~ Scene From A Mystery ~
Fate had orchestrated this fortunate chance encounter. Fate was also unfolding this less fortunate, convoluted chain of events. What was she to make of it? Where could she begin in an attempt to unravel this mystery? Why had Eric threatened her tonight? Why had he looked so strange? Why was she being followed and photographed, by a vested man? Was her life in danger? These thoughts were tumbling through her mind when she was startled back to the present by Jack, the man she just met, literally stumbling into him as she fled. He was returning to the room with pillows and a blanket.
“I will take the sofa tonight,” he said, “You’re completely burned out. I’m putting you in my room,” he continued in a kind and caring tone. “My bed is amazingly comfortable, and you need sleep, lots of good, deep sleep, it would appear.”
He reached down and softly took Grace’s hand, helping her to her feet. Gently bracing her arm, he escorted her down the hall, and into his room. Stopping just inside the door, he said, “you will be safe in here. We’ll talk in the morning, about everything you shared,” and he gave her a quick hug, stepped back into the hall, and closed the door.
Grace was grateful she’d met this kind person. She also realized there were too many questions to answer, too many unknowns, just too damned much to even think about right now. She certainly needed a safe shelter, and definitely sleep. “Yes, in the morning,” she mumbled to the closed door. Then, hugging her ringed leather bag, with the very mysterious envelope Eric had demanded, tucked safely inside… Grace shuffled across the room — and collapsed on the bed.
how does one make sense of it
best let it unfold
*
rob kistner © 2022
More haibuns at: dVerse
Ah fate. Nice one Rob.
Happy Monday
Much????love
Thanks Gillena… much love my friend! 🙂
Ah yes, the mysterious absent back story; excellent foray and teaser. It was dark enough that I expected Jack to be a Ripper. Good stylistic change up for you; Mr Natural meets Mickey Spillane.
No, Jack was, in this moment, shelter for Grace. But Eric, that is a most strangely different case. This is a reworked section of a SciFi novella from years ago, that I never finished — and likely never will. I have 5 unfinished SciFi novellas. I lose interest and drift away, so into the ADD forest I wander. The song from Sarah that I posted with this, offers insight into Eric. A long poem is about as long as I can effectively hold my attention on a on a particular subject. What is fascinating to me is, I can hyper focus for hours, writing or downing my art pieces, even forgetting to eat, drink, sleep — gets me in distressful situations at times. Oh well… 🙂
A dark brilliant story that expounds on the haiku. I enjoyed it. It would make a great opening few paragraphs to a novel. Puzzle the reader a bit, but lure them in.
Thank you Nitin, that is what I envisioned… 🙂
A great story!
Thank you Carol… 🙂
Wise haiku on the end. The puzzle we cannot solve, but only watch unfold. Thank you for this wisdom.
Thank you for the kind words K… 🙂
well done, Rob. Fine prose and excellent haiku. 🙂
Thank you so much Bill I appreciate your kind words.
This is a wonderful story with more mysteries to be unveiled tomorrow… maybe the beginning of a novel
Thank you Bjorn, pleased you liked it my friend… 🙂
Hoping for a haibun continuation on this one, Rob. An engaging mystery, indeed. Sarah M. song….one of my old favourites.
Thank you Mish… 🙂 I have lived with variations of this story wrapped around my soul for years. At least a dozen restarts similar to this one — even journeyed a couple chapters in, but I get distracted and there it idles.
Wow, Rob! This is like an intense scene from a drama novel. You had me hooked!
~David
Glad it drew you in David… 🙂
Okay, where’s the next chapter?
Love this, Rob!
We will have to see Sara… 😉