The week after my graduation, I accepted a job to care for an elderly couple, Miriam and James Alcott, in Europe. Both were in their 80s and worried about each other's health. The pay was generous, and I saw it as an opportunity to work with interesting clients while potentially advancing my research.
Upon landing, I was busy getting Theo settled when I heard someone call my name. A middle-aged man stood at the terminal with a sign bearing my name. "Miss Delaney, over here. I'm Roy Culstable, here on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Alcott."
I walked over, keeping a firm grip on Theo's leash. The Alcotts hadn't mentioned anyone picking me up, but I appreciated it nonetheless. Roy shook my hand, grabbed my luggage, and ushered me to a waiting car. "Miss Delaney, I've heard nothing but good things about you," he said, his thick accent mispronouncing my name.
"This is Theo—he's like my child," I said with a chuckle. Roy laughed loudly, drawing curious stares from passersby.
As we left the airport, the city quickly faded, giving way to quiet farmland and rolling hills. Roy informed me the ride would be over four hours, so I settled in for the journey. He turned on the radio, and I caught a news story about missing women in the area and a possible trafficking ring. A mother pleading for the safe return of her daughter made me uneasy, but I tried to shake off the feeling.
About an hour before reaching Belmore Manor, Theo started whining, signaling he needed to relieve himself. When I asked Roy to stop, he insisted we push on, assuring me we were nearly there. But Theo's whining grew louder and more frantic, and Roy finally pulled over. Before I could stop him, Theo bolted from the car and raced into the nearby village.
"Theo!" I shouted, chasing after him. The village was eerily quiet, with the only sign of life a church with its doors slightly ajar. Following Theo's paw prints, I entered the church, where I found an elderly woman muttering prayers before a large object covered in a black cloth.
"Have you seen a dog? He's lost," I asked, but the woman didn't respond. Instead, she stood, collected her belongings, and slowly passed me, muttering, "You shouldn't be here. You don't belong. GET OUT NOW! WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW WILL KILL YOU, GIRL!" Her scream sent a chill down my spine.
Confused and unsettled, I exited the church and was met by a group of older men, some of whom were holding rifles. "MISS DELANEY! I HAVE THEO!" Roy called, rushing toward me with Theo in his arms. The men quickly scattered, vanishing into the shadows.
I grabbed Theo and scolded him, anxious to return to the car before it got too dark. "Roy, who were those people?" I asked.
"They're the locals, Miss Delaney. Savages, all of them. Leeching off the Alcott's generosity," Roy said, dismissing my concern. He turned the radio back on, and we drove on in silence.
When we finally arrived at Belmore Manor, a large gate opened for us, revealing a long, torch-lit road that wound through the woods. The estate looked like something out of a fairy tale, and I couldn't help but feel a little awed as we arrived at the massive house.
Outside stood a group of five women, three men, and the Alcott's. Mrs. Alcott greeted me warmly, though I was a little nervous about the looming empty seat at the head of the table. "Our son, Victor, was supposed to join us, but work has kept him busy."
"Is he your only child?" I asked, and Mrs. Alcott nodded solemnly. She pointed to a painting on the mantel, showing the Alcott family with three children. "My youngest son and daughter died in a boating accident when they were very young. It's been just Victor, Harold, and me for many years now."
She paused, then added, "You wouldn't mind evaluating Victor when he's in town, would you?"
"Of course," I replied, trying not to let my sadness for their loss show. Mrs. Alcott smiled, patted my hand, and assured me I'd love it there.
After a lovely dinner—roasted duck, potatoes, carrots, and rhubarb pie—I was shown to my room. It was larger than my apartment, complete with a private bathroom, closet, and a terrace overlooking the grounds. The woods beyond were dimly lit by flickering torches, and I could hear the rustling of trees in the breeze.
Theo quickly curled up on the silk sheets, and I climbed into bed, trying to shake off the unease. But around 3 a.m., I was jolted awake by Theo's low growls. I rubbed my eyes and reached for my glasses, only to find them missing. Theo was at the foot of the bed, staring at something in the corner of the room.
I froze, unable to move as a dark figure shifted near the door. Theo's growls turned to barks as he backed up, positioning himself between me and whatever was in the corner. I wanted to scream, but my voice caught in my throat. Just as the figure moved toward me, my phone lit up on the ground, illuminating the room. Suddenly, the figure lunged, and I screamed, but everything went black.
I woke up to sunlight streaming through the curtains, drenched in sweat and aching in my shoulder. I stood in front of the mirror, confused by the purple bruise forming on my shoulder. What had happened last night? I could barely remember the nightmare—if it even was a nightmare.
After a quick breakfast with Mr. Alcott, who was sipping his turmeric and green tea, I made my way downstairs. Roy informed me that breakfast would be served shortly, and as I headed to the dining room, I heard the familiar hum of conversation.
"Miss Delaney," Roy said. "Breakfast will be ready in fifteen minutes. Please, take a seat at the table when you're ready."
As I sat down, I glanced at the door as Mr. Alcott excused himself to answer a knock. Something about this place felt off, but I tried to push aside the unsettling feelings that lingered from the previous night.