Getting inside had proved easier than they had expected. This was the hard part, finding what he was looking for. The torch cast its light on the wall ahead. In the dimness, they could make out the slight details of the inside. The high walls were covered in wallpaper. There were flowers in pink and yellow running down in neat rows. Two large flowerpots holding something like overgrown ferns sat sleeping - or almost dead at the bottom of a wide staircase.
To his left, Stephen saw a large welcome desk, the papers placed with great care in a neat pile, next to a very modern telephone and fax. A dusty computer stood idly by, near it. Two tall pillars, in red, at the entrance of the room, and worn out wall-to-wall carpets in the same color completed it. As he stepped up in front of the desk, something caught his attention. There was an enormous painting-a portrait of a woman-it was huge and it was...
The torch fell with a dull thud on the carpet, rolling to and fro as he stepped back in shock. He hurriedly pulled the mask of his face.
Jarrod, hissed at him to be quiet, and then shone the light on Stephen’s face. At his stunned look, he moved his beam slowly to where his gaze was fixed. There was a sharp intake of breath, followed by, “What the...”
The woman was Sarah! Jarrod could not believe it! The likeness was there, one hundred percent! Stephen didn’t wait any longer. He picked up his torch and walked swiftly, taking the stairs two at a time. Jarrod ran behind him.
“Hey! Hold up! Where are you off to now? Stephen...what...hey! Are you listening to me?”
The last word echoed down the silent passages, but neither of them bothered to look back.
He stopped abruptly, and Jarrod almost ran into him. “Be quiet and listen to me. Okay? I’m only gonna say this once. I have no idea what I’m looking for, no idea where I’m off to right now either.” He stopped to take a breath, gathering his thoughts. He had to make Jarrod understand.
Jarrod opened his mouth to speak while taking off his disguise but Stephen silenced him. “Let me finish ... please. All I know is that I have to be here, I have to find something - something that could help Sarah. I know it sounds stupid, but I can feel it. I’m right. I know I am. You saw the picture - it looked just like her! You saw it too. Now tell me I’m making too much out of nothing, and let me prove you’re wrong!”
He turned back and walked on ahead, not waiting for Jarrod to ask him anything further - not caring about anything except what he had to find.
The light danced maddeningly before him, as he marched on. He continued to survey the place as he looked for clues, glancing this way and that, taking in as much as he could at his speed. The passage was long, three, maybe four doors on each floor, he assumed. As he walked, he admired its beautiful simplicity. Rich, dark wooden doors, embossed with a similar design to the wallpaper, large fancy chandeliers dangled freely from above. His eyes followed the beams of his torchlight in awe. There were paintings of the same woman - three to be exact, hanging on the walls. It seemed as though her eyes followed his every movement, boring down at him in silent accusation.
He opened the doors, one by one. Four poster beds - fit for royalty, wide windows, with long willowy curtains, opened just enough to let the moonlight seep through, illuminating the room. Each room had an old fashioned dressing table, cupboards and a large mirror, tall enough to see yourself standing upright. There were those chandeliers again, twinkling in the light from his torch. He let his eyes linger for a while, before walking on to the next room. He wondered how much of it was the original house and how much was redone.
Up another flight of stairs he went, completely unaware that Jarrod was still right behind him all along.
It looked more or less the same, but for the last room in the corner. The door was locked. It was a heavy door, made of oak. He had a strange feeling just looking at it, a feeling that he needed to be inside.
YOU ARE READING
Mirror Mirror
خيال (فانتازيا)PS* UNEDITED AND FLAWED* Read at your own risk* Sarah and Stephen have been best friends for a long time, but their friendship is put to the test when an old curse rears it's head. Racing against time, he tries to save her from a fate that befell...
