The Footsteps of my Father

Chapter Three

-The Connor Estate -

Brianna didn't remember walking far, or becoming unconscious, but when she awoke she realized that she was in Central Park. A foot of snow covered the grounds and she was lying in a pavilion, a dirty shoe lying a little distance away from her feet. She looked over and could see the snow swirling outside. The wind gusted, chilling her to the bone and she rubbed her arms, trying to keep warm. Her clothes weren't much of a barrier between her and the cold wind. Brianna rubbed her hands, which were red from the cold and then pulled up her knees and hugged them, resting her chin on them. She felt a few tears trickle down her cheeks. I don't want to see that doctor! I'm not crazy. But what was happening? All those strange things; I can't even give a logical explanation for them, and I doubt some loony doctor can either.

Brianna glanced out at the snow. What she really needed was a cup of hot chocolate. She couldn't feel her fingers, or toes anymore, and her face was beginning to numb. She shivered. I really should get up, but I just can't. And I don't want to go home. They'll take me to that doctor, and then I'll get locked up in a loony bin, like some crazy person. Blackness swirled in front of her eyes as her eyelids drooped. Sleep was beginning to overtake her, and she wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing. She tried to move her hand to rub her face to keep her awake, but she couldn't. Darkness filled her vision and she collapsed onto the snow covered floor.

"Love, I don't think she is going to make it."

"Sarah, please, be confident. She is probably much stronger than she appears."

"The poor thing, I wonder why she was out there in the snow, and look at her clothes! Gabriel, we need to get her into warmer clothes."

"Some of your things may fit her. I'll go find something."

Brianna numbly felt warm hands touching her face. "You poor darling, you are like a block of ice."

"Here, I found one of your jumpers and a pair of thick trousers. They were in the trunk with some of your older school things."

"Good, good, now give them to me and I'll put them on her."

"Very well. I will go into the kitchen and get some water boiling to make some of that tea that you make. It will be sure to warm her up."

"Thank you."

Brianna could hardly feel a thing, and her eyelids felt like rocks. She knew that the woman whose voice she was hearing was clothing her, but she couldn't move. Unconsciousness swept over her and she fell into a deep sleep.

What only seemed like moments later, she felt herself being propped up and a mug of something hot near her lips. "Here, love, drink this. It will do you some good." British accents? Since when were we in England?

She managed to open her mouth slightly and a warm, soothing liquid poured down her throat. She swallowed, coughing slightly. Almost immediately, feeling began to come back to her limbs as the liquid filled her entire body, warming her instantly. The cup was taken away and she felt someone lay her back down.

"Rest. You will be better soon," a woman's voice said warmly.

Brianna nodded slightly and, with the warmth from the liquid, sleep overcame her.

* ~~ *~~ *

When Brianna regained consciousness, she opened her eyes slowly, sitting up. She looked around the room, her eyes widening. On the wall in front of her was a huge fireplace, with a fire roaring in the hearth, the stone mantel covered in evergreens, ready for Christmas. A large tapestry hung above the mantel of a huge, stone castle, with many towers, grassy fields stretched out around it. A beautiful lake could be seen behind the castle and the sky was bright blue. Brianna looked around the room. Mahogany bookshelves filled most of the walls. Two large, gothic windows were situated at either end of the room that nearly reached the ceiling; they were so tall and wide. Light poured in through the windows and she could see the snow swirling outside. She looked down at where she was lying and found that it was a large, black leather couch. Several plush, burgundy pillows had been placed behind her, where she had rested her head moments ago.

Brianna looked down at the clothes she was wearing, which were quite comfortable. The sweater was a dark gray and had a V-neck. Around the neck was a white stripe with a blue stripe on either side. The pants that she wore looked black in the light from the fire.

Brianna looked around, spotting a table, next to the couch, which had a cup of steaming liquid sitting on it. There was a note beside it. Brianna turned her body, which felt immensely better, and picked up the note.

When you awake, drink this. It will help you regain your strength. When you feel ready to move, just come into the sitting room, which is just through the double-doors behind you.

Brianna set down the note and picked up the mug. It smelled pleasantly of herbs. What if it's poison? Brianna immediately shut out that stupid notion. Of course not, what are you thinking! Think, Brianna; if these people were trying to poison you, they would have done so earlier, or they would have just left you in the snow.

After that realization, Brianna lifted the cup to her lips and drank deeply. It tasted very sweet and the hot liquid felt good. Almost instantly, strength did, indeed, begin to return to her. She set down the cup and swung her legs off the couch. Holding onto the armrest for support, she stood shakily. She looked down at her feet, realizing that she was only wearing thick gray socks, but they were very soft.

There was a beautiful carpet in front of the fireplace, on which she stood. Gold fringes lined either end. Wherever she was, these people were certainly not poor. Brianna had never seen this much wealth in one room in her entire life. Where am I?

Brianna cautiously stepped towards the two large, oak doors in the back of the room, the fireplace behind her. As she neared the doors, they swung open. Her eyes widened and she knew that she should feel very nervous, but for some reason, she was very calm. It was almost as if she had seen doors open like this before, but that would be impossible. She had spent her entire life in the apartment, with her parents. Her parents! Oh no, they must be so worried! Brianna began to feel horrible. I need to find them! First I've got to find these people that helped me. They've got to have a phone.

Brianna looked around the large room that she had just entered. The high ceiling was arched and a large Gothic window stood on the far wall. She gasped quietly, looking at the view. The snow was lightly falling now and a large yard spread out, covered with sparkling white snow. There were snow-covered evergreens off to the left and right. And in the distance were snow-capped mountains, which had a slightly bluish tint to them in the sun. It's so beautiful! But this is definitely not New York...

"I see you have awakened. Good." Brianna looked over to the right where another fireplace was situated. There was a dark green, plush couch facing the fireplace and sitting in a high-backed chair was a man in a long black robe, reading a book, which he had just laid down on his lap. He had dark brown hair and wore half-moon glasses. He smiled, and Brianna knew that he was a bit older than he looked. He stood, placing the book down on the chair. He was very tall, nearly two heads taller. "I am Gabriel Conner, and this is my home," he said warmly in a British accent. Brianna immediately felt at ease with the man and she smiled.

"My name is Brianna Olsen. You found me?" she asked.

He nodded. "Indeed, we did. I am glad that we found you when we did, or I do not think you would be standing here, talking," he said with a smile.

"No, I don't think so."

"Oh, good, you are awake! We were so worried!" someone exclaimed in a British accent. Brianna turned around to see a woman standing behind her. The woman was about a head taller than Brianna and had a very warm smile on her face. Her hair was styled neatly and she wore an emerald-green robe. There were few lines on her face, and Brianna couldn't tell how old the woman was, but she couldn't have been that old. The woman's bright blue eyes sparkled in the light from the fire. "I see that my old school things fit you nicely. Do you feel any better?"

Brianna nodded. "Oh yeah, and much warmer." They seem nice...but I don't know them...maybe if I just play along, it'll be okay. They are, after all, strangers. Who knows what could happen?

The woman smiled. "Good. I am Sarah Conner, and I see you have met Gabriel."

"Sarah, this is Brianna," Gabriel introduced. Sarah nodded.

"That view is amazing. Where are we?" Brianna asked, motioning to the outside view.

Gabriel walked over to Sarah and the both looked at her, smiling. "Well, Brianna, you are at the Conner Estate," Gabriel said. "We found you nearly frozen to death, and we brought you here to nurse you back to health."

Brianna nodded. "Thank you so much. You've been really great, but I should probably be getting home. My parents will be very worried. Do you have a phone I could use?"

"Oh, of course they will be worried," Sarah said, nodding. "We will get you home very soon. There are a few matters that we must attend to currently, but then we will take you home. But I'm afraid we don't have a phone here. We do have the post, however, and you could write a letter to them. It will be sent immediately and I promise, it will reach your parents quickly."

Brianna opened her mouth to say that she had to get home immediately, but then she closed her mouth. These people were being very kind and generous, though she was quite confused. They don't have a phone? But they're so rich, I'd think that would be a given. And how does she know the letter will get to my family so fast? Must be some sort of fast mail or something that rich people use. All she said was, "Thank you."

Gabriel smiled. "Here we are." He walked over to a table that was sitting in between two tall mahogany bookshelves. He motioned for her to come over and she did. He gestured to a piece of parchment and a quill. "Write to them and we will have it sent off immediately."

Brianna looked at the items curiously. No pens or pencils? Huh, maybe this was the way rich people write to each other. "Thank you." She quickly dipped the quill in the ink bottle and began writing on the parchment.

Mom, Dad, Maria, Terrance,

I'll be home soon. Don't worry, I'm fine. Gabriel and Sarah Conner, two really nice people, are letting me stay in their manor at the time being. They have some things to do at the moment, but they said that they would bring me home as soon as possible. So please, don't worry. I'm healthy, clothed, and I feel really comfortable here. I'm not sure where exactly I am; the state, I mean; but I don't think it's really that far. The view is amazing though. Mom, you'd go wild to see it. There are mountains! It's so beautiful! Well, I'm going to get going, but I just wanted to let you know I'm fine and I'm safe, so that you didn't worry. See you soon!

Love,

Brianna

Brianna blew on the parchment, the ink drying rather quickly. There were quite a few splotches from the ink on the parchment, but she could still read what she had written. She rolled it up and handed it to Gabriel. "We will send this," he said, smiling.

"Thank you." Brianna looked around. "I really don't know what to say. This place is so amazing."

Sarah smiled. "I am glad that you find it attractive. We try to keep it very nice."

"You do a great job."

"Thank you," Sarah said, smiling. "Well, I am sure that you are very hungry. Come with me and I will fix you something to eat." Brianna nodded and Sarah looked at Gabriel. "Once you have owled that letter, come join us in the dining hall."

Gabriel nodded. "I will."

"'Owled'?" Brianna asked in confusion.

"She means the Owl Post," Gabriel said. At the look of bewilderment on Brianna's face, he continued, "The Owl Post is how we send our letters."

"Oh," Brianna said. Huh, weird, but I guess that's what rich people use to send their letters. Strange name though; Owl Post. I guess you learn new things every day.

With a nod, Gabriel left the sitting room and Sarah motioned for Brianna to follow her. Brianna walked behind Sarah as they walked through a large entrance hall. High above was a crystal chandelier and a large, winding, marble staircase wound upwards from the center of the room. The floor was tiled, and they shone. Two large, double oak doors stood in front of the stairs, obviously the entrance into the manor, with two large Gothic windows framing them. Brianna followed Sarah past the stairs and through a large archway into a large dining hall. The walls were covered with tapestries, some of people, and some just for decoration. Down the middle of the long oak table was a bough of evergreens with sparkling ornaments on it. Another crystal chandelier hung above the table. High backed chairs lined the tables with red, plush seats and at the far end of the table two settings had been placed, each with steaming bowls of soup. Sarah led Brianna over to these settings and they sat down.

"How did you get this soup here already?" Brianna asked.

Sarah smiled. "I knew that we would be eating soon, so I made sure there was food ready."

Brianna nodded and lifted her spoon, dipping it into the creamy soup. It smelled wonderful, and when she tasted the soup, it tasted as good as it smelled. "This is delicious!" Brianna exclaimed.

"Yes, our cooks can do wonders," Sarah said, smiling.

Brianna's eyebrows rose. "Cooks? You have more than one?"

Sarah smiled. "Yes, love. We have many occasions where we must have many dishes made very promptly, so we have more than one cook."

Brianna nodded, her amazement clearly written all over her face. Cooks! Wow, that's so cool! "How do you clean all this?"

Sarah laughed. "Others clean the manor, Brianna. With work and all, we do not have much time to clean or cook."

"Wow." If her eyes could have widened further, they would have. My god...this is just... unreal.

Sarah smiled.

"I noticed your accents. Are you British?"

Sarah nodded. "Yes, we are. You are very observant."

Brianna smiled, slightly blushing. "I just noticed your accents."

Sarah smiled warmly. "Well, I hope you make yourself right at home."

Brianna nodded. "I will. Thanks so much. I really appreciate this."

"May I ask, and I do not mean to intrude," Sarah said slowly, "but why were you out there in the cold, and with barely enough clothes to cover a hand, much less a girl."

"I, well -" Brianna said uncomfortably. These people were nice, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to tell them her whole life story.

"If it makes you uncomfortable, love, you do not have to tell me. You have to forgive my curiosity. Gabriel says that I have enough curiosity to fill the entire manor," Sarah said, smiling.

Brianna laughed. She suddenly had a sense of ease again and somehow, she knew she could trust these people. "Well, you see, I live in what you would call the slums of New York City, but its home to me. . ."

Brianna began to tell Sarah everything that had happened up until the day that they had found her. When she was finished, Sarah sat back.

"That is quite a story, Brianna," Sarah said.

"You don't think I'm a weirdo or anything, do you?" Brianna asked, suddenly scared that Sarah would throw her out on the street.

Sarah laughed. "Of course I do not think you are a 'weirdo' as you so bluntly put it; rather, I don't think it is something to fear at all."

"My parents don't think so. They think I have to go see Dr. Nemon. I don't want to be some stupid lab rat!"

"Of course not, love. Do not worry, your parents are just doing what they think is the right thing to do. I think that you should go along with it for now," Sarah said, a smile on her face that looked like she was hiding something, but Brianna wasn't about to accuse her of anything.

"But what if they lock me up?"

"They will not, I can assure you of that. I know Dr. Nemon, and he will know exactly what the reason is behind all those odd occurrences."

Brianna looked at her curiously. "You know Dr. Nemon?"

Sarah nodded, smiling that secretive smile again. "Yes, very well."

"Well, I guess, if you're sure he's not going to put me in a padded cell, I'll go along with what my parents want me to do."

Sarah smiled. "You are a good child, Brianna. Your parents are very lucky to have a child like you."

Brianna could feel her face turn red. "Thank you," she managed.

"Well, I have an idea. After you finish your soup, we'll go for a ride together around the grounds, shall we?"

Brianna nodded, grinning. "Cool." She quickly finished the delicious soup, which warmed her completely.

Sarah took her into what had to be Sarah's bedroom and opened the closet. She pulled out a dark blue robe and handed it to Brianna. It was very heavy and looked warm. "Thanks," Brianna said.

"Do not mention it, Brianna," Sarah said, pulling on a thicker emerald-green robe. She handed Brianna a pair of boots and gray gloves, and Brianna put them on. Sarah pulled on similar boots and gloves, and they headed down the spiral stairs to a back door. As they walked down the long hall, Brianna could have sworn that she had seen one of the pictures move, but that was impossible. She figured that she still had to be getting over the shock of the cold, but she wasn't sure. She didn't say anything to Sarah, because then Sarah would think she was a loony for sure.

They stepped outside into the lightly falling snow. The air was crisp and cool and it felt refreshing. Brianna took a deep breath and smiled. She followed Sarah through a path in the sparkling snow around a corner of the manor and what she saw made her eyes go wide.

Just around the corner was an open carriage with two gleaming white horses harnessed to it. "Wow," was all Brianna could say. She chuckled. "I seem to be saying that a lot."

Sarah smiled and walked over to the carriage. She motioned for Brianna to climb up, and she did. She sat down on the comfortable red cushioned seat, leaning back against the arched back of the carriage. Sarah sat down across from her, her back to the horses. She made a very soft sound and the carriage began moving. Brianna's eyes widened. "You don't even have to lead them?"

Sarah smiled. "No. They are very well trained."

"I'd say. That's really cool."

They sat in silence as the carriage pulled out into an open field. Brianna looked behind her at the manor and her eyes widened. "Wow," she said softly. The stone manor spread out behind them; a few towers spaced around the manor. The windows shone in the bright sunlight. It was so beautiful and so huge! I have never seen anything like this in my entire life! It's so cool! If we're still in New York, well, we can't be. There's no possible way something like this could exist anywhere near the city. Maybe it's by the mountains. That would explain why I can see mountains in the distance.

"What city is this in?" Brianna asked, turning back to face Sarah.

Sarah shifted uncomfortably. "Well, you see, we are not in a specific city. You could say we are in the country."

"Oh," Brianna said, wondering why Sarah was so uncomfortable about saying where they were, but she didn't press it. They had been kind enough to take Brianna in; Brianna didn't want to make them uncomfortable and regret that they had helped her. "So, when will Gabriel be back?" she asked, changing the subject.

Sarah immediately looked more comfortable. She smiled. "He will be back for supper. He had to go into the city for work."

Brianna nodded. "What does he do?"

"He's a doctor."

Brianna's eyebrows lifted. "That's cool. So he works in New York City?"

"Yes. Are you cold at all?"

"What? Oh, not really."

"No matter." Sarah reached down and opened a small compartment underneath her seat. She pulled out a tray that had two steaming cups on it. Brianna's eyes widened. Where did that come from? Sarah smiled and held out the tray.

"How did you do that?" Brianna asked, taking the steaming cup of cocoa. Sarah just smiled, taking her cup, and putting the tray down on the seat next to her. Brianna shook her head, smiling. "You keep surprising me."

Sarah smiled. "Do you like your cocoa?"

Brianna took a sip of the warm liquid. "Delicious."

"Good." Sarah took a sip of her own cocoa. "It is a secret recipe, tuned over the years to be even better."

Brianna smiled. "Well, I think it's perfect."

Sarah smiled. "Thank you."

"Welcome," Brianna said, taking a sip of her cocoa. She was quiet as she looked at the woods that they had just entered. The snow had fallen perfectly, so that it covered every single branch. It was very magical.

As they came out of the forest, they passed by a large open field. The mountains loomed in the distance, much closer now than before. The snow had stopped falling and everything shone in the bright sunlight. Brianna sighed, leaning back. It's so calming here. I wish I could stay here forever and bring my family too.. Then she scolded herself. Don't think thoughts that will never come true. Just more dreams that you wish would come true.

"You are really lucky. I would give anything to live in a place like this," Brianna said.

"Yes, we are," Sarah said, looking at the mountains. "It is quite beautiful."

As they rounded a corner of the manor, the mountains disappeared out of sight. The carriage stopped. "So soon?"

Sarah smiled. "It is close to supper time. Gabriel should be back."

Brianna glanced back at the edge of the woods and thought she saw something flash through them. She looked closer and watched as a white horse galloped out of the woods, heading towards the open field. Was that a - no, it couldn't have been. I could have sworn that that was a unicorn, but that was impossible . . . wasn't it?

"Sarah -" Brianna said, but the horse, or whatever it had been, was gone.

"Yes?"

"Never mind," Brianna said softly. She turned around and hopped out of the carriage. Sarah was already down. As they walked back to the manor, Brianna looked back at the horse. "What about the horses?"

"We have someone to take care of them."

Brianna nodded and they walked into the manor. She had figured that they'd have someone take care of the horses as well, since they had everything else taken care of. A wonderful aroma filled her nostrils and Brianna smiled. "Dinner smells really good."

"Let us hope it tastes just as good," Sarah said, smiling.

Brianna laughed. "I hope so."

Brianna followed Sarah to the entrance hall where they deposited their thick robes and boots, hanging them up in a closet. Brianna followed Sarah into the dining hall. Gabriel was sitting at the end and he stood when they walked in. They walked over to him and the three of them took their seats, one on either side of Gabriel. Empty plates and goblets sat at their places and empty bowls, a pitcher, and plates were scattered around before them.

"You have to close your eyes," Gabriel said, smiling.

Brianna smiled and closed her eyes obediently. The delicious aroma came back in full force and Brianna struggled with her patience, wanting to open her eyes. Finally, after what seemed a life time, Gabriel said, "You can open them now."

Brianna opened her eyes and gasped. Where once stood empty dishes, now they were filled with food. "Wow!" she exclaimed.

"Ladies first," Gabriel said.

Brianna grinned and scooped some mashed potatoes out onto her plate. Then she took some steak, and some carrots. She poured an orange liquid into her goblet and took a sip. "Pumpkin juice?" she asked.

Sarah nodded, smiling. "Yes, very good for you."

"Tastes good," Brianna said, taking another sip.

Gabriel and Sarah laughed and helped themselves to the food.

"Well," Gabriel said, after they had been eating for a while, "Dominic should arrive home from school tomorrow."

"Dominic?" Brianna asked.

"He's our son," Sarah explained.

"Oh." Brianna smiled. "I'll get to meet him?"

"Yes," Gabriel said, smiling. "He should be here when you awake tomorrow morning."

"Where does he go to school?"

"It is a private school in England," Sarah said.

"Cool. How old is he?"

"Twelve. He is in his second year," Gabriel said.

"Only two years older than me."

"You are ten, then?" Sarah asked.

"I will be in a few days. Actually," Brianna realized. "I'll be ten tomorrow."

"We will be sure to get you home, then," Gabriel said. "You should be home by the evening."

"Thank you," Brianna said. Then she yawned.

"Oh dear, I think she is tired already," Sarah said, smiling.

"Yeah, I think so," Brianna said.

"Well, no wonder. You have had a very exhausting day," Gabriel said.

"Once we are finished here, I'll show you to your room," Sarah said.

"Thanks." Brianna finished her dinner and drained the last of her pumpkin juice.

After dinner, Brianna followed Sarah up the stairs and into a large room. On the far wall there were two glass doors that opened out onto a balcony. Much to Brianna's delight, the view was of the mountains. Next to the doors was a large fireplace, with a fire roaring in the hearth, making room nice and warm. A large, four-poster bed was off to the right with dark blue drapes hung around it. A small lamp let out a soft glow from her nightstand. To her left were a closet, a large dresser, and a table with a mirror on the wall above it.

"There are clothes for you to sleep in on the bed," Sarah said.

Brianna smiled and gave Sarah a hug. "Thank you so much, for everything."

Sarah smiled as they pulled back. "You are most welcome. Now, you get some sleep and just come downstairs when you awake. Feel free to use any of the clothes in the closet." Brianna nodded and Sarah left the room.

Brianna walked over to the bed and pulled back one of the drapes. She picked up the dark purple pajamas, took off her own clothes, and put them on. She smiled, closing her eyes at the feel of them on her skin. They were so warm and silky, she felt as though she had stepped into a dream. She set down her clothes on the nightstand and climbed into the large bed, blowing out the flame in the lamp and closed the drapes. She soon fell into a deep sleep.

*~~*~~*

Downstairs, Gabriel and Sarah stood in the sitting room, arguing. "Sarah, I do not think it was wise to take her outside!"

"Gabriel, be reasonable. You-Know-Who is not going to come here. He is much too busy elsewhere, I am sure of it."

"You do not know that for sure. Besides, if anyone found out that we had a Muggle sleeping upstairs, exactly how would we have explained it? The Minister of Magic was supposed to come for dinner tonight and I had to make up an excuse because of Brianna."

"Well you did not have to take her here, you know."

"What else would I have done? I was not about to let that poor girl freeze to death."

"Then stop complaining. It is safe here."

"For now."

"Gabriel, there is something about this girl. In the past week, several strange things have happened to her. First, she becomes angry in her school, and the windows shatter. Then she is attacked by 'dodge-balls', as she calls them, at school and they burst into flame. Then she is stressed and a glass breaks, and after that, she reached into a fire and formed images, and barely got burned. She only got hurt because her mother startled her. I think there is much more to Brianna then you seem to see."

"What are you saying?"

"I should think it's obvious, Gabriel. Brianna is a witch."