Grandpa died today.
Grandpa liked to tell me stories when I saw him. They were always really interesting, Monsters that go bump in the night and cursed treasures that bring doom to those who have them. The only problem was that Grandpa only ever told scary stories and I would get nightmares. When I asked why he couldn’t tell me nice stories that have a happily ever after he would always say the same thing.
“So you won’t let fear stop you from moving forward.”
He would never tell me what he meant no matter how often I asked. He always had a sad look on his face when he said it, like when Dad made Mom sad by accident. One day after he came to visit, Mom and Dad had a big fight about something. I don’t know what happened but Grandpa didn’t come visit as much afterwards, only when Mom wasn’t home.
On the weekend we went to a big church. There were a lot of people I had never seen before but Dad said they were family or friends of Grandpa. An old guy wearing a big robe like a wizard walked over to a stand and started talking about god and stuff. It was really boring but Dad told me that we had to wait until he was done. I could hear people crying and some of them that were close by were whispering like they were sharing a secret.
“I can’t believe he would pass away so suddenly.”
“What’s going to happen with you know what?”
“I don’t know but knowing him he probably had at least five different fall backs so don’t count on getting lucky with the inheritance.”
After the wizard robe guy was done, a few other people came up to talk about Grandpa and then everyone started leaving the church.
I thought we were done but then we had to walk outside around the back. We had to walk for a little bit and my feet hurt because Mom made me wear fancy shoes that were hard to walk in. We had to watch as they lowered the box grandpa was in, at least I think he was in there. It was closed but everyone said he was in there, and I didn’t want to get in trouble trying to peek. They covered the box with dirt and everyone put some flowers over the spot.
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After that we went home, no one said anything but I could tell that Mom was really sad and Dad was pretending he wasn’t like when we watched that movie where the dog died at the end. Mom made dinner and it was my favorite, burgers! Mom even made them with the cheese on the inside. After we finished eating, Mom said we were having an early board game night and I even got to pick the first one we played! I had a lot of fun but Mom and Dad weren’t having any at all. Mom looked like she was going to cry again and Dad … had a look I’ve never seen before. He was staring at the board but not really. Dad looked at me while I was staring at him.
“Hey son, can you head up to your room?” He paused for a moment looking away, “I have to talk with Mom about … grown up stuff.”
“Oh … okay.” I got up and went up the stairs to my room, but before I closed the door I heard Mom crying again. I got up on my bed and grabbed my stuffed T-rex. I still didn’t have a good name for him but he was a gift from Grandpa so I really liked him. He was green with brown spots and his smile had soft teeth that I moved my fingers through.
“Next time you see something scary, think of them like your new friend here.”
That was what Grandpa said when he gave him to me. I don’t really see how that helps, I’m scared of the dark but it being a soft plush doesn’t help. All I can imagine is a pure black doll without a face, which gave me nightmares that night. I hugged my plush while I sat on the edge of my bed. “I wonder what they’re talking about…”
“Probably about money or taxes… whatever those are”
“Or maybe they wanted me to leave so they could cry without me there.” Grownups don’t like letting kids see them cry for some reason, which I always thought was weird since they always said it was okay to cry if you were sad.
“I didn’t do anything wrong right?” I think about everything we did today, which was mostly just doing nothing and listening to other people talk. I did everything I was told but sometimes I would still get in trouble because I did something wrong by accident, which I think is a little unfair. Not remembering anything, I lay down and look up at the glow in the dark stars on the ceiling. Grandpa always liked the stars, “I hope you can still see them, wherever heaven is.”
Knock-Knock-Knock
“Hey it’s me, can I come in?”
Sitting up quickly, “Yeah”.
Opening the door, Dad walks in slowly and closes the door. I got really nervous since the last time he did that was after…
“How are you feeling?”, kneeling down, he looks at me and ruffles my hair.
“I’m okay.”
“Good, good.” He looks around like he’s looking for something, “I have something important to talk about with you okay.”
“What is it?”
“We’re going on a trip.”
“Where?”
“That’s a surprise for later but we’re going in the morning tomorrow so I’m going to help you pack.”
“Ok!” I jump off my bed and go grab my backpack and take out my school supplies to make room.
“You’re going to need a bit more room than that.” Dad says, “Let me grab something with more room.”
Dad steps out and comes back with a big suitcase, I’ve never seen it before. It’s brown and has lots of belts and buckles on it. “This was a gift from your Grandfather when I moved out”, he slaps the side of it making a hollow thud. “Should have plenty of space for what you need.”
With Dad’s help, I fold up a bunch of clothes and put them in the suitcase. Closing it, a cloud of dust hits me in the face making me cough. “Haha, guess it has been a while since I used it.”
“Since you already emptied your backpack, why don’t you take some things to keep you busy it’s … it’s going to be a long ride.”
“Can I bring my drawing pad?” Mom doesn’t let me take it with me sometimes because she says it distracts me too much.
“Yeah that’s alright, take whatever you want.” Looking around Dad picks up a plain looking notebook. “Just make sure you keep up with your journal”, handing the notebook to me.
I take it and slowly put it in my backpack. I go over to my shelf and see what books I want to take with me. “Hmmm, I guess this one and that one”, grabbing two coloring books I haven’t finished yet. These ones are grown up ones that are really complicated. I like them because I can use a lot of colors and I can try drawing them myself later. The last things I put in my backpack are a big case of colored pencils and a tiny telescope I got from the planetarium.
Zipping up my backpack I turn around,”All done”, holding it in my arms.
“Alright well, You need to get some sleep since we’re leaving early.” Taking the backpack from me, Dad sets it on top of the suitcase. He turns around and lifts me up with a grunt of effort and places me on my bed. “But I'm not that sleepy and I need to change into my pajamas”, protesting until Dad places a hand on my head.
“Just close your eyes, you’ll be surprised how exhausting days like this can be.”
“Fine.” Closing my eyes, Dad starts to hum a song while tucking me in.
This is dumb, I’m not a baby anymore. This year I turn double digits!
I’m …
I’m not …
Not gonna …
….
…zzz
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“..ke ..p”
Huh?
“Wake up.” A hand gently shakes me and through bleary vision, I make out my Dad. As I rub my eyes, something makes my nose wrinkle as I pull up the covers. It smells like grown up drinks, I remember when one of Mom’s brothers made me try some and his breath smelled like that.
“Oh shi- uhhh, sorry about that, probably should took a mint or something.” Stepping back, I see Dad put his hand close to his mouth and breathe into it. He frowns and looks back to me, “Can you head downstairs?” He gestures over to my bags, “I’ll take those down, don't worry.”
Shuffling out of bed with plushie in tow, I plod my way downstairs. A little later, I hear Dad coming down and after a thud and some words I’m not allowed to say, he makes his way over to the door. Putting down the bags, he takes my sweater off the rack and we fumble a bit before it’s on. Opening the door, a biting wind whips across my face and the patter of rain has me reaching for my hood. “Daaaaad, do we have to go now?” Walking out into the rain without a word, I groan and stuff my plushie into my sweater to keep it dry before stepping outside to follow. The wind and rain rip my grogginess from me as I quickly start to shiver , looking up I start “Dad-”. Now that we were outside, what light there was let me see his face better. His eyes were sunken in, still wearing the same clothes from last night although crumpled and creased along the edges, eyes red with the rain making it look like he’s still crying.
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I looked away and stood there, now my nerves were going and I started looking around before noticing something. Mom wasn’t with us and more than that, Dad only brought out my bags. I didn’t see any other bags and we were standing on the curb away from the car. I tried to pluck up the courage to ask when I heard something. At first, I thought it was just the leaves in the trees but then it got louder and closer. I looked over to where the sound seemed to be coming from and had to squint to see as the rain started picking up. A pair of lights began to approach accompanied by the soft rumble of an engine. It was a car and it looked familiar but I couldn’t tell. As it got closer, the glare of the lights increased and I had to close my eyes when it started to hurt. The hum grew louder and my heart began to beat faster and faster until suddenly it stopped with a slight sputter. I lowered my hand a little and peeked to see the car in front of me.
I remembered where I had seen it from. Mom was always into old stuff like grandfather clocks, radios, toys, and especially cars. She said they were “vintage” or “antiques” but those were just grown up words for old. One time she dragged me to a car show where they had a bunch of old cars to look at. It was really boring and it was hot that day, especially standing around big blocks of metal shining the sun right in my face. The car I was looking at now was like from the car show .It was black all over besides the front part which was silver. I tried to look into the windows to see who was driving but the rain kept getting in my eyes. Dad muttered something but I didn’t quite catch it as he picked the bags and walked over to the doors. I walked over doing my best to keep the rain out of my eyes. He opened a door leading to a back seat and turned back to me. Holding out a hand to me, “Come on, I’ll help you in.”
Taking his hand, I climbed into the back seat, tan fabric lined the seat which was soft when I sat down. I took out my plushie from my sweater finding it was mostly dry, placing it onto the seat next to me. Dad hands me my backpack and moves towards the back of the car with the suitcase. I hear the creak of wood followed by a thud that causes the car to shake, ending with a metallic clack as he comes back around to the door. Dad is completely drenched at this point and I’m worried he’ll get sick. He grabs me by the shoulders and looks me in the eyes, his hands are trembling and something tells me it’s more than the rain causing that.
“You’re going on ahead first.”
“What?”
“Me-”, He takes a deep breath, “Your mother and I still need to get ready so you can go on ahead.”
I don’t like this, I shake my head. “No, I can wait so we can all go together, I-”
“I know this must seem really scary.” He looks down for a moment, “But you have to trust me on this.”
My words catch in my throat, all I can do is nod my head. He pulls me into a hug so tight that it starts to hurt a bit. “I love you and so does your mother, now and always.” He whispers and I respond by hugging him as hard as I can. He lets go and backs away, reaching over to close the door. He slams it closed, I wince in anticipation but as it reaches the frame it seems to stop only to softly click into place. As soon it clicks into place, the car vibrates as the engine kicks on and we begin moving. I look back through the window, Dad is waving to me and I mirror him for as long as I can before we make a turn and he vanishes from sight.
I turn around and sit down in my seat, grabbing my plushie. I hold it tight and try to get a good look at the driver. They’re wearing a hat so I can’t get a good look at their face and they don’t seem keen on talking to me. They must be pretty tall since they have hunch down in the seat and the gloved hands holding the wheel are way bigger than mine. “Um… is it okay if I ask where we’re going?” I wait for a few moments and sigh at the lack of a reply. I look out of the window into the downpour to distract me. My nerves are going off at full blast and the all too familiar knot in my stomach starts to knit itself together. We seem to be going to the same road for what seems like hours but there isn’t a clock inside the car so I can’t tell. As I look forward, we enter a tunnel as a strange feeling washes over me. It’s like when you first start going down a roller coaster, that rise in your gut before the speed picks up except this time there isn’t a drop and that feeling seems to keep going,
Going,
Going,
And going.
For no reason, it stops and I notice a light ahead of us. I lean forward but I can’t seem to see outside. Like those windows that are made foggy on purpose, only vague shapes are visible. We pass through the exit, and I feel a pull on me like something is trying to keep me from passing through. It fades just as quickly, and the fogginess gives way to a forest. The rain appears to have stopped on this side of the tunnel. I move closer to the window trying to get a better look, large pine trees roll by as we putter down a dirt road. I have to steady myself after going over a large bump in the road. The shadows cast by the canopy in the light of the early morning give an ominous sensation. As we went by, I swear there were eyes looking at me from deep in the treeline and some of the bark almost looked like faces. I just rubbed my eyes and sat back down since it didn’t seem like we still had a while let to go.
Finally it seems like we’re getting out of the forest, at least I think. The trees aren’t as close together and more sunlight is able to make it through. I feel myself lean back more into the seat as we start going up a hill. The trees begin to further part as a large looming shape becomes visible. As we make our way up, I can make out a large gate whose walls seem to stretch on past for a while in opposite directions. We finally break through the treeline and hold my breath as I take in what I’m seeing.
It’s a house. A really, really, REALLY BIG house or maybe a hotel? I can’t see a sign that a hotel would have and it doesn’t really seem inviting. The outside seemed to be made of gray stone that in places was overtaken by plants that seemed to be trying to eat the house itself. It looked a bit like the church from yesterday in some places. It was mostly in the windows, they would have a flat bottom but would come together to a point at the top. We were approaching from the front so it was hard to see how far back it went but just side to side, it could fit our house three times and then some! As we got closer, I felt the car begin to slow down until we eventually came to a stop a short walk away from the gate. The driver opened his door and stepped out, following his lead, I opened my own door and carefully made my way out. With my backpack secured and plushie in hand, I take another look around as if something is going to jump out at any second.
I jumped when a slam came from behind him, whipping around the gloved hand of the driver resting on the now closed car door. Now that I can get a better look, I can see their face more clearly. Deep set brown eyes in a set, stern gaze, clean shaven large square jaw, and a slightly hooked nose. They glance down towards me and I avert my gaze back to the building before me. Moving past in a sure step, they walk up to the gate with the suitcase in tow. I quickly catch up and just trail behind them for the short walk up the closed gate. Upon reaching it, he sets down the suitcase and turns back towards me. Parting his jacket, he reaches inside and pulls a closed fist down to me. I cautiously reach up in kind underneath his fist and feel the cold touch of metal as his fist opens. Pulling back, I see a key made of some blue metal. The end that goes into a lock seems normal for the most part, turning it makes the light reflect in strange ways. Holding it closer, I notice symbols that are etched into the metal. For a moment it seems like they shift under my gaze but a blink seems to suggest nothing else. The end of the key is more interesting, it is a diamond piece that has an image of a star drawn in lines and inside it is a circle made of arrows pointing out in all directions. In a circle around the star are more symbols but they are different from the ones etched into the key.
I look back up, “What-” but he’s gone. I look back up the road to where his car should be but isn’t. I just stare at the space where they should be, hoping they’ll reappear if I stare long enough. When that doesn’t work, I turn back to the gate and stare at it for a while wondering what I should do. Do I go in? What if people live here and get mad at me? Would they believe me if I told them what happened? The screeching of metal tears me from this spiral as the gate opens before me, almost as if inviting me in.
“Well if the gate was unlocked, maybe they'll be ok with visitors, just until my parents show up.” I take off my backpack and put it down, opening it, I place my plushie inside and zip it back up with his head poking out and pocket the key so I can use both hands. Slinging it back on my shoulders, I put both hands on the suitcase's handle and lifted it!
….
….
….
I look back down expecting the handle to have come off, explaining why it felt like I was lifting my backpack instead of a giant suitcase. The whole suitcase is off the ground and I find myself staring once again. I lift it up and let it fall a few times to see if anything changes, and when it doesn’t, I make a decision and cross over past the gate. I look back and the gate closes, this time without a sound and I take a deep breath to keep my nerves at bay. Taking a moment to inspect it, the part of the gate that opens is made of a dark black metal that ends in a row of spikes along the top. The wall connected to it is made of the same gray stone that the house is and now that I’m inside I can finally see how far down it goes. It looks like it turns right at the treeline and seems to make a square or maybe a rectangle? I can’t tell if the far end of the wall is the same since the house is blocking my view. As I walk to the front door, I look around at the area around. Grass has grown almost to my waist, the pathway I’m on is paved with stones but the amount of weeds poking between them would make it hard to tell if I wasn’t stepping on them. To the left, I can see a metal frame that seems to be hanging over an empty area minus a few rings of stone with dirt in them. I can see part of the frame attached to the outside wall, which means the other side is probably attached to the house. The right side appears to be bare besides the overgrown grass swaying in an unseen breeze.
Walking up to the entrance, I go up a few small steps onto the landing. A large set of wooden double doors loomed over me, made of a dark brown almost reddish wood. A pair of large black metal rings adorn each door, reaching out, I grab one and pull back to knock on the door. I stumble back as the door opens easily and I have to make way as it swings out. I peer into the interior through the doorway.
It’s … normal? I don’t know exactly what I was expecting but it seems like everything that should be in a house. A long red carpet stretches down after the doorway before stopping in the middle of the room. Black and white tiles line the floor beneath the carpet with smudges visible on the white tile. I can’t see much else from the doorway and while hesitating, a chill wind flows behind me making me shiver. I look back out of instinct and see that it’s gotten darker, clouds filling the once open sky followed by a gentle patter as rain begins coming down.
It must be the storm from before making its way over. Remembering how strong it was, I take a couple of cautious steps through the door. “Just so I can stay dry.” Speaking out to no one, I pass the threshold and glance around the room now that I have a better angle. The tiles seem to stop shortly past the doorway before giving way to a wooden floor that is the same as the doors. Placing my suitcase down, I wince as the floor groans under its weight. Lifting my gaze, the ceiling stretches high above, the difference making me feel even smaller. Wooden beams criss-cross with my eyes catching on a long chain that hangs down attached to a chandelier. Chains keep a pair of metal rings aloft where candles are placed evenly along them, although they remain unlit. Behind the chandelier, a landing that is connected to a pair of stairs on both sides. The stairs round as they descend, lined in velvet, and boxing in the space between them. Hallways can be seen leading further in at the top of each stair case, the windows let the shifting light in as it brightens and dims with the subtle rumbling of thunder. Looking to either side of the first floor, yawning hallways beckon with the light from the windows forming a trail to follow.
“Hello?” Speaking out into the void, “I’m really sorry for just coming in but it was raining and I didn’t want to get wet.”I strain my ears to catch any sound at all but only the still air greets me. The creeping fear that I might be all alone starts to tighten its slow but sure grip on me. Silence begins gnawing at me, the shadows seem to lengthen and waver at the corners of my vision. The sound of rain begins to fill my ears, or is it the sound of my heart beat? My breath starts to catch and I kneel down to grab my plushie from my backpack. I screw my eyes shut and squeeze with all my strength.
A boom of thunder shakes me to my core. The house groans as if in pain and the floor beneath me shifts ever so slightly. “W-what fi-five things can I s-see?” Recalling what Dr.Shark would tell me, I open my eyes and start, “I can see the floor, the carpet, my plushie, the stairs, a … a light?” Looking at the top of the left staircase, a faint glow can be seen past the lip, barely visible. The fear I had slowly melts away as a flicker of hope springs to life. I start walking forward before I nearly trip on my backpack, pinwheeling my arms to keep myself from falling over. I guess this is why Mom always says to pick up after myself. I grab my backpack and pick up my suitcase, heading to the staircase to follow the light. Setting my foot on the first step, a buzzing sound comes to life as a light comes on. I didn’t notice it before, it’s a small indent in the wall, a semi-circle poking out from the wall spilling forth a yellow light. As it washes over me, my steps grow more sure and ascending the steps causes more lights to flicker on. Reaching the top, I see the source of the light. At the end of a hallway, a candle holder sits upon a wooden table. The candles lit upon it sway, casting an orange glow that beckons me forward.
Making my way down the hallway, I pass by many closed doors, they all seem the same but there isn’t much light between the candles and the stairs so I can’t tell for sure. Reaching the end of the hallway, I hear the creaking of wood around the corner of the hallway on my right. Looking over, I see a door open with a pale yellow light coming out of it. I gulp before taking a deep breath and making my way down. This part of the hallway doesn’t have as many doors, but pictures are hung upon the wall, the shadows making them appear faceless but still feel as though they are staring at me.
I reach the open doorway, it opens towards me so I have to poke my head around to see into the room. “Hello … is someone here?” Looking into the room, it looks like Dad’s office. There’s a large wooden desk at the back of the room with the top of a chair poking above it in the middle. The source of the light is on top of the desk to the left of the chair, a lamp with a dark green cover causing the light to come out from the top and bottom. On the opposite side of the desk looks like a potted plant. It has a black clay pot and coming out from it is a plant I’ve never seen before. It has two stalks, each with two thick leaves coming out from the base, and at the top where a flower should be is a head? A head is the best way to describe it, there’s a mouth filled with white triangular teeth. Both “heads” aren’t moving at all, a layer of dust seems to have settled on them. Finally, it looks like a book is in the middle of the desk, directly in front of the chair but from the doorway, it’s impossible to see anything else.
I step into the office, looking around I notice shelves filled with all sorts of different items. I see statues that seem to resemble people with animal heads that have multiple arms and tails. There are jars filled with plants, plaques with insects pinned on them, and even a crystal ball set on a cushion. As I round the desk, I set my suitcase and backpack down before pulling the chair out. The chair is surprisingly comfortable as I sit on it and scooch forward to get a closer look at the book. The cover doesn’t have a title, It appears to be made from some kind of leather with metal along the spine. There is a keyhole on the side that opens up, but there isn’t a strap that connects to it. I slide the book closer and try to open it. No matter how much I pull it doesn’t budge an inch, it feels like they are all stuck together but if I brush my finger down the pages, they part slightly. I start to get frustrated and stick my hands in my sweater pockets where my hand brushes up against something.
Excitement quickly overtakes me as I whip the key I got from the driver, I look between the key and the lock. I don’t know why but for some reason, I know that this is where the key has to go. I place it into the keyhole and turn or try to as the key falls into the keyhole entirely. I blink for a moment and reach to pick up the book as it starts to shake. I pull back as the book begins to change, the leather seems to age before my eyes, getting darker and more wrinkled, the metal along the spine rusts and falls off, and the keyhole vanishes. The leather begins to peel off in chunks revealing a hard cover beneath it and a glowing pattern begins to reveal itself as the leather falls off. It is the same design that was on the key, the light having the same blue that the key was made of. As the last of the leather falls away, it stops shaking and settles, the light still coming off from the pattern on the cover. I sit there for a moment, waiting to see if something else happens. The book sits there, a bluish glow on a black cover so dark It seems to absorb the light. I reach out to brush my hand along the edge to see if the book will open. As soon as my finger touches the cover, a jolt goes up my arm and flows throughout my body. I gasp out in shock and pull my hand back, finding nothing wrong with it and pat myself over not feeling pain anywhere.
The book opens by itself and pages flip past quickly, once they reach the middle, it stops and lays open. I lean forward looking at the now open book, seeing only two blank pages. I hear a scratching sound and before my eyes, words appear on the right page near the top. It reads “Greetings young master”.