The tasks set out for Seren didn’t seem complicated. On their list were three houses, and they were all in the Summer district which made things much easier. At least, so it seemed. Seren matched the words and numbers on the paper to those on the street. Having to pause and sound out the words occasionally just to read them which they were less successful at.

Finding the first house took longer than Seren would like to admit. Passing it entirely three times before they found and matched the numbers together. Seren stood at the end of the walkway feeling a fog rolling behind their eyes.

“I hope this gets easier someday.” They muttered to themself as they put the page back into the folder and put it into their bag. They unlatched the gate and walked up the walkway. Hopping up the steps, humming a random tune to themself until they were staring at the door. They took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

There was a long pause, but Seren heard the footsteps coming. It made them want to run, but they took a deep breath and reminded themself not to be dissuaded. Be cold. Cold as ice.

The door opened, and an elder opened the door. They looked down at Seren and smiled.

“Oh, hello. What can I do for you?” They said calmly.

“Hi! I’m here on behalf of Mr. Asche in concern for your overdue bill. May I take a payment?” Seren said automatically. The elder stared at them for a few minutes as the words set in.

“Oh! Yes, come in!” They said and opened the door to invite them in. Seren stared into the entry hall of the house. It smelled like fresh linen.

“I don’t know if I’m supposed to…” Seren said, taking a step back.

“Don’t be shy now,” the elder said. Seren looked around but gave in and walked into the house. The elder shut the door, the house was cold and Seren immediately felt they’d made a mistake.

“Come on, this way to the living room, I’ll put the kettle on.” The elder said, walking down the hall.

“No, I’m not staying!” Seren called. “I have other work to do!”

“This way,” the elder said as if they hadn’t heard Seren.

Seren fidgeted but slowly followed the elder, entering a large, cold sitting room. The room was sterile. With no carpet or rugs, and all the furniture was covered in plastic sheets.

“Sorry about the sheets. I haven’t been able to remove them.” The elder said as he rounded the bar into the kitchen. Pulling up a kettle and filling it with water. “Feel free to take a seat.”

“Uh… no. I can’t stay.” Seren said more forcefully. “I need to take a payment and move along.”

“It’s been months since I lost her.” The elder said almost trance-like.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Seren said. Still standing awkwardly in the middle of the floor. “I really need to go though.”

“She was the light of my life, and I didn’t know what to do when she fell ill.” The elder turned the stove on. He stared off in the distance. “Still have all her things.”

“That’s wonderful,” Seren sighed, realizing they weren’t getting out of this conversation.

“I gotta get through it though. Gonna have to downsize, but I just can’t bring myself to start packing.” The elder got into the cupboard. “I hope you don’t mind chamomile.”

“I don’t… But I really need to go.” Seren said. “I can’t stay!”

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“Oh, the bathroom’s up the stairs to the left.” The elder said, bringing down the tea brick. Seren sighed.

“I didn’t say I had to use the bathroom!” Seren urged. “I said, I have to leave!”

“Go ahead on upstairs then,” the elder pointed. “It’s so nice to have company. None of the kids come to visit anymore. Got families of their own now.”

“That’s unfortunate.” Seren said, catching sight of the clock. Their stomach dropped at it, ticking away. “I’ll be right back.” Seren left the sitting room and went up the stairs. They didn’t have to use the bathroom but there was hope the elder left some ingts around somewhere that Seren could take and make their escape.

They snuck around, finding the bathroom that was bare. There were two empty bedrooms with nothing in them at all. The gloomy rooms shriveled Seren’s insides and made them nauseous. Seren crept into the last room and found a messy bed and boxes. Their ears were ringing. There was something in here.

Seren felt their heart pounding in their ears as they snuck into the room. They were straining their ears to hear the elder down stairs. They could hear them moving dishes in the kitchen. Seren felt like they would throw up as they peeled open the box that was singing to them. Inside was a beautiful jewelry box, Seren lifted the lid. Inside were one or two pieces of jewelry. Seren guessed they would be worth just a little over what they needed to bring back.

They picked up the box and looked out the doorway and into the hall. They heard the kettle sing from downstairs. Seren looked at the box, heart racing, their eyes watered a little as they slipped it into the bag. They gagged a little and hurried out of the room. Pausing by the bathroom and running in to flush the toilet. Just in case it was something that could be heard throughout the house. Seren washed their hands. Their eyes watering at the weight hanging on their side. They hurried down the stairs and was met with the elder holding out a piping hot cup of tea to them.

“Oh! Th-thank you. It is freezing out there.” Seren said. Swallowing thickly and taking the mug.

“It’s still hot so be careful, Harper.” The elder said and took his own cup to the plastic sheet covered sofa and sat down.

“Harper?” Seren asked. Staring at the elder. “Who do you think I am?”

“Harper. My grandchild. It’s so nice for you to come visit.” The elder said.

“Oh, I’m not. My name’s Seren. It’s not even close to Harper.” Seren said. The elder stared hard through their heavy spectacles.

“Oh, so you are.” They said in surprise.

“Whoops?” Seren offered, trying to laugh, but it sounded hollow and panicky.

“Whoops,” the elder laughed. “Sorry about that. You must be very confused, I hope I didn’t scare you.”

“I don’t mean to offend but I have other chores to do,” Seren said, holding onto the tea for dear life.

“Sure you can’t stay? Just for the tea?” They asked.

“I really shouldn’t…” Seren said. “Sorry but no.”

“Oh, I see.” The elder said sadly, they got to their feet slowly. “What was it you needed?”

“Don’t worry about it.” Seren shook their head. “I’ve… I’ve forgotten.”

“That’s all right, dear.” The elder nodded. Leading them back down the hall and opening the front door for them.

“Thank you for the tea,” Seren said, handing the mug back to the elder. “I’m sorry about the mixup.”

“Don’t worry about it, feel free to come back,” The elder said.

“Right. Uhm..” Seren felt the box in their bag, “I’m really sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, it’s just what happens when you get old.” The elder laughed a little.

“Right… but. I am sorry,” They said.

“Well… That’s all right then.” The elder smiled. Seren forced a smile, they had to leave. They waved and quickly walked away rounding the corner and running until they felt they were far enough away. Seren leaned against the wall in the alley, ducking behind a snowbank and hunching over to gag and dry heave. The bag fell off their shoulder, and the box hit the ground hard. Seren gasped and dropped to their knees, pulling the box out to ensure it wasn’t damaged.

Breathing in relief that it wasn’t. They shoved the box back in and brought out the folder and logged all the items they stole. The word in their mouth felt so foul. They shuddered and put the folder away. Who were they? This wasn’t them, or maybe it was.

Seren brushed off their pants and stood up. Checking their next destination, still feeling sick to their stomach. They wandered the streets a little slower. Trying to read made their stomach churn more. Finding the next house filled them with dread. So much so, they read and reread the address. Sounding out every syllable until they couldn’t deny or procrastinate any longer. Seren kicked at rocks and snow as they trudged up the walk.

They stared up at the doorway, their throat felt tight. But they reached up and knocked on the door, anyway. They prayed no one was home. Lingering on the doorstep long after they would have left. Holding their breath in case they could hear someone coming. But no one did. Seren let out the air they were holding and they turned and left. Spending a little extra time on the walk to read their next address.