The Devil's Brother

Sienna

After Giovanni left, I took a long, hot shower then decided to lie down and close my eyes for a few minutes. Now, as I open them in the almost pitch-black room, I realize I must have slept for hours.

I glance to the other side of the bed, but it's not been slept in. I wonder what time it is but there's no clock in this room. Pushing the covers back, I get up. I'm barefoot and the cold of the stone beneath the old carpet chills me.

I walk into the alcove thinking the walls must be three feet deep. I wonder if that's for insulation or protection in times past. I look out the window at the utter darkness outside. The almost complete stillness.

The moon is full, the wind a whistle that urges the clouds across the sky, the light an ominous silvery ghost-like thing spilling over the water and the hills.

I think if I look hard enough, I'll see ghosts out there.

Finding the latch, I push one of the heavy windows open and lean out. It's a cool night and I inhale the clean, fresh air.

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