Bottle 7: A Discovery in the Dark

The police were, presumably, on their way. The group of now 6 decided to explore the house in search of the etiology of the mysterious thud as well as clues that could lead to some answers.

The group could not decide which of them would venture off, so they elected to divide into pairs and have a group search the upstairs, a group search the main level, and a group search the basement.

Eve, angrily stated “Listen, I don’t know if y’all involved or not, but I sure as hell do not want to pair with Traci or Sara.”

“What the hell did I do?” Sara asked.

“Are you implying that I did something?” Traci chimed in.

“Well, Sara, you weren’t around when Jamie collapsed and Traci, well girl, we all have questions.” Eve replied.

“I will go with you” Abby interjected before Traci could even reply.

“Fine, but I am not leaving this level. In fact, to demonstrate some good faith, maybe Sara and Traci should go to the basement?” Eve suggested.

“That means, Lori and I get to check out that sound from upstairs?” Nina questioned.

“Damn right girl” Eve answered.

“This is such bullshit” Traci added.

The group fanned out, covering their assigned territory. Traci and Sara ventured down the stairs and Nina and Lori ventured up the stairs. At the top of the staircase, the window in the hall was open, wedged against a picture frame and the curtains flapping in the breeze. It appeared the window opened with such force the breeze blew a candelabra off the stand directly below and the candles appeared to be thrown all over the floor.

“Could this have been the thud?” Lori questioned

“It certainly seems possible” Nina answered as the continued into a nearby bedroom.

Downstairs, Abby and Eve had not left the living space. Eve, more concerned with her colleagues’ role in their current situation suggested “Why don’t you go check out the library?”

“And leave you here? Hell no! We go together” Abby stated.

Suddenly, a loud scream was heard from what appeared to be directly above them. Abby and Eve reached the top of the staircase in record time, their hearts pounding in unison. The scream had come from the furthest bedroom, where Lori and Nina were searching. Abby flung the door open, her flashlight cutting through the shadows.

The room was eerily quiet, except for the sound of Nina’s ragged breathing. Lori was crouched in the corner, pale and shaking, her hands clasped tightly over her ears. Nina stood frozen near the bed, her hand covering her mouth as she stared wide-eyed at the bedspread.

"What happened?" Abby demanded, her flashlight scanning the room.

Nina pointed toward the bed, her voice trembling. "There’s... there’s blood."

Abby’s beam followed Nina’s gesture, landing on the bedspread. A dark stain marred the crisp white fabric next to Jamie’s locked duffle bag.

"What is that?" Eve asked, inching closer to the bed. Her eyes darted around the room, searching for signs of a struggle.

Lori shook her head violently, tears streaming down her face. "I didn’t touch it! I swear I didn’t touch anything!"

Abby stepped closer with her flashlight steady. She examined the stain carefully, noting its peculiar placement. "Where did it come from? There’s no trail leading to it."

Eve moved beside her, her sharp eyes scanning every corner of the room. "There’s no blood anywhere else. No handprints. Nothing on the floor. It’s just... there."

Nina’s voice broke through the tense silence. "What is happening here?" Her hands trembled as she gripped the bedpost for support. “I wish the police would get here already.”

The “team” bailed on any hope that EMS would arrive in time and shifted their attention to assistance from the police given their current situation.

Abby straightened, her tone firm but calm. "We’re all going back downstairs. Together. We’re not splitting up anymore. Where are Traci and Sara?”

As the group made their way back down the staircase, the air felt heavier, as though the house itself was pressing in on them. Every creak of the floorboards beneath their feet echoed ominously, heightening their unease.

To be continued August 31st, 2025.