Bella Vita Read Online Free PDF Page A

the prophecy- m y prophecy- all laid out in tiny pictures. I looked at the small woman
who had shrunk in comparison to the door. She was searching for a
key on a massive key ring. Where did she
pull that from? I could tell that it
wasn't something she was used to doing often from her lack of
familiarity with the keys.
    “Ah, there you are.” She
said as she pulled a small plain iron key forward. From what I
could tell it wasn't anything special.
    The key fit the lock on the door with the
embrace of lovers reuniting. The lock gave the slightest click that
sounded almost like a sigh, and the door creaked open. I wanted to
stand and look at the door as much as possible, but the woman
pushed the door open and started talking to me.
    “My name is Elizabeth. This
room hasn't been opened since Bettina had it constructed. After she
had the vision of some prophecy, that I see you recognized on the
door, she had the room sealed until the bearer of this burden came
to her house. Now you've come to Bettina's house and she says it's
your burden, so this room has been opened for you. This will be
your lodgings. She'll come for you when you're needed. If you need
anything simply ask someone. I'm not sure what's in this room as it
was constructed before I came into service here. If there is
anything I can help you with right away then I'll be getting back
to my normal duties.” Elizabeth exhaled and looked at me
expectantly.
    “No, I'm fine. Thank you
for everything, Elizabeth.” I smiled and tried to sound nice, not
too sure if it worked.
    Elizabeth bowed slightly and then
disappeared back down the long hallway.
    I was slightly afraid of what I'd find when
I walked into the room, so I stood out in the hall debating on
going in or not.
    “The room won't bite.”
Bernard was standing to my left, he had a crooked smile on his
face.
    “I know, but if it was
built for me, what am I going to find?” I was unsure.
    “I can go with you, if you
need someone.” He held out his hand.
    I thought about it. This was my burden to
hold, not his. I needed to stop hiding behind others and face this
demon alone, or with the guidance I could get from someone that
knew about visions. “Thank you, Bernard, but I must face this
alone. I think it's the best thing for me.” I smiled at him and
walked to the doorway.
    “Miss Emma, I don't know if
there is light in there. Please take this.” He held out his hand
and a thick, cream colored candle appeared, he flicked his fingers
above the wick and it lit.
    I reached out my hand with my mouth hanging
open. “Eh, thanks.”
    “Betty keeps on a few
vampires with special gifts. If you need me, know I'm here.” He
winked and walked away.
    I held the candle and
touched the fire. Real flame. Wow. I walked toward the dark room and gripped the
candle tighter. It would've been better to
have a hand to hold through this. But I
knew this was something I had to do alone.
    The room had an
encompassing darkness. As I stepped in, the candle cast a small
golden circle of light around me. The air was surprisingly fresh-
not the musty scent of old things and dust. I tried to look around
for a light switch, only to find rows of candle holders. I walked
up to one and lit it from my candle. I heard a sudden whoosh and the rows of
candles lining the room all lit. My senses heightened at once. It
was scary to see something out of the movies- but nothing strange
happened. I realized that I was standing in a long
hallway.
    My feet felt heavy with
uncertainty, but I managed to take tentative steps down the hall.
There was a soft warm glow produced by the candles. The quiet
padding of my footfalls seemed to calm my fears. As I walked the
long hall, I found all the walls to be bare. Odd. Surely something should be here. I didn't stop to investigate any further. When I reached the
end of the hall, I found another thick door- it wasn't as elaborate
as the first one.
    Please let it be
unlocked. I sent my silent prayer to
whoever was