Tales of Gloomsdale #1: The Hidden Attic

Chapter Ten

"That's it?"

Willow stared in disappointment at the bottom of the chest. Inside was a stack of old, yellowed papers that looked like they had been there for years, along with the chest.

"Maybe it's a map," Matt suggested sarcastically while reaching out. "You said it was a treasure chest, remember?"

He carefully lifted the delicate papers out, worried about ripping them. He rubbed his hand along the yellowed, crumpled edges, observing the half-erased words written in black ink.

"It's just a bunch of documents," Willow muttered unenthusiastically.

"It could tell us more about the house," Matt said, before sighing. "Yeah, why would we want to know about that? This is pretty lame."

He almost tore the edge of the paper, before the words across the top caught his attention. written in flowing handwriting. Dear Adrienne.

"They're letters," Matt announced while aiming the light at the yellowed paper, blinking as the dark ink glistened. They reminded him of the pages in his father's journal, only even older.

"Well, obviously," Willow said. "What else would be written on the pages?"

"No, you idiot. I mean, letters like in envelopes," Matt corrected, scanning the page.

"Oh." Willow leaned over. "To who?"

"Someone named Adrienne," Matt replied.

Willow snatched the letter from him. "Hey! Be careful. You could rip it," Matt warned, moving the flashlight over while Willow scanned the words.

Willow ignored him and read out loud. "I miss you so much. Both of us do. I know you probably hate us. You might not believe me, but we're not lying. Not a day goes by that we don't wish you were back at home." Willow scanned down the page. "I'm not even angry at you for running away. I was at first, but not anymore, even if your stepfather is. I can't really blame you. Sometimes, I consider the same thing. It's awful here, after..." Willow trailed off, squinting at the page.

Matt froze as Kyle's story about the people who used to live here flashed into his mind. He forced the thoughts away. "So what? It's just some letter to one of the people who used to live here." He tried to prevent his voice from trembling.

"It's a mother writing to her daughter," Willow pointed out. "She - Adrienne - ran away."

"Who cares?" Matt said, trying to prevent the shiver from running down his spine as he remembered the girl who was hated by her family. "They're not even around anymore."

Willow picked up another letter which was even more tattered and worn than the rest, the old parchment torn in some places and the black ink messy and jagged. "Mama, how could you do this to me? You said you'd always love me, and you just left me. I knew they hated me, but I thought you loved me."

Willow trailed off, placing the old letter to the side while bowing her head as painful memories resurfaced. Matt picked up the letter. It seemed to be written by a child, in large, messy handwriting that was much less neat than her mother's and covered almost the entire page. Was it Adrienne?

"First she was running away, and then her mother was leaving her?" Willow muttered, searching for more letters.

"I don't think we should be snooping around," Matt said, placing the letter back in the chest. But Willow had already taken more out.

Matt started to snatch them out of her hands, but pulled away at the last moment. His curiosity won over as he reached back into the chest and pulled a letter out. This one had the same untidy scrawl. He caught sight of Adrienne's name written in large letters at the bottom, but slightly neater, as if trying to emulate her mother.

His stomach dropped as he read the letter. Thanks for your present, James. I know how much you loved the knife your father gave you. You might insist that you only gave it to me so I'd cut myself. But I can tell you care for me at least a little, even if you act like you don't. I just wish you'd share anything else in your huge room. You don't know how lucky you are.

He dropped the letter from his hands, his heart racing. He remembered how the knife belonged to his stepfather now. But it used to belong to somebody else.

Willow had a similar realization as she read another letter. "Thanks for the ribbon, Hazel. I know you only gave me it since Daniel wouldn't let you play with him, but it's still useful. I probably need it more than you. My hair is much messier. I've even begun using the sewing needle, even though I know that's not what Mama gave it to me for." Willow glanced up, shock spreading across her face.

Matt scanned the other letters, wincing as he caught sight of a painfully familiar section of Adrienne's writing. And now you've replaced Daddy? I thought you loved him, even if he left us. But you forgot all about him.

"Willow, let's get out of here," Matt suggested. "This... this feels wrong. We shouldn't be looking around in their things. Or keep their things."

"What does it matter? They aren't around anymore," Willow pointed out. Then she sighed while rereading Adrienne asking why her mother left. "Yeah, you're probably right. Let's put them back and get out of here."

Matt helped her place the letters back into the chest, until something near the bottom caught his eye. He tried to ignore it, but it seemed bright in comparison to the rest of the darkened letters. He held the stack back to get a closer look while Willow reached her hand in.

It was a photo, they realized. Willow stared in shock while running her hand over the glossy surface, struggling to get a good look in the darkened attic.

"Willow, put it back," Matt instructed, but he was slightly curious as well. He couldn't help turning the flashlight on.

Willow's mouth dropped open as she held the picture close to her face. "I... I think I know who this is."

"What? How could you possibly know?" Matt demanded.

Willow lowered the photo, letting Matt take a look. He tried to glance away, but accidentally shone the light directly on. When he saw the girl's face, he almost dropped the flashlight in surprise. It was Adrienne.