The Rose

Chapter 2

It's bigger than I remembered. It looks like a mansion compared to the Gilberts' three bedroom house. Slowly I walk to the porch where I find the gnome I hated since I was little, still standing where it was the last time we came here.

I used to love coming here. This was my favourite place in the world. Always so peaceful and this is where i discovered I could communicate with plants. I remember it as if it happened yesterday.

I was playing hide and seek with Lexi. I ran to the Oak tree behind the cabin and climbed it. I reached my spot where I always hid and where Lexi could never find me. As I was sitting, waiting for Lexi, I broke off a stick which was poking in my back and I heard an "Ouch" coming from underneath me. I looked around, but saw no one so I kept pulling off leaves.
"Holy crap man, you're hurting me"

"Who's there?" I asked my voice shaking

A voice replied :" Wait you can hear me??"

"Of course I can. I'm not deaf, where are you?" I said, slightly annoyed.

" You're sitting on me and I would appreciate if you could stop pulling off my leaves."

"Wait is this tree talking to me?" I thought to myself.

And that's how I met my best friend , Brutus Cedar and ever since then I could talk to all sorts of plants.

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Opening the door, I unsettle the dust covering everything. The dust going up in the air and descending back down slowly. It's just as I remember from the last time, minus the dust and tarps coating the furniture. The small living room with my mother's books covering the table, the fireplace and its rough exterior ,across is the couch I used to fell asleep on, the kitchen and dining room perfectly next to the living room. The stairs across the room leading to the rooms and then to the attic.

I knew there was going to be a lot to do, but I didn't think it would be this much. Being here has brought back so many memories I had suppressed and I was consumed with grief. The sudden flood of emotions crippled me and I fell onto the couch. I had never really dealt with my mom and dad passing and I preffered not thinking about them. I wasn't ready for this and I just sat there taking everything in and bawling my eyes out.

After what seemed like an eternity I stood up and walked out to my car to get the cleaning supplies, walked back in, put on some music and started cleaning.Music is my escape, I always felt better while listening to music. I ripped off the tarp covering the couch, revealing the stain from the time I spilled grape juice. My mom never washed it out, she said its memories and we should just leave it.

One by one I ripped off the tarps sending dust into the sky again. I got out the vaccuum and started sucking out all the dust out of the furniture. I then went on to the kitchen, cleaning the marble countertops and mopping the tile floor. Taking my time with every room, reliving the memories we as a family had made over the years. Until finally only my room remained, but it is late ,I am tired and my eyes are burning from all of the crying. I wasn't really one to cry, so I'm not used to the feeling. I will resume with my room tomorrow. I head to Lexi's room, collapsed on her bed and I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow

I went downstairs and saw my parents , Lexi and I playing Monopoly, a tradition we had. I ran to my mom and went right through her , she didn't notice me and they just kept playing. I scream and scream and scream , but to no avail. They did not notice me. I decide to stop and just to sit and watch as they played. Lexi crying when she lost, me sitting on my mother's lap.

My dream was rudely interrupted by a loud bang coming from downstairs. Someone was knocking on the front door. I got up and went downstairs. My eyes landed on the clock on the wall, which I had fixed earlier, and saw that is 4 am. Who on earth would be knocking on my door this late? They better have a good reason waking me from my sleep or they will have to deal with the wrath of my fury. I slowly open the door , but no one was there. "It must've been my imagination" I reasoned with myself, before heading back to bed.

I woke up at 10 am and drove to town to buy some groceries. It wasn't a long drive and soon I parked outside the convenience store.

It isn't big and just houses the bare necessities. I got some bread, milk, cereal, cheese, eggs and some chips. The store was quiet and I plopped down my basket onto the counter, breaking the silence. The cashier looks familiar , but I just can't place my finger on who she is.

"That'll be $20.38" she says with a bored look on her face.

"Thanks, uum do I know you?" I ask

" I don't know, Kate. How much do you remember from your childhood?" she said giving me a smirk.

Now I remember who she is. She was one of my "friends" when we came here. She always made fun of me for talking to Brutus or other plants.

"Not much, got to go, Bye" I reply quickly giving her the money and walking out to my car.

I made a few other stops before I went home. It was already getting dark when I parked my car outside the cabin. I went inside and unpacked the groceries. I was placing the eggs in the side of the fridge when I realized I still hadn't cleaned my room. Fuck and I'm really not in the mood, but I guess it has to be done. I went upstairs passing the bathroom and stepped into my room. I flip the light switch, but nothing happens and I continue about ten times before I stop and realize how stupid I must look. I get out my phone and shine the light where the light should be, there was no lightbulb. "Explains a lot" I say to myself before exiting the room. I know my dad used to keep lightbulbs in the attic.

It is covered in cobwebs. I know it must be here somewhere and I start moving boxes out of the way, when suddenly it caught my eye. The box labeled "Lightbulbs" stands behind a shattered mirror. I walk up to it and move it out of the way and something falls out and landed at my feet. It was a letter. Addressed to me and I know it is from my mother. Shakily I open it and it read:

My dearest Kate
If you're reading this, it means something had happen to me and your father.

I'm so sorry I left you and your sister without a mother, but I know you're strong and you will survive it. My child, you were always so hard on yourself, don't be. Mommy knows you're doing the best you can.

Mommy will always love you my lamb. You're still my baby girl. Don't be afraid of your gift, Kate. I had it too just in another degree. It's something special and don't let anyone tell you different.

Honey, the person who did this to mommy and daddy is a very dangerous man and you need to keep away from him, please Kate you need to leave it. I know you would want to find out why, but you really need to leave it to the police. He is a cruel and merciless man. Dad and I went to great measures to keep you and Lexi hidden from him.

Kate, please take care of you and your sister.
I love you my angel. Take care

Love mom xxx

After reading it, I just sat there , staring at the tears escaping from eyes, in the mirror. I never knew my mom had the same gift as I did. I stood up, tucked the letter into my pocket, grabbed a lightbulb and headed to my room.

The darkness creeps out of my room as I switch on the light. Looking around my room, I realize I haven't changed much, still obsessed with black. My room didn't look like a typical girl's room, no it is dark. The walls are painted black, dark wood floors and grey bedsheets.
Something stood out and it caught my eye. It was a pink rose in a vase on my desk. I walk closer and I know someone left it here for me to find. There was no way it could survive all these years.

I took a step closer
"Hello" I say with a quivering voice

No reply came, but I try again, touching one of it's petals lightly when I heard a whisper.

"You need to get out of here. He knows. He knows"