Simple After Dark

Someone was watching her.

That was the uneasy feeling that came over Lila as she looked out the library window for the third time that afternoon.

The hairs on the back of her nape stood straight with unwanted anxiety as she tried to focus on the old oak bookshelf.

Her eyes strained against the shadows dancing across the worn binding of the books.

Lila spent most of her afternoons in this spot, enjoying the soft quiet this back part of the library offered. She usually found comfort in looking out at the forest, watching the wind rustle the trees; it was peaceful.

A small smile touched her face, she was grateful to have the position of maintaining and organizing the library. Lila was blessed to have had a mother who knew how to read and write. She had taught her everything she needed to learn in order to get a good position in a lord household.

Putting down her duster and walking up to the window, she sat on the cushioned bench and leaned back. She missed her mother, she had died a few years back and she had been lucky enough to get the position here in the secluded mountains. The lord liked to be as far away from society as possible which worked fine for Lila. She was a simple women with a love for books and quiet afternoons.

Although today she felt there was more excitement especially with the feeling that someone was watching her. Her amber eyes cautiously scanned around the edge of the property; a look of worry crossed her brow - still no sign of a person or any living being - but she could still feel someone watching her.

She pulled her knees up to her chest and leaned back, silently scanning the tree line. She might as well take a break. Her shoulders were stiff from adding the last firewood into the hearth after the noon meal. She relaxed back against the cushions and let out a content sigh letting her eyes close. She had a content life, every day was the same a nice routine for her to follow through.

Life was simple

She got more comfortable into the window bench seat. Although the property was safe enough during the day, no one went out after dark. The Lord forbade anyone from leaving the property once the sun set for the day. That was the one really odd thing about this position. It was a live in position so she had her own small room in the bottom sleeping quarters for the maids, but no one was really supposed to go outside after dark.

The mansion was tucked away deep in the forest, away from nearby towns. The Lord was constantly worried over various issues, and he required his privacy. There were many rules here and even though Lila didn’t really see any need to go out after the sun set she did think it was odd.

Lila had guessed it was to dieter maids and butlers getting together for a quick roll in the sheets. The lord really did like his privacy and that was the only reason she could think he was so adamant about the staff leaving their sleeping quarters after the sun had set.

She looked outside again and guessed by the sun's angle she had about two, maybe three hours before the sunset.

She shook her head and sat up, looking again into the forest. She was being silly; the idea that someone would be watching her was absurd. She tried over a dozen times to convince herself today that the feeling was her imagination..., but at that moment, something suddenly felt off.

An overwhelming feeling that she wasn't the only one looking through the window crept up her spine. She got closer and tried to spot anything to ease her sense of worry - a person or some movement - but nothing.

Nothing suggested she was being watched, but she stared into the woods.

However...

She couldn't look away. A thin fog started rolling in as the last sun descended from above. She swore her mind was playing tricks on her. The shadows began to dance, and her eyes grew tired.

She was thinking it was a good time to start getting ready to retire for the evening when she thought she saw movement out of the corner of her eye.

A figure?

She watched the person-like shape in the fog before it disappeared completely. Letting out a soft gasp, she jumped off the seat and backed up before she ran out of the library. She didn't imagine it. Someone was watching her. She picked up her pace and rounded the last corner before slowing down to catch her breath. She stopped and leaned back against the wall.

Why?

She was ordinary, the brown of her hair was dull, her eyes were hazel but plain, and although she knew she was not ugly, she wouldn't exactly call herself beautiful.

It wasn't clear, and she didn't know what to make of it. Her mind kept playing back the shadow while she walked into her small room. She slowly leaned against the old dresser on the way to her bed. The door closed behind her softly, and she crawled into bed—the same question rattled through her mind.

Why?

She had finished everything for the day, she would double her efforts tomorrow and button down what she might have missed today. Her head was to preoccupied with that question just rattling through her mind.

She would admit she was smart, maybe they wanted her to read or write something for them. That thought was weak and she knew it but she just didn’t have an answer. Tonight she would lay on her bed and think of the figure she saw.

For the first time in her life she was going to bed unsure of what the next day would bring it felt like her everyday life was about to be thrown and she couldn’t explain the feeling. She slowly got ready for bed and anxiously crawled into the covers. Something was changing, and she didn’t think she was going to have a choice in the matter.

Lila closed her eyes and tried to not feel like someone was still watching her. She opened her eyes and looked around the small room

Empty

Still she couldn’t shake that feeling that even here, someone was watching her.