The Lost

Chapter 1: Inheritance

The light surrounds me, all encompassing. What should bring me comfort only brings me terror. My eyes start to burn as I cover my face and duck down. Terror overcomes me and I start to cry. The light feels like it's growing hotter as I awaken with a scream. I sit up, wiping away tears as I fight to stop crying. Stupid so stupid. Fear of the light isn't a burden that was supposed to be mine to carry. It was my mom's but she's gone now and I can't seem to let it go with her. Her fear clings to me even after her death. I glance around the dingy apartment, trying to shake the dream off and let out a sigh. I wait another moment before rolling out of bed and heading to the bathroom. Sookie, my calico cat, follows behind me like something is going to attack me in the dimly lit room.

I climb into the shower and briskly wash away the dream. I laugh when I see Sookie is showering with me her brown eyes watching mine with concern. I ignore the look and climb out of the shower and dry off. I tie my white hair into a bun and slide on my work uniform before feeding Sookie and grabbing my wallet. I slide on the knee high boots and cover my grey eyes with sunglasses before walking out the door. The last thing I hear is Sookie mewling a goodbye to me.

Two hours later

Laughter and conversations fill the air as I walk into the dressing room of my small family. The women look up as I walk in and hand them their tips. They smile at me in their various stages of undress and I smile back as I hand the last of the tips out. While the exotic dancers got their own tips I have jars set up on the bar to collect more for them throughout the night. They did all the work after all. I love the people here even if I hated the town.

I'm walking out the door, into the hallway, when the male dressing room door opens and my bestie, Kit flies out with a grin on his face. His rainbow colored hair is cut at an angle and his crop top and yellow skirt scream happy. He throws his arm around me and I look up at him.

"Don't forget you got that meeting with the lawyer." He must feel my shoulders stiffen up because he clutches me closer and speaks again. "It's been two weeks Fallon. You need to hear the reading of her will and he agreed to meet here since you don't go out during the day." My mind flashes back to the dream and I shudder then straighten my shoulders as Kit drops his arms. Mom's issues are not mine. I just have to keep telling myself that.

"Ok Kit. Let's go see if the lawyer is here." Kit smiles and bows.

"Yes milady." I laugh and we head out to the bar and the lawyer. He's wearing a striped suit as he looks strictly down at the bar as we walk over to him. I know it's him because of the go to hell hat he told Kit he would be wearing. I sit down beside him and he looks up at me with wide eyes and flushed cheeks. I can tell he'd never been to a strip club before.

"Why don't we go into my office?" He nods quickly and enthusiastically.

.........

The lawyer, Mr.Geld settles in a chair as Kit shuts the door and comes to stand beside me at the desk. He raises a brow but speaks to me.

"Fallon Sawyer, I know your mother's death was a surprise but I'm going to cut to the chase in light of extenuating circumstances." Unsure of what he means I lean forward on the desk as he continues. "You have interhited a 200 acre estate with residents. Along with a trust fund of 1 million dollars that you inherit on your 25 birthday in five days along with another million for the upkeep of the estate." Kit reaches out and grasps my hand. "However, you have to be on the premises by your birthday or you get nothing." Kit squeezes my hand and I realize I should say something but my mind is going crazy. Money yeah but an estate? People I don't know? Move in by my birthday? I start to shake as Kit kneels down beside me and grasps my face.