‘Those stairs leads to….. Store room!’
How dare they do this to me? Don’t they remember what happened thirteen years ago?
I remembered how they locked me in during hide and seek. I begged Mark that I didn’t want to play but he still insisted. That r*scal thought it will bring us great joy to play hide and seek when there is no electricity.
I was a complete fool to come here to hide and someone locked me inside. I shouted for help but nobody came to my rescue for hours. The parents were busy with the silly barbecue near the lake!
I could hear animals’ roars and unpleasant noises. Out of terror, I was shivering and sweating at the same time.
I don’t know for how many hours I was in there until my dad and Oliver found me unconscious right here. My father was so mad at everyone that he swore not to come here ever.
That was the last time we visited this rotten ugly house. The audacity of my uncles, they woke up after three years and came to apologize all over again at our place because my dad broke all contact with them.
My father stopped taking even their calls and texts, they understood how serious he was about cutting ties with them. They came to some terms, but my dad never accepted their apologies as I didn’t forgive them and he refused to come back.
That was the last time I saw Oliver too until today.
I still remember the countless sleepless nights I went through due to the fear of that night. The countless nightmares I faced. I still don’t know who locked me up in the basement and destroyed my mental health but I am still holding grudges against them! I will never ever forgive that person in my life!
For a moment, my eyes were as wide as the full moon but through the corner of my eyes, I observed the mocking smile on Olivia’s face.
‘Hell, the wench was enjoying it way too much’ I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to calm my racing heart.
I remembered the room was allotted by Aunt Stella, Oliver’s mother.
‘So that means she is also a two-faced b*tch?’ I sighed in disbelief.
I couldn’t believe I was so wrong about her. I thought she might be my only little bit good Aunt but she was just like the rest of them.
I heard light footsteps from the direction of the door. Someone was coming downstairs. It was Laina and Nova. They were whispering and giggling but somehow I could hear them loud and clear.
As usual, they were being the b*tches and I wasn’t even a tiny bit surprised.
I was taken aback, even hurt but I can’t show it. I can’t let them have the satisfaction of ruining my mental health again.
I plastered a fake but gentle smile on my face before they could even enter the door.
“Everything alright, Rose?” Olivia asked with a mocking smile.
“Great. It cannot be better” I replied, my smile widened which in return made the smile from their faces fade.
“Oh My God! Are you staying in the store room?” Laina asked dramatically.
‘Yeah, b*tch! Like you didn’t know. On second thought, you might be the one who suggested this idea.’ I snickered inside.
“How can they give you store room to stay? Don’t they remember what happened to you last time here?” Nova added while keeping her heart on her chest dramatically, being the drama queen she is.
Awww, save your acting for the annual day skit.
“What’s wrong with store room?” I asked casually with my sweet smile still intact.
That one statement with five words was enough to dissolve that ugly smile from their even uglier faces.
“Are you okay staying here?” Olivia asked with utter disappointment.
“How can you agree with that?” Laina added with more dismay.
Looks like I stole the show.
“Why not? If I stay here, no one will be happier than me. I don’t have to meet unwanted people every time I step out of the room. I don’t want to exchange unnecessary greetings, share small talks, and smile at people I clearly want to throw punches at!” I replied with a wide sarcastic smile.
I didn’t have to act this time as there were no elders around. I can finally be myself.
Before their small brains could come up with a reply I asked,
“Ohh, I remember. There is a back door here, right?”
Olivia just nodded her head. She was still in shock.
“Are you not scared to open that back door? It faces towards the forest!” Nova added. The stupid girl was still in denial.
“Nah! Meeting animals is better than meeting you guys every day!” My tone was laced with mockery.
“You…” Nova was about to throw some tantrum but Laina held her hand.
“I hate her” Laina said under her breath but still I heard it.
I took a breath of satisfaction.
“I will show you” Olivia took a sigh, accepting her defeat while moving towards the dark corner of the room.
She opened the few locks here and there and finally opened the door. It led to another staircase which finally led towards a horizontal door. We opened the last sets of locks before coming out of the black hole.
Nova was right, it really opens up in the side of the forest.
I took a long breath of fresh air before I turned towards their disappointed faces. They looked like someone stole their favorite toy.
“It is a lovely day, isn’t it?” I asked feeling the vibe.
“Yeah” Laina replied in annoyance.
We went inside again after locking the door. I was wondering why there were so many locks. Not like they were hiding gold in there. I mean if there was gold here, they wouldn’t have given this room to me.
Once we were inside the room, they took their ugly long faces out of the room.
I closed my eyes. I wouldn’t lie I was still hurt that they did this to me.
I shook my head. I can’t let anyone win this time. I will fight for myself if no one will.
I saw the room was not really in a good condition, as expected, otherwise, it wouldn’t have been given to me, their favorite child!
There were two old tube lights and one fan which was on the verge of giving up.
Looking at the cold weather outside, I really don’t need an air conditioner here.
I looked around to see three closets, one single bed, one old couch, and a lot of boxes.
I took my bag and moved towards the closet. I opened the first closet but it was completely filled with weird stuff like different types of shovels, axes, iron chains, etc.
“What the hell are they doing here?, are we shooting a horror movie” I scoffed as I moved towards the second closet but it was even more scarier than the first one.
It was filled with guns and arms of different kinds.
“WTF! Are they…. Mafias?” I glanced towards the stairs and shook my head.
“Nah! Mafias are hot and all of my uncles look like dogs. Never! They must be small goons” I was so satisfied with my answer.
Didn’t bother to close the first two, I opened the third closet which was empty. I kept my bag inside the closet.
As I was about to close the door, my eyes fell on the giant wooden box kept in the corner which clearly had written “DO NOT TOUCH”
Being a natural-born troublemaker, I had to open it if my uncles said no.
With a sly smile, I moved towards the box and opened it.
This time, I was even more taken aback by seeing what was inside.
‘WHAT THE HELL!’