Unseen

My attention darted straight towards the door. There was this feeling inside of me that knew something malicious lurked through the house; But there was another feeling that I knew someone was just trying to spook me.

I stomped my feet across the floor until I stood merely a few feet from the door. I grabbed the handle and twisted it carefully. There was a small part of me that was scared, me jiggling the handle reminded me of old tips; Like not to open a door handle when there's lightning because then you might get electrocuted. With a speedy thrust I bash open the door from which slams into the attic wall.

Not even being focused on what just happened, I wanted to make my way outside more than ever. I grabbed my jacket and lassoed it across my waist. I know Alexa is intertwined in this rosebush (aka the house), in some kind of manner. She knows something more than what she leads on and I'm about to chase this rabbit into the rabbit hole. But, then again do I want to reveal my hand this fast?

Aunt Geniveve loved Texas Holdem'; She said if you know you have something to win the pot, don't show it. If you show it, then it's only going to make everyone run. I took her messages to heart.

I slowly crept outside, and lurked across the yard where Alexa had run off to. It was cloudy out, not the usual kind of cloudy either; I like that kind of cloudy. This kind of cloudy was dark and evil, like Zeus himself was so pissed off that he was going to lay his wrath across the town.

I finally made it to the woods, but I didn't see any little treehouse or whatever it was. So I just sneaked through the same direction I thought Alexa rushed into.

After 5 or 10 minutes, I was like actually into the woods, I couldn't even see the tree line anymore. All the trees with the dead leaves hanging onto the limbs by a mere thread blended together. I felt lost inside, even though I knew that all I had to do was walk back in the opposite direction and I'd be back at the house.

I walked a bit further and still didn't see anything. The storm breeze howled through the forest, flying in it's hurricane manner. I walked to a creak. It stretched through the woods and the tomboy in me was thrilled, I splashed past it like it was nothing. I ended up putting on my jacket because the wind was actually making me cold.

I finally see the makeshift structure, but Alexa is nowhere to be found. I make my way up to the building and a large ladder sat against it. Well of course I climb up. Finally reaching the top, I faintly see the house but nothing else. I feel as though I was led here on purpose. I take one last glance around the little building, and come across something very interesting: A love letter. .

"To my beloved Geniveve,

You complete me in a way I can't even imagine. My life surrounds the thought of you. Please run away and you will have the life you deserve. He won't hurt . . . .

"

The letter was ripped after that. The same symbol etched in the parchment as well.

The words of the lost letter echoed through my heart for a minute, my brain empty and thoughts engulfed with this melancholy-like feeling. The rain pitter-patted all over the roof, but the sound of it drifted away from my ears to the depths of the sad, sad forest. All I could think about was Geniveve, I sat in solitude for a few more moments and missed my Aunt more than ever.

I creased the letter in half and stuffed it into my jacket pocket.

I climbed down to the ladder and turned my attention back to the house. The love letter made me forget the unsettling Pursuit I was entangled in between. I hurled myself out of the forest and into the yard. Alexa was in the front seat of a station wagon with a man that I couldn't quite decipher. But, there was nothing around, the front door still open, the car door still open. The rain danced on me on oil on a hot stove but I didn't mind it. I did mind the fact that I was left puzzled, what was even more weird was the fact that nothing was stolen- because you'd think that she would have stolen something. But nothing was gone.

I walked inside, close the door, plop on the couch and stare at the wall. In a way that I'm looking for answers. With a spark in my eye I decide to round up all the evidence somehow related to the house. So far I have an old note and ruby red key, a distant photo I remember taking and the love letter. All three have one thing in common, my aunt.

The key is what's concerning. I distinctly remember it but i don't know exactly from where.

I walk upstairs and go into the bedroom and cozy on in right inside my bed.

The clock showed 9:17.

My eyes began to close and open in a repetitive fashion. I was fighting sleep like an old street fighter game. Left, Right, A . . . UPPERCUT!

I slowly began to calm and then I just sunk right into sleep…

"Now I'll see you next time Noel", Aunt Geniveve said, wrapping her arms all the way around me.

But mom I don't want to leave …

"It's time to leave now", mom drug me all the way to the car.

Noooo … I hollered and cried all the way off the porch.

I remember seeing the sign of sorrow implanted on Aunt Geniveve's face. The ruby red key is the last thing I saw. I glimmered through the front window, as it sat on the dresser.

With a sudden shriek I escape the nightmare. And there i layed with my eyes circling the clock.

"Ughhhh"

I've only slept for about three hours.

I suddenly click and remember the very same ruby key I have, sitting on the old, cumbersome dresser; which might just happen to open that dresser. But that dresser isn't where it was originally, in the house. I leapt out of bed and started searching the house.

I first glimpsed around the base floor. It was very quiet so I flicked on the TV too. I scour the rest of the host but don't see a thing, except the secret hallway.

I make my way through the closet and up the ladder.