"Strange Place : Haven House Part 1 "

Posted on Tue May 3rd, 2022 @ 10:41am by Jaclyn Morrison & Unawakened Kai Irving

Mission: Tales of the Unawakened
Location: Haven House - Edgerton, Wyoming
Timeline: Current

Haven House - Edgerton, Wyoming

Mrs Elwys led Jaclyn into the massive house. "Our workers as we told you, get to board here if you wish.. even your dog can stay. We have only 4 other employees here at the moment."

Jaclyn was not sure but she would give it a try. She had approached the Haven of Rest-food bank the day after their arrival. And had been surprised by the owner's instantaneous acceptance of a young girl looking for work while travelling across the country. She had confirmed the hours and the pay and when she asked Jac if she had a place to stay, she was shocked about her staying in her motorhome. And had insisted on showing her to Haven House.

“Four Employees?”

“Yes, three are male, one female. Men on the top floor, women on the second. We ask that genders remain like that so as not to cause issues.” Mrs Elwys said “Oh and of course we have Kai, she is our housekeeper.”

“Kai is the housekeeper, got it.” Jac’s neck was itching.

“Her room is on the ground floor off the kitchen.” the owner continued walking ahead into the large common room. “TV down here, kitchen at the back with the communal dining room off to the right.” She looked at the 16 year old. “Safer than staying in the Van Miss Morrison.”

Jaclyn nodded, choosing to agree for now. “I am not sure how long I will be staying as I said, my aunt is waiting for me in LA. But I know I need to work my way across.”

“You could have driven straight there” Monica Elwys studied her

“Yes, but my mother would roll over in her grave if I didn’t stop at certain things on my way. She always wanted to go to Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone. So I figured I would take my time, get some experience, and work my way around.” Her story was set and it didn't deviate at all.

“Well, if you are certain you can start tomorrow, from noon?”

Jac nodded. “Sounds good. I have my social security number and other documents, so I can complete the employment paperwork tonight.”

Monica beamed and nodded. “So, do we book you a room here?”

Jaclyn gave a slight nod. “Yes. Sounds good.”

“Then upstairs, second door on the left, the room has a staircase down to the ground floor so your puppy will be able to come and go that way.”

“Thank you Mrs Elwys.” Jac replied.

“I will go get the paperwork, just wait here,”

Jac nodded and wandered around the room. She paused when a smaller girl entered the room. She estimated the girl was around 12 or 13. “Hello,” she said softly.

“Hi,” the girl replied carefully.

“Ah Kai, good, you are here” Monica said coming back into the room. “This is Jaclyn Morrison, our newest employee. She will be in room 2 upstairs.”

“Yes Ma'am,” Kai replied.

Jaclyn kept her face straight. This kid was the housekeeper? What was going on here? But she took the paperwork and began filling it out.

“Kai, what are you cooking for dinner tonight?”

“Monday is Roast Chicken Ma’am. I just put it in the oven.”

“Good. Make sure it is ready on time. Let's not have a repeat of last night.”

“No, Ma’am.” replied Kai, her voice soft.

Jac finished the forms as quickly as she could and stood and handed them over to Mrs Elwys.

"Thank you Jaclyn. Kai here will show you to your room, and Kai, she has a pet so, be aware."

"Yes Ma'am."

Jaclyn nodded and the two teenagers watched Mrs Elwys leave the room.

Kai motioned to Jaclyn. “I will show you to your room” she said softly and headed for the stairs.

Jaclyn fell in behind her. “So, Mrs Elwys says that there are 4 other people here?”

Kai nodded. “Yes. Michael, Simon, Peter and Mary.”

Jac nodded at the names. “And what are they like?” she asked curiously.

“Ah... older” Kai said as they topped the stairs and she showed her to the room. “This is the room assigned to you.”

Jac entered the sparse room. And nodded. “Thank you Kai.”

“I know it's not much...”

Jac gave her a warm smile. “It's fine. I have a van I have been sleeping in. And to have a proper roof at least for a little while is better than nothing. I should go get my dog and gear.”

“I.. can assist if you like.”

Jac studied her carefully. “Kai, is that what you are meant to do?”

She nodded. “Yes”

“No, I will be fine, thank you.” Jac replied with a smile. And headed out to the car park and her van.

When she returned a short time later with one of her suitcases and Artemis on her leash, she found the room empty of people. She entered, and closed the door behind her. This was not as good as it looked, she could feel that. A child was the housekeeper and Mrs Elwys didn't seem to think that was weird.

Artemis sniffed around the room and Jaclyn opened the door to the small balcony, glad to see there was a small gate that would keep Artemis in as she was not a jumper. She left the door open and the gate closed. Then she unpacked the little she had brought from the car. She set up Artemis’s bed by the external door and then sat on the single bed.

A few weeks, then she would move on. Give her father time to shoot past her heading to the Canyon, he would know she would head there. Maybe she would double back head East for a bit. Or she could skip the canyon and head straight for LA... so many choices.

She was broken out of her thoughts by a knock on her door. Standing, Jac moved quickly, waving Artemis back to her bed with a hand. She opened it to find Kai standing there. “Hi Kai, is something wrong?”

“Dinner is at 6:00pm, I forgot to tell you.”

“All good I will be there..”

“Oh,,. dress neatly for it. Mrs Elwys has certain standards for meals...”

Jac nodded and stepped back waving Kai in. “Come on in Kai and tell me what I need to know.”

Kai glanced around and stepped inside. And closed the door behind her.

“So what do I need to know?” Jac asked.

“Meals are eaten as a group, at the table. No eating in the Living rooms or bedrooms. No shorts or tee-shirts to be worn when eating. No jeans. Slacks, skirts, not too short though and nice blouses or button downs, make sure your shoulders are covered. And they pray before all meals.”

Jaclyn was not religious at all, her family were catholic and yes she had gone to a Catholic private school, still did by correspondence but she was not that fussed on gods.
But she nodded. “Ah.. what if you are not religious?”

“Just bow your head and pretend. They won't ask you to do the prayer for a few weeks.” Kai said.

“When you say meals are eaten as a group?”

“All the people who stay here and Mr and Mrs Elwys.”

“But they do not live here right?”

Kai shook her head “No but they consider their staff family. So they eat here.”

“Do they have children?” Jac quiered.

“They have grown children, who live in other places.” Kai replied.

“Ok, then I will dress accordingly and see you at Dinner.”

Kai nodded and left Jaclyn there.

Jaclyn locked the door and headed for the shower, pausing, she turned and clicked her fingers. “Come on Artemis, let's wash you and pretty you up as well.”

tbc