Lightning split the sky on that day when I arrived at my grandfather's mansion. I was twenty-four years old. It's strange that I was going to live with grandfather at that age, but my parents had just passed away due to an automobile accident. I had nowhere else to turn, but my grandfather contacted me and told me that he'd take me in. I don't have any brothers and sisters, and a lonely existence is the worst kind. Grandfather likes his privacy, we all knew that, but my father was his only son. And that's where I, Adrienne Whitmore, came in. Technically, I was still a student, studying at a local university to become an archeologist. I already graduated my four years at the regular university, but I'd decided to continue on. I wanted to explore… discover things that nobody else had ever heard of. But the school year was over, and now I was moving into grandfather's home for that summer…and possibly for the next couple of years. I peered through the rain as the car pulled up the long dark driveway. Grandfather's mansion was huge. The home that my family had lived in paled in comparison. The mansion stood tall against the dark sky. There was an eerie feeling about it. I have to admit that I was a bit scared, but that changed when the car pulled up to the door. Grandfather, being the character that he is, was standing out there in the rain. "Adrienne!" he called. I waved from the window and held back a giggle. To many people, grandfather seemed like a closed off man, but not to me. "Hello grandfather!" I called back. The chauffeur opened and I jumped out and ran to my grandfather's embrace. "Adrienne, my sweet girl, you must be feeling awful The accident was tragic. I cannot get over my son's death. And you… well, I'm happy that you're here. Helga!" I looked over his shoulder to see a blonde woman with icy eyes. She was tall (much taller than me, I am only 5'4") and thin. She wore tight black leggings and a shirt, equally as tight. I, for one, was taken aback. I couldn't help but look down at the clothes I was wearing… a blouse and a skirt that came a little past my knees. Anyway, she stepped into the rain with an umbrella for grandfather and me. "Yes Mr. Whitmore," she said. The tone of her voice was intimidating. Cool and calm… But grandfather didn't seem to notice. "Adrienne, this is my bodyguard, Helga Sinclair. Helga, my granddaughter Adrienne." I smiled, but Helga just nodded. "I'll get someone to bring your bags inside. Meanwhile, Helga will show you to your room," grandfather told me. "All right." "Follow me," Helga said. I obeyed. As we stepped into the great hall of the mansion, I couldn't help but gasp. I'd forgotten how marvelous the mansion really was. I hadn't been there since I was a little girl. Helga interrupted my thoughts.
"Step lively," she commanded as she began to walk down the hall.
"And don't…"
"Drip on the Carvaggio?" I cut in. She turned and gave me a look. I swear if looks could kill, I might have just died there. I shrugged. "Sorry, Ms. Sinclair. But that's the same exact line that my father said when we visited this place a long time ago." She raised her eyebrows and continued walking.
"Well, Ms. Whitmore, looks as if you're a cheeky one."
"Cheeky? Me? Oh, and just call me Adrienne."
"Well then you can call me Helga."
"Fine." We reached a set of doors that led to another hallway.
"You weren't here when I was little. When did you start working for grandfather?" I asked.
"Four years ago."
"So what did you do before then?"
"You ask too many questions. So unlike your grandfather…"
"Sorry. I'm studying to be an archaeologist, so I'm always full of questions."
She stopped and turned to me. "Archaeology? So you're interested in ancient civilizations and all of that stuff?"
"Well, yes."
"I've been on a few expeditions myself."
"And?"
"I don't have to tell you anything. Not now."
I was so confused. First she seemed as if she wanted to talk to me. The next thing I knew, she was brushing me off as if I was a child. I sighed. Living with grandfather seemed as if it was going to be as lonely as living by myself. "Here we are," Helga said. I glanced at the large doors before me. "Well go in. This will be your room. If you need anything, your grandfather instructed me to help you."
"Thank you, Helga."
"Uh huh."
Then she left me in front of the doors and continued down the halls. I pushed the doors opened. "She's got an interesting past," I said to myself. "I can just feel it. So many secrets around her! This should be interesting!" I flicked on the light switch and found myself in a grand room. The color scheme of it was deep red, my favorite color. I didn't question on how grandfather knew that. Perhaps it had been a coincidence; but then again, grandfather had this way of just knowing things. I took off my wet coat and hung it on the coat rack. I was getting used to the room, when there was a sharp knock at the door. I opened it and found Helga standing there with all of my bags.
"You carried these here by yourself!" I exclaimed.
"What did you expect? They weren't going to grow legs and walk here on their own," she said sarcastically.
I was impressed. "I'll take some of them. Wow… you must be very strong. Do you train much?"
"I'm a lieutenant."
"What? I thought you were my grandfather's bodyguard!"
"I am."
I picked up two of my bags. "But you just said that you were…"
"Adrienne, you could make a lot of enemies if you talk too much," she snapped. I took that as a signal to be silent, and watched her bring in the majority of my bags.
"Dinner is at six," she said as she dropped the last bag to the floor. "You're expected to be there. And don't be late."
"Ok. Thanks again."
"And stop thanking me. This is my job…it's what I do."
"But you seem to do so much more…"
"I'm a soldier. I follow orders. Period." Then she turned and swiftly left the room.
"Whatever," I muttered. "She can just go on and be that way. I might make enemies by talking too much, but she could never have friends with that attitude of hers!"

I found myself seated in the large dining room that evening. Grandfather was there, as was Helga. He was talking a mile a minute as we were being served our dinner. "Adrienne, how are you holding up?" he asked.
"I'm doing well. I miss mother and father, but I'm doing much better than I ever thought I would."
"And how are your studies coming?"
"Oh very well! I am going to take my last class this fall. Then I'm going to look into a real expedition. Like to Africa! I've heard that there are huge pyramids in Egypt! Think of all of the mystery that must be locked up inside of them."
"Think of the artifacts that you could bring back to the museum," grandfather said.
I frowned at this. I know that bringing the artifacts back provides a wealth of information for people like me, but sometimes I think it's just wrong. I stopped frowning when I noticed the look that Helga was giving me. She seemed amused. "Is something funny?" I asked. She raised an eyebrow, something that she seemed to do often.
"Will I insult you if I say that the expression on your face is most amusing?"
"Maybe…"
"Now, now Adrienne," grandfather cut in. "Your father told me that you could have a temper at times, but please do not anger Helga. She's quite powerful."
"Oh?" I leaned back in my chair. "So Helga, grandfather says that you're powerful. I won't believe it until I see it. I mean, sure you can bring all of my bags up, but what can you really do?"
"Is that a challenge?" she asked in a no nonsense tone.
I thought for a moment. What was I getting myself into? But my pride took over. "Yes, I believe it is."
"Adrienne," grandfather said in a warning tone.
"I'm waiting," I replied.
Before I knew what was happening, Helga had leapt over the table, drawn me from the chair, and had me by the throat. "Gak!" I choked. I knew that grandfather would not stop her. I had asked for it. So, my instincts took over. "Still wanna challenge me?" she whispered in my ear. "You're on!" I slammed my foot backwards into her knee. Her grip loosened and I twisted away. I looked back and saw her eyes dancing. She was having fun? "Nice kick," she said. Then she came at me, as fast as lightning, with a series of punches. One got me under the eye, but I managed to block the others. Without thinking, I kicked her again. This kept up for a while until we stood there drenched in sweat, panting, and still glaring at each other. That's when grandfather interfered.
"Must you fight here at the table? Adrienne, I understand your pain, but please take it elsewhere. And Helga…"
Helga stood up straight. "I'm sorry sir. This was childish."
I rubbed the growing bruise on my cheek. "It was," I agreed. "And I'm sorry for starting it."
"I'm glad to hear that. However, you two must learn to get along. The first thing you will do is clean up those bruises that you're both getting. Is that clear?"
"Yes sir," we said simultaneously.
"Good. Now go on."

Helga and I walked to the kitchen in silence. We were getting ice, when she finally spoke to me. "You could have cost me my job!" she hissed.
"Well, you were the one who accepted my challenge."
"This reminds me of the fights I used to have with my brothers." She rolled her eyes. "By the way, I shouldn't be saying this, but… you fight well. Your moves are a bit uncoordinated, but I see potential. Where did you learn that?"
I pressed a pack of ice to my cheek. "Well, I didn't have any siblings, but I grew up with a bunch of boys on my street. They always played soldiers, pirates, or explorers. I played too, and learned to defend myself in the process. How about you?"
"I told you, I'm a lieutenant. I've been training in martial arts and firearms since I was a teenager."
"Wow," I breathed. "I wish I could do something like that. You must be very well respected!" "Am I? Perhaps, but you don't seem to respect me."
"Oh I think I do! I was just being hotheaded."
"Why is that?" It was my turn to be secretive. Make her think…
"Well, I don't believe that I have to tell you. I'm going to my room. Good-night, Helga Sinclair." I was about to leave the kitchen, when I heard her shout,
"Adrienne Whitmore, you're too stubborn!"
"Well, it looks as if you've met your match!" I called back.