Page 13 of Fall I Want
Maybe the ghosts maintain it? The thought makes me laugh.
The ski lift gives a perfect view of the property, and I’ve always been drawn to it with its black exterior and high-pitched roofs, not to mention the eggplant-purple door.
I move closer behind the lookout informational sign and glance at the game trail that leads up to the house. It’s a steep climb, oneI haven’t taken in over a decade. However, it doesn’t seem overgrown.
When we were teenagers, we’d hike up, drink tequila from the bottle, then dare someone to run up to the house and twist the doorknob. Each time I’ve done it, the door has always been locked, but I’d secretly hoped that it wouldn’t be.
The inside is a mystery to everyone and the dark curtains are usually drawn tight. Over the years, there have been pictures of the front of the house with a female figure standing in the upper window posted in our town gossip group on social media. I’ve never seen such things though.
As I turn around, I take in how many people are nearby. There are a lot because it’s one of the best places to see the seasons changing. At least I know if something happened, I could blow my rescue whistle for help.
I walk past some tourists snapping selfies of themselves with the yellow leaves shimmering in the breeze. The single-track trail leading up to the house looks well maintained, and it makes me wonder if the younger generation kept the tradition going.
After one quick glance at my watch and the time, I know I can make it to the top and back down here in forty-five minutes and be home by dark.
Nostalgia mixed with nosiness is a dangerous combination, but it takes hold and I make my way up. It’s steeper than I remember, or maybe age has caught up with me. My heart rate increases, but it’s great for endurance.
When I get there, I stop and stare at the house. I feel nineteen again. I’d come home from college for Halloween. We snuck up here and it made me homesick.
After moving away for undergrad and experiencing the city life, I decided I always want to live in Cozy Hollow. I don’t want to be anywhere else in the world. This is home.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and open my camera, taking another picture. Seeing I have cell service, which is a miracle, I send it to Julie. The message hangs for a few seconds, and when hope is lost, it shows the delivery receipt at the bottom.
“She got it,” I say, checking my watch and laughing.
When I see her text bubble pop up, I wait with bated breath for her words to come in.
Julie
Are the lights on?
Autumn
Yes.
Julie
Maybe it’s the ghost of the Hollow family.
Autumn
I’m going to check the door. See if it’s unlocked.
Julie
What if someone is there?
Autumn
I’ll introduce myself and ask them a million questions about the house and will finally solve the mystery of who owns it.
Julie
What if some weird man captures you and takes you to his dungeon? What will I tell the police?
Autumn
If you don’t hear from me in three hours, call the authorities, okay?
