The Attic

Chapter Seventeen

I pushed open the doors, almost dropping the folder that I had tucked under my arm. Gianna, Victoria and Dylan all looked up from the board game that they were playing and met my eyes with concern. 

"Look what I found. This is kind of a big deal, so you might want to stay sitting down for this. I think I know what is wrong with this hotel. It wasn't originally a hotel at all, what is on the other side of those doors proves it. This was a mental asylum." I stated in a soft, yet powerful voice. 

No one said anything, they just sat there with their jaws dropped and their eyes wide open in disbelief. 

Naturally, Victoria was the first to break the silence, "FrEeEaAaKyYyYy!!" she said in a sing-songy tone. We all looked at her and rolled our eyes simultaneously. 

Logically, Gianna questioned, "So...just to clarify: We are running from an insane pair of brothers who killed your sister and parents and they traced us to this hotel which was originally an insane asylum?" 

"You got it. That sounds like the whole story," I replied. We sat there for a couple of minutes in an awkward silence before Dylan began to chuckle. Then that chuckle turned into a laugh, and that laugh turned into a cackle. Gianna turned to give him the what the hell are you laughing at, idiot?  look. 

He replied back, "I just think it's funny how unfortunate your life has turned out to be. Like of all things that could happen, you ended up here, with us. It's funny how life works, isn't it?" 

I nodded back and started to chuckle as well, understanding what he was trying to say. Then Gianna started to laugh, along with Victoria not too far behind. Suddenly the whole room was filled with laughter from us four idiots. But if we didn't laugh, we'd cry. Crying wouldn't solve any problems or make anything better, so why not just laugh, ya know?

***

Early the next morning, we woke up and carefully went downstairs to retrieve our breakfast, avoiding the two maniacs at all costs. After we all had finished the food and digested, we took a group poll of whether we go and explore what was behind those doors or not. Everyone was in, except Victoria. But, she didn't want to risk being left behind in that open space by herself, so she followed along quietly. 

I went in first, shinning a small flashlight into each room to see what I could find. Small blood splatters, rusted bed frames and mountains of papers were all that was left. No good dirt or anything that could freak us out any more than we already were. 

Except one thing that made us all freeze in place when we turned the corner. 

Illustrations of every single one of us were strung up, illustrations of us dead. I was drawn with my head severed from my body, Gianna with multiple bloody stab wounds, Dylan with a slit throat and Victoria falling off of a cliff. I started to walk forward so I could examine them closer, but I turned to see Gianna running back towards the doors. We all turned and ran after her, leaving the display untouched. 

When we finally reached her in the spaces with all of our stuff, she was crying and hyperventilating. I went up to her and put my hand on her shoulder, "Gi, just breathe. I know it's hella scary but we need to figure out what happened and why that's there."

"No way. Fuck that. River, ever since I started to help you with this nonsense, things have been going wrong. And I'm scared. I don't think I can handle this anymore. I don't think I can handle you anymore, all you do is bring bad luck into my life. I can't stay here and help you anymore, my family needs me. So, good luck with your little investigation because I'm just done. I hope you survive." 

"Gianna, wait!"

"I'm done waiting and having you tell me everything's okay, because it's not okay. Goodbye." With that, she picked up her stuff and strolled out of the door and out of my life. 

I sat down on the cot and put my face in my hands. This cannot be happening. It's like everyone's leaving and it's all my fault because I've been doing stupid things. Why couldn't I have done something else that made everyone's lives easier? I just don't know what I can do to make this okay.

"River, c'mon. I know this is a big deal and all, but we need to figure this out, or  something else could go horribly wrong. Maybe even something with Gianna and her family. Those drawings could be our key to finding out the answers we've been looking for all along. You need to do this, for your family and for Gianna." Dylan said when he sat down next to me and put an arm around my shoulder. 

For Gianna and our families. 

I rose, grabbed the flashlight, and walked towards the doors. I took a deep breath and pushed them open. 

To find out the answers we've been looking for all along.