Light Amidst the Chaos

Ch 15

Warning: descriptions of a crime scene

There it was in all of it's glory. The three bedroom, two bathroom, giant house was staring me right in the face. It was still that same grey color with the dark shutters around the windows. The front yard looked like it's seen better days and the bushes needed trimmed badly. It looked old, worn out, but it still felt like my grandparents were still here with me.

I watched as Dick peeked inside. He looked at us and shook his head, which meant no one was home. He went to the front door and turned the knob slowly. The door opened and he walked in carefully. We didn't know if the place was equipped with traps so we had to be careful.

Jason looked at me and pulled me to the front door. He walked in front of me as we entered. Cob webs, dust, rotten food, and a strong smell of rusted pipes filled my nose. No matter how bad the place smelled, everything appeared just how I remembered it. The white couch was no longer white, it was a brown color. The carpets were covered in dirt that turned them almost black instead of it's blue color.

I shut the door behind me and looked at the walls. Pictures were still hanging in their usual spots undisturbed but covered in dust. The walls that were once tan were now almost a deeper brown color. The place looked like it'd been abandoned for years. Which was a good sign that no one else had been in here.

"I'm gonna go check upstairs." I stated, looking at the now run down stair case by the front door.

"I'll check out around down here." Dick said, motioning to the back family room area. "Holler if you find something."

I nodded and made my way up the staircase. Jason's hand was no longer in mine, instead he trailed behind me. The wall leading upstairs had a few pictures on it. They were mainly of cousins that I have no recollection of.

I made my way to the top and peered down the hallway where the bedrooms were. I felt my stomach twist in knots just staring down the hallway. I didn't want to go any further but I knew I had to. I especially didn't want to go into the bedroom I used to stay in because of how painful it will be.

"I'm right behind you." Jason whispered in my ear, rubbing my shoulder gently.

I took a deep breath and went down to my old bedroom first. I opened the door and saw everything untouched. My little princess bed was nice and neat, the little bear that sat on top was covered in cobwebs. I slowly made my way inside and looked at the walls. Only a few pictures on the wall, ones that I drew.

"Seems like you were a little artist." Jason teased, looking at the pictures.

"Shut up." I replied, shaking my head.

"No way." I suddenly heard him say. I turned around and saw he was holding up a picture frame. "I'm keeping this."

"What is it of?" I looked over his shoulder and saw it was a picture of me on my 6th birthday. I had cake all over my lips and a party hat on my head.

"This is fucking adorable." Jason told me, opening the frame and gently folding the picture, slipping it into his jacket pocket.

"Yeah yeah." I replied, blushing slightly and going to my old dresser.

"I think I have my new favorite picture of you." He teased, grinning at me.

I rolled my eyes. I opened my top dresser drawer and saw I still had some pajamas and clothes. I opened the next two drawers and found nothing in them. My nightstand was also empty. I didn't think I would find anything in here anyway.

I walked out of the room and went into the guest bedroom. Charlotte slept in my room whenever she stayed with our grandparents. The guest room was just a room for all of my grandfather's tools. However, they're missing.