Through the Painting

The Mapkeeper

Once she could no longer hear Brea's footsteps, Addilyn began to take a closer look at the room. A queen bed sat in the corner covered in a thick, floral blanket. The wallpaper was a light blue and appeared kind of old. It was yellowing slightly at the edges from its many years. A little window was cracked open to let a breeze cool into the room. 

The sweltering heat was in great contrast to the cold weather she had just escaped. Here it was obviously summer, and a hot one at that. She let her hand graze the bed as she made her way over to the closet. A wide arrange of clothing garments hung there, clearly unused. Whoever the previous resident had been, they must not have stayed too long.

She let out a sigh of contentedness after having taken a shower and put on fresh clothes. It had been so long since she had felt so fresh. Not warm though. Even now, in the heat of South Carolina, she did not feel warmth. Perhaps it was something she would never be able to regain. Pushing those dark thoughts aside, Addilyn began making her way downstairs. 

As she walked down the hallway she noticed something peculiar. A noise. It was a light rattling noise that was evidently coming from behind a certain door. Curiosity taking over, Addilyn slowly let herself into the room. A boy around her age stood in front of something that was faintly glowing. The buzzing noise was being produced but whatever the glowing thing was. 

He wore light colored denim jeans and a dark blue t-shirt. His dirty blonde hair covered his face as he scribbled furiously across a piece of paper. Whatever he was writing, it seemed rather important. Addilyn watched for a moment before clearing her throat. Pausing, the boy looked up from his work.

"I'm Addilyn. I'm really sorry for interrupting but I-" Addilyn's train of thought fizzled out as she got a better view of what the boy was studying. A bright ball of light was projecting a minuscule sky full of stars. She watched with fascination as a tiny shooting star whizzed across the astral, miniature sky.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" His voice was gruff but also held a sort of mellifluous undertone. It made Addilyn look up from the image for a moment.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Blaise, Jacob's son."

"What is this?" Addilyn gestured to the night sky.

"This is a map of sorts. A map of time."

"How so?"

"The stars contain different moments and clues. It's my job to decipher them. That's what this notebook is for." The page left open was filled with Blaise's unruly handwriting.

"That's incredible! So, you're the mapkeeper?" A coy smile appeared on Blaise's face.

"I suppose I am."

"Why is all of this necessary though?" Several emotions played out across Blaise's face. This question had provoked something buried deep. It was clearly some kind of hurt that Blaise did not wish to share.

"Listen Addilyn, Brea and my father won't be happy if they find you here. There is much they haven't told you. You need to go. I'll see you at dinner."