Turn of the Kaleidoscope

A Talk to Remember

Mathilda was absentmindedly staring out the window above the sink at the old barn across the golden field.

It's sun-peeled paint and hole-riddled roof seemed to scream adventure. But she was stuck doing a sink full of dishes. Mathilda was a smart girl but like all children she lacked the patience to wait.

The grandparents were watching Wheel of Fortune in the other room. The sound of chimes from the old grandfather clock rang throughout the hall.

The barn was calling out to her. Dishes were unworthy of her attention when adventure was on the horizon. Carefully she put down the sponge and the pot she was scrubbing. Quietly she tip-toed over to the front door as to not alert her grandparents of her escape. She turned the knob ever so carefully and opened it just enough to squeeze her slender body through. Shutting the door behind her she turned around cautiously and when she felt the coast was clear she sprinted towards the barn.

It looked like a ancient shipwreck ready to be explored by a deep-sea diver. And she was ready alright, to dive into the the hay.

She moved cautiously through the tall grass leading up to the red wreck. She imagined sharks guarding its exterior. She bobbed and weaved through the golden grass as it waved in the gentle wind, carefully slipping past the circling predators.

She was almost there now. She had evaded the sharks and was nearly upon the old ruin. The barn doors were busted off their hinges and leaning against the walls. She poked her head around the entrance peering inside where piles of hay and old farm tools were strewn about.

Rays of light shot down from the holes in the roof illuminating dust from the hay and dirt floating in the air. It had an ominous feel to it. Mathilda was filled with curiosity and fervor to continue exploring. She imagined herself in an old ruin, abandoned by some ancient civilization she had learned about in school.

The ancients had left behind clues to some mystery and she was determined to solve it. Into the barn she ventured, taking baby steps as she observed her surroundings. She made her way to the old farm tools covered in cobwebs. Though rusted they would do for now. For who knew what evils lurked in the ancient place. She dusted the cobwebs from a pitchfork and brandishing it readied herself for the danger that lied ahead. She imagined a giant spider slowly lowering itself from its web. She readied the weapon. Knowing the  spider's venom was lethal, she would have to be quick. She was about to strike when she thought she heard a voice.

She stopped and listened intently. Again she heard it but couldn't make out where it was coming from.

It became clearer.

"Help," said a muffled voice.

"Someone must be trapped in here somewhere," she said to herself.

Again the voice called out but this time she determined the source.

There was a hatch leading down into bowels of the barn. She turned the wooden handle and with all her might lifted the heavy hatch door. She feared she might have opened the very doors to hell. 

A black blur darted out of the hole, startling her. She fell back and landed on her butt. In shock by what had happened she laid there for a moment until a black cat jumped onto her chest and looked down at her.

"Thank you kindly, madam."

She heard, but didn't see anyone.

"Who said that?" She asked.

"Myself naturally. Do you see anyone else in here besides the two of us?" the voice asked.

She was completely confused. Logic told her that there was someone here in the barn with her, but the only other creature was this black cat. The last time she checked cats didn't speak English, well as far as she knew.