Knives and Nightmares

Chapter 10

Chapter X

We drove up to Connors house. It was two stories up and snow white. It was huge! The garage looked like it could hold four cars. I got out of his truck and walked up the half winding stairs it the door. Thanks giving decorations were hung all around. He unlocked the door an invited me in. I kicked off my shoes in their huge door way. A large mat covered the octagonal space. The mat was a picture of winter trees and a few songbirds. I walked up the three steps to a new landing. A sharp u-turn had stairs, also white with a red velvet carpet. Another space was open and aside from the stairs, there was three small door less doorways. I walked into the one on my left. A den. I looked around the large almost rectangle room. A large fireplace covered the far Side. An indigo couch and a matching love seat were placed in an "L" around the fire. It's flames burned brightly. My skin tingeled. I looked on the mantel. On one side, there was pictures of Connor when he was younger. The Connor I remember so well. The Connor who won the science fair... In one picture he was holding his solar system project with a blue first place ribbon placed on the sun. He was beaming as bright as the sun. I smiled. On the opposite side of the mantle, there was Connor again. But this time in his football gear. The current Connor. He was half smiling, meaningless. I sighed and backed away leaving the conner I remembered in the shadows. I walked back to where I began. Connor moving aside silently to let me pass. His eyes showed hints of amusement and anticipation. I chose the next small hallway. I looked along the lowly lit walls and saw more pictures of Connor with his parents. I quicly skimmed them. I had to go down a few steps. At the bottom there was a single

Door painted blue. I turned the knob and walked inside. My eyes bulged "wow." I whispered. It was a rec room. There was a foose ball table on one side accompanied with air hockey. A flat screen tv with almost every gaming system. I wandered farther into the room. I stood near the gaming area gaping Argos large the room was. Directly behind the tv was a large open space I hadn't noticed before, it was hidden from looking through the doorway. In the space, tape made lives on the floor which I recognized. Red for hockey, orange for basket ball. There were nets set up and a bin filled to the top with gear. A few basket balls rolled on the floor. I decided to continue exploring the mountain of a house. I walked back through the very dark hallway. Connor slowly trailing behind me. Back at the opening, I decided to try the last door. I walked in and gaped Arthur immense kitchen. Counters were lining almost every wall. I noticed there was a second door into the room. I turned on the light which aluminated a large chandelier which hung over a huge table coated with wilting daisies. My kind of flower. How can an only child need so much space, his parents are always out of town. He must be so lonely. At the thaught, I grabbed his hand and towed him along so I could observe the kitchen again. The cabinets were dark oak, the appliances were all black nicly accenting the red walls, and marble counters. "This place is enormous compared to my own house" I whispered. I didn't dare talk, I feared something was looming in the shadows. Connor chuckeled. We left the kitchen and made our was to the living room. We sat in silence on the couch my the fire. So close I could hear his heart beat steadily, I could hear his every breath and I counted the seconds that seemed to linger forever. The fire crackled so loud I jumped. Connor gave off a small laugh and rested me safely against his shoulder with his arm around me. We say in science, until I finally fell asleep to the thump of his heart.