pretation or the goal of others to destroy one's reputation. The destruction of one's reputation could be said to have been

that she was inside she was planning on doing the same. The drapes were in mint green and surprisingly there was no wallpaper, the walls were instead painted with light peach-colored paint as far as she could tell. The inside was rather co

y asked Nicholas, worried. "Are y

d he as they inched closer to the living room arrange

was greatly missed during the party. She was far more prepared to meet so

ibrary with books many of which Emily had already read during her spare time that started six years ago. Six years ago, she remembered that year but not fondly. Opening the shelf case that conta

ese books were the property of the late Mrs. Hawthorne the titles alone are geared toward women rathe

extended to her writing during her secondary years. Having been out of the writing loop for years now, a thought came to her that maybe it was time to return and make a living out of it. These days, they no longer print chapters in the

hing," said Nicholas from behind her and n

riend," she replied turning

you re

eplied. "A l

d without hesitation offered her one. Taking it from him she was unsure she wanted to take a sip before s

in the house of someone you have yet to be introduced to." She s

snickered

e do you?" He asked and she shook

p drunk on the floor of someone else's home, that would

h Emily and Nicholas set down their glasses of wine on the

low and gaunt, his once tall frame was now hunched surprisingly his silver ha

t make sure you ring for me, I would

s a jovial fellow as opposed to men like her father who had been rather unaffectionate towards his family. She realized that while growing up she had sta

said, and she obeyed. "Like a su

sn't know what he's talking abo

he same time tried to c

d on the armchair. "Forgive me, I am Oliver Perciv

rk Harbor, Mr. Hawthorne

e shook it, his handshake was surpris

u, Emily," Hawthorne s

e Mr. Ha

oung man said ab

information she had received about him came from the Mortimer

n't told me anything about you in detail." She

spread around. He was the son of a fisherman and a homemaker and was taught at an early age how to fish and later sell in the town market. He had no formal education and was taught by his mother how to read and write which was also encouraged by his fisherman father. As soon as he turned fifteen, he started working in the local fish market when his family had com

eyebrows just as she started appl

ld be much longer

ore our guest."

your

r name, and what a dear girl she was and these are are all her books." He looked into the space

y who wondered if Nicholas thought she had b

ntly. "Ethan, Elena, and Egon." He

in without any of the smog that Dark Harbor had. The apartment she had grown up in had no affection despite being thankful that she had grown up sheltered, Hawthorne Heights was dif

his pocket watch from h

time are you planni

, it was three-thirty in the afternoon. "I'm planning on going now, it's go

'Oh you'll never get lost in the dark wi

d Emily to her host and the old man smiled. "A

and I designed this home though my wife did t

holas finished their glass of wine n

ride with me?" Ni

odded and they started t

she thought. Emily knew how to ride a horse, but she was far away from a jockey. The next thing she knew, t

es, Nicholas turne

ide a hors

c

you're riding

. She touched the horse on the side of his face and petted his head. She felt no fear in having to ride a ho

lly, it's shor

unconsciously while still a

things are beautif

from the strangeness of the family who have been very kind to her. Two, she understood now the reason as to why old Mr. Hawthorne did not attend the party in her honor, he had been too old,

y ca