Year Walk

Chapter 2: Ace

I push the door a bit, letting the squeaking of the hinges echo through the thick cold air. 

I enter the main room that exits off to the living room to the right, the kitchen to the left, and a stairway straight ahead. I begin walking into the kitchen, the only room radiating light, and whisper Alicia's name. 

After moments of searching the house, I sigh of defeat and sit in my chair to my desk and pick up my pencil. So what if she's gone.. I don't care. That dog can leave too. My chuckle is interrupted as Alicia slowly pushes the front door open, followed by Charlie waddling behind her. "Oh, Father! You're home. How long have you been waiting for me?"

"Ten minutes now," I state. 

Her face flushes and she starts to play with the lace that lines the end of her dress. "Oh, I see," she whispers.

"Where were you?" I set my pencil back down and turn towards her, for intimidation.

She looked up immediately with desperation in her eyes. "I was walking Charlie. He wouldn't stop crying at the door." 

"You are not to leave this house without my permission, how many times do I have to tell you?"

"I promise this will be the last." I stare at her, waiting for her to say more. She does.

"I'll go up to my room now, I know tonight is a big night."

"Big? But we don't celebrate New Year's Eve."

"I know that..." she pauses, and looks away. "I was doing my daily chores and when I got to organizing your desk, some of your journal entries reminded me of what Mum told me before she passed. I remember Mum telling me about year walking, and I know you're going to do it tomorrow. I want to do it one day, will you teach me?"

My emotions are flushed. I'm not sure how I feel, either I pat her on the back, or shout and tell her not to get into my things again.
I smile to myself. 

"Someday."

                                                                                           ----

Tomorrow is when I will find the truth.
I grew up in a house full of folklore and religion, and to my parents, Årsgång was not a game. Translated, it means Year Walk, which is an annual ritual. Tonight, at midnight I will walk out to our community parish church, and circle it three times while singing a small song, then blow into the church's keyhole. With this, I would have blown any religion left in me into the building, leaving me unfaithful. After that, only rumors have told me of the supernatural that will challenge me to duels. After each duel, you get to choose of which time of the following year you'd like to be revealed. There are 7 duels. Unfortunately, you can only do this once in your lifetime. The penalty? Torture? Put into a coma? Death? Not sure. Never wanted to find out. My writings and research have prepared me for this night.

I glance at the ticking clock. 11:32pm. I go to bed.