Hide and Seek is Over

The Two Rachels

This is not a ghost story. Just a simply strange instance which I can't explain but I certainly did not imagine. Logical explanations that can convince me otherwise are certainly welcome. 

One afternoon, I went to my sister's house to watch her two kids. Rachel was five. She had wildly beautiful dark curly brown hair and porcelain skin with a pink blush type of complexion. She was sweet with a playful energy that went everywhere combined a hint of deception and mischief.  Nathan was two. He had slightly tanned skin and wavy blond hair and bright blue eyes. He cried every time my sister left, for a good half hour. I had been coming weekly to help out while their parents went to work, and had been trying to invent new ways to entertain them in the long summer days. T.V was not a common past time, as my sister only subscribed to a streaming service, and there were no IPADS or video games. So we actually played with real toys and games and made crafts at their house- and I have to tell you now the memories are treasured.  

When it came to that afternoon, we had run out of things to do, but one thing I knew kids always loved to play was hide and seek. The one thing I hate about the game however, is kids like to hide. Yes I know. Duh. But I mean, my fear was that I'd die on the floor from losing them while they purposely hid somewhere I couldn't find them watching me go crazy and enjoying my pain while they had a good laugh. So I set the rules.

"Ok Ray Ray and Nay Nay we can play only in the house- in the bedrooms or living room. No garage, no kitchen and no backyard". I know I am no fun. 

Ray Ray gave me her mischievous grin. 

"And no bathrooms!" I added just for that. 

Nay Nay looked disinterested. He was not mischievous (give him a few years). 

Of course being two, the game was really for Rachel. Then I remembered her annoying habit. 

"And no locking the doors! Got it?"

"Yes"

"Are you ready to play?"

"Yes!" Rachel said. "I'll count!"

"Okay, here is the counting spot," I said pointing to the linen closet next to her bedroom. "No peeking!"

Rachel giggled. She had a distinctive high pitched giggle of a demented but adorable pixie.

"Count to twenty," I said. 

Nathan and I walked to his bedroom across from the closet where Rachel stood there counting and peeking. 

"In here," I led Nathan to his closet while I kept one eye on Rachel. Nathan whimpered and pushed the door back so I couldn't close it. 

"Twenty!" her voice rang. "Here I come!" She went straight into Nathan's room and swung open his closet door wider. Out he came. 

"Boo!" I jumped out from behind the bedroom door.

"AHHHHH!" Rachel screamed. So dramatic. 

"Shhh!" I said worried the neighbors would hear, she was so loud!

"My turn to hide!" She screamed even louder.

"Okay Okay, but quiet down." 

She rushed out the room to hers adjacent and slammed the door.

"Ray Ray," I called. I turned the knob of her door. She did it again. It was locked.

"No locking doors" I said as I turned the knob back and forth. No answer. But that giggle.

"Rachel Kate, open up this door this instant."

Snap, the door opened as I pushed it with force and I stumble in as she opened it.

Her innocent little face behind the door looked angry. "You're supposed to count" she scolded hands on her hips.

"Yes," I said. But wait till I count and then go and hide."

"Okay"

"And don't lock this door again"

"Okay"

"Got it?"

"Got it."

"Okay now Nathan and I will count. One..two...three..."

We went on playing for a few rounds, each time Rachel getting more inventive hiding behind curtains in the living room, blankets in her parent's room, under Nathan's toddler bed. 

Nathan basically refused to hide where ever I tried to put him, but we were having fun. Rachel wanted to hide with him so I peeked the whole time I counted because I did not trust a five year old.

On the last round I was counting and then went to find Rachel again. The house had become dark and quiet. I did not hear her go down the hall with her noisy feet on the hard wood floor, so I went for her bedroom door and turned the knob. Locked again.

"Rachel!" I said. "This is it. Open this door now."

I heard her little laugh from behind the door so clearly I could ring it as I turned the knob and this sweet innocent child's laugh left me  even more annoyed. Open this doo-

The knob twisted and opened instantly smoothly and quietly and the giggling  had stopped from inside the room and then transferred to behind me.

"What?" said a little voice. 

I turned around and there was Rachel in the hallway next to Nathan. 

Her room was empty. I was certain that she- but no, she had been hiding somewhere else, not her room? But how did the door... what did I hear?-

You know what? It was strange. But somehow I wasn't spooked by it. 

I don't remember what I said exactly to those kids and don't remember anything else from that day except being amused.