Page 23 of Kings & Carnage

"It's right behind the house," Daisy said. "It's not running as fast as in the spring when all the snow melts, but when it's quiet you'll still be able to hear it. The locals like to swim under it in the summer. There's a lot less partying in the winter obviously, but I'd still be careful with the electricity.”

We climbed the snow-covered steps of the front porch and huddled around the front door while Daisy inserted the key. The cold had woken me up and I was eager to see where we would be staying.

She shimmied the key in the lock and the door swung open. "There are snow shovels and other tools in the back shed," she said. "But I don't know if you want to shovel the walk and make it obvious that someone's living here. Might be better to let it be even though it’ll be a pain to come and go.”

"We won't be doing a lot of coming and going," Rock said.

We followed her inside, me first with the Kings at my back, and I let my gaze travel up a long winding staircase, over the old plaster walls, and up to the triple-height ceiling, a dusty chandelier hanging from an ornate plaster medallion.

The floors were black-and-white checkered marble and the grand foyer was flanked on either side by shadowed cavernous rooms.

"Wow," I said. "This place is amazing.”

"It belonged to my mother's family," Daisy said. There was something wistful in her voice and I turned to see her gazing at our surroundings with an unreadable expression.

"It's beautiful," I said. "When was it built?”

"In the late 1800s," Daisy said, setting the key on some kind of table that was covered with a sheet. "My great-grandfather was one of the early settlers of Blackwell Falls.”

"Wow," I said.

"You’re welcome to use the whole house of course," Daisy said. “But I was thinking on the drive up here that you might want to stick to the third floor. It was originally built as servants’ quarters so there’s a small kitchen up there, plus bathrooms and bedrooms. It's not as fancy as the first two floors but you'll have some warning if someone discovers you here. Also, my grandfather had fire escapes installed at the back of the house when regulations changed in the early 1900s, so that gives you another way out.”

"Sounds perfect," Neo said.

"Let's start there then," Daisy said, heading for the stairs.

She led us up the winding staircase and I trailed my hand along the dusty mahogany banister. We passed the second floor without stopping and continued to the third.

Daisy was right: it wasn't as fancy as the first two floors, but as an emergency refuge went, we could have done a lot worse.

The house was huge and the third floor alone had eight bedrooms and three bathrooms Daisy said had been added in the early 1900s. The kitchen was small but serviceable, complete with an old refrigerator that was half the size of the refrigerator in the Kings’ house.

I was glad we’d bought the coolers as backup storage but at least there was a refrigerator.

The old furniture was covered with dust cloths but Daisy said it would all be usable, if a little worn. She was warm and thoughtful and had even brought sheets, towels, and a few things for the kitchen.

I had no idea why she was helping us but I had a feeling the story was an interesting one.

After Daisy had shown us around the third floor we went outside to unload the cars. Daisy and I carried the sheets and towels while the Kings took the heavier stuff, including the coolers full of ice and food, which Neo and Rock carried up three flights of stairs as if they were nothing.

"Is there anything else I can do for you before I go?" Daisy asked.

"I don't think so," Neo said. "We really appreciate this, Daisy.”

"It's the least I can do," she said. "I hope you’re all comfortable here for as long as you need it. I'll come back and check on you in a few days but you can also call if you need anything.”

"We owe you big," Oscar said.

She shook her head. "I'd say we’re about even." She looked at me. "It was nice to meet you, Willa."

I was dying to know what kind of exchange made Daisy feel like she owed the Kings such a big favor, but it seemed rude to ask.

“It was nice to meet you too." I meant it. I had a feeling that if we’d had the time to get to know each other we would have become fast friends.

She turned to go, then seemed to remember something.

“Don't forget what I said about the electricity. There's nothing for miles out here,” she said. “If you light the house at night, there's a good chance someone will notice. And don't forget about the falls. You’re at the top of it and the cliff comes up fast, so be careful outside, especially at night."

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