Whisp

𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 II

I spent about two hours at church, doing the usuals. My parents were already there when I got there saving me a seat in the first row.

There as well, was Mrs. Haywood, Tobias' wife. She spends 24/7 at church keeping it clean. Taking care of everything. She's a hardworking lady always giving it the extra effort. Well, she might also be OCD and can't help but mop the same floors twice a day. No offense to OCD diagnosed people of course...

When we were about to leave Mrs. Haywood called me over, she gave me a large metal key.

"Annamae Dearest, all the candles that we're using are almost fully melted. This key is for the basement door. Please be a doll and grab some more candles for me, my knees are slowly getting less tolerant for the steep stairs " she had a smirk on her face the whole time she was talking. So, of course, I took the key and went over to the basement door.

As ironic as it may sound, even though I spend a lot of time at this church I've never been to the basement. I didn't even know there was a basement. Weird? I suppose not.

The door is located outside the building, you go to the back alley and its right there. An extremely rusty door. Tall, wide, and pretty creepy for me.

I place the key in the keyhole and try to unlock it but the key lock wouldn't twist open, after multiple tries I finally manage to forcefully unlock the door. Maybe slightly damaging the lock along the way.

Once the door opens there's nothing but -as Mrs. Haywood said- Steep stairs. It was pretty dark down there too I could barely see the last row of stairs.

I walk down the stairs slowly feeling my way down with my hands stretched on both walls so I am able to push myself up in case I trip god forbid.

When i make it on the sweet sweet flat ground I realize how pitch black it is, I can't even see my hands in front of me. Luckily, the cord to a pendant lamp hits me directly in the forehead. I pull the string and a couple of light bulbs turn on.

Now i see clearly, and it appears Mrs. Haywood hasn't been spending time being a clean freak down here. The place is an absolute mess. Dusty old furniture, old books, torn up bibles and- wait a minute.

I notice another door, but this one looked brand new, and it had three different locks on it. I shake my curiosity away before my thoughts take over. I start looking for the candles, opening up different drawers trying to locate them.

After several drawers opened and a small asthma attack from all the dust I inhaled I find a box of white candles.

I take them up locking the door behind me, once I gave them to Mrs. Haywood I thought it would be fitting if I asked her about the weird door.

"Oh, um. It's just where we keep extra murals and unused stained glass." She said as she started placing the new candles in their candle stands. "You shouldn't try to go in though. The flooring hadn't been repaired you could get hurt".

I don't know why, but I just had a weird feeling about this. Something tells me she's not being genuine with me. There's something behind that door. Something the Haywood's don't want us to find out about.

                         To be continued...