Page 6 of The Sea Witch's Son

She always did have a thing for forks.

I walk over and check the closet tucked away in the far corner, empty except for a few stray hangers. My nose starts to itch again, so I quickly run back downstairs and grab the box of cleaning supplies.

Setting it down on the bed, I strip off my sweater and grab a faded t-shirt I won’t mind getting dirty.

I wipe down the nightstand, the bed frame, and the windowsill before wandering closer to the ornaments decorating the dresser.

“Melody! Did you take the scissors?”

Setting the cloth down on the dusty surface, I turn and grab the scissors lying on the bed. The scruff of shoes echoes through the room and I freeze, looking down at my socked feet.

Clenching the scissors tightly in my hand, I whirl around, scanning my dead mother’s bedroom for… something.

The blade of the scissors dig into my palms as I drop down and peer under the bed. A few critters catch my eye, but nothing out of the ordinary.

With a pounding heart, I creep towards the closet and throw the doors wide open. Old wire hangers sway with the sudden movement, the rest of the closet still sitting empty.

“Do you have the scissors?” Erik peeks his head through the doorway and immediately smiles, “You found her old bedroom.”

“Yeah.” I blow out a breath, hearing his shoes scrape the wooden planks as he steps inside.

Erik enters the room, taking his time looking around. His eyes linger on the stencilled name above the bed and the creases of his smile start to tighten.

“She always loved naming rooms, didn’t she? Attached a name to each room in case you forgot which one was yours.” He laughs hoarsely, “Such a strange, brilliant woman.”

“Here are the scissors.” Interrupting the trip down memory lane, I quickly hand them over, “Let me go get the rest of my things.”

I turn and walk away from the bundle of grief waiting to unravel me. A long sigh echoes before Erik’s footsteps follow me back downstairs.

“What about a song? Before you retire for the night?” He offers the suggestion quietly, as if the low volume might sway my answer, “I could play for you.”

I keep my back facing him, hiding the way my lips pinch together.

“It’s been a long day, Erik. Maybe another time.”

The empty promise turns into silence that stretches between us, filling the musty air with suffocating emotions. I train my eyes on the wall, refusing to let a single tear slip out.

“Another time then.” He clears his throat, “I checked the pipes, and the plumbing system seems to be in order. The furnace will have to wait until tomorrow, so make sure you close your bedroom window.”

I frown, turning around, “I didn’t open my window.”

“It was open when I walked in there.” Erik shakes his head, “It’s been a long day. Go on up to bed and I’ll carry the rest of the boxes up.”

“But I didn’t… Never mind.”

I sigh, grabbing the closest box and lifting it into my arms. Walking back into the bedroom, I note the dust rag and cleaner are still on the dresser where I left them, as is everything else.

A violent sneeze takes hold, the dust finally getting the best of me. Rubbing my nose with a groan, I inhale deeply and feel the sharp sting of a cold breeze.

I look over and stare at the curtains flapping against the open window. The cool night air trickles in, brushing my skin and sending shivers across my flesh as I pick up the dust rag and look down.

Welcome to Wolf Hollow, Melody.

Written in the thick layer of dust, I stare at the words someone left behind. The words someone left behind forme.

Fear snakes through me as I run over and slam the window shut, making sure to lock the panes and draw the curtains close. My chest heaves as I scan the room again, trying to find the spot I must have missed.

And there it is.

---