Written By: Amelia Chavez, Staff Writer
MYSTERY: The first chapter in a spine-chiling series about a young girl in San Francisco.
It was only eight in the morning but the city was alive. People were hurrying down the street with grocery bags and newspapers. Cars honked at each other and the trolley went zipping by. Her mind couldn’t focus though. She was off thinking of a new world, a new adventure. Scanning the activities of the city through the small car window.
“How are you feeling?” her father asked
“The city seems nice but do I really have to stay here?” she replied
“Why not? You used to love visiting here when you were little.”
“That was visiting not staying!”
“Aunt Gilda is a sweet lady, don’t give her any of that attitude!”
“Why can’t I come with you? Please Daddy I promise to behave” she pleaded, her eyes becoming wider.
“The front lines are no place for a little girl. Besides, I’ll be back in at least three months.”
“Why Aunt Gilda though?”
“She offered to care for you besides she has the money. These are trying times.” he sighed
“This is punishment isn’t it! You’re just trying to keep me as far away from trouble after the fiasco in Long Island.”
“In a way yes but, that’s not entirely it.”
“Then what is it?”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“I’m not a child any more, I can handle the truth. You know I’ll find out even if you don’t tell me!” she argued
“Listen! I don’t have time for you to pester me. You’re staying with Aunt Gilda and that’s final, young lady!”
She turned away from him, she refused to let him see her cry. It wasn’t fair! She was braver than most men could ever hope to be and he knew it. Nothing exciting would ever happen in Aunt Gilda’s dusty old house. The boredom was already setting in.
In mere seconds they had arrived at a Victorian building that loomed over the street. The walls were shades of various greens, making it pop against the bland surroundings. Exotic plants covered every inch of the garden.
“Au revoir my sweet child” he handed her a light brown suitcase and waved.
“Bye” her voice was barely audible
He quickly drove away as she climbed the house’s steep steps. In front of her lay a large oak door with a knocker shaped like a flower. She picked it up and knocked three times. A small middle aged woman opened the door.
“Welcome, Miss. Morkel!” she exclaimed “Your Aunt will be so pleased you arrived.”
“I am grateful to be here”
“Oh! Where are my manners? I am fretfully sorry. I am Mrs. Gray”
Mrs. Gray grabbed her bag and led her inside. The hallway was long and filled with portraits of deceased family members. It was a bit creepy and gloomy, but she would show no fear.
Mrs. Gray took her towards the staircase and in her peripheral vision she could see a grand dining room, chandelier and all. The lighting didn’t improve in the upstairs portion of the house. The entire time Mrs. Gray had been going on and on about its historical value, until she suddenly stopped in front of a rounded door.
“Here is your room Mrs. Morkel. Oh and a little reminder: never come out of your room during darkness. Under no circumstances! Otherwise, I hope you find the room to your liking”
Before she could question her last statement, Mrs.Gray had disappeared.