SLAM!

Not sure which hurt more, my face slapping the floor or the auditory-punch from the splintering-crack of the door. My ears rang in protest. Gingerly I lifted my head and opened my eyes. I was met with a beautiful polished wood floor. Lights from overhead softly reflected off the warm-red cherry wood. I picked myself up. I quickly looked at my hands before wiping them on my pants, only to find them completely clean. “This place must be well taken care of.”

Stepping out of the foyer I was greeted by the sitting room. Two dark gray couches on either side and a similar colored rocking chair facing inward pinned down a rug of rich green. Completing the frame to the rug was the stone hearth of a rugged fireplace made of stones, which rose up to the ceiling. Small side tables stood at-the-ready between the seats. Enveloping the room in a warm embrace was wallpaper the color of a perfectly made latte. 

Before I even felt the shiver I wrapped my arms around myself. Despite the warmth of the house, a deep chill permeated my bones. “A latte right now would be incredible.” I waddled-in-place, turning like a plate in a microwave, only stopping once I saw a doorway. I walked over to it and peered through. A hallway of closed doors lay before me; two on each side, and ending at a wall with one single door facing me. Even from this distance I could see that shapes were carved into that final door’s wood. Small shaded lights sat upon ornate bronze perches throughout the hall. 

Spilling into the hallway at the very end on the left was a light stronger than the soft ones guarding this stretch. Curious, I walked toward it. The closer I got, a beautiful smell wafted from around the corner. Coffee. By the time I turned the corner my mouth was already salivating. My heart raced just thinking about it! A beautiful kitchen with marble tiles and cabinets the color of the first snow practically stole my heart away. Countertops, the same color as the cabinets, practically wrapped around the room. 

Eagerly I stepped toward the room, only to bounce back toward the hall. Confused, I looked behind me to see what I was snagged on. Wrapped around the knob of the carved door was my right hand. “I must have grabbed it without noticing.” I released the knob and stepped into the kitchen.

It was breathtaking. Large windows broke up the cabinets. “The natural light in this room must be beautiful in the morning,” I thought to myself as I could only see my reflection in the glass. Dirty-blond hair rested upon my shoulders. I brushed my hair behind my ear. I wouldn’t say I was that bad looking. A small nose rose from a face of Caribbean sand. What stole the show were my eyes; crystal blue whirlpools that could draw in anyone. Combining all that with my lavender tank top and blue jeans, I was cute.

Pulling away from my own Narcissus, I looked about the room for the source of the dark-roasted heavenly smell. Sitting on a counter a few feet from me was a royal blue mug. Steam gently rose from a cloud of steamed milk. I walked over and picked it up with both hands. The top jiggled slightly with the movement. This gorgeous drink here has to be a latte. The warmth from the hot cup bit my cold hands, but I didn’t care. I bit my lower lip in anticipation and blew softly on it. The top of the frothy cloud rippled under my breath. Carefully I brought the mug to my lips and tilted it carefully. 

“Mmmm.”

Liquid gold washed over my tastebuds. Hints of dark cocoa playing in sweet cream brought me to my happy place. It was perfect. With my eyes closed I savored the coffee. After sending the chill-thawing hot liquid down, I placed the cup down on the counter. Someone here had to have made this after hearing me. 

“Hello!” I shouted. In an effort to keep hair from the latte, I gathered up my hair and tied it into a quick ponytail. I picked back up the steaming mug with both hands and moved into the hallway. Directly across from me past the carved door looked to be stairs. Whoever made the drink probably ran upstairs. 

I moved toward the staircase but stopped in front of the carved door. Something about the door intrigued me. It didn’t have carvings of cupids, animals, or anything like that. Just spirals that seemed more like branches that would intertwine. Despite the chaos of it, the door itself was oddly comforting. I grabbed its dark metal door knob and tried to open it. 

Thud thud thud. 

The handle was free but the door itself was stuck. Looking around the door knob I couldn’t find a keyhole or a switch. Looking over the door I searched amongst its intricate design. It took a few minutes but I was able to find a keyhole. Instead of being surrounded by a metal plate, it was cut straight into the wood. A tad hard to find but I’ll remember where to locate it. If I happen to find a key I’ll have to see if it fits. 

I left the carved door and walked into the stairwell. The stairs were made of the same beautiful red wood as the floorboards. A banister of dark wood with ribbons of silver inlay guided my ascent. 

“Hello!” I reached the final step and looked around. The second floor was nearly identical to the first; a short hallway with two closed doors on either side. Directly across from the stairs was the bathroom. I made a mental note of its location. Maybe the person stepped into one of these rooms. I approached the first closed door on the right. I quickly adjusted my tank-top and posture, cleared my throat, then knocked gently. “Hi! I wanted to thank you for the latte. May I come in?’

I waited a few seconds. No response. I knocked on the door another time. Still no response. Grabbing the brass door knob I gave it a twist. Locked. I shrugged and tried the next door. Locked. I tried the last two doors, which yielded the same result. “Hello!?” Maybe I missed them? Instead of another carved door, this floor’s hallway ended in a large circular window. There wasn’t another staircase. My brows furrowed. They had to be on the first floor. 

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I carefully descended the stairs and tried the first door on the left. Locked. “Hello!? Is anyone here!?” Just like the second floor, all doors on the first floor were locked. Either someone is extremely shy, or they walked outside. Regardless, they’re rude. 

I wandered about the house, eventually I found myself leaning against a wall, looking out from the large circular window on the second floor. My mug was nearly empty. Every last sip needed to be savored. I managed to turn off a few of the lights behind me so I could see out easier. 

A snow-coated forest surrounded the manor. How far exactly, I couldn’t tell. That would be a question better left for the morning. There didn’t seem to be anything in terms of property markers or decorations out there that I could see; not even a mailbox. I finished my coffee and pushed myself off the wall. Might as well bring this to the kitchen. As I started walking, the sound of something small hitting the floor called out behind me. Hoping I didn’t break something, I turned around and looked down. 

A key no longer than the length of my index finger lay on the floor. Confused, I bent down and picked it up. I rolled it around in my hand. It was some sort of silver key: a long round stem, two large bits on the front, and an ornate bow on top. A skeleton key. I squinted my eyes and looked for where it could have fallen from. I shrugged and pocketed the key. Once I manage to snag whoever lives here, I’ll make sure to give it to them since a key in a house of locked doors is worth more than gold.  

Once I was in the kitchen I placed the empty mug next to the sink. I wanted to wash the filthy thing but soap was nowhere to be found. I felt bad about leaving it. I could rinse it, but without soap, it was just foux-clean. With a sigh I abandoned my duty.

Despite the caffeine, my eyes begged for rest. Seeing as how any of the beds this home coveted was behind lock and key, I opted for one of the couches in the sitting room. I was able to find a floral decorative pillow and blanket folded up in a basket beside the couch on the left. Making myself comfy, I closed my eyes and let sleep overtake me.

* * * 

I woke as the morning sun climbed above the trees. While the couch was comfy, it didn’t warrant sleeping in. I stood up and walked to the window while I stretched. The forest was beautiful from this angle, but it would be even better from upstairs. I quickly folded the blanket and tossed it, along with the pillow, back into the basket. Satisfied that I’ve cleaned up after myself I jogged through the house until I reached the window. 

The forest went as far as the eye could see; which wasn’t very far since the trees were taller than the manor. I don’t know what I honestly expected. Disappointed with my findings, I found my way to the kitchen. My mug still sat by the side of the sink. I took a deep breath and let out a sigh. Might as well leave it in the sink so no one else uses it by mistake. I grabbed the mug and moved it over the sink. I let out a quick yelp as hot coffee and frothy steamed milk spilled over my hand. Groaning from the pain, and partially the surprise, I placed the mug back onto the counter and slapped the faucet handle. Hot water poured down onto my hands, which resulted in a few choice words. I adjusted the faucet and tested the water before plunging my hands into the stream. 

“Thank you for the coffee!” I yelled with a bit of annoyance. Whether the maker of these drinks would show their face or not, I didn’t really care. Yes, this was on me, but telling me that they’re making me a drink would be appreciated. They’ll make me drinks, but won’t show themselves. “Great!” I huffed. 

I found a small hand towel hanging from the refrigerator handle. While I dried my hands I looked around. Due to the numerous windows, the kitchen felt open with all of the natural light it received. I pulled the towel off the refrigerator and used it to dry off the outside of the mug, along with the ring of coffee beneath it. I left the towel on the counter, grabbed my mug and took in a much needed sip. I closed my eyes and let the hot liquid move over my tongue. “Mmmm” I moaned happily. 

The owner of this place might be weird, but I could get used to this. Adjusting myself on the counter I reached into my pocket and pulled out the skeleton key. In the morning light the key practically sparkled. “Beautiful” I whispered to myself. From the corner of my eye I could see out the door and into the hallway. The carved door peaked at me, beckoning me to it. “With no one here to stop me, why shouldn’t I give it a try,” I said with a mischievous smirk. 

I walked over to the carved door and looked around for the keyhole. I took a deep breath and glanced over my shoulder. “Home free”. I plugged the key in and gave it a try. The mechanism was a little stiff, but it opened with a lovely muffled click. Giddy, I twisted the doorknob and pulled. 

Thud thud thud

Did I not turn the key all the way? I twisted the key back and forth, feeling the internal mechanism moving with each direction. I gave the door another try. 

Thud Thud 

“What the Hell?” I mumbled under my breath. I got on my knees and positioned my ear just above the keyhole. I turned the key slowly at first to see if maybe something was being caught on. After a few times, I could safely say that nothing internal was moving that shouldn’t be. The noise the lock made sounded off, what was I doing wrong?

Frustrated, I pressed my ear entirely against the door and began to twist harder and harder. My eyes shot open and I pulled back my head in disbelief. I awkwardly cupped an ear and pressed the other to the door. I closed my eyes and turned the key. I scrunched my face and pulled my ear away from the door. Facing the hall behind me, I turned the key as hard as I could and tried to listen for that muffled click. The sound of the lock opening wasn’t coming from the carved door in which the keyhole was drilled into, it was coming from one of the doors down the hall. 

After making sure the key was in the unlocked position, I walked down the hall to the first door on the left and eyed it. A small image of an owl with pointed ear tufts was carved into the door right about at eye level. How did I not notice it before? I went to grab the door knob but stopped in hesitation. “This can’t be possible”, I said to myself. I held my breath and tried the door knob. Locked. 

I let go of the trapped air and chuckled. Of course that wasn’t going to work. Just to humor myself, I moved on to the next door. Marked with the image of a fox poised in a mid-dive position, the next door yielded the same result. 

I pursed my lips and quickly turned my head toward the door across the hall. An image of a roaring lion head adorned the door. Smirking, I looked the lion in the eye. “Are you going to let me in?” I tried the door and to my astonishment the handle twisted completely. “Okay den.” I gave the door a small push and it creaked open.