the girl called mystery

• 6 •

The feeling of intensity hit me like a wave as I walked the familiar path. The same trees stood right where they were left. At one time, I was scared of what was behind these trees. But now I'm afraid of what lies ahead.

"Okay, Mystery, you can do this," I took in a deep breath and headed into the house of my childhood.

I have no idea what I'm about to get myself into. I haven't been in this house or seen my father in who knows how long. He's called me countless times. It's been a while and I don't think this is a good way to surprise him after this much time.

I peek into the window beside the back door and knock. No response. I grip the knob and turn it. To my surprise, it's unlocked. The door opens and I am faced with an upgraded version of the kitchen I used to know. The walls sport a bright blue paint job, unlike the olive green ones I remember. The kitchen was spotless, which almost never happened before. Despite the near perfect conditions I see a mouse scurry past my feet. My heart nearly jumps out of my body.

"It's just a mouse, Mystery. It's much smaller than you," I remind myself.

"You talk to yourself a lot, Mystery?"

I jump, "What the hell?" I turn and see Colin, "How did you find me? Again."

"It's simple. I followed you," Colin whispered close to my ear.

"You're actually the creepiest person I've ever met."
I turned back around to face the kitchen again. I opened my drawstring and pulled out my phone to use as a flashlight.

Colin started walking around and touching any and everything he saw, "What is this place? It's fancy as fuck."

"Stop touching stuff," I grabbed his wrist and pulled him away, "Follow me."

We walked into the living room and it looked how I expected. There was a brand new tv hanging on the wall. Everything in the room was new except the old couch. To just my luck, there were more mice. For such an upgraded home, there was a rodent issue, which surprises me.

"Woah, this place is nice." Colin's face dropped.

"Shut up, Colin."

"Why are you here?" He looked me in my eyes.

"Don't worry about it," I shrugged.

"No. You have to tell me. I have to be here with you, so I think that I have a right to know."

I stared at him with my most intense look possible, "If you must know, this is a house."

Colin rolled his eyes."Oh wow, I definitely didn't know that," he said in a sarcastic tone. "Why are we here?"

"I have to look for something. Just stop putting yours hands on things and follow me."
I led the way to where my old bedroom once was.