Cinnaberry

Two a.m. and the small mountain valley had tucked itself in for the night. The sky, which was never one color, peered down upon the frozen night. One lone and crazed elk wandered the streets in search of love and food as all mammals tend to do.

Margot stealthily entered the mansion by way of a missing windowpane at the back of the house. She was not yet accustomed to the horrendous odor the house emitted. The source of the pungency had not been determined; however, Margot had planned to arm herself with some bleach and water this weekend to rid at least the servant’s quarters of the vomitous smell. In the meantime, dozens of cinnaberry car air fresheners would have to do the trick.

Margot undressed in the dark and looming silence of the hulking house and slid into the sleeping bag. Her eyes immediately shut out the world searching for a much lighter existence. Sleep would come easily tonight. The day had been filled with theory classes, meetings with advisors, and hours spend hammering on a keyboard perfecting the last assignments of the semester. The night was filled with coffee and conversations with Connor.