The Whispers in the Walls

Chapter 1

"Mom should I just leave my bag in the car? What if I can't use my cellphone or laptop to read my books? I miss my cats," Serena whined as the three people stood outside of the car staring into the back seat where a large canvas bag laid. 

They'd managed to find a parking spot in the furthest reaches of the Facility of Doom as Serena had dubbed it and she was now having second thoughts after her first glimpse. It was a daunting four story building with tinted glass covering everything, including the doors. It just gave her a bad vibe and she wasn't altogether sure if it was her own anxieties at work again or a true gut instinct. She was going for the latter. 

"Just bring everything. We won't have to make two trips to the car that way," Stan, Serena's Step-Father commented as he held the hatch to the trunk up with his hand. 

Serena tried persuading them half-heartedly, "My Vape is in the backseat."

It was a terrible attempt and she knew it. 

"Grab it and your bag and let's get going," her Mother said from her side in a reassuring manner. There was no reassuring Serena though but she tried to put on a brave face. 

After collecting her meager belongings and being reminded of the packrat from the movie 'Labrynth', she trudged behind her parents as though walking the gauntlet to her death. 

After huffing and puffing, wondering why she had deemed it necessary to bring so much damn things, they arrived in front of darkened doors. Serena attempted to squint to see inside but only could make out vague shapes. Stan attempted to open the door but they were locked. 

It was already looking like hell. 

"Looks like we need to call," her Mother commented. 

"Well, go on and give 'em a call," Stan said. 

Serena had thought he was talking to her Mother but quickly realized he was staring at her and nearly had a panic attack. What did he mean for her to call them? Wasn't it their idea she came here anyways? When did she sign up to talk to someone over this strange phone outside a door for public use to gain access to hell?

"Me," she asked weakly.

He nodded with a no nonsense look. Serena took a deep breath and took the phone off the hook and held it to her ear. There was no dial tone, so that could be a good or bad sign?

"Who is this for," came the sound of her executioner.

"Myself," she said in a sort of half question. 

There was no answer but the sound of the door buzzing open was answer enough for her parents. Stan opened the door for both the women and they stepped into a waiting room. There was a woman seated behind bulletproof glass which just showed what kind of place she had just stepped foot inside of. 

Stan and her Mother sat on one of the seats and beckoned her towards the woman to receive paperwork; which was slid through a one way metal contraption as though the woman were afraid she'd grab her hand. Serena wasn't altogether sure this was the way to get her over her fear of leaving the house but it sure was giving her nightmares about the horrors of trusting her Mother ever again.

After filling out the paperwork and returning it to the metal contraption, she waited. It felt like years as her hands and legs began to shake with nerves and a woman stepped forward with a metal detector. 

"I need to collect all your personal belongings and the ones you have on you. I'll also be checking for weapons you've got hidden on your body," the woman stated matter of factly. 

Serena handed over all her things without a fuss and stood to be 'detected'. It beeped near her stomach and she blinked at the woman who passed her stomach a second time and got another beep.