Hush

Chapter Five

It was the weekend, thankfully, so the boys didn't have to worry about staying out late. They brought backpacks with flashlights, water bottles, and some food, along with a blanket in case they ended up staying the night.

They both wore a black sweater and hat, along with gloves. The autumn air was chilly, making their noses pink.

Hush went over the wall first, landing as quietly as he could. Rune wasn't quite as graceful.

As they neared the house. Hush could once again feel the cold seeping in through his shoes, grabbing at his feet. Rune tapped his shoulder, saying, "I don't think you were hallucinating, unless I've started, too."

Standing at the stairs, the wind picked up, died, picked up, and died again. Rune tapped Hush's shoulder and Hush turned around.

"Hush, I don't know if this is such a good idea anymore." Rune eyed the house warily. "It's cold and I-"

Hush placed a hand on Rune's shoulder, meeting his eyes. "We'll be fine. You're here, after all." Hush saw Rune's cheeks turn pink. He patted Rune's head, much like he would a puppy's. "Come on. Let's go on an adventure." At that, he turned and walked up the stairs. Even this close to the house, he couldn't see through the windows.

"I think these windows might be made of black glass," Hush mumbled, then turned. He sighed. Rune was still at the bottom of the stairs.

Hush walked back down the stairs, took hold of Rune's gloved hand, and pulled him up the stairs. Rune's cheeks flushed a bit more, and he came back to reality.

"Um, yeah. Yeah, maybe," he stammered. Hush rolled his eyes a bit. Rune was just like him, always getting lost in thought.

Hush took hold of the doorknob and tried to turn it. Of course it wouldn't open. Why would he even have thought that it would of?

"We'll have to find another way in..." Hush said. When the house was made, did it have opening windows? He didn't think so. After all, why would "they" lock the door but not the windows? Maybe-

"I think there's a back door," Rune offered. Hush looked at him. "More like a side door, really." Hush nodded. Why didn't he think of that?

And so the boys went to the side of the house. Rune had remembered right; there was a side door. And when Hush tried the handle, it was unlocked. The simple fact put him off a bit. Why would "they" lock the front door but not the side? It unnerved him. Maybe they were in a rush...

Hush pushed on the door and it gently swung open, creaking. Dust particles floated about in the darkness. Why was it so dark?

He flicked on his flashlight, which pierced a small tunnel in the dark. All Hush could see was a door, some furniture, and a wall. Nothing out of the ordinary... yet.

The thought sent a shiver up his spine. "You ready?" Hush asked Rune.

"Would it be bad if I said no?" Rune asked, squeezing Hush's hand.

"Not at all," Hush said. "It means that your common sense is working enough that you know we shouldn't go in, but you're going to follow me anyways." And with that, he pulled Rune inside as he stepped into the inky blackness.