Trusting a Stranger
Jonathan looked up from his newspaper, looked around the small cabin. Was he imagining things again?
Knock knock knock.
No, that was quite real. He grabbed his cane and walked to the door, turned on the porch light. When he peered through the view hole, he saw an angel.
The tulips in his garden were swaying in a light breeze behind her, but their colours seemed a little washed out somehow. The girl looked up at him, locking eyes as if there were no door in the way. Her mouth was drawn up in concentration, neither smiling nor frowning, though her eyes were wide and kind. She was wearing some kind of light-brown scout uniform, complete with a vest and a skirt. He opened the door.
"May I help you?"
"Sorry to bother you, sir, but I'm afraid I am quite lost."
He stared a moment before gathering his wits. "Yes, of course. Would you like to come in?" She bowed her head slightly and followed him inside.
There was a small table near the kitchen with two wooden chairs. One was piled up with mail and magazines, and those he placed on a counter to make room before offering her a seat. She sank into the seat and leaned back, looking like she might fall asleep.
"Would you like some tea?"
"Yes, please. I got lost from my group, and my mobile doesn't have any signal here. What city is this?"
"Nearest city's Mountain Ash, but that's a long hike from here, and bad to drive in the dark. There's a phone on the counter there... sorry, under the stuff that was on the chair." She got up and uncovered the old rotary phone. She looked up a number on her mobile, then dialed it quickly on the old phone. He brought two cups of tea and sat down.
"Hello, it's me, Lucy. Yes, yes, I'm fine. Sorry, we got separated, and I was completely lost by the time I thought to phone, and then I had no signal. I'm outside Mountain Ash, apparently... yes, a kind man let me use his phone. What? Well, I've no idea. I'll ask him." She held the phone away from her ear and covered the mouthpiece.
"Do you think there's any way I might impose on you to spend the night?"
Jonathan opened his mouth, shut it again, and stared for a moment. "I don't know if that's such a good idea..."
"You did say it's a bad drive in the dark..." She held eye contact and waited.
"I suppose I have no choice then. I can take you into town in the morning."
"Hello? Yes, I can stay here tonight. I'll call when we head into town tomorrow. Yes, I'll be quite all right. Thanks, good night." She hung up the phone.
"Are you hungry? I was going to heat up some leftover spaghetti for dinner. I should have enough for two."
Her eyes lit up a little. "That would be lovely. Thanks." He got up and started dinner preparations. She put her arms on the table and rested her head on them. When he looked over a few minutes later, she was fast asleep.
What is with this situation? he thought. Surely they shouldn't let her stay the night with some stranger. They could hire a helicopter, or something. He looked over at her sleeping face and quickly looked away. She didn't look older than ten. And her face, those eyes... she was beautiful. He remembered he was cooking and just saved the leftovers from burning. Much.
When he set the two dishes on the table, she sniffed a bit and slowly lifted her head. She eyed the plate with wonder, like she hadn't eaten in days. They ate in silence while he tried to think of something to talk about and finally gave up, which is when she spoke up.
"I know I'm imposing on you. I don't mind sleeping on the floor."
"Nonsense. I can sleep on the floor. I can't have a guest sleeping on the floor. I'll put on clean sheets for you. The floor is good for my back once in a while anyway." She smiled and nodded.
He finished eating, cleared the plates, showed her to his book collection, and set about getting her bed ready, and then his sleeping bag.
"Everything is set up. You're welcome to stay up if you like, but I'm turning in."
She closed the book she was reading and put it back on the shelf. "I'm quite worn out, thanks."
He made sure she was comfortable, turned off the light, and settled into his sleeping bag. Before he had time to think much, he was asleep.
* * *
Light was coming in through the window. Jonathan blinked. Something was different. There was a warmth on his back. He looked over his shoulder, and the warmth stirred. "Good morning," it said.
"What are you doing?"
"It was cold." She yawned.
"It's much too dangerous to go sleeping next to strangers, you know."
She sat up. "I should say the same to you, letting a stranger you know nothing about into your house. Looks can be deceiving, you know."
The phone call. The ease at which she'd dialed the ancient phone... he sat up.
"Yes, the phone call was quite fake."
"Who are you?" He put his hand to his chest. Something seemed off.
"Of course, you did nothing wrong. You passed surprisingly well."
It was too quiet. His chest. Oh, there was no heartbeat. Somehow this didn't trouble him like it ought to. "Death?"
"Very good. Close enough, anyway."
"I... I passed?"
"You wouldn't believe how some people treat me. And you... you weren't even condescending."
He bowed a little, and she kissed his forehead. "Time to go." He reached up to stroke her hair, and saw through his hand a little. Then he waved good-bye.