Fear of the Unknown

Chapter 4 Karl Riddle

"Hey, why is the door to the attic locked?" Cora asks at the table.

We are having pancakes for breakfast and I shoot my sister a appreciative look. I didn't know if she was going to actually ask John about it. I know I couldn't bring myself to ask. Knowing that John hates my guts and I hate his. It's a mutual relationship really.

"It's dangerous up there." John answers slowly.

I look at him seeing that there is something he's not telling us. Whatever it is I want to find out. Forgetting my vow of never talking to John, my mouth betrays me. I blurt out without reliazing it.

"Do you have a key?" I ask.

"Of course," John answers annoyed.

He looks at me like I'm stupid or something. You have no idea how angry John makes me. I can't stand him. What is it going to take to get the key?

"Can I have it?" I ask.

"Uhm,  let me think about it. No." John says.

My face is now fuming. Mom and Cora just sit there looking at both of us not daring to say a word.  If he thought I was going to give up easily, he thought wrong. I put on a brave face and say.

"Why not?"

John shifts in his seat uncomfortably. My mind is spinning. Spill it, I yell mentally. What is he not telling us?

"There was an accident up there." John begins.

Mom's interest peaks joining in on the conversation.

"What are you talking about John?"

I smile looking at John with a smirk on my face. This is going to be good. John begins telling a story.

"Well, a long time ago, you know this was a funeral home. But after that, another family bought this house. There was a husband and wife and two sons. His name was Karl Riddle, and his wife, Mary Riddle. At the time, they were the perfect happy family. But one day Karl became depressed. When he was home alone, he went up to the attic with a piece of rope and hung himself."

I freeze in shock. KARL? Like Cora's man in the attic Karl? Oh my god, what have we gotten ourselves into here? But still, I don't see why it's locked.

"Can we still go up there?" Cora asks.

"Absolutely NOT!" John yells.

Mom looks taken aback by John's unexpected outburst. Okay, something is definitely up with him. What is the big deal? So what, a guy killed himself. Okay its a little bit creepy but it's not like anything will happen if I go up there.

"John, don't you think you're being a bit harsh?" Mom asks.

John takes a deep breath trying to calm down. Cora and I exhange glances of worry. We don't know if John is the abusive type. I don't want mom to get hurt so I bite my inner lip roughly. This will prevent me from arguing with John. At least I hope I have the will to. John sighs distracting my train of thought.

"You're right Margaret, I'm sorry Cora and Bethany." John says.

He says my name with a seething voice. It took all my strength to resist the urge to hit him. John must think this was all of my idea. Well, he's right. It is my idea but I don't see any harm in this.

This Karl Riddle guy is dead. He's gone, so there is no big deal. They would've gotten rid of the body and cleaned up the attic. How can a real estate agent be so stupid to sell a dirty house. Let alone one with a dead man. There is zero chance of that.

I ignore all the queasiness in my stomach. A part of me is scared shitless but I know I'm just being silly. Everything will be alright. But how will I get the key? Where does John keep it?