Unexpectedly Expected

         Riley Simmons never thought that she would be spared another humiliating family reunion by an invitation from a mysterious persona. Hell, anything beat having Granma Gigi asking when she was going to be seeing some grand babies. Her female relatives all seemed to be in some relationship or another. To be single was to stand out like a green thumb. At least it caught aunt Gigi's attention. Her mother never helped, she seemed to go along with it. No, that was something she could live without to be sure. This unexpected godsend was her excuse to bow out gracefully. Saying she had a previous engagement she couldn't pass up.

         Riley was totally unprepared when she pulled up to Sebastian Court to nearly run smack into hedges that appeared in the middle of the road. Considering there wasn't any other vegetation made it stand out all the more. Curiosity peaked when she got out her jeep to examine what seemed to be a miniature door built right into the hedges themselves. The door itself appeared to be that found on a doll house. Upon further investigation, the door was large enough for an average person to pass through. She entered into a seemingly empty courtyard. The only outdoor adornment was a marble phoenix water fountain. It was a very quaint space to be in. The fountain only added to the intrigue of the summoning. She looked the courtyard over but not detect what exactly she was expected to do from this point in the game. The only inclination was in the letter she mysteriously received. Even that reached a moot point. It simply read E. Long island drive. Sebastian Court. 129. Signed, J.K.

          If nothing else appealed to her, the initials did the trick. There was just a certain mystique to it all that appealed to her senses. Somehow, whoever had orchestrated all this, went to the trouble of inviting her. She was more than content to play along. Whatever was going on here. A little further in led to a little cottage that forked off to a much larger two story abode. Feeling watched, Riley glanced at the main house and realized someone was watching her from the second floor. Someone had indeed noticed her arrival. She could only guess at what that would entail. Deciding to get it over with, she went up to the front door and knocked soundly. Noting whoever observed her instantly retreated from their lookout position.

          She waited patiently as whoever was inside decided on letting her in or not. Fifteen minutes determined the affirmative and the door opened to allow entrance. Crossing the threshold, felt like a minor victory. She was sure things would go a lot smoother from here on in. Not seeing who let in, she gazed around the interior and found it to her liking. While seeming imposing on the outside, it really had a homey touch to it on the inside. She sat herself down on a lounge chair in what she took for the living room. Hearing rustling from a nearby room she left to investigate. Turning the corner led her to be a home office. Some interloper already making quick of it. Ransacking papers and shuffling things around, the intruder turned to notice her there at last. A brief awkward pause filled the room then. Just as quickly it was broken as the would be prowler introduced himself.

         ''Ah, hello there, my dear. Sorry to have startled you. I was looking for something I may have misplaced''. Really? Riley questioned dubiously. ''My name is Arthur Post, I seem to be a guest in this questionable dwelling. I don't believe I caught a name Miss-

         ''Uh, Riley, Simmons. I don't seem to know the reason I'm here at all. You said you were a guest as well?''

         ''Quite right, all this intrigue with J.K., something doesn't fit right. I aim to find out what is going on here. You're welcome to join me.''

''Oh, well, I guess it would be a good place to start. I am curious why we're both here. I haven't seen anyone else around.''

         ''Neither have I. I suspect it may just be the two of us my dear.'' He commented as he continued to investigate the office space. Riley checked the window by the desk but couldn't find any hint of anyone else that might be out there.

          ''Still it all seems rather silly to just invite two people to such an interesting place. It doesn't really make any sense. Why go to the trouble at all if there's no one to reciprocate the gesture? It doesn't add up at all.'' She glanced at Post to see he had averted his attention to investigating the desk itself now. Feeling it for any secret compartments that may be concealed from sight.

''No idea really, but I assume our host, this J.K. person is behind this. Whenever they feel the need to reveal themselves, they will do so in their own good time.'' He continued with his perusal of the small working space.

          Turning at a slight sound they glanced at each other before seeing that an envelope had been left for them. Puzzled, for neither had noticed anyone dropping it off or exiting. Arthur picked it up first. Inside there was a black rook piece from a chess set. As well as a miniature of a crying child. The only other thing contained inside was a short missive- Through a child's tears speaks the truth. And just below that, where one is found, so will others dwell.

         Arthur was first to set to action. ''Well my dear, the game is afoot.'' So saying, he dashed out into the hallway and disappeared. Picking up the strange message, she looked at it once more before following suite. Whatever was going on it was definitely worth investigating. Cryptic messages were much preferred over family reunions any day. She headed into the library to begin her quest for answers. One had to start somewhere after all. Somewhere in this house lay the answer she sought and she would find it.

Unexpectedly Expected   (E) When an unexpected turn leads to interesting results. words-1,021 #2032564 by BlueMoon