Chapter Two
October 17, 2023
7:13 PM
Donovan’s house, Westmoor Woods, West Hartford, Connecticut
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As soon as Corbin walks into the house, the door closes behind him. He jumps slightly when it clicks shut by itself. “Don’t be so jumpy,” Donovan says, hanging up his cloak on a hook by the door. “Things happen by themselves here a lot.” As he walks away, he mutters, “Hopefully, you won’t be here long enough to need to get used to it.” Corbin doesn’t hear him. He’s too busy looking around the house. The entry hall that they had walked into was made of dark, warm wood with a soft rug in the middle. A closet is on the right wall, near a flight of stairs that leads up. On the left, there was a closed door that leads to who-knows-where, and a hallway. Right in front of him is a table covered with various books and trinkets. On either side of the door are small, circular windows with thin curtains hanging around the sides. “What is this place?” Corbin asks quietly. He reaches out to pick up one of the books on the table, flipping through the pages. There are diagrams, notes scribbled in the margins, and recipes.
“This is Don’s house. I’m honestly surprised he brought you back here, he doesn’t normally open up his home to strangers, especially non-magical ones. But, he’s always had a small soft spot for children,” a soft, kind voice with a slight Southern drawl says from the hallway. An older woman with curly, grey, shoulder length hair steps into the entry hall. She looks like the kind of person that would make great pies. “Hello, dear,” she says with a smile. “Maebell, what are you telling him?” Donovan shouts from somewhere else in the house. “Nothing at all, Don. I’m bringing him to the kitchen for some food,” the woman, Maebell, calls back, her voice like windchimes. Corbin’s eyes widen, and he stares at Maebell with shock. “Aren’t you… weren’t you… isn’t Maebell a cat?” he finally asks, setting down the book. Maebell smiles and laughs lightly. “Well, yes. I’m Maebell, the cat. And the human. I’m Donovan’s familiar. His magic allows me to shift forms regularly,” Maebell says sweetly. Corbin nods slowly. “Uh-huh… sorry, this is a lot to take in,” Corbin says, still staring at Maebell blankly. “Mm-hmm, I know, darlin’. It’s a lot. Come on with me,” Maebell says, taking Corbin by the elbow and leading him down the hallway on the left.
Corbin follows behind Maebell as they walk down the hallway, turning a corner. They step into an open room, the main room of the house. In the back left corner is what looks like a living room-type area, and opposite it in the right corner is a kitchen. Between the two is a circular wooden table, with three chairs around it. In the living room, there is a large fireplace, crackling logs casting a warm glow on the two armchairs and sofa in front of it. A couple of books are stacked on top of the mantel, as well as a small clock and some decorative crystals. There is a small coffee table in front of the sofa, between it and the fire. There is a chess set, a game half-played on it. And, of course, more books. Most of the wall is covered in bookshelves, with trinkets and items on it as well. On a small table at the end of the bookshelf is a record table. A wooden crate under the table holds dozens of records, some new, some old, some really old. The kitchen counters are all made of white marble, and the cabinets are warm, dark wood. There is an oven and a stove, but no dishwasher or microwave. There is a window over the sink, looking out to the area behind the house. Corbin can’t see anything outside, the darkness too much of a contrast from the warm lighting of the house. There are two doors near the end of the counter, leading to a pantry. On the other side of the room, in the front right corner, is another hallway. There is a door to the left of the hallway, open slightly. It’s a bathroom.
“Why don’t you get washed up, and I’ll make you some food? You must be starvin’,” Maebell says, walking over to the kitchen. Corbin didn’t argue. He hadn’t eaten yet today, so he was quite hungry. He’d skipped breakfast, thinking he would eat a snack later. He’d never gotten a snack or lunch, because he’d been doing chores all afternoon. And then, well, he’d left the house before dinner. “Thank you, ma’am,” he says with a smile, walking over to the bathroom. “No need to call me ma’am, Corbin,” she says. “Maebell will do fine.” Corbin nods with a small smile and hurries into the bathroom.
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