It took a long while for me to come back into writing business. But after watching The Pianist again, the Colorblind mood just kicked in and I was able to pull out one more chapter. Thanks to all of you who didn't give up on this, even after I did that myself. And I'm sorry for the lower quality of the writing, but apparently it will take a while for me to get in shape again.

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CHAPTER V

Shadow of a Ghost

1st January, 1939

Herr Lucas Scott's basement

From where she was lying, she could see no sunlight. The entire basement was covered in shadows, including her. Maybe, because of that, she had woken up feeling so safe that morning. The shadows made her invisible, and the soft words spoken by Lucas the night before still lingered in the air. Peyton stood up and folded carefully the sheets and old clothes she had slept on, putting them aside to hide the handmade bed underneath the cardboards selected especially for that function. When it was all done, she turned on her heels to sit in the opposite corner to wait for Lucas to show up with further instructions and introductions, but the person standing still on the staircase was surely a lot shorter than him, though her blonde hair shone in a tone as gold as Lucas's. At first, Peyton jumped out of her skin, frightened as she always was, but then the little girl smiled and tilted the shiny crown in her head.

"Did the evil witch trap you in here, too?"

Peyton couldn't help but smile.

"I think so. Are you hiding from her?"

"Yes" the little girl whispered as if it was the biggest secret of all. "But don't tell anyone!"

"I'm very good at keeping secrets. What's your name?"

"My name is Lily, I live here. What's yours?"

"Her name is Peyton" Lucas's voice echoed just behind Lily and she smirked at Peyton like they were two kids who were somewhere they weren't supposed to be and had just been caught. "I was going to introduce you two, but it seems you've already met." His soft hand fell upon Lily's shoulders and the two of them finished the staircase, standing right in front of Peyton. "This is my sister. Lily, this woman is a friend of Brooke, do you remember her?"

She nodded; her childish smile still intact.

"Now," he kneeled in front of her and Peyton noticed, even in the shadows, just how much he adored his sister by the way his eyes were shining. "I need you to do me a favor, okay? You must not, under any circumstances, tell anyone there's someone in here. Do you understand that, Lily?"

She nodded again, this time a serious look upon her face. Peyton knew, then and there, that Lily was perfectly aware of the seriousness of that situation and, even knowing she was still too young, she also knew her secret was safe with the little girl.

"I promise I won't tell anyone, Luke. It's a princess promise"

"Good." He hugged tight and smiled broadly. "Now, will you excuse us? I need to talk to Peyton alone."

"Okay" she ran towards the staircase, but froze in the middle of the way, glancing carefully at Lucas and Peyton. "Huh… Can you play with me later, Frau Peyton? I can bring my dolls down here so we can tell stories and play house."

Lucas tried to apologize the nuisance with a conciliating smile, but Peyton shook her head before he could do it.

"Absolutely. I'd love to, mein lieber Schatz"

"Thank you for being this sweet with her" Lucas tilted his head as he spoke, following Lily's shadow and sound as she disappeared into the hallway. "And don't worry, your secret is safe with her"

"I know. Children are, at many times, more trustworthy than adults."

"I know exactly what you mean" he glanced at the organized sheets. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes. Thank you, again, for what you're doing for me."

"You don't need to thank me. And I'm sorry for all the darkness. Even though the neighborhood is somewhat safe, we can't take any unnecessary risks, for the police may come by any second."

"I understand."

"Anyhow, I already checked around, you're safe to come up and have breakfast with us."

"Thank you, Herr Lucas, but I don't want to be-…"

"Please. You're a friend of Brooke's; you're my friend. Call me Lucas. And it won't be a problem, that way you can meet my wife, Lindsey.

In the end, the perspective to leave behind – even for one morning – the lack of food and welcome a table full of bread, ham, sausage and juices won her will. Besides, she would indeed be spending a lot of time with that family, and she could just as well get used to it. Not that breakfast in the kitchen would become usual, but one time wouldn't hurt. Other than that, she was looking forward to talking to Lily again. The little one's energy would surely be the light at the end of the tunnel in the oncoming months, and that was certain a friendship she was willing to start.