Chapter 2: Lila Saint-Claire - Beast of the Bayou

The funny thing about running from one problem is that you're bound to run into a whole bunch of other ones. When I left my hometown of Baton Rouge, and all it's bad memories six months ago, I finally felt free. I was desperate to start a new life. A place where no one knew me. Somewhere safe where I could finally feel at ease. I wasn't sure if such a place existed, but I was determined to find out.

So I packed as much as I could carry and left with no destination in mind. Then I landed here—Bayou Mourne. I stumbled into this town oddly. It wasn't my first choice. Hell, it wasn't even a choice. But when the bus stopped here during a layover…I don't know, something compelled me to stay. I didn't think too hard on it. I just grabbed my bag and decided to try my best to make a home in this quaint little town.

There's an energy to this place that's hard to describe. Kinda eerie but almost—enchanted in a way. There've been quite a few times I've felt like I was being watched. But the warmth of the people and the beauty of the town more than made up for all that.

It didn't take me long to find a housekeeping job working at the small hotel I had been staying at. A month in, I met a nice woman my age who was looking for a roommate. Right after that, I was even able to find a cheap car to get me to Point A and B. Everything was working out perfectly and I was finally able to breathe.

How quickly things can change though.

Suddenly, I'm staring at the likelihood of homelessness because my roommate's shitty new boyfriend can't seem to keep his eyes off me, and I no longer feel comfortable living there. The hotel fired me for no reason—wouldn't even offer me an explanation. And my cheap little car that gotten me from Point A to B—well, it decided to stay at B when it broke down a few days ago.

Just like that I was back at that point of desperation that prompted me to run away in the first place. I stare at my banking app and an instant headache comes over me. My last check was deposited. A whopping $500. Closing my eyes, I pinch the bridge of my nose and take several breaths to calm my nerves. Inside my room, I can hear my roommate and her boyfriend arguing about me.

Again.

"I don’t want that damn girl!" he yells.

"So why you keep looking at her ass!" she hollers.

Shaking my head, I stand up and look around at my cozy room. I've been holed up in here since the hotel fired me a week ago trying to avoid them both. I'm not on the lease. A former eviction is sitting pretty on my rental history; my roommate was gracious enough to let me stay with her on a month-to-month basis. However, I'm already anticipating her asking me to leave. I refuse to be left hanging when that day comes.

Grabbing my keys and purse, I leave. I start walking. No destination in mind, but I stop at every available business asking if they're hiring. In a town this small, no one is. I was lucky to get the job I had.

In need of a cold drink, I stop in a convenience store. Grabbing my drink, I take it to the cashier and fish in my purse for the five dollar bill I know I have inside. Pulling it out, I hand it to the cashier when a flash of cream on the wall catches my eye. It looks like an ad.

The cashier hands me my change and I drop it in my purse. Twisting off the cap of my drink, I meander over to the bulletin board. It's printed on thick material, same as a greeting card. It stands out from the handwritten flyers surrounding it.

LIVE-IN HOUSEKEEPER NEEDED

Private estate seeking a live-in female housekeeper for immediate placement.

Spacious room and board provided. All incidentals and meals covered.

Excellent weekly salary

Previous housekeeping experience preferred.

Must be trustworthy and discreet

Please contact Lenora Landry for inquiry at (504) 000-0000

"Excellent weekly salary," I murmur. My eyes scan the board again before I take the ad off. Room and board provided. My fingers tighten around the paper. "Damn. This sounds too good to be true."

"Find something interesting, darling?"

I turn towards the cashier, who's watching me from behind the counter.

"Maybe." I hold up the paper. "You know anything about this?"

His expression darkens for a moment. "That's the Mount Mourne place."

"The Mount Mourne place?" I had heard a few rumors of Mount Mourne but didn't take enough interest in it to seek clarification.

He nods slowly. "You must not be from 'round here if you don't know it."

I shake my head. "No. I'm not from here, but I've heard a few things. What do you know about it?"

He leans forward, resting his forearms on the counter. "Descendants of the founders of this town. Well…the last one. Big mansion out by the bayou."

I glance back at the ad. "So…what's wrong with it then? This sounds like a good job. Nobody's interested?"

"Ain't nothing wrong with it," he says quickly, his eyes shifting away.

I narrow my eyes in suspicion.

He shrugs. "It's just… a big house. Lot of work for most folk."

"Well, I'm no stranger to hard work." I smile. "Especially for an excellent salary." I laugh lightly.

He doesn't. His mouth twitches.

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I look back down at the paper already settling into the idea. I could save a lot of money. Maybe even enough to leave and go wherever I want afterwards. This was looking like the perfect opportunity from where I was standing.

"I think I'll give them a call." I tuck the paper in my purse. "Thanks." I wave and head for the door.

"Miss?"

I turn.

The cashier is still watching me. He straightens. "You sure you want that job?"

I give him a tired smile. "Look—at this point, I'm willing to clean a haunted house if it pays enough." I laugh again.

But he doesn’t laugh or smile. Instead, he just stares at me until the smile slides off my face.

Then he looks away. "Good luck."

"Thanks," I mumble with a slight frown. I push through the door, the bell jingling on my way out. I have no idea why he said it like a warning, and honestly, I don't care, because Mount Mourne may just be my way out.

Sitting on the bench outside, I call the number. After a few rings, I'm met with the voicemail of a woman who sounds so sweet and pleasant. Already another green flag.

I leave a message:

"Hi, Ms. Landry. My name is Lila Saint-Claire and I saw your advertisement for a live-in housekeeper. I just wanna let you know ma'am, that if you hire me, you won't find a harder worker.  I very much look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. Thank you and take care."

Hanging up, I exhale. "Hopefully I don't sound too desperate," I murmur. "Even though I am." I sit on the bench for a while trying to figure out what to do next. Not wanting to go home, I wander around town. I eat a good meal from one of my favorite diners. I even splurge on a mani/pedi and a nice pairs of slacks and blouse for my potential interview.

The whole time I'm out, I wait anxiously to get that call back. If I can get a job interview the same day—even better, Hell, I have half a mind to pack my bags in preparation. Something about this just feels right.

The sky darkens, and I finally decide to go back home. My roommate works overnights a few times a week at a casino an hour outside of town. Her good for nothing man usually hangs out with his friends on those nights, so I'll have some reprieve from them both.

The house is quiet when I walk in, and I exhale in relief. I take a long shower and put on my favorite night gown. Pulling my thick hair up into a bun, I step out the bathroom. I jump back in shock when I see him.

He's standing there, shirtless, smelling like weed and liquor. A cigarette dangles from his mouth as he leers at me with bloodshot eyes.

I press my shaking hand to my heart. "I thought you were gone?"

"Decided to stay in." He looks me up and down with a smile. Leaning in, he sniffs the air. "Ya' smell good girl. What you got on?"

"Nothing." I back up with a scowl. "Excuse me." Sliding to the side, I push past him. His strong grip latches onto my wrist.

"Whoa, where you going so fast, pretty? Let's just talk."

My heart thuds, and my stomach drops. A jolt of fear hits me, but I put on a brave face. "I'm good." I try to snatch away, but his grip tightens.

"C'mon now, Lila. You ain't gotta be so mean," he coos, touching my waist.

"Get off of me!" My voice rises in panic. I try to snatch away again, but his arm snakes around my waist." He pulls me flush against him.

"You fucking tease," he growls, his fingers digging into my hips. "Always prancing around here like you cute."

I struggle frantically in his grasp, my body trembling. "Let me go! Stop it!"

His face inches closer to mine, his wet lips closing in. The smell of liquor and cigarettes on his breath makes me gag.

My body reacts. I don't even think about it—

I headbutt him in his nose. Hard.

Pain explodes in my head. Blood gushes from his nose and drips onto me. His hold on me loosens, and I shove him off making a mad dash to my room. His voice is filled with rage as he hurls curse words at me. Stumbling past the pain in my head, I manage to grab my purse and phone but nothing else.

Barefoot, I flee into the darkness of the night. I run until my chest burns and spots dance in front of my eyes. Eyes wild and heart racing, I stare around at my surroundings. The sounds of the night are alive. Cicadas. The splash of something moving around in the water. A low howl in the distance that makes goosebumps rise on my skin.

Tears blur my vision as I try to catch my breath. My feet hurt…but I made it out this time. Sitting down on a fallen tree, I look down at my phone. My finger hovers over the screen. I press 9-1…

The phone rings in my hand, jarring me. Dropping it in surprise, I gasp when I see the number. It's Ms. Landry. Wiping my face, I scoop up the phone and try to relax the tremble in my voice when I answer. "H-Hello. Ms. L-Landry?"

Silence.

I press my lips together to control my breathing.

"You okay, my dear?" she asks softly.

And I try. I swear I try so hard to stop it, but the sob bubbles out of me and the tears pour down. "N-no," I choke out. "I-I don't have anyone."

"Oh, mon chérie," she says gently. "You do now. You. Do. Now."