The House

Investigate

Amber began her investigation into ending the curse.  She started by finding out what she could about Virginia.  She reached out to her friend Ashley for help.  Ashley's husband was a private investigator.  She was able to use his skills to find an address for Virginia.  Ashley wanted to go with Amber to visit Virginia, but Amber thought it would be better if she went alone.  Since Darnel was cursed to the house, he couldn't leave it.  She didn't mention his existence to her friend.  She figured it would be more believable to do it while introducing her to him.
​Virginia divorced Charles three years ago and bought a house in town.  Word had it that she didn't like living in the isolated area where the house was located.  The drive was about an hour to her home.  When Amber pulled up in front of the house, she sat in the car momentarily and looked at the small quant house.  It seemed peaceful.  Amber hoped that Virginia was kind and would talk with her about her great-uncle.  She looked around the neighborhood and thought it reminded her of a neighborhood from a sitcom she had watched as a child.  She couldn't imagine much trouble happening around here.  She took two deep breaths and got out of the car.  She slowly walked up the door, trying not to lose her nerve.  She was afraid that Virginia would be unpleasant.  Once at the door, she froze.  She wondered if she should have had Ashley come with her.  She closed her eyes and took a couple more deep breaths.  She then reached up and rang the doorbell.  She could hear movement in the house as she stood there waiting.  A moment later, an older woman came to the door.  She had a kind look on her face.  Amber knew all too well that the look could be a false cover.  She smiled back at the woman anyway.  "Hi, I'm looking for Virginia."  She said.
​"That's me."  The woman spoke.  "How can I help you, honey?"  She asked, still seeming kind.
​"I was hoping to talk to you about my great uncle.  You were married to him and lived in his house."  She said, then holding her breath as she anticipated Virginia's reaction.
​"Oh dear, what could I possibly tell you about that man?  I heard he died.  Please tell me that's true."  She said as her smile began fading.
​"He did.  I inherited the house."
​There was a look of fear on Virigina's face at the mention of the house.  "You should sell it."  She said quickly.  "I can't help you."  She closed the door.
​Amber stood there in shock.  That wasn't the reaction she was expecting.  Virginia seemed to have an equal amount of hatred towards the house and Rick.  Amber rung the doorbell again.  She didn't have many avenues to go in finding more out.  She needed to know why she felt that way.  She rang it again.  "Please!  I don't have many people to talk to."  She pleaded loudly.  "I won't keep much of your time."
​The door opened again.  "Come in."  She said, ushering Amber into the home.  She turned and pointed to a large sofa in her living room.  "Have a seat."  She said.  She didn't seem as kind as earlier.
​Amber complied and took a seat on the sofa.  "I'm sorry."  She said as she sat down.  "Why did you tell me to sell the house?"  She asked.
​"When I met your uncle, he was kind and gentle.  We dated for years before getting married.  When his mother died and he inherited that house, he changed.  He talked to himself.  He became bitter and evil.  He was not the man I married.  He scared me.  The house changed him in all the wrong ways."  Virgina said as tears welled up in her eyes.
​"He was kind at one point?"  Amber couldn't believe it. 
​"He was wonderful."  Virginia smiled as if reliving a memory of the good days.
​"When you divorced him, was he a danger to you?  Is that why you hoped that he was indeed dead? And did you meet his mother?" 
​"It's like when an animal gets caught in a trap, and they will die.  You don't want them to suffer.  I couldn't watch the man I loved, the only man I loved, turn into a monster.  He wasn't him.  Dear, the man I loved was gone within a year of living in that cursed house."  Tears freely fell down her face.  "I married a kind, generous, gentle man and divorced a monster."  She grabbed her face and cried into her hands.  She paused for a moment and began speaking again.  "He wouldn't let me meet his mother.  He said that she wasn't the woman who raised him.  Apparently, the house changed her too."
​Amber felt immense guilt.  She also needed clarification.  Did the house turn him and his mother into monsters? Or did the booklet do it?  She knew she needed to learn more about the curse but didn't know how.  "Thank you for your time.  I'm sorry I dredged up those horrible memories.  I have a decision to make."  She said, expressing regret.
​"Sweetheart, you need to sell that house.  I don't know the true story of the house, but you need to get out of there, dear.  While you're still you."  She said as she walked Amber to the door.  "Once the curse gets you, no one can save you."  The look on her face couldn't be more severe if she wanted.
​"Thank you,"  Amber said as she left the house and headed to her car.  Her legs couldn't carry her fast enough to her car.  So many thoughts were going through her mind.  She didn't know what to believe.  Could the booklet be the culprit?  How was any of this information going to help her free Darnel?  She knew one thing was sure: she needed her friend.  She sat in her car, closed her eyes briefly, and called Ashley.  Ashley answered after two rings.
​"How did it go?"  Ashley sounded as though she had been waiting by the phone impatiently.
​Amber took a moment to talk.  She didn't want to spook her friend.  "Do you think you could come over?"  She asked.  She was ready to have someone to talk about things with.
​"I could be there in an hour.  What happened?  Did she talk to you?"  Ashley's said as her concern was apparent.
​"She said the house turned my uncle and great-grandmother evil.  She said he was the kindest person she had ever known until he inherited the house and that he told her his mother wasn't the woman who raised him.  She told me to sell it."  Amber said, trying to conceal her fear.
​"Do you believe her?  Do you think the house is cursed in some way?"
​"I don't know what to believe.  I have someone that I want you to meet, though.  You are one of the smartest people I know.  Maybe you can help me help him."  Amber hoped that Ashley could help break the curse.
​"I'm on my way."

​Amber, Ashley, and Darnel sat at the dining room table. Ashley stared at Darnel intently.  She hadn't said a word since Amber told her the entire story.  Amber didn't know if she believed her or not.  "Say something."  She said, having a hard time with the silence.
​"Can we talk outside?"  She said.
​Amber looked at Darnel.  "I'm sorry."  She said.  "We'll just be a minute."
​"Take your time.  I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."  He smiled.
​Once outside and far enough from the house, Ashley turned to Amber.  "You need to sell the house."  She said.  She couldn't hide the uneasiness she felt.
​"Why?" 
​"I don't trust him.  How do you know that his story is even true."  Ashley said.  "What if he is feeding you a story that he wants you to believe so you feel sorry for him?  How can you fact-check it?  This Charles guy, have you talked to him outside of the house?"  She asked.
​"The guy was a shit show.  He had personal problems going on.  I don't think he was too invested in looking after the house.  Why would Darnel lie to me?"
​"Why else, Amber?  To get out.  Look, I know you had a rough life growing up.  I did, too.  It's hard to judge someone harshly when we were constantly looked at like we were the scum of the earth, but this is different.  You can't just give everyone a fair chance.  Especially when this man has apparently lived so long that there is no way to find out what really happened.  You have to be reasonable here.  You need to help yourself."  Ashley didn't speak loudly, fearing that Darnel could still hear them.
​"It's not that easy, Ashley.  I signed a contract.  I can't just sell it."
​Ashley shook her head.  "I can't support this.  I love you.  I don't trust him.  Alarms are going off loud in my head.  He isn't safe.  I can't come back here.  There has to be a way out."  She pleaded.
​"I guess I'll have to visit you."  Amber put her head down, feeling defeated.  "I can't make you feel safe here, and I respect your feelings.  I can't leave either." 
​Ashley placed a hand on Amber's shoulder.  "I love you, honey, and that beautiful heart of yours.  I hope it doesn't get crushed."  She pulled Amber into a hug.  "Good luck."  She pulled away quickly and ran to her car.
​Amber stood momentarily while she tried to process Ashley's reaction to meeting Darnel.  Defeatedly, she began walking back to the house to let Darnel's hopes down again.  She found Darnel where she had left him waiting when she entered. 
​"She's not going to help, is she?"  He said, not trying to hide his disappointment.
​"No, I'm afraid not.  Darnel, I don't know what to do.  I'm scared that I will turn evil if I stay here. 
​Darnel looked to be deep in thought.  His look was sincere as he looked up at Amber.  "I don't want to see the sweetness leave your eyes."  He said as he reached out and gently rubbed her chin.  "It's crazy that I've only known you for so many hours, but it feels like it's been a lifetime."  He smiled.
​Amber was lost at his touch.  She had been touched by men before, but it had never sent shockwaves through her as his touch had.  She moved back, afraid of the feeling.  "I'm sorry."  She said.  She was too lost and confused to add another feeling to the equation.  "I think I need some fresh air."  She said, turning to head back out of the house.  Darnel didn't say a word as she left.  Amber moved as quickly as her feet would carry her without running. She got in her car and let out an exaggerated breath.  She replayed what Virginia had told her.  Charles then came to mind.  He had much to lose if Darnel were freed from the house.  Maybe she should talk with him and see if she could read him.  She needed her friend.  Together, the two of them could figure this out.  She picked up her phone and called Ashley.  It rang until the call went to voicemail.  Amber grabbed her face and cried.  She didn't know what to believe.  She needed her friend.  Her phone rang.  Ashely was calling back.  "Hello."  She quickly answered.
​"Hey, sorry.  I was in the bathroom.  Is everything ok?"  She asked.
​"I trust your senses.  I want to meet with the lawyer and see if he can give us more information away from the house.  Can you come with me?"  Amber pleaded.
​"Where are you going to meet him?"
​"Give me a few minutes to set something up.  Anywhere in particular you think would be good?"
​"Anywhere that isn't that fucking house."  Ashley didn't hide her disdain.
​"I got you."