The Arrival
“It says turn right at the next road.”
“You sure this time?” Kelsey mumbled, glaring off into the distance.
“That’s what my phone says.”
Cruising down the back roads of Allegheny County, Madison and her best friend Kelsey surveyed the area searching for the Whitlock residents. It was in the middle of July and the heat wave made their trip even more unbearable.
“Maddy…I love you, but you know you could have said ‘no’, right?” Kelsey sighed.
“I know, but the Whitlocks rarely ever call me for something last minute,” Madison explained. “The mother sounded concerned plus I could really use the money. This music festival nearly cleared me out.”
“Then why did you get the tickets?” her friend snickered.
“I don’t know about you…but my freshman year at college sucked and I am stressed just even thinking about it,” she laughed. “I needed a break and what better way than to spend it with my best friend.”
“You’re sweet,” Kelsey said, playfully scrunching her nose. “If you weren’t so damn awesome, I’d wring your neck.”
“I’d take that as a compliment,” Madison smiled.
Upon turning onto a shallow dirt road, both girls continued to look for a house in the midst of a large forest. Kelsey’s car slightly shook as the uneven road appeared to have more potholes than the city of Pittsburgh.
“Tell me again why they moved all the way out here?” Kelsey asked.
“Well…you know how rich they are, right?”
“Duh!” Kelsey teased, “Mr. Whitlock is loaded. He’s what? A therapist that charges people out the ass?”
“Psychiatrist,” Madison corrected.
“Huh?”
“He’s a psychiatrist…and a damn good one from what I’ve heard.”
“What’s the difference?” Kelsey inquired.
“I think he can prescribe medicine to people…or something like that. Anyways, Mr. Whitlock sold his mansion and wanted to live in a more private location. Can’t say that I blame him.”
After discussing his occupation, Kelsey raised her index finger, signaling Madison to hush as they arrived at the end of the road. Before them was a vintage entrance gate with a Fleur-de-lis pattern scattered across the top. The camera sensors at the entrance detected Kelsey’s vehicle and opened the gates automatically.
“That’s not creepy at all,” Madison chuckled.
Carefully driving past the gates, Kelsey drove a little further until both girls turned their heads toward an old, Victorian home.
“Spoke too soon,” joked Kelsey as they cautiously pulled up toward the building.
“Oh fuck…” Madison uttered, “Don’t tell me I have to spend a night in that.”
“You could have said ‘no’,” Kelsey teased in a harmonious tune.
“I know but I didn’t think their new home would be creepy,” she responded. “It’s like it came out of a horror flick.”
“Well, at least you have a good reason to smoke some of that weed then,” Kelsey winked.
“What weed?”
Leaning in closer to her friend, Kelsey squinted her eyes, glaring at Madison. Following it up with a mischievous grin, Kelsey slowly shook her head.
“You know what they say about people with brown eyes…right?” she asked.
“No?” Madison hesitantly responded.
“That they are full of shit,” Kelsey laughed.
“Shut the fuck up!” Madison blushed as she playfully slapped her friend on the shoulder.
“I am only teasing you, Maddy.”
As the girls continued to chat with each other in the car, the front door of the Victorian home soon swung open. Out came a thin elegant-looking woman in a dress with long dark hair and large sunglasses as she was holding a leather portfolio in her arms. She carefully closed the door behind her before walking toward the cars, waving at the girls.
“That her?” Kelsey asked.
“Yup, that’s my cue.”
“Okay, so one more time…” Kelsey explained. “After I drop you off here, I will go visit and spend the night with my grandma. Come tomorrow morning, I will be here at eight to pick you up and then we will take off for the festival.”
“That’s the plan,” Madison nodded. “Mrs. Whitlock said her flight back should be really early so it’s safe to say that she will be home before then.”
“Great, now go have fun, and don’t smoke all of the weed,” Kelsey teased.
Rolling her eyes, Madison hugged her friend and then grabbed her book bag before exiting the car. Upon waving at Kelsey, Madison turned around and headed toward Mrs. Whitlock who was standing next to an Audi Q7.
“How are you, Mrs. Whitlock?” Madison greeted.
“Busy as always, but that’s good news,” she smiled. “Oh, and thank you very much for doing this on such short notice. I felt guilty for asking, especially with you and your friend gearing up for a festival tomorrow…but you were the only person we trusted.”
“It’s no problem. Plus you know how much I adore Jonah and April. I just can’t wait to see their cute little faces!”
“That’s sweet of you, Madison,” Mrs. Whitlock smiled. “They look forward to seeing you as well.”
After Mrs. Whitlock set her things down in the SUV, she turned toward her Victorian home and took in the view.
“Such a beautiful piece of architecture…isn’t it?” she softly asked.
“It’s neat looking,” Madison carefully responded, trying to be polite. “It’s definitely different from your last place, that’s for sure.”
“Oh, it sure is dear. Hard to believe my husband chose to live here…although privacy has always been important to him.”
“It does have that old school, gothic feel to it,” Madison commented.
“I’m not going to lie…when I first saw this place, I was a bit uncomfortable myself.” Mrs. Whitlock sighed fondly. “However, since moving here two weeks ago, this place has started to grow on me. I don’t know…it’s kinda got a mysterious charm to it.”
Glancing between Mrs. Whitlock and the house, Madison took a silent deep breath. She wasn’t too thrilled about spending the night at a large, creepy manor in the middle of nowhere…but Madison knew the Whitlocks were loaded with cash and she could really use the money.
“I know it’s none of my business, but what’s got you leaving on such short notice?” Madison asked.
“Oh, my wonderful husband was in a rush and left some important documents behind,” she answered, nodding toward the leather portfolio. “As much as I wished he would just let me scan the documents for him, there are some papers that he physically needed in person…especially for his big presentation tomorrow.”
“Presentation?” Madison curiously asked.
“Yes. There is a conference just a few states away,” Mrs. Whitlock added. “He and his partner Dr. Harper are going to be in front of an audience full of therapists and counselors to discuss their research about certain aspects of the human mind.”
“Wow! Sounds very impressive!”
“It’s amazing how much he has discovered since he started his practice,” Mrs. Whitlock continued. “He’s come a long way but he’s worked hard for everything.”
“I don’t doubt that,” Madison added.
“Well, as much as I would like to brag about my husband, I don’t want to be late for my flight,” Mrs. Whitlock said as she stepped inside the Audi. “So, make yourself at home and if you need anything, please Madison…don’t hesitate to text or call me.”
“Will do ma’am.”
“I shouldn’t be long. My red-eye flight should have me back home in time tomorrow morning so you aren’t late for your music festival.”
“Thank you!”
“Oh and before I go…there is one more thing,” Mrs. Whitlock continued. “Before the children go to bed, make sure to turn on Jonah’s nightlight. He’s still adjusting to the new place.”
“Sure thing,” Madison nodded.
“My poor baby…he’s had a hard time sleeping since we got here so try to be patient with him if you can.”
“Of course, Mrs. Whitlock.”
As the mother started her vehicle, she then closed the door and waved at Madison as she slowly drove off. Waving back at her, Madison then turned toward the house and walked up the steps. She then opened the large front door and carefully stepped inside the Victorian home.
