Chapter 20: Unveiling the Mystery
I instruct the taxi driver to take me to the Riverglen Village.After around one hour, I arrive.
I quickly exit the taxi and approach the old house, feeling a strong sense of anticipation as I take in the sight of the old house which stands silent and unmoving in the moonlight.
My mind can't help but wonder about the memories that have been haunting me.
"Who are the people I saw in my dreams? And why do my memories feel so vivid and real? What secrets lie inside these walls? What truths will be revealed? "
I shake my head slightly, trying to clear my thoughts.
The taxi driver watches me, curious and a bit concerned, as he watches me approach the house.
"What are you planning to do in there?" he asks, his voice low and wary.
I turned around and look at him, pause for a moment, considering the taxi driver's question.
I quickly reconsider sharing my personal information with the taxi driver, realizing that it's best to keep my reasons for visiting the house private. Instead, I answer with a brief and vague explanation.
"I'm just going to explore the house," I say, my voice firm.
"I'm just doing some research for a project," I say, trying to keep my response as simple and non-specific as possible.
The taxi driver turns towards me.
"Listen," he says, his tone serious.
"If you get into any trouble or need any help, just come to my house. My house is at the end of the road which is easily visible. It's a small, humble but well-kept house. I'll be there if you need anything."
I thank the driver for his concern and assurances, and he nods before wishing me luck and heading off.
He nod and continues driving towards.
I turn back to the old house, taking a deep breath and readying myself for whatever awaits me inside.
I am now left standing alone at the entrance of the old house, feeling a mix of anticipation and nerves.
I note that it is now night, the sun having set and the sky darkening with the hues of twilight. It adds an eerie quality to the surroundings, making the old house loom ominously in the dim light. The shadows cast by the moonlight and the flickering streetlights lend an air of mystery and danger to the area.
"Huuuu.... calm down Alex! Brave yourself!"
I grip on my bags tightens as I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the task ahead. As I stand there, I feel a mix of excitement and trepidation, my heart pounded in my chest as I prepared to start my journey into my past.
[creak]
I push open the front door.
[creak! creak! creak! creak!creak!]
My heart pounding as the hinges creak loudly with each movement. The sound is loud in the quiet of the night, and I can't help but feel a sense of unease as I cross the threshold.
Inside, the house is dimly lit only by the moonlight, casting eerie shadows over everything. Every sound and movement seems magnified in the silence, and I can practically feel the weight of the house's history bearing down on me.
I take a quick look around the entrance, noting the old and worn-down state of the interior. The house is in dire need of repairs, and it's clear that no one has lived here for a long time.
"Ofcourse it is! It's already been 8 years now and it's not like father want to rent this house to anyone. I bet there would be no one want to in the first place." I chuckled.
I try to shake off the fear and unease that is building within me and force myself to move further into the house.
The old house has two floors and a cellar in the basement. The house creaks and groans with every step I take, the old wood and timbers protesting at my intrusion.
Despite its state of decay and abandonment, the house still holds a certain charm, with high ceilings and a cozy, if run-down, atmosphere.
Each room is empty and neglected, the curtains tattered and the furniture decayed. The house feels like a relic of a bygone era, and the silence is oppressive.
As I move from room to room, it becomes clear that something is not right. The house feels like a mausoleum, a place of the dead and forgotten.
The first floor is in somewhat better shape than the top floor, and there is only one room that is in good enough shape to be habitable.
"Thank goodness there's atleast one."
Despite some minor wear and tear, the bedroom looks relatively habitable, with an old bed and a few pieces of furniture still intact. I decide that, for the sake of my comfort and safety, it would be best to sleep here for the night, rather than brave the creepy atmosphere of the top floor.
"This room?....
Upon further inspection, the room seems to have once belonged to a young girl, with some clues still intact. The bed is a small twin size, decorated with a soft pink bedspread and adorned with decorative pillows.
There are also remnants of a dollhouse and a small vanity table, complete with a faded pink brush and comb. The space had clearly belonged to a beloved girl, and the trinkets and tokens left behind tell a story of a time long past.
As I sit on the bed, a memory comes to me. My father had told me and Alice to not wander too much in the house, and as a result, I never had the chance to explore the other rooms.
Therefore, I know little to nothing about the condition of the other rooms in the house. The only room I were fully familiar with was mine and my mother's room, which is where I used to spend most of my time playing and reading.
As the memory of my father's warning settles in, a wave of suspicion washes over me.
"Why did father tell us not to explore the house?"
It's odd that he instructed us not to explore the house, and now that I think about it, I can't think of a good reason for his caution. My curiosity and confusion deepen, and I can't shake the feeling that there is more to the story than what I know.
"I wonder if he had a reason for being so secretive…?"
"Could it be that there is something hidden in this house? Something that father didn't want us to find? Maybe there is a secret he has been hiding from us all this time."
I decide to think over this issue overnight, hoping that the clarity of a new day will bring answers to my questions. For now, I try to shake off my worries and try to get some sleep, though the thoughts still linger in my mind.
I try to sleep, but my mind is still racing with thoughts and unanswered questions. Despite my best efforts, sleep eludes me.
After tossing and turning for what feels like eternity, I finally found a comfortable position, I close your eyes and try to relax. I feel myself drifting off, my body sinking further into the mattress and pillows. As I slip into a peaceful slumber, the worries and questions that were plaguing my mind begin to fade away.
At around 3 a.m
[Thunk!]
I wake up suddenly with a start, roused from my sleep by a loud noise coming from somewhere outside. My heart races as I sit up, trying to determine its source.
"What was that noise? Was it just a branch falling, or something more serious? Maybe I should go take a look."
I get out of bed and approach the window, carefully pulling the curtains aside for a better view, I glance out the window, but the view is mostly obstructed by the thick foliage outside. To my surprise, I see a small, fuzzy animal scurrying.
I decide that it is likely nothing to worry about and that it would be best to go back to sleep. I return to the bed, wrapping myself in the warm blankets, and try to relax once again.
[Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!]
"What is that!!" I shout!
As if on cue, there is another sequence of noises coming from outside. This time, it outside my room, in the hallway, they are louder and more persistent, as if someone or something is trying to attract my attention.
I feel a jolt of fear run through me as I try to puzzle out what is going on outside the room.
"This is getting strange." I said whilewondering if it could be just mice or some other animal.
"May- maybe I should get a closer look." I said.
[ Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!]
"What on earth is making those noises? Is there someone there, or is it just my imagination playing tricks on me?
I slowly rise from the bed, my heart pounding with anxiety.
I quietly make my way to the door.
[Thump! Thump!Thump]
My heart thumping loudly in my chest. As I am walking, the sound became more louder and persistent, as if it were to mocking me.
What will I find outside?
I cautiously open the door and step into the hallway, looking around for any signs of movement.
I step into the hallway and a few steps forward, treading lightly in case any floorboards might creak. The hallway is dimly lit, with shafts of light filtering through the gaps in the walls, my eyes darting around the dark passage.
As I take a closer look, I see that the room adjacent to mine is open, the door slightly ajar. I recognise that room, it's father's study. I heve never get into that room before even when I was a child. Father always mad at me if I even take a step into it. Hence, I never did.
But now, here I am, couraging myself to get in there just to wonder if someone or something could be inside.
I walk closer to the study, as the noises grow louder and louder.
[Clunk!]
Suddenly, there is a loud crash. It seems to be coming from inside the study.My heart races with fear as I realize something.….
or someone is in my father's study. I stand in place, frozen with fear, unsure of what to do.
"Do I turn around and pretend to ignore the noises or do I find out what is in the study?"
"Okay, take a deep breath. Stay calm and stay alert." whispering to myself.
I can hear my own breathing, ragged with fear. I reach the open doorway to my father's study, and the noises grow louder.
I shake my head and gather all my courage, I decide to confront the mystery. With a trembling hand, I push the door open and enter the study, the mysterious noises from inside becoming even louder.
As I step inside, I can't believe my eyes! Its.....