Rhinestone Eyes

Reggenfurt, Gutmann-Street; 35^th of the Harvest Time 5:12; 7:46 pm

„… and red, rhinestone eyes, piercing through the night, atop the palisade. Beware the Red.”
Thadeus laid his pen down onto the massive wood-desk. He liked writing with his hands, more than he liked one of those new typing machines. He cannot remember how often Philipe tried to convince him to purchase one. Something about ‘saving time’, he always said.
The rain clashed against the tiny window of his office room. The light from below the city, masking the urban night-panorama. “Still got no name…” Thadeus whispered to himself. The drumming sound of the rain rang in his ears, preventing him from concentrating. He did not notice before, as he had lost himself in his work. But now, he has been ripped from his trance, back into the noisy, real world.
“Damnit.” Thadeus got up from his chair and started walking around the office, which belonged to his father many years ago. The family portrait still looming over the door. His father always said, he looked at it, when he needed to find serenity. But it was nothing to Thadeus. Only a reminder of what once was and what will be.
He stared at his mother’s face, a face of love and optimism.
Didn’t help her in the end, Thadeus thought. He pulled out his pocket-watch from his jacket.
Well, they are late. Not typical for them. He quickly put it back and turned to the ebony desk. Thadeus grunted while looking upon the manuscript. “Should do. Those amateurs at the publishing-company can make up a title.” He started to wrap the manuscript into brown paper and sealed it with a sturdy cord. Next to it, on the desk, a letter already waited, finished and ready to be added to the package. Next to it a short brown note, with the current date on it. He put it all together and stared out of the window again.
The Rain poured down the tiled roofs of the houses across the street. Like a wild river, the water flushed down the street towards the harbour, carrying dirt and rubbish with it. Thadeus saw the carcass of a rat sailing past the Ley-Stone-Pole, the light flickering atop the metal cylinder. Thoughts of Philipe came back to him.
Oh, poor Philipe. Drowning was a terrible way to go… His heart became heavy as his thoughts were drowning themselves in the events of the past. With sweat on his brow he turned around to face the family picture again. Empty dark faces staring back at him, out of dark holes. Only his innocent child-face still gleet over the room. He again pulled out his watch. Only three minutes have passed for what felt like an eternity.
“Marie!”, shouted Thadeus throughout the manor. “I need you to make a delivery to Master Heldenbrand!” No answer.
Thadeus grabbed the package and carefully placed it under his arm under the jacket. Slowly, he opened the heavy door of his office. The lightbulbs illuminated the corridor, which, on one end, lead downstairs into the parlour. Thadeus did not remember switching on the lights, a thing he rarely did anyway, which meant his maid Marie was already in the house. A weak smile crossed his face. Good Marie, he thought. She probably wouldn’t even disturb me, if the tarmenian army is standing at the city gates.
As he slowly descended downstairs, the wood cracking under his boots, he smelled the odour of Marie’s fish-stew from within the kitchen. As he walked towards it, he stopped and looked at the front door again. Numerous locks were on this side of the entrance, all of them locked. As they should be.
Maybe it wouldn’t matter today anyway. Thadeus shook his head. Bah! By the Divinity! Not going easy on them now! Better have them work for their money.