The Mysterious Room...Chapter 1: A Strange House

  Andrew was only 11 when his Parents died, and he was sent to live with his Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin.

  They lived in an old two story mansion, on the very end of a crooked street called Sparrow lane.

  Andrew arrived in an old station wagon that went 15 miles an hour down the street the whole way.

  The old mansion was( or used to be )a blueish color that was faded, with vines climbing up the front, and an old stone path leading to the door.

  Every step he took his heart pounded, and was at last at the peeling white door.

  He reached for the brass knocker, the only shiny thing on the entire front of the house, and pounded three times.

  A curtain was pulled aside at the window, and a little girl with brown pigtails peeked out. The little girl opened the door, and her sharp green eyes looked at his for a moment. Then she spoke, “Come in. Mother has been expecting you.” she turned and walked inside, gesturing for him to follow.

  She led him through a room with a sparkling mirror and a beautiful sofa. She stopped at a door across the hall from the stairs that led up to the second story.

  “This is the dining room, and you need to come to dinner at five o'clock.” she said, and then he followed her upstairs to a room at the end of the hall. “Here's your room.” she turned to leave but stopped, “Oh by the way, Mother wants to see you.”

  Andrew started to reply when she said, “You sure don't talk much. But you must be tired.” then she left him.

  The room was a brick red color, and there was a white frame bed with a faded quilt on it. He set down his suit case and carpet bag, and tested the bounce on the bed. He loved bouncy beds, and this one bounced, and quite well at that!

  In the corner there was a large roll top desk with a chair at it.

  Andrew walked over to the end of the room where there was a large window with curtains that touched the floor. He gazed out at the view he had from the window. His window was on the back of the house, and there were woods, and an old barn far back in a field.

  Andrew made his way down to the dining room. His Aunt and Uncle were already there and the girl with the sharp green eyes. She watched his every move.

  The maid as Andrew guessed she was, brought out a bowl of soup and a plate of rolls for Andrew, and did the same for the others.

  When Andrew thought he would die for the silence, his Uncle spoke.

  “Well Andrew, how do you like your new home?” he took a drink from his cup.

  “It's all new to me, but I think I will come to like it.” replied Andrew, trying to manage a smile.

  His Aunt passed him a roll, “We must remember our manners. Now my name is Amelia, and this is May your cousin, whom I hope you will become fast friends with.” she smiled at him. He was glad to have a smile at last in this gloomy house.

  When dinner was over Andrew excused himself, and returned to his room.

  On his way he saw a picture on the wall going up the stairs. It was of a young boy maybe 12 or so. He looked at the boy and saw that he looked sickly, and somewhat strangely, as if he had a knowledge of something terrible to come.

  Andrew continued to his new room, but the picture stayed on his mind all evening. Who was the boy? Where was he now? Was Andrew related to him? These questions reeled through his mind.

  At last Amelia knocked on his door and entered.

  “Hello Andrew.” she sat beside him on the bed, which creaked under her weight.

  Amelia was a stout woman who had an air of kindness about her, and a swirl of brown hair atop her head.

  “You seemed awfully quiet at supper. Do you want to tell me something?”

  Andrew hesitated, not sure if he should. “Well, I...who is the boy in the picture along the stair?”

  Amelia sighed deeply. Her face was lined with worry, and she seemed a little unwilling to say.

  “He was my older child once. He died soon after that photo was taken.” she smiled faintly. “he would have been May's brother, but she wasn't born until later.”

  “Why was there such a large gap in their ages?” asked Andrew.

  “Well, I got sick with a terrible disease for 11 years. When I finally recovered he had an accident...well, actually we're not exactly sure how he died, but I'd rather not explain it right now.” she rose and left him, closing the door with a, “Goodnight.”

  Andrew thought about this and soon being very tired, he lay back and slept very restfully that night.