The secrete closet

Four

To say I was freaking out would be an understatement because I was totally freaking out.
I backed away from the closet with the note still in my hand, fear evident in my features.

There was someone in that closet.

"Who are you?" I found myself saying to the closet.
My hand that grasped the note trembled.

I got no answer only silence.
I wiped away a stray tear as it slid down my check.
I looked at the note again.

"A-are you Harry Styles?" I asked voice shaky.

Still silence.

The only way to find out what was going on in that closet was to find the key, and I had to find that damn key.

I stayed awake in my room until 2am waiting for everyone to fall asleep.
When I was sure, I put on my Uggs and a black hoodie and made my way downstairs.

Under the kitchen sink I grabbed my dads tool box and pulled out the flashlight.

Once I had it, I made my way back up stairs shining the light on the ceiling in search for a string or a lock buckle that would be an entry to the attic.

I was about to give up until I found what looked to be the entrance to the attic.
It was right above the staircase on the top step.
The ceiling was pretty high so that's probably why I had never noticed it before.

I reached up on my tippy toes to get the string that hung down but unfortunately I was short.

I went downstairs and and as quietly as I could I carried one of the dinner table chairs up the stairs placing it right underneath the string that would open the attic.

I stood up on the chair steadying myself. To say that I wasn't nervous would be a lie because I was extremely nervous, I was standing on a chair at the top of a very tall staircase, so yes I was pretty nervous.

I took a deep breath and reached for the string. I smiled when my fingers gripped it and I gave it a good tug.

The board covering the attic came down with a moan along with a little stair case.
I moved the chair out of the way and shone my flashlight directly into the dark pit of the attic.

I pushed my weight down on the first step testing out the strength.
It was surprisingly sturdy.
With my flashlight in hand I carefully climbed up the stairs and into the dark pit.

My nose was instantly hit with the foul stench of mold thats clearly been building up for years.
There was a few pieces of furniture up here including a couch, a rocking chair, and an old pool table that appeared to be missing all of its balls.

It was very cluttered up here and I didn't know how I would be able to find a key in all this garbage.
My feet moved across the floor, my flashlight gripped tightly in my hand.

I side stepped old news papers and rat traps as I walked further towards the back.
I jumped, my heart skipping a beat when I saw a person standing In front of me but I instantly relaxed when I realized that it was just my own reflection in an dusty old mirror mounted to the wall.

I released a breath holding a hand over my chest.
My eyes found something else in the mirror and I turned around eyes meeting with a jewelry box.
I walked over to it and picked it up.

It was coated in a thick layer of dust, holding it out I took a deep breath and blew with all my might.
The dust spewed out in the air illuminating in my flashlight.

I looked down at the now dust free jewelry box.
On the top there were carved on initials (A.H) which I would assume to be Ann Styles, the woman from the picture.

I set it down on the pool table and opened it up.
It was filled with rings, necklaces, and bracelets.
The jewelry was in very good condition and seemed expensive.

My eyes found interest in one item in particular. It was a necklace with a golden chain, and hanging from it was a green emerald half the size of my fist.

It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.
I suddenly I heard noises coming from down stairs.

I pulled the necklace over my neck and scurried out of the attic.

I stood up on the chair once again and used all my strength to push the board along with the little staircase back into the ceiling.
Once it was back into place I took the chair and totted it back into the kitchen just in time when my mother switched on the light.

She jumped back in shook when she saw me and I pretended to do the same.

"Jesus Iris what are you doing up this time of night you nearly scared me half to death" she expressed with a wild look on her sleepy face.

"I'm sorry I couldn't sleep" I said.
She sighed tucking a pice of hair behind her ear.
"Well I guess that makes the two of us" she responded retrieving a glass out the cabinet and pouring herself some orange juice from the fridge.

"Well I'm gonna go back up to my my room, goodnight" I crooned.

"Wait hold up cariño!"

I rolled my eyes before turning around to face her once again.

"Where did you get that gorgeous necklace? that gold looks very real" she questioned staring at the chain that held the emerald jewel hanging from my neck.

Shit I had to think of a lie, and very quick.

"I um found it in the dresser when I was cleaning the other day" I lied.

She stared at it for a few moments later before meeting my eyes once again.
"Well it suits you very much" she complimented.

I smiled awkwardly before dashing up the stairs to my room and closing the door behind me.

I took the necklace off and set it on the dresser.
I would have to go back in the attic another time to look for the key.

"Damn it" I hissed under my breath.

I returned back to my bed and pulled the string to the lamp.
I could at least get 5 hours of sleep before the sun came up.

Well that's what I thought until the portable closet began violently shaking.

Suddenly the room was ignited in a green glow.
I sat up from bed fear taking over my senses.

It was the emerald necklace with the gold chain.
It was glowing I couldn't believe my eyes, it was shaking as well, rolling around on the dresser before falling and crashing on the floor.

"Fuck" I mumbled as I rushed over to it.
The green jewel was shattered across the floor.

In the middle of all the rummage a silver key laid in the middle of it.
As soon as I picked it up the portable closed ceased to a stop.

This was it.
This was the key and I was holding it in my hand.