The Blackburn Chronicles

Settling In

As the twins entered the house, they gasped. It was so large, as expected from the vast outdoors. Basil was imagining all the mysteries that could be hidden within these old walls. Frank was imagining sliding down the slim, wooden staircase. All this imagining had made them stop moving. Uncle Finnigan gave them a little nudge from behind. 

"Alright kids, keep it moving. Your mom's got some orders for you. Franklin, set the bag in the kitchen. Straight ahead. Basil, put Stephanie on the couch in the living room, which is a little further down and then to the right. Once you're done, you should take your shoes off. I'm a bit of a stickler about dirt getting in the house. Or rather, it NOT getting in the house.  Oops, sorry for rambling again."

"It's okay," Basil reassured. If it was humanly possible, she could ramble for days on end about her interests. So she understood.

"Uh, Uncle Finnigan? You can call me Frank," Frank supplied.

"Alright, Frank," Finnigan grinned. Now, c'mon. I don't want your mama gettin' too upset with me, now."

The twins began to walk down the hall. Basil headed into the living room, where she set Stephanie on the couch. She turned around, and saw a little blonde girl standing in the doorway. She had pigtails tied up with white lace ribbons, a short-sleeved dress that had thin white-and-light-pink stripes, and a lace apron. She was barefoot. And the girl was frowning.

Basil walked closer, setting her crime journal and pen on the coffee table as she moved. Something about the girl seemed...off. She didn't really want to get too close. But she wanted to say something. What if she was upset?

"Are you alright?" Basil asked.

The girl's frown deepened, and she walked off. 

That was strange, Basil thought to herself as she made her way back to the door, where she saw Franklin carelessly kick his Nikes off. She carefully unlaced her high-tops, which had doodles of stars, swirls, and arrows on it, exposing her grey socks.

They headed over to the kitchen, Franklin sliding on the hardwood floor with his tube socks, Basil rolling her eyes, when she saw the little girl again. The girl frowned at the pair and sat in a seat. Finnigan noticed the look she gave them.

"Now, Annie, be nice. These are your older cousins, Basil and Franklin."

The twins waved. The girl waved back, but not excitedly. Her clear blue eyes seemed murderous.

Their mother entered the kitchen with Stephanie, and Finnigan exclaimed, "Let's eat!"

All through dinner, Basil and Franklin wondered why Annie seemed to hate them so much. Had they done something to upset her?