The Visit - 'ONE'

Eight forty-five.

I rose from the dining chair and ran upstairs, ignoring mother's loud objections, skipping two steps until I got to the solitude of my room. The door slammed shut behind me; its loud vibration and the sharp inhale from my lungs reverberated in the dimly lit, empty, quiet room as my feet strode towards the window.

The lights were on.

All through my childhood, I heard stories of the mysterious house down the lake, rumors that it swallowed up people; children, adults even animals whenever they got too near. A lot of accidents were reported at the lake close to the house which made the myths quite believable. Everyone steered clear including my family even though the house was directly in front of ours. Only a gigantic palm tree deterred our view of the house.

But from the window of my tiny room, a glimpse of the house could be seen, well only the brown roof, and the little window that comes in sight whenever the branches of the palm tree swayed right. It was more distinct whenever the lights came on. It illuminated everywhere, marching to our front porch, the lake also appeared beautiful from the glimmer of light shining on the surface of the water, appearing greener and more alive.

I enjoyed the sight, it was enough to catch my attention and leave me gawking for hours. Yet, that wasn't the reason why I always bolted to my room as fast as lightning.

A glassy reflection shone in my face, all the way from the little window, like the reflection of light rays striking a mirror. It blinded my eyes for a minute before accommodation set right in. Whenever the lights came on, a form appeared at the window, human-like, boy-like, I think; that's what it looked like. It just stayed glued to the window, still. Almost lifeless. The palm trees would sway all over the place from the wind, obstructing my view but the form never veered around.

Sometimes, it seemed like it... he was watching me too but I buried such thoughts at the back of my head because the mere impression of it sent icy chills down my spine. But sometimes he appeared in my dreams as just a shadow so vivid that I woke up drenched in sweat. The dreams didn't scare me, maybe a little but they only piqued my curiosity and came on days when I felt the most pain.

The lights deactivated again which meant five minutes were up.

I heaved a sigh in frustration, those five minutes were the highlights of my day, a special gift for me and I could never get used to the thrill. It became a daily ritual. Every single day, I ran like my life depended on it or stayed glued to the window when not needed downstairs. It took my mind away from the growing hole in my heart. Sometimes I believed it was God's gift to me through my pain.

But it wasn't enough, it felt unreal sometimes like it was all happening in my head.

That's why I was going to do what no one has ever dared to do first thing tomorrow morning.

Go for a visit.

~~~~~~

I buckled the lace of my boots tightly and tucked in the wayward strand inside. The boots were a bit bigger than my feet so the strands had to be tight enough to keep my feet in place. It still feels like yesterday when Rachel, my sister passed it on to me with a genuine smile on her face as if she hadn't once made a scene at me for just trying it on. But, of course, a worn-out boot did not fit in the luggage of someone leaving for a life in the city.

The morning was yet to come, the perfect hour for me to leave the house without being seen. Mama would wake at dawn, therefore, time was still on my side. I grabbed my coat from the wooden hanger attached to my bedpost and put it on, pulling the zipper towards my neck.

The wooden board of the stairs creaked with every stomp of my foot, pressing down as if it would collapse with the slightest pressure. Just yesterday, Leah was stomping against it and it didn't sound like this. Stupid floorboard. My hands trailed over the rail for support.

On getting to the bottom, my ankles almost snapped as they hit the ground upon the sight of mother appearing from the kitchen with a rack of plates in her hands. She stopped in her tracks, her eyes scanning from the top of my head right to my toes. Double lines appeared on her forehead and her lips puckered into a thin line.

"Elizabeth," she called out, her face drained off every color as if she had just seen a ghost. On any other day, I might have laughed at her.

I stand upright. "Good morning Mama."

Her eyes glanced down at my clothes again, "And where are you off to child?" she questioned, her tone stern and somewhat fearful. My eyes flickered from hers to the mountain of food displayed on the small dining table that is three times the usual amount.

"Is there to be a feast," I inquired of her, curious and also hoping to derail her mind from my slow-witted adventure.

"Papa has some guests coming over for breakfast. It's his turn to host this month." Ohh. That explained why I could not have a safe getaway. Soon, Tina would be here with her Father and my day could not get any worse than this.

"I should help," I suggested. Mother's eyes settled on me, her lips pursed. The emotions rising in her dark brown orbs made me want to retract my words. It's the same as always; I was not allowed to do any house chores since the physician declared that work wasn't good for my heart. I was allowed to knit and read books but forbidden to work in the shop with mama or go to the town hall with papa. I couldn’t even go to school like the rest of my peers. Some in the town were not even aware of my existence and on days where my blood raged, I wandered about to let off some steam; eyes stared down at me strangely, some even quickening up their paces just like they do when walking in front of the mysterious house.

"Very well," Mama responded much to my surprise.

After an hour, everyone trotted down the stairs, gathering around the table for the huge breakfast. Mama asked Leah to say a word of prayer for the safe delivery of today's events.

Joseph rasped out after prayers, "I had a dream last night." Every chattering on the table seized at his pronouncement.

Joseph's dreams were always ominous and none of us believed them anyway because it was almost always impossible. Nevertheless, we liked to hear it.

"I saw Beth walking towards the cursed house," He spoke. The silence broke out further as everyone shifted in their seats to stare at me with puzzled looks. I almost choked on my saliva. My guilty eyes fluttered as they stared back at Joseph'. A hideous grin smeared across his face sending a chill down my backbone at the truth behind his words.

"Watch what you say, Joseph. It's not a joke," Mama protested with a dose of warning coated in her tiny voice.

"I'm serious Mama. She was wearing that same coat and a brown boot."

Mother gulped hard as her eyes darted in my direction once again, accessing my clothes.

"She's wearing brown boots," Leah shrieked, "oww" and then groaned as her forehead hit the edge of the table.

"Why are you even dressed?" Papa asked from where he is seated; beside Joseph. They all gawked at me weirdly. My eyes blinked rapidly, fluttering against my eyelids as I searched my brain hard for an explanation befitting an excuse.

I half-laugh. "Why are you all acting serious? It's just a dream and I'm always dressed."

"Hmm," Mama grumbled. Joseph's neck turned sharply towards my direction his eyes growing wider. But before he could utter a word, a series of thumps imploded on the front door earning all our attention.

Papa's guests have arrived.