Secret Room

My younger sister, Mildred and I heard the thunder rumble against the house and shuddered. We were bored, but neither of us dared to go outside in this weather. Lightning flashed every few minutes and thunder followed every few seconds. After finishing our chores, playing with our dolls, and dressing up the cat, we decided we needed something else to do. The storm was directly above our house now and we heard a loud crack come from the attic. Mother had gone shopping in town with Widow Chesher, our governess had been held in the opposite direction because of the storm, and father wasn't due back from the fields for hours. Being the oldest of us two girls, I knew it was up to me to investigate and make sure everything in the house was sound. However, I was only 13 and preferred not to do it alone. I told Mildred to follow me, and we climbed the stairs together.

As I lead the way into the attic, Mildred clung to my arm. I could smell the dust and must in the air. The candle lit up cobwebs that clung to furniture and wooden crates. I saw what would need to be done to get to the other side of the room and check on things, so I sent Mildred down to the kitchens to fetch an apron for each of us, dusters, and another candle before she joined me again in the entrance.

We used a feather duster to push most of the dust away before moving the furniture. There was a small window on the other side of the room, but it was blocked by a tall mirror. Not much light came in anyway because of the thick, dark clouds outside. The room would light up slightly when lightning would slice through the sky, but it definitely didn't provide adequate light.

Once we had a trail cleared enough for us to get into the main room, we could clearly see just how much room there was. We spun in circles for a few moments, giggling and curtsying to each other. The two candles gave us multiple dancing partners in shadows on the ceiling.

Mildred smiled and shouted, "Watch this!"

She grunted and spun much too hard, losing her balance on the dusty wooden floor. She fell to a sitting position on an old chest before toppling backwards, stockinged legs in the air. I had to cover my mouth to stifle a laugh. When I was sure she hadn't injured herself, it burst from me. Thankfully, she was laughing as well. I held the candle up while I pulled her back to a standing position, our shoulders still shaking from mirth. We brushed the dust off of the back of her dress and I glanced down at where she had fallen. A doorknob protruded from the wall. I shook Mildred's shoulder.

"Where do you think that leads?"

We excitedly pulled the chest out of the way so we could open the door. It was stuck, but not locked. Setting the candles down, I held onto the knob, Mildred held onto my waist, and we heaved backward. On the third try, the door budged, and we caught ourselves before falling. I quickly grabbed my candle and held it up. Inside was not what we expected.

Our candles reflected on five tiny windows. A large dollhouse sat in a single room, with not a trace of dust to be found. We immediately fell to our knees to get a closer look.

The house was exquisite, much bigger and more intricate than the ones we already owned. There were plum and teal colored woven rugs in each room, a claw foot tub in the bathroom with little soaps on the shelves, and miniature paintings of serious faces hung on the walls. The library walls were covered in books and detailed wallpaper, while the floors in the bedrooms were carpeted. Even the kitchen had adorable tiles set in its floor. As we marveled at each tiny little wonder, we noticed a large wardrobe in one of the bedrooms.

Mildred squealed.

"I am certain it is full of beautiful clothes!" When she opened it, two little dolls tumbled out. We each picked one up and our breath caught. I shivered as a cold chill ran down my spine.

"Mildred?"

She was already enthralled with the doll she held, inspecting it closely, fingering the auburn ringlets tied up with a bow.

"Hm?" She was only half listening.

I squinted at the doll I held.

"This may sound silly, but does this doll resemble... me?"

Mildred scooted closer bringing her candle and the newfound doll with her.

"It does! I was just thinking this doll resembled me! Oh, Addy, what if they're gifts from mother and father? Do you think we've spoiled a surprise?" She looked at me, her face full of concern.

I shrugged, worried, but not about a surprise.

"Possibly. It's funny, the only real difference I can see between this doll and myself is in the eyes. Mine are hazel. These are definitely green."

I moved the dark hair from the doll's face and stared intently into the small eyes that seemed to stare right back into my own. There was something about them that held me. I couldn't look away. I was about to ask Mildred to see her doll when mine blinked. I screamed and dropped her.

An ice cold breeze brushed past both of us, blowing the attic door closed and one of the candles out. A small voice whispered, "Thank you," and I lost consciousness.

I awoke, laying on the floor at an odd angle. I was close to Mildred's knee, her stocking covered with dust. I could see she was still holding the other doll. She looked up to her left and smiled as someone used her candle to light the one that had been extinguished. I felt relief for a moment, thinking mother had returned. That was a smile reserved for family. I tried to turn my head to see who she was smiling at, but I couldn't move. Alarmed, I tried to tell them something was wrong, but I couldn't talk either. I realized I wasn't breathing, but I wasn't out of breath. My heart should be beating, but I didn't feel it beating at all. It was then I heard my voice tell her, "There now. Let's put these away, just in case they are a surprise."

Paralyzed, I watched as someone who looked just like me save for the eyes, pick me up. She looked at me for a moment, winked a green eye at me, and stuffed me into the little wardrobe with the other doll. I screamed in my mind, calling to Mildred, to mother, to anyone who could hear me, but it was in vain. The wardrobe doors closed, the sheet was put on the house, and I heard my sister and that thing walk away and down the stairs.

I sat there in the darkness, contemplating my plight, when another voice sounded next to me.

"If only your sister had looked into my eyes for another moment... I'd be free. I do hate being stuck inside."