Weeping Willows

Haunting Light of Day

Chapter 13

Elizabeth woke with a start the next morning completely drenched in sweat. She tried to slow her labored breathing as she shook violently with the remnants of the dream swirling through her head. Jan entered the bedroom toweling off her wet hair utterly unaware of the current state of her friend. Elizabeth watched Jan in her mundane task using the image to chase away her thoughts. Jan glanced over at her raising her eyebrow in question. She merely shook her head in response heading to the now vacant bathroom.

She stood beneath the steaming spray letting the heat relax her. She needed to find something to occupy her busy mind with and with a slight smile the perfect idea presented itself. She emerged from the room wrapped in a towel feeling invigorated. A cloud of fog trailed her into the bedroom as she got ready for her day. Cleaned, dressed, and a bit achy Elizabeth followed her nose to the kitchen where a steaming cup of coffee greeted her. Smiling she brought the cup close to her face huffing the aroma like it was crack. Jan snorted into her own cup at Elizabeth's antics.

"I've got to go in and finish my shoot today. Will you be alright here by yourself or would you like me to call one of the gang over?"

"I've got plans to go through some of the stuff in the attic today." Jan looked at her with sad puppy dog eyes and a pout.

"That won't work on me so you might as well stop now. You can see what I've unearthed if you want to tonight when you're done."

"UGH, fine! Just try not to uncover anything too good before I'm able to dig around with you." Elizabeth chuckled but made her no guarantees. It will be fun to explore with people who would enjoy it just as much as her, but she was looking forward to treasure hunting alone first. They finished their coffee and small breakfasts in near silence. Only occasionally breaking it for light banter. Elizabeth's nerves were still a bit raw and she wasn't in the mood to talk. As if she could sense this, Jan didn't push for much interaction. Instead she watched her when Elizabeth wasn't paying attention.

After Jan left, Elizabeth raced up the stairs in excitement sliding to a stop just under the attic. The mess left on the floor had been cleaned up already and she made sure to lay down a drop cloth to prevent any more. She did not want to have to do a big clean up three times in one week. Dropping the ladder, she climbed into the attic and turned on the lantern Clayton had left there for her. She bounced on the balls of her feet while rubbing her hands together in anticipation. Gazing around she was trying to decide just where she wanted to start.

She decided to get the boxes of clothing down that had belonged to the artist. There might be more things inside besides just clothing but after what she planned to do, she truly hoped not. The boxes had weight to them but no more then luggage would have. Bringing each one out she slid each across the open part of the floor to the door. She had three boxes in total that smelled of oils and turpentine. Grabbing the first box she squared it up with the ladder. Tipping it up slightly she gauged where to set it. She had only meant to set the bottom of the box to the ladder lightly, but Elizabeth lost her hold on the container. With a loud bang it hit the ladder full on skidding down as if sliding on melted butter. Elizabeth could only watch in horror as it careened off the side of the ladder about halfway down plummeting to the floor. She stared wide eyed at it as the box was torn asunder from the impact. The slapping of the old cardboard echoed through the house as clothing exploded out of it flinging in every direction. A smattering of dust floated in the air only to land on top of the carnage.

Descending the ladder, she decided to try again. She would just need to make the ladder less slick. Grabbing a second drop cloth and moving the clothing from in front of the attic she climbed back up for her second attempt. Elizabeth draped the second cloth down tying the corners to the top rung. Placing the second box in position she held tight until she felt the bottom touch down. With a light shove she peered down watching the box slid down slowing as it neared the bottom. A smile of triumph broke out but quickly morphed into a frown. The box made it three fourths of the way down and came to a stop just sitting there near the bottom. In frustration Elizabeth gave the cloth a jerk and watched as the box toppled end over end landing in another heap at the bottom. The lid had popped off mid tumble sending the clothing tumbling in a scattered mess.