Page 17 of Whispers of the Elderoak

Kneeling together, Eleanor pried up the board with the tool, while Ava slid her fingers under the gap and pulled. The wood ripped free with a loud snap and Ava set it aside, the women peering into the hole.

“What is that?” asked Eleanor.

Ava reached in, hoping there were no spiders hiding in the dark, and pulled out something wrapped in fabric. “I don’t know.”

She unwrapped the worn cloth, revealing a key. Holding it to the light, she turned it in her hand, examining the detail. It was old. Ancient. It was heavy in her hand and made of brass. The head of the key was adorned with scrollwork woventogether to form a tree. Something about the design felt familiar, though she couldn’t put her finger on it.

“This key… have you seen anything in the house with a matching lock?” asked Eleanor. “Any old doors?”

Ava shook her head. “No.”

Before the women could get a closer look, Luna waltzed over, took the key out of Ava’s hand and ran upstairs.

“Luna!” Ava shouted. “You little shit! Give that back.”

They chased her upstairs, but she was too fast. Darting into one of the bedrooms, Luna stopped in front of the closet and scratched as she looked at the women, waiting for them to open the door. Looking at Eleanor, Ava shrugged and opened the closet. Key still in her mouth, Luna walked to the back of the closet and pawed at the wall.

The closet was large enough for both women to enter, so they strode to the back and looked at the wall where Luna was scratching.

“I don’t see anything,” said Ava. “It looks like a normal wall.” She ran her hands along it and almost gave up when her fingers snagged on something. “It’s a seam. There must be a door here to the attic or something. Hand me that screwdriver.”

Eleanor handed the tool to Ava and she started scraping away the paint along the newfound seam. After ten minutes of work, they could see the outline of the door. A door that had been painted shut, probably for good reason. Ava hesitated, unsure if they should pursue this any further but Luna was insistent, growling and scratching at the space as if urging the women to break through.

“I’m going to grab a crowbar,” Ava said as she ran downstairs, returning moments later with the new tool and a couple of flashlights.

The door was difficult to move, but after a few minutes of prying, it gave way.

They froze as it creaked open, revealing the dark dusty attic.

They had to duck to enter as the door was only about four feet high. Ava led the way, shining the flashlight to light their path. Once inside, they stood and evaluated the room, letting their eyes adjust to the dim light. Luna stayed in the closet, seemingly reluctant to enter the dark space.

If her grandfather was hiding information, surely it would be here.

“Look around to see if there’s anything that looks important,” said Ava.

“Okay.”

Ava made her way across the floor, wooden planks creaking with each step. Dust covered every surface, and the smell of mildew permeated the air. An old piano covered in cobwebs occupied one corner, next to a stack of worn music sheets. Boxes were stacked along the walls, dotted with knickknacks in varying states of disintegration. Vintage lamps with broken shades, picture frames with cracked glass, moth eaten rugs rolled up and stacked together took up ample space in the attic.

“Anything?” Eleanor asked from the other side of the room.

“Nothing…” Ava replied. “You?”

“No. Not even sure what we’re looking for.”

“Uhh… witchcraft stuff?” Ava said, eliciting a soft laugh from her friend.

Ava walked by an old stack of records sitting on top of a box. As she passed, she thought she heard something. Pausing, she turned back, approached it and knelt.

Noticing her change of direction, Eleanor walked over. “What is it?”

She looked at her friend. “I thought I heard…” Ava shook her head. “Never mind,” she added as she began to rise.

Before she had a chance to stand, she heard it again. A whisper. “Ava.”

She whipped her head toward Eleanor, still standing behind her. “Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

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