The House

Chapter 11 Lost Data

The next morning I woke up earlier than usual because I wanted to go to the mysterious room before the test of the day. The reason of this is because I want to know what's behind that bookshelf.

Everyone is still sleeping, so I tip toe my way out of my room and through The Reception. This time, the walls have the same red wallpaper that our rooms have, the floor is covered by a red carpet and there's an AC on somewhere. The doors, however, are still in the same deteriorated state.

I stop right in the middle of The Reception. I look all around me for the cameras; as if testing whether the Creep Guy is watching me or not. I receive no response, so I resume my walk.

I walk up the stairs and look for the mysterious door. I didn't have time to cover it again with the wallpaper, which is good, and Valerye hasn't asked about this door, and that's good too, because maybe she didn't notice it or she just doesn't care. Anyway, I try to open the door as quietly as I can. I have to wiggle the knob a few times before it opens.

Once inside, I shut the door behind me, also in the quietest way I could ever close a door. I look to my right; to where the bookshelf is and prepare myself to pull it again. It's still heavy, but that doesn't stop me. I try and try until I finally feel it move under my fingers, so I try harder and I'm finally able to see what's at the other side.

Everything's pitch black, for the exception of a square light-brown table in the middle and a black office chair that are being illuminated by a hanging bulb. It looks just like the previous room did in the videos we saw back at High School.

On top of the table is a computer; a desktop computer. I can't help but wonder what's in it, so I walk towards the chair and sit down. I look out for a power button but there's no sign of anything else besides the screen, the keyboard and the mouse.

Great.

However, I don't give up. Now I know I need to know what's inside this computer. Maybe all the answers I need are here.

I keep looking for a way to turn it on, but there's nothing. I stare at the screen for a minute and try to use the keyboard but, to my surprise, it doesn't work, so I start clicking the mouse desperately.

Damn.

I just leave my hand on the mouse. I don't know what else to do. I think I might go before someone notices I'm gone and I should try again later with a cleared head.

Beep.

"Finishing analysis."

It takes me a while to realize that a computerized female voice comes from the computer, now on. On a reflex, I pull my hand back and see a pulsating blue fingertip where my right index finger was. The screen is black but has a white loading circle in the middle with the word "Analyzing" on top.

"Analysis completed," says the voice. "Welcome back, No. 30251807."

With that, the screen turns blue and I find myself staring at the desktop screen. There are two folders; the one to my right has the name "Project" and the one to my left is named "Laureen".

I'm taken off-guard when I read that name. I immediately click on it and all I can see are images. I open the first one and stare at it.

It is Laureen, but she looks different. The picture was taken within a distance; it's kind of blurred but I still recognize her. She's in a sort of downtown, I think, because I can see buildings in the background. She looks like a celebrity hiding from paparazzis with her sunglasses and a hat. However, I'm still able to see parts of her face and realize that she looks older.