AR: Beginning of the End

Chapter 2: Changes

"The truth will shatter your soul, for your past will wield its sword. A shield of mind will be your ally. Only the pure can protect the light that creates the dark, and only the tainted can swallow the light with the dark that was created. The path is not for you to choose. It was fate sealed in the elements."

It wasn't long before our curiosity got the better of us. It was a few months before our thirteenth birthday, and Mother had left out for ingredients and supplies. She wouldn't be back for a day or two. That gave us the perfect opportunity to search around in the house some more; specifically the basement door that has been locked since we arrived there.

It was an old, mystical-looking door, like it had been there for centuries. I had never seen Mother go in or out of the basement door. She never cautioned us about going down into the bottoms of the old house, but she always kept the door closed and locked. When I was younger, I didn't pay much mind to my curious findings, but I remember I caught a glimpse of Mother locking the basement door with a small silver key, before stuffing it in a tea stained pouch the size of her small, old woman hands. I never wondered about the key until this day.

Catalina stayed quiet as we began our search to unlock the mystery door. I could feel her crimson eyes piercing my back as I looked through some of the house. It sent chills down my spine, but I didn't say anything. I didn't want to show my baby sister brought fear to my heart. I often wondered if Willow felt the same.

After checking the majority of the house- our room in the attic, Mother's room, the kitchen, the family room, the bathroom, the garden, and the shed- I felt defeated. There was only one other place we hadn't checked yet: the study. The dusty study that no one goes in, not even my bookworm of a sister. It's stocked with worn papers, dingy books, and file cabinets full of rotten wood. The room itself reeks of mold and dust, along with an odor that is older than this house is. It's like the room was built before the rest of the structure. Such a weird and mysterious chamber. This whole house is a mystery, especially that locked basement. 

So, the study must be checked. Even though it may be uncomfortable, it's the last place to look for the basement key.

Willow and I entered the ancient room slowly, opening the heavy wooden door with a creak. The rotten smells hit us instantly, causing Willow to gag violently. She wasn't used to unpleasant odors. Her nose was sensitive to certain scents, so that's why she kept everything clean, and spent time in the garden with the flowers. This was new to her, and it wasn't a very pleasant experience. I gave her my handkerchief to put over her nose as we pressed on into the study.

The main desk was cluttered with papers and messy notes sticking out of books, every which-way. The bookshelves were dark with mold and soggy wood, while slumps of old rotten books sat atop them. The floors seemed to be damp against our little sock-covered feet, creating an unpleasant squishy feeling as we walked. I scanned around in the dimly lit room, searching for a place to hide valuable items. But who would dare hide anything in a rotten place like this?

Willow and I checked all around the room, everywhere we could think. We opened books, drawers, shelves- the works. After several hopeful moments of searching, we decided to give up. There obviously wasn't anything valuable in here.

As Willow and I stepped out of the room, my head began to throb and pound to a deathly tempo. I cried out in pain as I placed a hand on my temple, leaning against a nearby wall. Willow followed shortly with an ear-piercing shriek. Her face contorted with pain and pure agony as she fell to the floor holding her head in her hands. I could hear faint sobs as she screamed loudly, "Make it stop, make it stop! Please make it stop!"

I wanted to help her, to ease her pains, but my own troubles prevented me from moving off of the wall. My body began to feel weighted as my breathing became heavy. My vision blurred as I tried to look around for the cause of our misfortune. "Find me..."

A soft, distant voice echoed in the depths of the white noise ringing in my ears. My eyes scanned around the hallway, but it was only me and Willow here. Over the years, I've grown to know when Catalina was near me. It was like a cold darkness washing over my mind. But even she was not the source of the voice, despite her lurking nearby. Was she going through the same thing? I wonder if she can see or feel our pain.

"Aqua... Find me. Please set me free..." The static noise lessened as the voice grew more impatient. Where did it come from? Am I hearing things? Too many questions ran through my cluttered thoughts. Then I felt it. The impending darkness pulling me, an urgent tug at my heart, my very soul even. The tug was so strong, I felt like I couldn't breathe. What's happening to me?! I collapsed to the floor and the world around me turned to black.

This was the beginning of the change...

Hello! I decided to go ahead an post this chapter a bit earlier than scheduled. I'm sorry about the shortness, I wanted to try to have some more time to work on the next one. Big things are going to start happening to the trio. Stay tuned for more! Questions or comments? Ask and tell me! Like it? Star it!