All Chapters of The Strange City: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

After a long and tiring drive, Vanessa had finally reached her destination. The train had been overcrowded, and since she couldn't afford a seat card, she had stood all the way. Her money hadn't been enough for a taxi either, so she went to look for the address her friend Nicky had written on a piece of paper for her. The house was on the outskirts of Morganville, and she'd had a long hike in high summer temperatures and with heavy luggage.With a queasy feeling in her stomach, she looked at the white-painted house in front of which she now stood. It made a very neat impression, as far as she could tell from the outside. Still, her heart was pounding. What was she getting into? Working as an au pair with complete strangers, far from home - such a crazy idea.Sure, after breaking up with Michael when she found out that he had squandered all her savings with other women, it had been her dearest wish to leave it all behind. But now her heart was sinking into her pants, an

Instead, I am welcomed here by an old witch who locks me in a junk room in which I would not even put my old furniture. Yes, call the police, I'll be happy to tell them how I was lured here under false pretenses to let God-knows-what endure. "All her anger gushed out of her like a waterfall and just as quickly, as she was puffed up, she calmed down again."Oh God, did I really say that?" She thought, and looked embarrassed at the floor."We'll leave the idea with the police for now," he grinned in amusement, but then got serious again.“I think I know who got us into this. Before I can really clear it up, though, I'd have to make a quick phone call. ”Vanessa nodded, and he waved his hand at the sofa as he walked past her to the phone on the desk by the window.She sat down wearily, and while he dialed a number and began his conversation, she had the opportunity to examine him more closely.The incredibly blue eyes includ

Just before the door he turned around again.'Oh yes, and the thing about your room - it hasn't been used for a long time, the last of the nannies always came here from the local area. In the next few days I willsee to it that it is renovated and furnished according to your requirements . ” She nodded in surprise, and before she could say anything else he had disappeared through the door.Undecided what to do now, she decided to wash the dishes, and hung on to her thoughts."Blauauge" was called David and was apparently neither a girl dealer nor a drug dealer, but a perfectly normal family man. He was acting a little dismissive, but that was fine with her.He hadn't said a word about his wife, and she was surprised that she hadn't met her by now, after all, it was late Sunday morning."There'll be a reason for this, maybe she's away or has to work on Sundays," she guessed.Then she remembered the older woman who had opened the

The next morning, Vanessa began her new life. Despite the many impressions and mixed feelings, she had slept well and was now curious to see how her daily routine would turn out.When she came downstairs, her heart stopped for a moment. Danny and David were sitting at the table eating breakfast, and the clatter of dishes that she had heard on the stairs came to her surprise from the strange woman she hadn't seen since Saturday.She busily fiddled with plates and pots, and when she saw Vanessa her face seemed to tighten even more.Vanessa quickly shook off the feeling of trepidation and came to the table with an emphatically cheerful "good morning".To her surprise, Danny happily jumped up and hugged her. She hugged him lovingly and stroked his hair."Danny - you have to finish eating, the school bus is coming soon," came an irritated voice from the kitchen.Obediently, he let go of her and sat down.Vanessa stood in front of the table

Vanessa woke up the next morning with mixed feelings. She could still see the scene of the previous evening clearly in front of her, and she had no idea what to do if she were about to sit across from David at the breakfast table.Fortunately, she was able to brush this aside for now, because when she came down there was no one to be seen; apparently the two had left early.Vanessa was relieved, but she was aware that her problem was only postponed and far from solved. She just hoped David had calmed down and there wouldn't be any more trouble.Lost in thought, she chewed on her breakfast with no real appetite, after which she made herself comfortable on the couch and watched some silly game show on TV that didn't really interest her.When she was about to switch, her cell phone rang.Surprised, she looked at the display and beamed with joy."Nicky," she called cheerfully after answering the call. "Where have you been, for three weeks I try