Chapter 1

"Where do you want this sir?" the scruffy mover asked me as he held the multi pattern lamp in his large hand.

"Be careful with that," I said to him. "It's worth more then you make in a year. Just put it there on that table."

The man rolled his eyes, uncaring to what I just said to him. That lamp was priceless, a symbol to my good fortune at the law firm I work in. I had been on a lucky role, won many high profile cases that netted me a nice sum of money and allowed me to upgrade my way of life. I bought a new house in the outskirts of New York City, gorgeous furniture and two new cars. Life had been good to me and all I could see was the top.

I walked through the dimly lit hallway and saw at the grand purchase I just made. I felt good about myself; I made it from a poor kid from midtown New York to a big time hotshot lawyer in the greatest city in the world.

Rain chattered on the rooftop; thunder and lightning followed as I walked through the house. I opened every door, peeked inside the rooms and saw what is in them. I made a mental note to myself to get furniture for them as I moved on the next.

I reached the den. Pair of large, hand carved wooden doors was locked. I remembered the key the realtor had given me and I dug in my pockets for them. I fiddled with it and opened the door.

It was immaculate. The room had stayed with its old 19th century furniture. Only the modern lamps were any signs of technology in it. I walked around, tried each of the five hand crafted lamps and only the last one in a far corner table turns on. I made another note to myself to get more light bulbs.

I walked to the large wall covering bookshelves. Classic books filled the shelves as I read the titles. I heard the rain splatter on the large windows. I walked over to them and looked out the rain-covered windows. A small patio stood on the other side of the large door like windows. I smiled and nodded, "I love this place."

The crackle of lightning lit up the room. I looked away and noticed a painting of a lady on the wall. I walked up to it and the lighting was not good enough for me to see who it was.

I went back to the working lamp to change the bulb. It was hot so I took off my t-shirt and unscrewed it. I walked back to the lamp nearest the painting and screwed the working bulb back on for more lighting on the painting.

She was gorgeous. I mean an exquisite looking lady. She had a rosy colored skin and lovely crimson red lips. Her eyes were a beautiful blue, piercing with a loving smile to soften them.

The dress looked from the early forty's and she was just an adorable woman. Her bosom formed into white globes, pressed together to form a magnificent cleavage. The light blue, like her eyes, dress fell just below her knees. It hugged her cello like figure perfectly. The eyes on the painting mesmerized me.

I caught myself as I stared at her, at the painting. Thoughts ran through my head, none of them made sense but I just shook it off as weariness. I was tired and needed to sleep soon. I turned the light off and walked out. Before I closed the door I looked back at the painting but the room was too dark to really see her lovely face. Lightning lit the sky and the room. It allowed me one final glance at her features. "Beautiful," I mumbled as I closed the door behind me.

The day had been long, all the furniture had been settled and all I had to do was unpack the boxes. I am too tired to continue so I decided to go to bed. I took a warm shower and enjoyed the hot water break up the tenseness in my muscles. I needed that shower, and I know my body and mind will welcome the sleep.

I walked out of the shower and opened the window a little to get some fresh air. The warm summer night was wonderful out there, no smog, no pollution, and no sirens blared like in New York City.

I climbed into bed, smiling at my good fortune. I turned off the lights and rolled over under the covers. I was fast asleep while the night breeze chilled the room. Comfortable.

"What the hell was that?" I woke up, standing straight up in the bed. A howling noise filled the entire house as I looked around the room. "Man! There aren't any wolves out here?

"There it is again?" I said to myself. I reached by my bed; I always kept an aluminum bat nearby. I raised it as I walked towards the door.