The Room
November 6th, 2008
Mom,
I made it to Grandpa Dave’s place! You weren’t kidding about the signal out here, I figured that out fast, hence the letter.
What do they even do at the observatory that’s so important? I guess my laptop’s basically a paperweight now.
I found the keys under the mat, but I haven’t seen Grandpa yet. It looks like he’s been doing some remodeling.
Did his letter say anything besides needing an extra hand? Anyway, I’ll keep an eye out for him. He’s probably just out and about.
Feed Tippy for me. Love you.
November 8th 2008
Hi Mom,
I’m getting a little worried. I still haven’t seen Grandpa at all. I know he’s always marched to his own drum, but it’s been two days.
I was poking around and found a few things left out, a half‑drunk coffee mug, some chicken thawing. I cleaned it up and turned off the lights in his room. They’d been on for a while. Please don’t tell him I snooped.
Oh! I think I found the room he was working on. There’s this weird little hallway halfway down the stairs to the cellar. I’ve never seen anything like it. He strung up lights and if you follow them long enough, they lead to a room bigger than I expected, like two of my beds side‑to‑side and four deep.
There’s a sledgehammer and some tools, but the coolest thing is this big door he uncovered. None of the keys work, and there are these red roots covering it. I had no idea this place was so big. I don’t even know where that room would be in relation to the house.
I think Grandpa probably drove to town to get a key made. I found some molds in the room, so that’s my best guess.
I’ll keep poking around.
Hope you and Tippy are doing well. Miss you both. Love you!
November 9th 2008
Mom,
I’m getting kinda freaked out here.I don’t know how many pairs of shoes Grandpa owns, but there’s only one pair in his closet. I found his wallet in the bedside table too, which is weird if he really went into town.
I walked down the road to his neighbors and asked if they’d seen him. They said the last time they saw him, he was driving home with a bunch of tools in his truck, about three weeks ago.
I guess with them being so far away, I shouldn’t take everything at face value. It’s not like they’d always see him come and go.
I checked the detached garage and tried a few of the keys I found. One worked and Grandpa’s truck is still in there, but it doesn’t look like it’s been used in a while. The battery wouldn’t even start.
Where is Grandpa?
I love you. Give Tippy my best.
November 10th 2008
Mom,
Still no sign of Grandpa.
I went back into that strange room to see if I could find any clue about where he might’ve gone. Mixed in with the pile of tools, I found a receipt for a key. I’m thinking it was for the door with the red roots.
I don’t see the key anywhere, and even if I did, I don’t understand how anyone, even Grandpa, could get behind that door with all the overgrowth covering it.
Maybe I should walk to the sheriff’s tomorrow. I really wish I could call you. I don’t like being here alone.
I miss you. I miss Tippy. I love you both
November 11th 2008
Mom,
I need to come home.
I went back to the red door again, and right at the base of it was this red metal key. It looks like it matches the molds Grandpa made.
The weirdest part is that the roots are gone. And the door looks… paler? I don’t know how to describe it, but it’s definitely different.
The whole house feels strange all of a sudden. I was already a little off being here alone, but now it feels like someone else is here. Like someone always just out of view or maybe always in view? I don’t know. I’m starting to feel crazy, and the house keeps creaking.
Freaked out but still loving you. I just want to cuddle with Tippy and get out of here.
P.S. Any chance you can book me a trip back home? I think someone more qualified needs to look for Grandpa.
November 12th, 2008
Mom,
I’m leaving tonight. Hopefully you’ll see me soon. I’m just going to go and keep walking, I don’t feel safe. Something weird is going on.
I went to the door again, and now it’s almost white. I couldn’t resist. I used the key.
It opened into another room, a small red room with roots everywhere. In the center was a table, and hanging above it, held up by those roots, was a hand clutching a pen.
The hand was moving. Writing on the paper. It said:
“Send help. I need a hand.”
I didn’t stick around. The hand looked old… could it be Grandpa’s??? I’m not staying here anymore. There’s this pit in my gut that won’t go away.
This is my last letter. I’m only writing to tell you I’m trying to get home, so you don’t freak out if you don’t hear from me for a couple days.
Love you. I’ll see you and Tippy soon.
November 13th, 2008
Mom,
Everything is fine. Come help me.
I need some eyes.
Come soon.
Come.