Team Ahimsa Blog Relay, Various Contests

Encounter

For "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge"  263 Words

She felt alone, visiting this great big city for the first time. She had the letter of reference and kept looking at the address she was to go to, though she knew it by heart.

She turned left at a corner and was on the correct street. Her pulse quickened. She almost forgot to breathe, and now, she tiptoed instead of walking. She peered at the house numbers, and found herself in front of a bright pink door.

It took her a few seconds to work up the courage to ring the doorbell. The door opened instantly.

"I've been waiting for you," said a high voice. "The mistress is very particular about first impressions. Here's a comb. There's the room, there's the bathroom. You have ten minutes, then I'll take you to her."

Shakily, she washed her face and hands and combed her hair. Then the owner of the high voice returned and led her through an ornate living room down a passage to another pink door.

"Knock and go in, I'm not coming with you."

She knocked, and was ordered to enter.

She opened the door and peeped around it.

"Come right in," came a voice.

She entered.

The mistress was sitting in a high-backed wooden chair. The newcomer trembled as she felt a gaze pierce her - look her over from top to bottom, taking in the humble dress, the frayed footwear, the hatless mop of curls.

"Why are you trembling? Don't you know this is your destiny? It has to be this way. Are you that scared of your future self?"