heard today! Asia! The Philippines is near Japan. Finally!