The House That Light Forgot
Prologue
It had been years since last, and he had nearly forgotten the place,
its existence neatly cleansing itself from his mind. But here he was,
one letter from a long lost correspondence prompting his hurried return.
Duo Maxwell shook his unruly bangs back, sending small waves through
the chestnut brown hair he customarily kept in a braid. The rope pooled
into a coil on the seat beside him, giving him a small amount of
comfort as his anticipation grew. Nefura- the name was etched in his
memory, as deeply as it was on the gates that marked his entrance into
the manor. He shifted in his seat, the chauffeur eyeing him sharply, as
if gauging his nervousness.
Nefura. Recognition swept into Duo's violet eyes, even as he noticed
the differences in the lands around him. The property had gone to rot
in the years he had been away, vines and weeds overtaking the once
proud gardens. He had played here as a child, running through manicured
lawns and exotic flora that just wasn't there any more. He remembered
all the now decaying plants, remembered the fountains and stone statues
they were now growing on.
Then, suddenly, the house he had spent most of his childhood in came
into view, peaking out amidst brambles of once majestic plants. Even
Nefura Manor had gone into decay, the stones looking weary and worn
out. The shutters of the sprawling, Victorian residence seemed as
though about to fall off, and the whole place looked as if uncleaned
for years. He remembered his life here, carefree days spent roaming in
the sun. Now, though, it seemed as though Nefura was the house that
light itself forgot. Decrepit, monotonous...Duo could barely identify
this place now as the site of his upbringing.
The white bmw stopped suddenly, outside the ornate doorway of the
house, and Duo stepped out of the car as the door was opened for him.
Making sure some one was taking care of his luggage, what meager amount
he had bought with him, he stepped up to the doorway. Before he even
knocked it started to open, and he found himself face to face with the
man who had called him back.
"I've been waiting for you."
"Heero." Duo eyed the speaker, taking in the similarities and
differences between the man before him and the boy he used to play
with. "It's been too long."