The Others by Daria Karpova

Daria Karpova writes in a variety of styles, including urban fantasy, adventure and dark fantasy, with an occasional foray into the horror genre. Her first book Loose Diamonds, a supernatural action/adventure, was published in 2004. Her short stories appeared in several e-zines, including Dream People Magazine and The Harrow. For more information, visit Daria's blog at http://dariakarpova.livejournal.com.

Jessie glanced at her reflection in the mirror one more time, delighted with what she saw there. Her skin, almost as white as the snow outside, looked perfect against the rich red fabric of her dress. Who said they ought to wear sheets? People were so stupid.

She went to the door and pushed it open, letting the cold wind slip inside, then looked at two people standing on the snow-covered gravel of the front yard. A man and a woman, middle-aged and well-off, both dressed in warm city clothes. Such intolerable nuisances they proved to be, yet now, finally, they were leaving. Now she and Edward would have the house all for themselves. Finally.

Edward stood near the gleaming Honda, watching as the man stuffed boxes into the trunk. The woman hugged herself as if trying to get some warmth. The gray sky hung low overhead, promising more snow to come. They should have realized it earlier, Jessie thought, should have known they weren't welcome. They should have left earlier.

They would have saved themselves a lot of trouble that way.

Edward noticed she was looking at him and flashed her an adoring smile. A smile full of anticipation that sent gilded butterflies dancing in her stomach. Tonight, they would celebrate. Edward, her beautiful Edward, alone with her in this place where they belonged. Oh, how happy she was going to be tonight!

Jessie came into the house, leaving the door open. She crossed the hall and pushed the needle of the old gramophone onto the record. Music filled the house. She danced her way back.

The woman still hugged herself as her husband packed the last things. Her gaze was frozen to the door. Jessie waved her goodbye and laughed.

"Do you hear the music?" the woman shrieked. "That damn music!"

Her husband turned to her sharply, dropping a crammed leather bag on the gravel. "Stop it, Margo. Just stop it." His voice was gray like the sky. We're leaving, aren't you happy?"

Edward turned to Jessie, parodying the man's empty voice. "Stop it. Just stop it. Aren't you happy, we're leaving." He wrung his hands with an expression of mock angst. "You must be happy," he went on, and his deliberate overacting sent Jessie into a fit of giggles.

The man looked in Edward's direction, but didn't say a word. When the last box was put into the car, he shut the trunk down with such a noise that the crows flushed from the bare trees. His wife came to him, and they embraced. Jessie watched as Edward cast one last look at them and made his way to the door, smiling at her deliciously. His hand encircled her waist, and their lips met like it had happened a thousand times before, for all years they'd spent in this house. But every time it was better than before, more and more until they reached perfection and surpassed it. She thought they would reach Heaven then, even if Edward found her faith amusing. She hugged him back, standing on tiptoe to kiss him more thoroughly. Edward willed blindly to push the door shut. Not that he needed eyes anyway. Or hands.

Margo and Greg Kinnan watched as in the house they had once hoped to call theirs the door opened and then shut by itself.