Immediately after I heard those words, it felt like my whole body went into a panic. Why would my own dad tell me something like that? Needless to say, I was freaked out. But then came the question: Do I leave? Do I take his warning seriously? How was I even supposed to know? All I knew was that my dad knew something that I didn’t. I knew I had to see him in person or else I may never get to the bottom of what was going on. I ran to my closet and began throwing things into an overnight bag. I needed to get out, even if it was just for a little while. Maybe this house was just getting to my head. Then, I heard a soft knock on my door.
Russell? Are you okay? I heard some loud banging from downstairs, I figured it was you walking around, but I just wanted to make sure everything was fine?
I responded hurriedly, telling her that I was fine, but the concern in her voice made me feel guilty for even considering something sinister about her in that moment. I sat down on the bed, overnight bag in hand, and for the first time in a while just thought. Could it really be true that the mother I had known for so long was up to something suspicious? She sounded so small and innocent. That’s when I remembered that she was the one who moved us to this very suspicious house and that I hardly ever really saw her, so I didn’t know what she was up to. I remembered the urgency in my father’s voice as he told me to get out, so I knew I had to go talk to him. He would be the only one who could actually give me answers, and I wasn’t about to rely on a shoddy phone connection to get them.
Mom? I shouted down the stairs. My friends invited me to stay over at their house for the weekend and I’d really like to. Is that alright?
She appeared at the bottom of the stairs – almost too quickly – and smiled at me in an almost haunting way.
Yes, of course dear. I want you to go have fun with your friends. Have a nice weekend.
I hesitated for a moment, surprised at how easy it was for me to get out like that, but immediately snapped back and barreled down the stairs. I gave my mom a slightly awkward hug, and then I was out the door. I knew where we were, not far from our old house, so I decided to walk there.
It was the middle of fall, so the weather had become basically as beautiful as it was going to be all year. I breathed in the fresh air and realized how different it was to the stale air I often experienced inside the house. I guess it just wasn’t ventilated enough. As I walked, for the first time in a really long time, I let my mind wander. I realized this was the first time besides school that I had really gone out by myself and just. Let my mind wander. It was freeing but at the same time, it brought up a lot of feelings that I had been trying to hide. It brought up the fear, the anxiety, the guilt, all at once. And for a second, I had to stop walking. I knew something was going on in that house, but I just wanted it to stop so things could go back to normal.
Pretty soon after, I arrived at my old house. I let out a small sigh of relief – it was so familiar and comforting. I walked up to the door and rang the bell. I heard some shuffling indoors, and then my father opened the door. For a moment, we both just stood there. It had been so long since we had last seen each other – at least it felt that way. And then, he scooped me up into a huge hug. I could feel the urgency and relief in the way that he hugged me, and as soon as he let me go, he guided me into the house rather quickly.
Russell, I’m so relieved your safe. I just didn’t know what to expect.
I looked at him curiously.
What do you mean you didn’t know what to expect? What happened with mom? Why are you so worried?
He sighed heavily.
On the night your mom left, things were left on a very, very bad note. She went a little crazy and I didn’t know what to do. I can’t really remember the details of the night all that much though. All I can remember are the emotions. And it was just fear. Fear for you and fear for what she would continue to do.
I could feel my heart beating increasingly faster.
Is there anything I can do to find out what she’s been doing? I don’t know where to start and I just need to find out what’s wrong with her. My life can’t go back to normal until she goes back to normal.
My father rubbed his temples in an attempt to bring the memories back. I could see the lines of concentration etched all throughout his forehead. Suddenly, his eyes opened wide. His eyes raised to mine and he said,
You have to look in the third room on the first floor.
