𝓕𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕-𝒎𝒆-𝒏𝒐𝒕

𝓒𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝓢𝒊𝒙

By the time the sun came up the next morning Sam and Storm had already had breakfast and the van was just pulling back onto the highway.  "Let's go home Storm."  Sam reached across and stroked the dog's head while keeping her eyes on the road.

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Every four hours Sam would stop so Storm could go out for a walk and so they could both eat and drink something as well as making sure they refuelled the van.  It did slow them down slightly but Sam was more than happy to keep going and by seven in the evening she had finally made it to Frying Pan Road.  "We're nearly home Storm."  On the dashboard Sam had taped the directions her father had left her for the house and she glanced at them as she drove along.  "According to this there should be a turning off on the right somewhere.  Keep an eye out and bark if you see it" she chuckled.  A couple of miles later Sam saw an old battered mailbox beside a rather overgrown driveway.  "Hmm.  Maybe" she said taking the turning.  She parked the van a little way from the road and got out making sure Storm stayed in the van.  Sam walked over to the mailbox and used a tissue from her pocket to wipe it off.  From underneath layers of dirt she finally found a name - Martin.  "Well this must be it then."  With the sun going down quickly Sam got back into the van and drove the rest of the way up the driveway.

After going around a slight bend the headlights of the van shone on a very large ranch house.  There were two other large buildings nearby but they weren't important right now.  Sam stopped the van and before she turned the lights off she studied the house.  "It's huge" she said smiling.  "I was half afraid it would be tiny."  There were four steps leading up to a front porch that seemed to wrap around the whole house.  The house itself consisted of two storeys and seemed to be pretty sturdy.  "Okay then girl.  Let's go and see what we're working with.  She turned off the engine and switched off the headlights.  She turned on her small camping lantern and carried it with her as they both made their way up the steps to the front door.  Sam tried the door but it was locked.  After looking at the lock she knew the tiny key she had on her key ring wouldn't fit it.  "Okay Storm.  Any ideas or do we need to call a locksmith?"  The dog started to paw at the old tattered mat by the front door.  "Yeah sure.  They key is under the mat" chuckled Sam.  She lifted it up to show the dog and found herself staring at a key.  "Okay so you were right" she laughed as she picked the key up.  She put it into the lock and after a little jiggling about the door finally opened.  Sam took the key out and put it into her pocket.  "Remind me to oil that tomorrow." 

Storm ran into the house and Sam followed with the lantern.  She found herself in a large entranceway that went right through to a set of double doors that led to the rear garden.  To one side there was a large staircase leading up to the next floor.  The dog ran off to Sam's left and she followed finding herself in a large lounge room.  There were several book shelves either side of a huge fireplace.  Windows either side of the room looked out over the front and back of the property.  There was just one item of furniture in the room and it was covered with a large dust sheet.  Sam pulled the sheet off to reveal a large leather couch.  It had definitely seen better days but it seemed comfortable enough when she sat on it.  Storm quickly jumped up and sat next to her.  "Well I think I'll sleep here tonight and we can explore upstairs in the morning.  Now how about we look in the other rooms?"  The dog barked at her so Sam took that as a yes and got up.  She went back to the entranceway and then passed through into a huge kitchen.  Lifting another dust sheet she discovered a large table and eight chairs.  "A bit much for me and you but we may have guests one day" she said smiling at Storm before replacing the sheet again.  The kitchen area itself was large and there was a huge old range cooker.  It would need a really good clean but hopefully it was usable. 

Sam stroked Storm's head.  "How about we get a few things from the van for tonight and then we shut up the house.  It's starting to get a bit cold."  She went back to the hallway and left the lantern on the floor before going to the van.  It took her several trips back and forth but eventually she had everything they would need.  Sam locked up the van and went inside the house.  She closed the front door and made sure the house was secure before going into the lounge.  With that door closed too she made sure to put some food and water down for Storm before getting on the couch and wrapping a couple of blankets around herself.  "First thing tomorrow we get some heat into this place."  Storm finished her food and jumped onto the couch with Sam, lying her head on Sam's lap.  "Thanks girl.  I really need your heat tonight.  She sat back on the couch and chewed on a few cookies that were left in the bag she had bought the previous day.  "So this is home" she sighed.  Eventually sheer exhaustion caught up with Sam and she lay down with Storm beside her and fell asleep.
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Sam awoke to the sun streaming in through the lounge window.  She smiled to see the dog still lying beside her on the couch.  "My little spoon" she chuckled as she lay her arm over Storm and stroked her side.  With the clear light of day she looked around the room again.  All the bookshelves were empty and the fireplace needed a damn good clean.  Luckily for Sam there were some brushes for that lying near the fireplace.  "Okay who needs to go outside?"  Storm jumped off the couch and Sam grinned.  "Alright let's go and see what the back garden looks like."  She got up and followed the dog to the hallway.  When she got to the rear doors she saw a key in the lock.  She turned it and was able to push the two doors open.  Outside she found herself on another large porch that had an old swing on it.  While Storm ran around the heavily overgrown garden Sam carefully took a seat on the swing.  It took her weight and she gently began to swing back and forth.  The porch seemed to be in good repair but she would check it later.  Just add it to the list of things to be done.  Leaving Storm running around outside Sam went in and found a small bathroom off the kitchen.  She checked the water and was pleased to find it running although she wouldn't be drinking it for a while until the pipes had a chance to clear first however it did mean she could use the toilet.