Before Amanda could fully process what was happening, Julie grabbed her and began whirling around the library, their laughter and confusion blending into a chaotic dance. Julie’s excitement was palpable as she laughed, cried, hugged, and shook Amanda all at once.
“Julie, stop! You’re going to make me dizzy!” Amanda gasped, trying to regain her balance. “What in the world is going on?”
“Can’t you see?” Julie’s voice was breathless with exhilaration. “We’ve found the way to the hidden room! That’s what’s going on!” Amanda stared at her, her mind racing to catch up.
“Of course!” Julie continued, her voice rising with enthusiasm. “The stairs must lead to the room directly above this one. Where else could they go? Come on, we need to check it out immediately!” Julie grabbed a candle and started for the staircase, her determination clear. Amanda followed, albeit with a hint of hesitation.
As they ascended the narrow, dusty staircase, Amanda’s voice was muffled by the thick layers of dust and cobwebs. “Julie, this place is awful—dirty, stuffy, and covered in cobwebs! Can’t we at least wait a moment to let some fresh air in?”
“I’m not waiting!” Julie called back, her voice echoing off the cramped walls. “But if you want to take a breather, go ahead. I’m forging ahead. Watch your head—these stairs are so low!” They continued to climb, their candles flickering weakly in the stale air of the forgotten passage.
“What if we can’t open the door at the top?” Amanda pondered. “What if it’s blocked by something heavy?”
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“We’ll figure it out!” Julie’s resolve was unshakeable. “I’m so invested in this now that I’d break down the entire wall if I had to! We’re almost there. Hold my candle for me—let’s see what’s waiting on the other side.” She handed her candle to Amanda, braced herself, and threw her full weight against the door at the top.
To her astonishment, there was no resistance. The door, covered only by a thin layer of wallpaper, gave way easily. Julie stumbled into the room with a surprised cry, landing on the floor in a heap. The suddenness of the entrance left her momentarily disoriented.
“Well, that was unexpected!” Julie exclaimed, pushing herself up and brushing dust off her clothes. “But look at this—we’re in!” Their excitement grew as they stood in the doorway, peering into the room they had so eagerly sought.
The room was far from what they had imagined. It was disheveled and cluttered, with clothing, books, and personal items strewn about as if someone had hastily packed up. The sight of the room’s chaotic state brought a mix of disappointment and curiosity.
“Is this really what we’ve been making such a fuss over?” Amanda’s voice held a note of letdown as she surveyed the room.
“Hold on!” Julie said, her enthusiasm undimmed. “We haven’t seen everything yet. Let’s look around a bit. Oh no, look at the mess we made with the wallpaper! Well, it’s too late now. Let’s see what’s in here.” They began to explore, stepping carefully over scattered items and tiptoeing around the clutter.
The room was unmistakably masculine in character. Fencing foils were crossed on one wall, boxing gloves hung on another. College trophies were proudly displayed on the mantel. On a central table, a large oval frame held a photograph, covered in a thick layer of dust.
Amanda pulled a dust cloth from her belt and wiped the glass clean. The girls leaned in, their curiosity piqued as they studied the photograph closely. The image inside was obscured by the grime, but it was clear that the room held secrets yet to be fully revealed. The photograph could be a key to understanding the room’s mysterious past—or perhaps a clue to the story that had been left behind.