Chereads / The Painted / Chapter 20 - A Perfectly Normal Place

Chapter 20 - A Perfectly Normal Place

The first thing I noticed stepping inside was the chilly air.

"This place is even colder than outside" I watched as my breath formed a cloud of smoke in front of me as I rubbed my hands together.

Despite the constant use of gloves my hands were always cold and right now it felt like they would fall off any minute now if I didn't find a source of heat immediately.

Taking out my flashlight I turned it on, half expecting a little ghost child in a white dress in front of me and sighed in relief when I saw nothing and therefore proceeded further in.

Looking around I noticed my surroundings for the first time; nothing like I was expecting at all.

The place looked… homely, for lack of a better word and form what I could see.

Searching for a light switch I noticed the picture frames adorning the walls.

"Wow, this place is in a better condition than I thought" I noted to myself, feeling a little more at ease now.

Upon flipping the switch,

I then realized there was no electricity "Great!"

I exclaimed sarcastically as I stomped my foot in frustration "well I guess I have to survive the cold and the dark now" I mumbled disheartened "this is definitely going to be a long night" I groaned as I slumped against the wall.

After a few minutes I finally noticed the existence of a few rather large candles beside me.

"Oh, wow they are real" I exclaimed in joy as I picked up one of the candles from the stand "if only there were a lighter around too" I began searching.

"Yes!" I exclaimed happily after I found a match box on a nearby table "I thought I would freeze to death tonight" I admitted grimacing at the thought as I walked around lighting every candle I found and let me tell you there were a lot.

I exhaled heavily as I straightened up after lighting the last candle and "holy shit!

There is a second level to this place" I spoke in realization.

"Well, I guess I should've known" I admitted to myself felling embarrassed for being an idiot.

"The things sleep depravation does to you, I swear!".

"I don't think I would be surprised if a vampire lived in this place" I confessed randomly as I silently judged the interior design "maybe perhaps someone who's really into the gothic aesthetic or has really old taste".

"Umm hello?" My shaky voice echoed in the empty space and other than a flicker of a candle there was no other movement.

Even as I walked around better inspecting my surroundings the only living and breathing soul as far as I was concerned was only me.

"This place is fully furnished" I nodded in approval "I'm sorry, I judged you too soon" I patted the wall, apologetically.

"I mean you could really use some new paint and maybe new curtains, but it's nothing some renovation can't fix".

I sighed tiredly as I loaded the newly discovered fireplace with pieces of woods lying around.

I had a more important mission right now and wasting time wasn't a part of it "I'll admire this place later".

Only after I was fully sure of the raise in temperature did I finally give myself the permission to fully relax and I was more than delighted when I found a nice and more than cozy couch near the fireplace.

Placing my bag on the ground,

I took off my jacket and pulled the fabric on top of me as I lay down and closed my eyes.

"Tonight ended much better than I thought it would" I mumbled and drifted off to sleep.