Loud

Chapter 10

"Gwen." My head was shaking. I must have a migraine, I thought. "Gwen, wake up!" Oh, it was only Josie. I groaned and rolled over. I was really not in the mood. I don't know why, but the treehouse cot was really comfortable day. "Come on Gwen!" I pushed the pillow onto my head and murmured for her to go away. 

"Gwen, we have pancakes on the table." Who was that? Suddenly, the events of the past day drilled into my mind. It was Lucinda. The article. Creating matter. Connection. Silence. Helen. Today. Meeting. My thoughts drive me crazy sometimes. I rolled out of bed, literally. I actually dropped onto the floor. Josie huffed and stomped away. Thirteen year olds. Such drama queens. I coudln't think in very long sentences. 

I pulled on some hollister jeans and tall, black boots. I tightened my brown, woven belt and pulled my auburn hair up in a high ponytail, like Josie always wore. With my black tank top on, I put on some white bangles and was ready to leave. 

Gwenny and Bam-bam were sitting at the counter giggling next to Josie, who had probably told them one of her classic jokes. Then Gwenny turned and saw me.

"Gwen's here, Gwen's here!" Gwenny rushed over to me and leaped into my open arms. 

"Morning everyone," I said cheerily, holding Gwenny in my arms. 

"Piggyback, piggyback!" Gwenny complained. I sighed and hoisted her onto my back. "Yay!" She giggled.

"Morning Gwen," Lucinda greeted me. 

"Well, I have a big day ahead of me." I grabbed a plate and a pancake and practically inhaled it. Gwenny hopped out of my arms and began to poke her big brother. 

There it was. Maple Street. It reminded me of an episode of twilight zone I had seen, The Monsters are Due on Maple Street.  I pushed my side bangs behind my ear and started down the road. 528. That was the house in front of me, and the address I was looking for.

Here goes nothing.

I reached my hand up and bravely knocked on the door. Immediately, it opened and an old woman was standing in front of me. 

"Gwen Parks?" She asked in a solid but slow voice.

"Yes ma'am. 

"Come in, come in. Before anyone sees you." She ushered me in as quickly as possible and closed the door behind us with fear. 

"I have questions." I took a seat across from her in the living room.

"I know you must, sweetie. I will try to explain everything I can."  This was going to be a long morning. 

"Okay." I was ready.

"My name is Helen Murzopf. I have lived here my entire life.  I know every secret alley, abandoned house, and every corner in this entire place. And that house," she shivered, "Is dangerous."

"Why?"

"You must've seen them. The ghosts. They are imprisoned inside that house. And their piano is sacred. Did you touch it?"

"I think I..broke it."

"What?!" Helen's eyes were worried. "They'll come after you. Do not go in that house ever again. Understood?"

I nodded.

"You need to tell me all about yourself. No lying. I can see through them."

"My name is Gwen Parks and-"

"I told you I could see through your lies. That's not your last name." Wow. She was good.

"My name is Gwen. I'm currrently...pretending to be an american foreign exchange student at Lucinda and Rupert's."

"There's something very special about you. I see it in your aura." What? Maybe Lucinda was right...

"I...pretend I have a sister but she's really just my friend."

The woman raised here eyebrows and ushered me to continue.

"I can...controlnaturewithmyhands."

"Slower please."

"I can control nature with my hands." 

Woman: Mouth dropped, eyes wide, silence.

I nodded. 

"You're a witch?" 

I nodded again.

She stood up. "Get out of my house. Two witches together are dangerous bad luck. I said, Get out!" She shoved me towards the door very unlike an old woman should and slammed the door behind me. 

Crazy old witch lady that hates me. Check.