The bathroom wasn’t anything special. White tiled floor with a white shower alone on the left wall. It had a curtain for the front and right side partition, a white sink in the front right corner facing the left wall and a white bath against the right and back wall. It was in a horrible condition, everything was covered in dust. Except for the bike leaning against the sink. It looked shiny and new.

 The house had belonged to my aunt. There was another bathroom, so this one had gone unused. Still, it wasn’t like my aunt to leave a room as neglected as this. The shiny new bike confused me but then, David’s son’s birthday had been a few days after Midge’s sudden death. It was probably his intended gift.

 I closed the door and went to the kitchen, my kitchen now. I was surprised to be the one to inherit the house. I was the only one in our family still single. I had been happy with my flat, but what kind of crazy person would say no to a free house? No mortgage to pay, no loan to pay off, it’s completely mine.

 I found the disinfectant and a bucket. I’ll start with the shower, I thought, finding an old shirt to use as a rag and taking everything back to the bathroom. I opened the door and stepped inside.

 "GET OFF!”

 I almost slipped over in my shock and looked down at a small child sitting on a sleeping bag in the middle of the floor. An opened bag of chips with its crumbs scattered everywhere and a spilt soda bottle sat next to the little girl. She clutched a Barbie doll as she glared up at me.

 “Get off, get off Sally!” the girl shrieked, lunging at my foot and tugging at another doll I was standing on.

 I fled the room and closed the door. What happened to the bike? What is wrong with me? How did that child get into my house without me noticing? I opened the door ready to scold the rude little girl.

 “Bwerk.”

 Every surface was covered in chickens. As I stood there, three of them squawked loudly and made a dash for freedom. I ducked out of their way and slammed the door, watching the chickens flap their way down the hallway. I felt close to tears, this kind of thing just wasn’t supposed to happen. My eyes returned to the door. I felt drawn to it despite my fear. What will be behind the door this time?

 This can’t be real. I must be dreaming, there must be some rational explanation. If I open the door again, nothing will be there. My mind is just playing tricks because I’m not used to having such a big quiet house to myself. Yes that’s it. I’m being stupid.

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 I flung the door open and immediately slammed it again. That lion looked damn real from here.

 “It’s that bastard Kevin.”

 It makes perfect sense. He had given me some mushrooms because he knew I loved to have them on toast for breakfast. He probably gave me the wrong kind as a joke; it’s just like him. How long does it take for it to wear off? I had no idea, so I went to my bedroom and lounged on the bed and read my book.

 Two hours later, I felt ready to face cleaning again. I had left the bucket, rag and disinfectant in the bathroom so there I returned. With a deep breath I reached out, turned the doorknob and the door swung open. I stared. The bucket, rag and disinfectant were gone. So was the shower, bath and sink. In fact the whole bathroom was gone. In its place…

 “That’s Saturn,” I said flatly. A comet streaked past in front of me.

 Calmly, I closed the door and started to laugh.

 There was a knock at the front door. It opened and my brother’s voice called, “Em?”

 I couldn’t stop laughing. I was starting to feel a little hysterical. David’s head peered around the corner into the hall with a worried expression.

 “Are you okay Em?” he asked, coming closer. “Why are there three chickens in the kitchen?”

 I fought to control my laughter and pointed at the bathroom door. Tears ran down my face as I managed to swallow my shrieks only to start choking on sobs. What if there’s nothing there now?

 Giving me another worried look, David opened the door.

 “Wait!” I called way too late.

 “Oh dear.” Was all David said.

 I looked around him and started giggling again. An apple tree was growing in the middle of the room.

 “I see why you’re upset now. It will probably cost a bit to get this fixed.”

 I reached past him and closed the door.

 “Em! Do you want my help or not? I was going to have a closer look.”

 “Oh, I’m sorry. Go ahead.”

 David opened the door. “What the…”

 “… Faaaall, on your knees! Oh heeeaar, the angel voices…” sang the small choir of boys.

 “Do you see it too?” I asked hopefully.

 David just stood with his mouth opening and closing. I took that as a yes.

 I closed the door and David seemed to come out of his daze. “Impossible.”

 “You missed seeing Saturn up close.”

 “What? No that’s crazy. There must be a gas leak in there or something that causes hallucinations.”

 David shook his head and opened the door once more.

 “Lala!”

 “Poe!”

 I stared blankly as David exclaimed, “Teletubbies?!”

 He walked in and pushed the purple one. As it fell over, it and the others made distressed noises as David turned back to me. “They’re real!”

 “I can’t deal with this!” I cried and closed the door.

----------------------------------------

I told the police David had never reached my house but some neighbours said differently. Of course nothing could be proven. I returned to my house and withdrew from the world. Everyday, I spent opening and closing the door, searching. Eating the scraps family that still worried about me brought. As the years passed I became the crazy neighbourhood witch to the children. As the years passed I slowly wasted away on my meagre diet, my appearance confirming the rumour in the kids’ eyes. But I don’t care. I will keep searching for my brother. My David.