Chapter 5 The Truth in the Dark

For a moment, I couldn't move.

The door had creaked open, and the darkness inside swallowed everything.

I wanted to step back. I wanted to run. But my feet weren't saying the same. It froze and wouldn't move.

"Am I in trouble already?" I asked myself.

I stood there like a statue, my heart pounding so loud I was sure someone could hear it. The door was open now, but I was no longer eager to see what's in there anymore.

I wanted to step away, to pretend I never got this far. But my legs were saying no again. It was like my body had a mind of its own.

"Okay, Annabelle, just look inside. Just a quick look," I whispered to myself.

I slowly pushed the door open a little more. It let out another low crack, like it was warning me to stop, but I didn't.

At first, I couldn't see anything. It was just black. But as I pressed further I started to see shapes of a chair and a small table. Something that looked like a cabinet in the corner. It didn't look dangerous. It looked... normal.

Maybe I was just anxious for nothing. Maybe Carson was just messing with me or maybe this wasn't some big secret after all.

I stepped inside and reached out my hand, feeling along the wall, searching for a light switch.

I found it and switched it on.

Nothing happened.

Great.

I let out a frustrated sigh and took another step forward. My foot then hit something, and I almost fell, then I reached it.

It was covered, and as I lifted it, it felt like a picture frame.

Then I opened it.

It was a picture of a woman.

She had dark hair, just like mine. Soft eyes. A gentle smile.

But it wasn't just any woman, because I knew that face. I had seen it before, In Carson's office.

This was the same woman from the photo on his desk. The one he never talked about. The one whose picture he always kept close.

I held the frame tight enough and in curiosity. Who was she? And why was her picture hidden in this room?

I turned, looking around again. There were more pictures on the walls, but they were covered in dust. This room wasn't just a storage space. It wasn't a random, forgotten corner of the house.

It was definitely there for a purpose and it was important to its owner.

And that meant Carson had been keeping it from me on purpose.

"Who are you? And why is Carson hiding you?" I asked, looking at the pictures on my hand.

Before I could think too much, a sound of Footsteps coming closer, got me shaken

I turned around, my hands were shaking. I knew I needed to get out. Now.

I carefully placed the frame back where I found it and hurried to the door. I peeked into the hallway to see someone but it was empty, yet the footsteps got closer.

Just as I turned, I saw a shadow at the end of the hallway.

I held my breath.

Carson!!.

He stared at me immediately.

Did he know? Did he see me come out?

He walked closer, with his footsteps slow.

I forced a small smile, trying to act normal. "Hey."

He didn't smile back.

"What were you doing just now, Annabelle?"

Huh!! Me?

I needed to think. Fast.

****

I blinked. "What do you mean?" I asked, trying to keep my voice light.

"You tell me." He said.

I kept quiet for a while, while my mind was searching for an excuse, but nothing was coming. I was still too shaken.

"I was... just walking around," I said finally. "Couldn't sleep."

He didn't look convinced. "And that's why you're standing here? In front of a random door?"

I let out a small, nervous laugh. "I got lost?"

"Annabelle." His voice was calm, but there was a warning in it. "Don't lie to me."

I bit my lip. "I'm not lying."

His eyes dropped to my hands. "Then why are you hiding your hands behind your back?"

Damn it.

I quickly brought them forward. "No reason."

He didn't say anything for a long moment, just looked at me. And the longer he stared, the harder it was to breathe.

"Annabelle." His voice was quieter now. "Did you open the door?"

I felt like my whole body had turned to ice.

I forced myself to shake my head. "No."

He didn't react immediately. He just stood there, his eyes searching mine, as if he could see straight through me.

I shifted on my feet. "Why? What's in there?" I asked, trying to turn it back on him. "You've been acting weird about this door since you gave me the key."

His face got hard."I told you before. Some doors are better left closed."

I crossed my arms. "And that just makes me want to know more. If it's nothing, then why keep it a secret?"

He exhaled slowly, like he was trying to control his patience. "You wouldn't understand."

"Try me."

He was quiet for a long time. I thought maybe, just maybe, he was going to tell me something.

But then, he shook his head. "Not tonight. Go back to bed."

I stared at him. "Seriously? That's it?"

"Yes."

"But-"

"Annabelle," he cut me off, his voice firm. "Go to bed."

I wanted to argue. I wanted to push for answers. But the way he was looking at me... it was different. It wasn't anger, and It wasn't frustration.It was something else, something I couldn't understand.

And just like that, I knew.

I wouldn't be getting any answers tonight.

So, with a frustrated sigh, I turned and walked back to my room, my heart still pounding.

But as I closed the door behind me, I knew one thing for sure.

I wasn't letting this go.