Haeven by S. M. Bowles Page B

much more expansive than I had
imagined. The foliage seemed to go on forever. I knew it was just
an illusion though made by the layout and design of the garden
itself. At one point we passed a magnificent pond hemmed in on one
side by ferns and tall grasses but completely open on the other
which was dotted with benches for relaxing after a morning jog or
perhaps an evening stroll.
    Eventually we came to what seemed the end of
the path but when I looked closely I noticed that there was a door
standing in the middle of it just a foot or so ahead of us. It had
a keypad just like the one at my apartment on the upper levels.
    A faint tremble of understanding ran through
me and though I knew it wasn't Herrik's apartment I knew that I was
very near to it. Artur stepped from behind me and punched a code
into the keypad. I heard the lock click and release then he jostled
the handle and pushed the door open.
    Avery went first and I nervously stepped in
behind him with Artur close on my heels. The entryway was quite
wide and bathed in the soft glow from the glass garden wall that
ran the entire length of the right side of the hallway. The left
side was decorated with various pictures and paintings and a large
elaborate mirror that was hung over a small accent table. The table
held a vase of dried flowers and beyond this few decorations the
apartment opened up into two large rooms.
    The room to the left was filled with plush
furniture arranged around a fireplace at the far end of the room.
It held all the traditional pieces – a couch, loveseat, matching
chairs and a flat screen TV. There were end tables and a leather
coffee table that could double as a settee if the need should ever
arise. Like Herrik's apartment there were no windows but curtains
were hung at appropriate points to suggest that there were.
    I took it all in then turned to my right.
That room seemed to be the office or study. There were several
comfortable pieces to sit or stretch out on and other functional
ones like a computer desk and chair. It was all very elegant and
sophisticated to my inexperienced eye and I was a little
overwhelmed knowing I was expected to live there.
    "Alone?" I wondered.
    The buzzer rang. "You should get that," Artur
softly smiled his expression hinting at an apology for his earlier
outburst.
    I took a deep breath, "Right," and slowly
moved away from where he and Avery were standing beside the boxes
of my belongings.
    I was accosted by Penny as soon as I opened
the door. She stooped and hugged me, "Surprise!" she said buoyant
and happy.
    I was surprised, too, after everything that
had so recently happened. I didn't expect to see her; I didn't
expect to see her ever again and certainly not to see her so happy
and without a touch of anger towards me.
    Then I saw Herrik directly behind her, "She
doesn't remember," his voice seemed to echo in my mind.
    "May we come in?" Penny asked.
    I shook my head, "Oh, yes," I stepped
aside.
    "This is for you," Herrik handed me a small
box, "it's not much but I wanted to be the first to welcome you to
your new," he paused, "apartment."
    With fumbling fingers I took the box from
him, "Thank you," I said then nervously looked away.
    "Aren't you going to open it?" Penny
asked.
    I glanced back at Herrik as he made his way
toward Artur and Avery. I felt awful for accepting the gift; I
didn't want it and knew full-well that I didn't deserve it after
what he had done for me and for Penny. I peeled the wrapping away
and opened the box. There were two silver candle holders in it.
    "Here, let me help," Penny took the box from
me so I could reach in and pull one out.
    They were somewhat puzzling to me and I
looked at Penny full of confusion.
    "They are like projectors. See," she took the
top off one. "The candle goes in here," she pointed, "then when you
light the candle and put the top back on it casts a shadow."
    I studied it for a minute, "Huh! That is
really cool!" I said a bit louder than I realized then