Anne-Visible

By Liz Henderson

In the three years since she graduated from university, Anne Brown has struggled to find her place. People she sees regularly don't seem to remember her.

When a stranger greets her on the bus as if he knows her, Anne brushes this aside. But he shows up again and reveals that Anne is part of a parallel world: the Kingdom. While learning about this other world she's somehow part of, Anne discovers that her new boss is an enemy of Kingdom Citizens. Agreeing to learn about the Kingdom, Anne begins to question the motives of the Citizens helping her. Is she an odd curiosity or even just a do-good project?

Will Anne learn how to defend herself before her boss makes good on her threat to ruin Anne's career or worse? And will she finally find the connection she yearns for?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Liz Henderson
• Release date: Aug 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201274443

Book preview

ALSO BY LIZ HENDERSON

Viridian Dreams

Anne-Visible

Liz Henderson

© 2022 Liz Henderson

www.lizhendersonbooks.com

Cover art

© 2022 Michelle Young

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the express permission of the publisher except for use of brief quotations in a book review.

All characters are fictitious and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

ISBN:  9798597124544 (print)

Content warning: depression, suicide, kidnapping, loss of a child

Once upon a time is usually a good way to start a story. But not in this case. Maybe you’re going to think I should have started my story that way. But I assure you, none of what I’m about to tell you is made up. Every detail is the honest truth.

*  *  *

A few years ago, I was doing a quick run to the grocery store. When I turned the corner, there was a clatter as a guy accidentally bumped me with his shopping cart. I stepped to the side and muttered an apology as I continued down the aisle, hoping he wouldn’t somehow recognize me.

Do we work together or something? he asked.

I let out a sigh as I faced him. No. We’re in the same painting class . . . on Tuesday evenings.

He gave me a blank stare. I took a few steps around him, assuming the conversation was over.

What’s your name again?

I turned. Anne. With an ‘e’. I silently cursed myself for stealing the line from Anne of Green Gables. My ketchup chip craving was making me cranky. I cleared my throat. Anne Brown.

Right . . .

See you in class. Bye, Brad. I made a beeline down the aisle, hoping he wouldn’t continue the conversation. I hated the awkward moment when I was ready for the conversation to be over but didn’t know how to end it gracefully.

While I tried to decide between generic and brand name chips, I snuck a glance down the aisle. When I saw that Brad was gone, I let out a sigh of relief. I wished people would remember me. The way the other students talked to each other but never to me sometimes made me wonder if I was somehow invisible. But I knew it was because I wore boring clothes and had the most common hair colour. The only thing that I had going for me was that the sunshine gave the brown shade a reddish tint.

When I got home, I pushed my interaction with Brad from my mind and enjoyed my junk food. After washing the crumbs off my hands, I rifled through my closet. My phone rang. I threw a couple shirts on the bed and checked who it was.

Hi, Mom!

Anne, how are you?

I sat on the bed and let myself fall backward, the back of my head thumping onto the mattress.

Just trying to find something to wear to work. I have a new boss; her first day is tomorrow. I want to have a good balance between fancy and casual.

I’m sure you’ll pick something great. Not that your appearance has any bearing on how well you do your job. Let your hard work speak for you. My mom paused. Are you still on contract? Your dad can talk to some people and help you find a good stable job here. Rent would be half the price you’re paying now.

She wasn’t wrong: I’d been shocked by how much rent was when I’d moved, and I didn’t like the instability of not being a permanent employee.

You graduated three years ago.

I like all the things I can do and see here. If this contract doesn’t get renewed for some reason, there are openings in other government departments. I picked at a loose thread on my duvet. And I’m building some independence. That’s one of the reasons I picked uOttawa.

Okay. I do want you to be happy. She sighed. Don’t forget to set your alarm for tomorrow.

I triple-checked it, and I made sure it was set for a.m. not p.m. Being late on my boss’s first day isn’t a good way to make a good first impression.

"Better than being late on your first day of work."

True. I slid off the bed and looked at the contents of my closet. I think I’ll wear that lavender jersey top with the pearl beading along the neckline. I opened a dresser drawer. Maybe these beige pants will work with it.

Go with a dark, neutral colour.

Black? I rummaged through my pile of pants. How about navy blue?

Perfect.

Thanks, Mom.

You’re welcome.

I sank down onto the edge of my bed.

Sleep well, honey.

I’ll try. Love you, Mom.

Love you too. Bye!

Bye.

Getting up, I placed my clothes for the next day on top of my dresser and got ready for bed. By the time I pulled back the covers, my head was full of things I needed to remember to do the next day. Due to all the tossing and turning, I was awake when my alarm went off.

I put some water in the kettle to boil so I could take some tea with me, and quickly ate some yogourt and cereal. Most people would have coffee if they hadn’t slept well the night before. But not me; I thought coffee tasted like dirt.

Gripping my stainless-steel travel mug, I ran out the door to catch the bus. When I was apartment hunting, I’d specifically chosen one that was close to a major bus route, so it would only take me four minutes, six if there was snow, to get to the bus stop. That particular morning, I arrived just as the bus rounded the bend. Breathing a sigh of relief, I climbed aboard and tapped my PRESTO Card.

As the bus bumped its way along the Transitway toward downtown, I zoned out and daydreamed about what my new boss might be like. The detour onto Scott Street jolted me out of my reverie. The LRT train line was supposed to have been in service already, but there had only been delay after delay. I hoped all the waiting would be worth it. I let my mind wander back to a scenario where my boss was a sweet lady who liked to bake and brought food in for us every week. A good-looking guy about my age with poufy black hair tapped me on the shoulder.

Good morning, princess, he said, giving me a warm smile.

My eyes briefly met his angular ones, and I turned toward the window, finishing the scenario of my new boss being an avid baker. By the time I got off the bus, I’d run through three more scenarios, and the strange guy, luckily, hadn’t spoken to me again. Calling me princess was more of a creepy old man kind of move.

When I got off the bus at my stop, I glanced over my shoulder to make sure he wasn’t following me and breathed a sigh of relief when I saw he wasn’t. Downtown being what it was, it only took me five minutes, eight if there was snow, to walk to my office tower, which was one of many government buildings. As the elevator climbed, I tried to wipe all my scenarios, good and bad, plausible and implausible, from my mind. I ran through what was on my plate for the day as I walked to my desk.

Placing my lunch bag on the corner of my desk, I logged onto my computer and checked the time: 7:58 a.m. My emails launched automatically, one of which showed a meeting request for nine o’clock with my new boss, Evelyn. I nervously tried to get some work done as the clock ticked. When it was finally time for the meeting, I locked my computer, as was policy, and trudged to my boss’s office. Tapping on the open door, I said hello timidly. The middle-aged woman sitting behind the desk looked up.

Come in. Close the door. Sit down.

I complied, sitting in the chair facing her desk, picking at my thumb.

The notes from your previous supervisor aren’t stellar. She drummed her long nails on the desk.

I—

Let me finish. As someone on contract, I expect you to work hard. There is no guarantee your contract will be renewed, especially if you don’t prove yourself useful.

I bit my lip as I nodded.

If you don’t shape up, I’ll make sure you won’t be working here in a few months, got it? Evelyn’s wiry eyebrows quirked up as she looked at her computer monitor. Get me some coffee. That is all.

Okay. I took my time getting up from my chair just in case Evelyn had something else to say. It didn’t make sense that my new boss thought I wouldn’t be useful; I did my work, though I didn’t talk to people much.

When I reached the kitchen, I grabbed a mug from the cupboard and stared at the coffee machine. The meeting hadn’t gone like I had hoped at all. And, of course, my dreams of weekly baked goods were smashed, but I knew that wasn’t realistic. What I hadn’t been expecting was being treated like a personal assistant.

For some reason, my floor had a fancy coffee maker. I was kind of familiar with regular machines where you opened the top, poured the water in, pulled out the front, and put the coffee grounds in. This one wasn’t like that. Afraid to break it, I searched through the cupboards looking for a manual, hoping some coffee-drinker would come in and help. Instead, Evelyn walked in.

What do you think you’re doing? Her eyes bulged.

Trying to make you coffee. This machine is—

"Trying to make me coffee? Are you attempting to sabotage me? I should have expected less from one of your kind."

I’m sorry. I don’t drink coffee, and this machine is really complicated.

Such a sorry excuse. She shook her head. Go back to your desk, you useless piece of so-called royalty.

I shuffled off to my cubicle, contemplating my failure and the fact that she had been so mean over a simple cup of coffee. None of my previous bosses had expected me to get them warm beverages. I was about to write Evelyn an apology email, because face-to-face conversations weren’t in my comfort zone, especially ones involving conflict, when an email from her popped up titled Prove Yourself Useful . . .

I left the email unread and hunkered down with my work. I even ate lunch at my desk, so I would look more productive. During that time, I found myself mindlessly doodling to relieve some of the stress. The picture that formed was of a woman with horns and slitted eyes that vaguely resembled Evelyn. I panicked, not wanting her or anyone else to see what I’d drawn. My hands shook as I ripped it up, though it was one of my best doodles. We hadn’t started out on the best foot, but I didn’t think she was evil.

When the end of the workday finally rolled around, I was mentally drained. I hadn’t seen Evelyn or gotten any more emails from her, but her presence still lingered. Hurrying to cross the street, I neglected to look both ways. Tires screeched, and someone behind me yelled, Princess! before I was yanked back by my hand. The sky became strange, dotted with little dancing spheres of light and patches of dark shadows. As soon as my hand was released, my vision returned to normal.

You should be more careful when you cross the street, princess.

Turning around, I realized it was the guy from the bus that morning.

Thanks for your help. I gave a strained smile and looked both ways before crossing the street.

Are you okay? The guy was following me.

Yeah.

Can I walk you somewhere?

I’m good. I sped up.

Princess, your dress is rumpled. You might want to go to an audience soon.

Now I was really worried. A handsome guy was paying attention to me, but he was saying things I didn’t understand. I sped up again, almost to a jog, looking for the most crowded way to my bus stop.

Thanks, I replied for what felt like the hundredth time. I didn’t know what else to say.

I kept walking fast, and a couple minutes later, I glanced behind me to find he was gone. My bus arrived a few minutes later, and I took one of the last seats, making myself as inconspicuous as possible.

When I got home, I got into some cozy clothes, plopped down on the couch with my sketch pad and pencils, and drew. For some reason, I found myself drawing glowing fairies, something I’d never had an interest in. Since it was relaxing, I let my hands and brain do what they wanted. I collapsed into bed early, falling asleep faster than usual.

*  *  *

The next morning, I was determined to have a better day. On the way to work, I was on the lookout for the strange guy between looking up coffee machine manuals on my phone. By the time I got off the bus, I hadn’t spotted him, and I knew more than I wanted to about coffee machines.

When I was a block away from my office building, there he was. Putting my head down, I increased my pace, hoping he wouldn’t notice me.

I think we started off on the wrong foot yesterday. I figure since your dress is so dishevelled, you haven’t been to an audience in a long time, so you probably haven’t met me before. I’m Edward. He stuck out his hand. I’m a steward at the castle. Chief steward right now, actually.

Hi. I stopped walking but kept my hands in my pockets.

If you don’t want to be part of the Kingdom anymore, just let me know, and I’ll leave you alone.

I’m sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I turned to keep going, but Edward caught my hand, and I froze. The sky filled with lights and dark shadows, like it had the day before. I was so mesmerized by the way things had changed, that I didn’t even care an attractive guy was holding my hand.

I’m sorry to have bothered you, princess. He let go of my hand and walked away.

I stood still for a few seconds, puzzling over what had just happened. Shaking my head, I told myself to snap out of it; being late wasn’t part of being a useful employee. As I made my way to my building, I tried to put the strange guy out of my mind. By the time I got to my desk, I’d almost succeeded.

While my computer logged in, I went to the kitchen, grabbed the fanciest mug, and made a cup of coffee, which I promptly took to Evelyn’s office. Knocking softly on the open door, I quietly walked in, put the coffee on her desk with a smile, said good morning, and walked out again.

I kept my head down the rest of the day, steadily going through my pile of tickets to clear. No one interrupted me the whole morning, and when I got up to get my lunch, my hips and back were sore from sitting in one position for so long. Being a useful employee would come with some physical discomfort.

I went for a walk before I ate my lunch. My office tower wasn’t far from Sparks Street, so I headed down there and kept going, finding myself across the street from the Chateau Laurier. As I stood there staring at it, someone’s hand brushed against mine. I gasped as the front of the building changed. Swirls that glowed gold and silver appeared on the stone overhanging the entrance. It took a couple of seconds to fade, but I also noticed clusters of bright orbs in my peripheral vision. When it was back to looking normal, I glanced around me to see if I could figure out who had jostled me, wondering if it had been Edward. But there didn’t seem to be any obvious culprits. Staring at the pillars, I tried to make out anything else weird, but the stone was smooth and uniform. I sighed as I headed back to work.

I ate my lunch quickly in the kitchen. A couple people came in while I was in there, but no one spoke to me, which was normal. Cathy, a lady I’d assisted with a big project a few months prior, came in, and I smiled at her, but she frowned at me and exited the room as soon as she’d grabbed something out of the fridge. Sometimes I wished there was someone out there who noticed me and actually remembered me, in a good way. Not like a mean boss, or a crazy dude, but someone, or some One, who saw me, the real me.

When I got back to my desk, there was