“He’s really hot in a strange, dark kind of way. Did he kiss you?” asked Jenna, wiggling in her seat awaiting the juicy gossip.
“Yes,” Kitty said, staring down at her thumbnail. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to go into detail with Jenna considering the situation. It wasn’t like she wanted to hear about any of Jenna’s make out sessions with Colt. She thought of the quick kiss that Colt had once given her. It lingered for maybe a minute tops, but her and Dominic had kissed for half an hour easy and barely came up for air. It went on so long, she was nervous that he’d want to take it further, but nothing more happened. It started as a distraction, but since it went on so long, she was sure it meant more than that. Then she thought back and remembered the quilt. It was hard to believe that something in that good of shape could come from that old house. She’d seen there were some belongings still inside. With most of the windows busted out, she thought the weather and bugs might have gotten to most of it, but that quilt was fresh and clean, like it had been stored somewhere. In the furniture maybe? She hadn’t thought of where Dominic may have found it, but he wasn’t gone long enough to dig it out of a closet. It was like he knew where it was; just like he’d known each step to take in the dark, as Dahlia had before. The two seemed awful familiar with Whisper House. Kitty wanted to investigate, and she had a good reason to now. “Are we still going to Whisper House and map out shots? We have an outline due at the end of the week. It might not be a bad idea to go one day after school when it’s still daylight.”
Jenna rolled her eyes. “Fine, but while we’re there you can tell me the juicy details of that kiss.”
Kitty wasn’t biting. “So is tomorrow good?”
Jenna let out a groan. “No, I have plans with my mom, but I’m free Wednesday. You know Colt’s going to want to come. Is that going to be a problem? You know how overprotective he is of us and that house.”
Kitty’s face fell. She didn’t want to have to look like the bad guy and say no, but she’d hope to avoid him being there. “Fine, see if he can bring the camera and we’ll do some test shots.”
“I’m sure he’ll be excited about that. He loves that camera. Thank God Dahlia didn’t break it—the clumsy twit.” The two finished chatting about their assignments until the bell rang.
***
Kitty pulled her cart around the azalea bush to find a big branch had fallen and was lying right where she usually parked. If she weren’t careful, her cart would be seen and she didn’t want to draw attention to the house if someone passed by. “How’d that happen?” said Jenna as she hopped off the cart and searched the surrounding trees. “This is an oak branch, so it has to be from that tree.” She pointed across the lawn to the nearest tall oak. There were two willows on the front lawn of Whisper House and the big bunch of over-grown azaleas was the only safe place to hide. The branch appeared to have been placed there deliberately. Kitty shrugged and let out a sigh as she and Jenna pulled it out of the way and then parked the cart in its usual hiding place.
Kitty wondered if Colt had put the branch in the way to deter her and Jenna from being there without him. She didn’t know who else might have done it. Dahlia, like she and Jenna was too small to move it on her own, and Dom wouldn’t. She was sure Colt was just being his ridiculously protective self and the idea of that grated her last nerve.
“Where’s Colt? I don’t want to sit here waiting on him wasting daylight. We need to go inside and get a few ideas rolling,” she said.
Jenna peeked around the bush. “He’s not even close, I don’t know what’s taking him so long, but I agree. Let’s go on in while the coast is clear and try to map out our tour.” She grabbed her notebook and a big, glittery pen and headed toward the house. Kitty followed with her flashlight and checked the road once again for any signs of life.
They hurried inside and as Kitty closed the door the wind grabbed it from her hands and slammed it shut. The noise startled them both and they stood ramrod straight exchanging a glance with widened eyes. They scanned the room as Kitty shined the light into the darker corners of the house, which were fewer in the evening as the sun shone through the windows.
“Let’s go in there. Do you think it’s the kitchen?” Kitty pointed her beam at the open doorway. She’d never been that way before. There must be broken windows with the way the wind would blow through the room.
“Only one way to find out,” Jenna said.
Kitty followed her in. Musty, shredded wallpaper hung from the walls, and the floor was littered with debris from broken drawers and splintered cabinets. A few clung to the walls, still holding dishes that seemed unbroken, the doors hanging by loose and twisted hinges. “Step carefully, Jenna. Remember this house is on a ledge. No telling what the ground is like underneath it.” She watched as Jenna stepped over a dented trash bin and crate to get a peek out the back door window.
“Oh wow, look at this.” Jenna said, swinging the door open.
“Don’t do that!” Kitty shouted as the backdoor swung open almost hitting Jenna. The wind slammed it back so hard the knob dented the wall. Jenna jumped out of the way just in time, but was left clutching the doorframe in a panic watching her spiral notebook and glitter pen fall to the depths below.
Nervously Kitty made her way over. “Jenna, don’t move,” she said. “I’ll help you.” As Kitty got closer she saw that Jenna’s cheek was flush with the doorjamb. Her eyes stared downward, and she panted from the close call. Kitty took her hand and glanced down to see the view and why Jenna was petrified. There was a chunk taken out of the floor just outside the doorway, and the land beneath it was gone too, like some creepy lake monster had reached its mighty hand up and clawed out the very middle. Anyone who stepped out onto the back porch would take a plunge into the wavy lake below, where broken trees and debris littered the clay banks and water. Their bodies would no doubt be broken against the massive pile after the long fall. Kitty stepped back, carefully guiding Jenna away from the edge while trying not to fall over the broken cabinets or step on nails or glass from the shattered windows.
When they were safely away from the ledge and back into the main room, Jenna let out a long breath. “That was intense! Could you imagine opening that door and stepping off to your death? Do you think that’s what happened to those poor girls?” She brushed herself off and held up her empty hands. “So much for taking notes.”
Kitty caught her breath. “I think they would have found their bodies smashed on those trees and junk below, but yeah, that was totally intense. Let’s not go in there again.” She shook it off and thought of the nights she’d been on the balcony above that back porch. She’d had no idea what the house looked like below her. Even though the posts and beams were still intact and on solid ground, she wasn’t sure she wanted to hang out on the balcony above that large hole. What if it collapsed? The thought made her queasy.
The two walked around a bit more, shining the light into doorways. There was much more furniture and décor in the front rooms than they’d imagined. Paintings on the wall, and the side windows were in much better shape. “There’s nothing more down here than the front room, dining room, bathroom, the study, and death’s kitchen. I’m not even checking under the stairs or in the coat closet. There’s no telling what’s living there,” said Jenna.
Kitty stopped at the foot of the staircase. “Let’s go upstairs. There are at least five more rooms up there, and then once we know what we have to work with, we can start planning out a few shots.” The two stood side by side carefully making their way up with the light shining on their feet.
“Maybe we should wait for Colt,” said Jenna as they approached the last step and the light from the broken windows shone through the rooms and onto the landing.
“Relax, it’s not so bad up here,” said Kitty, earning an accusing glance from Jenna. “I told you I only went stargazing with him, silly.”
“Mhm, I’m sure it was all very…innocent. Wow, look at this old bedframe.” Jenna stepped into the main
room that led to the balcony. “This furniture was beautiful in its day.”
Kitty opened an old trunk at the foot of the bed and found that the quilt she’s shared with Dominic was folded neatly inside. She ran her fingers over the soft fabric as she wondered how he knew there’d be a blanket there. Suspicion nagged at her. She closed the lid and turned around. “Look at this,” she said, pointing to an old wardrobe. She opened the door and was shocked to see the wrap that Dahlia had worn thrown over a hanger. She quickly closed it and turned to find Jenna standing behind her.
“What are you doing? I want to see,” Jenna reached around to open the door, but Kitty stopped her. “What? I want to be nosy too.”
“Big spider,” Kitty warned. “I wouldn’t open it. It’s just a bunch of nasty, musty old granny clothes anyway—lots of polyester.”
“Ew, that’s awful.” Jenna bought it and walked to the dresser. She plundered through a few empty drawers before picking something up from a tray on top. “This is gorgeous.” She gasped and spun around to show Kitty. “Finders keepers,” she said with a wink.
Kitty recognized the brooch that Dahlia had worn the first night she’d met her—the night she’d worn her wrap as well. She didn’t want to say anything about the siblings to Jenna. Especially now that she was suspecting something wasn’t right with them. Did they live in the abandoned house? Why else would Dahlia leave her things there? She started piecing things together about the two. She remembered what Dominic had said about living at the end of Deerborne and how that didn’t add up. Then the way Dahlia hadn’t wanted a ride home. Was it because they were already home? And if so, where were they now? Were they hiding in the house—in the attic? Did they know they were there plundering through their things?
Kitty’s mind started to run away with the possibilities, but she shook it off. It was ridiculous. Dahlia and Dominic couldn’t be living in the abandoned old house with no food, water, or electricity. Dahlia, who seemed much too prissy for that, clearly forgot her things at some point. Perhaps she was piddling around and left without retrieving them. That made sense. She’d let herself believe that. She wondered if Dahlia was meeting anyone at the house. After all, her brother was.
“Did you hear that?” Jenna squinted and turned an ear toward the door to listen.
Kitty got very still. She hadn’t heard anything over the loud thoughts in her head. A thud sounded from the room next to them. “I heard that,” she whispered and pointed to the room. “It’s right there.” Another loud thud sounded and then a shuffle from downstairs. Seconds seemed like minutes and then it sounded again, this time closer. Kitty clenched Jenna’s arm and the two huddled up together, staring across the hall to the other room. The noise sounded again, only this time in the hall, followed by footsteps on the stairs.
“Colt is that you?” Jenna shouted. Silence followed.
Kitty could hear Jenna swallow over her own pounding heartbeat. It had to be Colt, but he didn’t answer. Another thud sounded and Kitty started trying to think of a way out. If it were on the stairs, she and Jenna could not get back down. They’d have to go to the front room where the front balcony was. Then maybe they could take the old iron trellis on the side wall down.
“Listen to me, Jenna.” She looked her friend in the eyes, glancing now and then to the stairs. Whatever it was, it was not moving anymore. “We have to get to the front room.” She took the brooch from Jenna and sat it on the dresser. Then she checked to see if the coast was clear. Pulling Jenna behind her, she darted out the door and to the front room. She could see the top of the stairs much better from there, but the room was not as familiar. She stumbled over something on the floor and then the two heard another thud. Jenna gripped her tight.
“Who’s there?” Kitty shouted. Her voice cracked and the hairs stood up on the back of her neck. She walked to the balcony door only to find it locked. She shook the handle and tried to get it open, but the lock was stuck. The footsteps got louder and louder and stopped once again. Kitty figured whoever it was had to be halfway up the stairs. “Colt if that’s you, so help me God I’ll—“
“You’ll what? Murder me?” Colt’s voice sounded from bellow as he made his way up.
“You jerk!” Kitty shouted. “You scared the crap out of us!”
Jenna let go of Kitty and dove into Colt’s arms. “I’m so glad you’re here. This place gives me the creeps. There was a noise in that room across the hall too. That couldn’t have been you.” She was still terrified.
“I’m afraid so,” he said, holding up a softball. “Found this on my way over. It’s practically new. When I saw you two had come in without me, I thought I’d teach you a lesson. It was even more fun when I realized you were upstairs, so I threw it up at the ceiling a few times. You should have heard you two. It was priceless.” Jenna smacked his arm.
“So not funny, you ass,” Kitty folded her arms and glared at him.
“Hey, I’m here and I brought the camera. You two should be thanking me. Now, let’s get this show going. What’s the plan?”
Kitty and Jenna had not gotten to do much planning since they were spending most of their time being nosy, but Kitty did have some ideas. “I think we could start out at the front door and do a quick tour of the two front rooms downstairs. Then the camera could follow us up to the top, where one of us takes over the tour and does the entire top story, while the other is getting into costume for that interview. Maybe we could do that out on the back balcony?”
“Oh that would be good. We’ll do a spirit board session at the very end and we can fake the answers. I love it, Kitt!” Bouncing on her toes, Jenna clapped and squealed with excitement. “I can’t wait. This is going to be epic.”
“Let’s do a run through on the tour. Just to line up our shots and then let’s get the heck out of here,” said Colt.
“I think we have just enough daylight for that,” Kitty said giving Colt a glare. His shenanigans had wasted enough time for sure. Jenna led with the downstairs intro as Kitty waited at the top of the stairs for her turn. In her mind, she mapped out the best possible route and was prepared to walk Colt through the tour. The girls would write their scripts later, but at least they’d have a good idea. She considered options for costumes until Colt finally approached with the camera.
After Colt had followed her around the upstairs and started showing his frustration with Jenna, who was behind him barking orders, he made a suggestion. “We’re losing daylight. Let’s get the heck out of here. I’m starving. Want to get pizza? Gus is working tonight, and he makes the best.”
Jenna started down the stairs behind him. “I’m sick of pizza, let’s make tacos or something,” she said. Kitty started to follow but heard a sound coming from behind her. Creaking hinges and footsteps faded as she hurried down the stairs. Someone else was in Whisper House.
Chapter Six
Stepping out of the dark attic, Dominic stretched his arms. It was good to be back to his natural form. The constant changing was tiresome but necessary since the siblings were hiding in the house. It was especially needed now that Kitty and her meddling friends where snooping about. Dahlia wouldn’t be pleased, and he found her at the dresser in the back room, white-knuckling the corners with a furious scowl on her face.
“Careful sister, you’ll end up like those old haggy witches that people see on TV.”
“Very funny, Brother, but we’ll see who gets the last laugh. That little tart and her skanky friend were up here plundering in my things and one of them took my moth brooch. I’m almost positive it was that brat Jenna. You know how special that brooch is to me, Dom. I will get it back. And while I’m at it, I think I’ll teach her a lesson about taking things that don’t belong to her.”
“Calm down, Dahl. I’ll get it back. I’ll slip into her house and retrieve it—“
“I’ll get it back, and I’ll get her back as well,” Dahlia said. “You’re not the only one who can slip in and out of places undetected.”
Dom
inic knew his sister was capable, but her mean and dark streak was uncontrollable at times. “Don’t hurt her. I—“
“Are you telling me what to do, dear Dominic?” she asked sweetly as if she’d just gargled venom-laced honey. “Don’t worry. I plan on having some fun with her instead.” She raised a brow at her brother. “Then I’ll kill her. Just like a cat plays with a mouse before it devours it. And you won’t do a damned thing to stop me. So don’t get in my way. And for the last time, get rid of that Kitty. I’m tired of her imposing herself into my home.”
“It’s not our home anymore…well…not rightfully. Get over yourself, Dahl. Your attitude isn’t very becoming. Besides, if you keep frowning like that, you’re going to wrinkle, and your killing will be for naught.” He winked at her and walked away, disappearing into vapor as he hit the front door.
His particles shifted into a nighthawk that took flight and soared out over the houses of Willow Haven. He’d tasted Kitty enough through kisses to be able to find her when he wanted. He had to be sure she didn’t have his sister’s pin. He circled over Jenna’s house and landed outside her dining room window, peering in where the trio sat around an open pizza box. Kitty was picking apart her slice as the other two flirted, so he cocked his head to the side and listened for a while.
Finally after what Dom considered awkward silence between the three, Colt spoke. “What’s that?” he asked reaching into Jenna’s pocket.
Kitty glanced up to find Colt holding the moth brooch and her jaw dropped. “Jenna, I told you not to take that,” she said.
“Relax, it’s just a dumb old pin, and no one will miss it from the house. Besides, it’s gorgeous. Look at it. Have you ever seen a butterfly like that?” Kitty studied the pin that was silver and some sort of white stone. Ivory perhaps, though Kitty wasn’t sure. Half of the ivory was missing and stained anyway. It looked very old, but Jenna was right, it was a pretty brooch.
Darkness Echoes: A Spooky YA Short Story Collection Page 11