The Vault

6.

From the top of the strange hollow in the hallway; the stone steps led around a box-like descent and into a sparse empty space which was all but barren apart from the old organ that had inexplicably found it's way down there. High above, the peculiar lift invention hung precariously and dangled half way down the plunge. It was a remarkable sight, and Abraham had never seen an invention similar to it, but as yet he dared try activate it.

That barren space at the bottom of the staircase led to the cast-iron barred gates of the mysterious vault, but to Abraham's disappointment, it was empty. The floor inside had a strange stone tiling which had been partially dug up in one corner of the vault, leaving a dry muddy patch. Scattered across the floor were various chunks of cracked tile.

With some effort, Abraham had managed to get a few torches mounted on the muddy walls so he could at least see, but now he was faced with a different challenge... trying to get his desk down there to begin writing.

After locating a switch at the top of the staircase, he concluded that it operated the elevator, and after a sharp intake of breath, he braced himself before feebly tapping the button.

An ominous echo rang out as rusty chains rattled up and down the deep cavern. Shortly after came a loud pop, and the vibrating hum of a small engine rumbled somewhere in the cave.

By some kind of miracle, the lift slowly clambered up the ancient rickety chains, wobbling as it went, it came to a shuddering stop directly in front of Abraham.

Night had fallen and the temperature dropped by the time Alice was sat in the back of a carriage heading for home.

The poorly dressed driver gripped two leather reigns tightly as he shivered in the increasing cold of the evening.

"Strange old woods these," he said aloud. "What's a pretty young woman like yourself doing in a drab old place like this?"

"It is my father's," she answered uninterestedly.

"Count yourself lucky there were no rain today! Be no chance of getting a carriage through this if it were muddy. It'll rain later tonight I'd bet you!"

Alice didn't respond as she leaned her head against the cushioned carriage. Ambient noises came from the dark woods around them as insects crawled and twigs fell from trees, but it all went unnoticed to her. Maybe she was finally getting used to this place.

At the end of the path, the driver helped her and her bags down from the carriage. She paid him in a hurry and headed inside, leaving him awkwardly struggling to rearrange himself and head back out of the woods.

The living room fire had been left to burn out leaving the house in total darkness. She hung up her coat and grabbed her abundance of bags as best she could. Making her way through the hallway, she passed the gaping hole in the wall which reminded her of this mornings discovery, and with an eerie shiver, she hurried her way through to the kitchen.

The library was empty, as was her father's usual writing spot, and to her surprise, she noticed that his desk had gone missing. Realising he must still be tinkering around underground like a school boy with a new toy, she reluctantly headed to that ominous hollow, but when she stood in front of it, she found herself overcome with a strong hesitance to clamber inside.

"Father?" She called out into the dark, knowing too well that he would not be able to hear her from down in the deep descent of the cavern.

She was left with little choice. Baring a grimace, she sheepishly stepped inside the hollow, and called out once again.