Down Memory Lane ✓

21- The Instructions

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The Instructions

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THE COLD brought along with it a foreboding sense of impending doom. Okay, maybe that was dramatic, but the point was, something was wrong.

As much as it felt like the calm after the storm that raged last night, it also felt like the calm before the storm. Even the trees and their dry branches hung in an unnatural position, locked in by something. Was it fear?

I wished for some wind, even some light breeze, to bring some life to the frozen picture around me. The farther I walked from my house, the more the feeling grew and it made me hurry my steps. But as I did, I couldn't help but think that I shouldn't be leaving the house. I shouldn't be leaving them all there.

Not when I didn't know what was making Aunt Vera so pleased. She said she had a good feeling for tonight and that alone was enough to translate to a bad feeling for me. But grandma's words still rang in my head and they strengthened my resolve as I plunged my way through the thick snow. I had to go to Aunt Vera's. Maybe my way out of here would be in there.

As I walked, my driving force became my real life back at home. They had noticed that I was missing since Grandma had figured to contact me. How she did that was still beyond me. I had to ask her about it if-when I got back.

My legs were aching from plowing through the snow by the time I reached her house. I met the door locked, so I didn't bother trying to open it. I also didn't bother with the windows because I knew she always locked them. Except one.

The only window that wasn't locked was in the kitchen. I knew this because Aunt Vera always complained about how difficult it was to close it, and she was too busy to get it fixed.

It brought some issues leaving it open, especially during winter, but for me-especially now-it was great. I struggled until it finally gave way. To avoid going through the same hassle, I left it more open than it was. l

I left my boots at the spot I landed from the window and didn't want to turn on the light, so I used my flashlight instead to look around. The last time I was here, I still wasn't sure about the cake and was questioning it, but now I was pretty sure it was intentional.

I wandered around the living room for a bit. Nothing seemed strange, so I head up. One of the two rooms upstairs was Aunt Vera's, and the second was the guest room which I was very familiar with given I had spent a lot of time there whenever I stayed over.

I went in, but it seemed untouched, unused, and cold. Despite the sealed windows, there was a chill in the room. Guess she no one had been here for a while. The emptiness was enough to tell me there was nothing of use here.

I walked out and just as my hand rested on the doorknob to Aunt Vera's room, something fell and it came from downstairs. I stilled. Wasn't she still supposed to be at the party?

My eyes darted around as my head whipped from side to side looking for where to hide, but before I could move, someone called out, "Clara?" I knew that voice.

"Kai?" I called back out before rushing downstairs. When I arrived, I pointed the flashlight at him, which made him squint and cover his eyes.

"What are you-" He cut me off when he rushed over to pull me into a hug.

"Clara, I'm so sorry. I was thinking a lot, and I wasn't fair to you. I didn't want to make you doubt yourself and-"

"Hey, hey, it's ok," I interrupted, reveling in the warmth he brought to me. "I know this must be strange for you also and you've been so understanding. I should be the one apologizing."