Whispering Death

Death is merely a whisper away.

I pressed down on the keys hard as I slammed the computer shut. A stupid 'Save Your File' popup came up making my throat hurt as I gulped down the tears of anger. Junk Google! I muttered under my breath. There is no interesting news to browse through! I am a journalist, well I like to call myself that, a journalist in making, to be precise. But, if I don't get any interesting or original news to share, then I'll never reach my goal. According to the editor, he thinks my articles aren't interesting or original enough. "You need something interesting, you need something real, something original, something that people will read," he used to say with a flick of his hand along with a perfunctory glance at my papers. I felt my teeth clenched together as I slowly released my clenched fist counting to 10 in my head. I wanted to shout, have a tantrum and beat my hands on the seat but instead, I took another shaky deep breath. I felt my mom's eyes concerningly staring at me, then at dad, as she opened her mouth to say something but snapped it shut again. I turned away towards the foggy window feeling my own brown and hazel eyes burn and water. I was always jealous of my sister's soft and baby blue almond-like eyes, unlike my round stupid chocolate brown eyes. The cold pale gray sky loomed over the town as slashes of rain drummed on the roof of our old dented van. "She's 10 years old but she ain't feel old, she's a bundle of speed" as dad would say as he pats on the thick black leather of the steering. Hot fat tears rolled down my rosy cheeks. I eat way too many strawberries, I said trying to make myself laugh and restraining any more tears to slither down my cheeks. I whimpered a little but not enough to allow my little sister any satisfaction. My teachers in school say I got good writing skills but all I see in the foggy car window is the image of a stupid crybaby pretending to be a journalist with a fake I.D tag, a microphone and a pocket notebook with a striped red pencil tucked in it. I wanted to insult myself more, but my dad's words quite harshly interrupted my curses. "Honey, maybe you will find some interesting news in the new town," dad boomed hoping to cheer me up. "Maybe I will", I said, biting down the instinct to spit out a harsh epithet. "Maybe grandpa has some news, but remember Eva, be nice and not intrusive. Don't talk about anything touchy like your grandma's death." "Ah! I feel so bad mom had to die having nightmares at the end of her life" mom said to dad, a tinge of pity wavering in her voice while her eyes sprouted with tears. "And that rich man, Ah! He was willing to kill papa-John for it. So much for love!" mamma said gritting her teeth as a new spring of tears glistened in her eyes. I never knew grandma had nightmares before she died, I thought; but well I only knew very little about her and that is only from the stories grandpa told us. Silence occupied the car as we flew through the slightly uphill roads of the town. Our van leaped into the air hitting a bump. I saw old gray buildings made out of stones lighted up with lamps and candles on the doorstep. People walked across the roads with black and white striped umbrellas over their heads probably returning from daily errands. I saw small shops packing up for the day. We passed bigger shops with people walking in and out, seemingly excited by the newly deployed sliding doors, which I didn't see last time. The town cafes were full of people strapped in heavy rain boots and raincoats. I saw a few kids playing in the rain splashing and jumping in the muddy brown puddles. Mom would never allow me to do that I thought to myself. We passed a swirling river with a bridge and a sidewalk with people jogging to shelter. Ripples filled the river as I saw frogs croaking with their baritone voices and hopping about on lily pads. As we eased into the outskirts of the town the land became smooth and green as the rain-softened until the light drumming turned to tap and completely stopped a while later. It was late afternoon; I was anxiously waiting to reach the mansion. My dad patted the steering wheel cheerily and announced the mansion's just round this corner. The old van screeched to a halt feeling like it needed to catch its breath after the long drive. I grunted as I shoved open the van door and slid off the car seat on to the hard, paved and gravelly road. I carefully eyed the massive old mansion looking for a stout, wrinkly and small old man with a white beard and a straight back. The mansion had to be coated in a thick layer of dust. Bugs crawled all over it and I bet I already counted a hundred spiderwebs in my imagination. As I approached it close, I noted splinters stuck out of the wood and paint chipping off in places. There were even rattled windows and scarred walls in places. It seemed to have collapsed inwardly as I thought it might be a little more than a humongous shed. The right side of the roof sagged down making me notice the windows with gaping wide holes for the wind to rush in and out rapidly. "Welcome to the Mansion Eva", said grandpa suddenly emerging from the back door which was hanging from its hinges. Parts of bricks and walls eroded washing the colors from the once beautiful building. I ran towards him with all my gust as I greeted him with a bear hug, and he stumbled back saying "Woah there you've grown into a fine young lady," he said with a grunt but what I liked about him is that he never seemed to mind my rib squashing hugs. My sister Dianne seemed to hang back shyly as her cheeks turned a shade of pink. As I studied grandpa for a while, I realized he hadn't changed much. He was still that small old gray man with a fringe of white hair around his bald scalp. His face was cringed with wrinkles and lines running across the face. He still had that limp that he had always had for a very long time. I remembered the story, of how two lads knocked on grandpa's door on a Halloween night. I remembered how grandpa said he walked over with goodies, but his face turned pale when he saw two men holding a shotgun. 'They pointed it at me and cornered me to the wall' grandpa had said with a wavering excitement rise and die in his voice.' Rose was too shocked to move, and your old grandpa saved the day' was how grandpa used to put it. 'I twisted my body as I ran across the room ducking to avoid the bullets but finally I had my hand on the trigger. I pulled it again and again until I was sure that there was nothing left of them. Unfortunately, that day, a bullet came straight for my leg and that is how I have this limp' he always used to say as Dianne gaped in wonder. I used to ask "Grandpa, who did it, why did they do it?" But all he used to say was 'Oh don't you worry about them when you've got your grandpa hero to protect you.' Anyway, it was our first time in the mansion since grandpa usually came to our house in the city, but this time was different. Grandpa wanted me and Dianne to see the mansion for the last time before it got sold. "Whoa," I said suddenly as I pointed to the flickering dancing lights fading on and off. "Fireflies," I said in surprise. In the city, I had never seen so many before. "You surprised by the lightning bugs," grandpa asked with a chuckle. I silently nodded embracing the beauty of the moment before I got distracted by the amazing smell wafting through the air "Yum! How does it smell so good?" I asked as grandpa led us into the dust-coated house. Ever since grandma had died, he had a hard time with cooking until he hired a cook. "Jack has helped me with it for your special arrival," grandpa said reading my delighted expression. "Well you better start exploring little young journalist," quipped grandpa with an edge of sarcasm in it. Mom just might be right, I thought after a while of scanning the area, this is a prime place to find news or even better Mystery or even better better better riddles... I squealed, turning my frown upside down. My sister squinted at me suspiciously but chuckled and continued playing balance the pencil on her nose or whatever she calls it. I smirked to myself remembering my mischief at her age. I eyed each room carefully wondering where to start exploring the place. "How about I give you a tour of the house?" Grandpa asked after a moment of silence. I nodded looking around and at that moment wishing I could turn my head at a 360-degree angle like an owl. Grandpa led me up to the winding and creaky staircase with Dianne hopping along with us. Soon Dianne and I made up a game as we hopped over the floorboards sticking out. At first, it was hard but after a while of getting used to it, that was fun. Eva, this is your room and Dianne yours is the one next to your sister's "Grandpa said once the long, spiraling staircase ended. "Your parents will be there," grandpa said pointing to room farther to the right. "Grandpa, where will you be spending the night?" I asked. "Oh, I'll be in the bedroom downstairs, now you girls don't worry about me check out your rooms." We both sprinted into our rooms impressed. At the entrance of my room were two golden pillars and a glittery, golden key on my door. Inside is a bed pushed to a corner with pillows and cushions and two plush stuffed animals. Beside the bed is a wooden and antique bedside table with a golden lamp with tiny crystals hanging off the lampshade. Each little crystal on the lampshade caught the glint of the light as it twirled around. On one side there is a soft and fuzzy rug with a tiny rocking chair to and a lamp to read. The right wall is taken up by the bookshelf filled with old-time classics. Against the wall on the front, there was a piano. I sat on the leather bench as I lifted the cover of the piano as I fumbled around with the keys. I loved my room. I had tears welling up in my eyes as I ran up to grandpa smooching him like a little puppy. Dianne's room is equally as luxurious with a bed with millions of plush toys and a bed stand filled with barbies. She too had a bookshelf and a rocking chair to read in. She even had an extended patio with a little table to have tea parties. "Okay Ladies, I have something I would like to show you," Grandpa said straightening his back to get our attention. "Ooh, what is it what is it," Dianne and I chorused pestering grandpa the whole way there. Welcome to the mansion's best viewpoint. I sprinted over to the railing leaning over all the way observing the low clouds floating just overhead. I felt like I could touch it if I only reached out. The mist-shrouded around the half-crested moon. Underneath us, I saw small cottages and our car oddly sticking out. The dents and the bird poop on our car roof made it stand out the most. Strangely enough, there were no lights on, so I called it the sleepy town. Straight ahead there is a clock tower and there are woods not far from the mansion. The bare branches wavered about in the chilly October air. "Grandpa," I said after a while, "I heard that there is a kid's recreational park near the woods, is that true grandpa?" "Why Yes," he said hesitantly. "Well can I and Dianne go over there tomorrow?" I asked. "Well no, certainly not, I mean you guys wouldn't like it much anyway," Grandpa said ending the conversation abruptly. "Can't we go please grandpa, please?" Dianne and I pleaded making puppy eyes to be extra convincing. But before grandpa could answer mom came in saying that we will be heading over to the fair just around the corner tomorrow. "Isn't the fair fun?" mom asked grandpa with a hint of wavering excitement in her voice. "Yup the fair is awesome, there are fun rides for the kids and dealers from all around the world come to sell antiques, clothing and many more. So, it's great but don't expect me to come, I am getting far too old to make my way down the road to the fair." "But grandpa you'll be riding in the car with us," I said with care and concern. I saw my mom shoot a look at me saying to shut up. "Oh, Eva always worrying about her old grandpa, don't even think about taking a car all the parking lots are going to be filled, it's a worldwide event." "I'll be fine here," grandpa said with a tone that made me think he didn't want to talk about it anymore. My mom seemed to respect that. "Eva, go wear your light blue denim jacket that Jack left in your room and come down to the patio for tea and dinner," mom said in a rapid voice. "Dianne go drink the milk Jack left in your room, then wear the red coat and come downstairs in the patio for dinner." I made my way down to the patio with my blue denim jacket lightly draped over me as I saw mom laughing while sipping her brewing tea. "Eva I would like to invite you to Jack, our cook," Grandpa said before Jack interrupted him. "Pish, Posh, call me Mr. Jack the Jack of all meals," Mr. Jack said getting my mom laughing all over again. "Dinner is served," Mr. Jack said in a Scottish-English accent as he glided over kissing my mom on her hand and passing us all a slice a pizza with roasted chicken. As the night neared Dianne came down for dinner and I had never heard so many birds chirping before. I had never seen such colors at sunset ever in my life. Golden streaks of light ran across the sky with pink clouds floating away as the orange ball of fire slowly vanished. The only thing left was the yellow light illuminating the woods making it less spooky than before. "If you are to go to the fair tomorrow you all need rest especially since you traveled so why don't we call it a night" grandpa proposed as all the adults stood up making their way inside. At night I lay staring up at the ceiling as I lay on my back on the springy bed and soft pillows with the goose feathered blanket. I looked outside the window then at the stars as I almost dozed off until I heard a tiny voice. "Eva, are you awake?" "Oh Dianne, yes, of course, I am awake," I said my voice softening. "I can't sleep I always keep thinking about what grandpa said when we asked to go to the recreation park in the woods." "I have never heard grandpa use such a stern voice and he had never said no to me before," Dianne said her voice welling up with tears. "Oh Dianne, come up here," I said patting the pillow next to me. "As grandpa said we probably won't like it," I said trying to cheer her up. "What if grandpa doesn't love us, what if he is hiding something?" Dianne's shaky and tiny voice said. "Stop, no grandpa loves us both very much and you know that is not negotiable. He is not hiding anything, so you have nothing to worry about so shush and try to sleep while I sing you a lullaby.