Dunc raised all the window blinds in his studio. His computer desk was near the wall that faced Amanda’s studio. He could see the lights coming on in the evening and early morning through her blinds. She didn’t notice he had opened his. The blinds to Amanda’s studio remained closed. Their homes were mirror image layouts, and Dunc had a good view of the side of her house and the backyard. At night he kept an eye out. If anything, the fact that he was in sight would deter people from trying to get into her house from the back.
***
Amanda didn’t want to bother Dunc unless it was necessary. The cameras put her at ease. There was no sign of Joseph, and she had returned to her usual daily schedule. Life was beginning to take on a semblance of normalcy. Maybe Joseph wouldn’t come back. If he didn’t, she had made up her mind that she would be more friendly to her neighbor. If he did, Amanda didn’t want Dunc involved in any way. She had to protect him from this mess she had brought to his doorstep.
Meanwhile, she dug around for Dunc’s work online. She remembered several of his book titles and tracked them down. They were all fanciful, colorful creations. There was a sense of joy and happiness in them she had never seen in her neighbor. It looked like those emotions were only reserved for what he created.
Amanda had ordered a dozen of his books, and they arrived within a couple of days. She sat in her studio and studied the books. Duncan McCormick was the name on the books as the illustrator. Most of them were large picture books. Some were surprised the books weren’t as simple as they looked. He wrote a lot about princesses.
You can learn a lot about a person by looking at what they created. The simple books full of colorful illustrations were eye-opening. Dragons danced with a princess. She had run away from home because she didn’t want to be a princess. She wanted to be a dragon. A spoiled girl who mistreated an awkward boy turned into a dragon. The abused boy ended up having to save her from her fate by being her friend. Dinosaurs frolicked through a modern setting. They were set alive by a boy’s imagination, helping him get over his father’s death.
Friendly werewolves twisted the Red Riding Hood tale into an entirely new story. The little red hooded girl took advantage of the wolves’ kindness when she lost her way in the forest. The wolves saved her from a situation she put herself in that endangered them. By the time Amanda finished with the pile of books, she felt awful. She was in tears. That wasn’t how someone should feel while reading books meant for children.
Each story unfolded with colorful pages and simple prose. Most began with someone who didn’t fit into the world they were born into. They searched for a place to belong or found people who accepted them for who they were. It didn’t matter if that person was a princess, a prince, or a random child. Anyone could be out of place, but there was always a place for them by the end.
Another theme had to do with not judging things by their appearances. Monsters could be kind and sweet. The most beautiful fairy was cold and cruel. Vicious-looking werewolves cuddled up next to lost children to keep them safe. She noticed Dunc enjoyed that type of image. Dangerous creatures protected the sweet and innocent. Dragons, werewolves, dinosaurs. They always protected the most vulnerable: the elderly, sick, and most of all, children.
When Amanda finished flipping through all of Dunc’s books, she had a strong desire to get up, go next door and give Dunc a massive hug. A kiss. Maybe another hug, then revisit that kissing thing. She felt her face heating up as the thoughts lingered, and she considered the way his lips would feel against hers.
No. That wouldn’t be fair to Dunc or herself if she ended up having to move. She got a clear impression of him that he was afraid of being hurt in a relationship. Just like she was. She had thought Joseph was a kind guy who loved her and would never harm her. Joseph had betrayed her in such a violent way. It destroyed her ability to trust another man. There was no warning. One moment they were arguing, and the next, she saw stars. She was on the floor kicking and screaming to get him off of her.
Amanda still couldn’t remember breaking his leg. She had landed a hard kick on his leg when it became wedged between the living room furniture. If she had not hit him in just the right spot to stop him, he could have killed her. Or worse. She ran her hands up her arms and tried to rid herself of the thoughts. Remembering made her heart race and body tremble. She took a deep breath and went through her routine of calming herself. She couldn’t live her life in fear of Joseph. She was going to have to do something more than what she had done. Amanda needed to be prepared.
***
Dunc smiled when he met the mail delivery man at the door. He took a large, heavy package inside. Dunc unwrapped it to make sure that it was what he had ordered, then put it back in its box. He ran upstairs to retrieve a couple of heavy-duty training swords made out of wood. He left the protective headgear and padding behind. There wouldn’t be a need for it for casual beginner play fighting. He gathered everything up and headed next door.
Over the last few days, Dunc had decided he would be friendlier with his neighbor if she didn’t leave. He had
