. . . . . –––––––– The car pulls up to the large cream-colored building and I take in a shaky breath. I look down at my lace dress, smoothing it out and making sure that no new cat hairs have found ways to entwine themselves within the fabric. I swear it must be Clemetice’s goal in life to smother us with all her excess fur. Jed fiddles with his tie in the front seat; both of us are nervous wrecks while James sits casually beside me without a care in the world. “What’s this guy’s name again?” James asks and Jed swivels around in his seat to glare at him through burning eyes. “Dr. Duquesne!” he hisses. “And you can’t just forget his name, he’s one of the elite, he’s important!” Jed rambles off a few more wonderful things about the doctor while James laughs silently. “I was only kidding.” Jed huffs and opens his car door while James and I follow suit. Dr. Duquesne’s house looks more intimidating now that I stand in front of it. There must be at least three stories; it’s hard to tell. And vines grow up along the wall; not accidental and pointless like at Jed’s house, as if someone just forgot to maintain it for a few years, but purposeful and creative. Jed clears his throat nervously, quickly adjusting his tie once again, and then he lifts his chin and struts up to the front door. He confidently bangs against the wood using the shiny gold-colored knockers and barely seconds afterward, the door is opened. We are ushered inside by a man I’m certain is not Dr.
