It was winter, and while it wasn't snowing particularly hard, the air was icy.
Sitting on the living room couch, trying to solve the few math exercises the teacher assigned us for the weekend .
Because yes, at the time, I was a high school student living alone with my uncle, who had never thought about marriage or starting a family.
But that didn't bother me. Due to his reserved and serious nature, he brought a sense of calm to this cozy home, and I loved the calm.
My uncle sat next to me without even bothering to glance at me and turned on the TV. I must admit, the relationship I had with my uncle was rather strained. We only spoke if it was necessary.
In terms of communication, he wasn't like his brother, even if I admit that I didn't make any effort on my part either.
Even though I have to admit I owe him a lot I could have been in an orphanage if he hadn't intervened to take care of me.
Barely out of my thoughts, he already turned off the TV. He must have remembered something, perhaps.
He looked suspiciously worried.
Me: "Hey, is everything alright?"
Uncle: "I have to go out. No nonsense."
He is too suspicious.
Consumed by boredom, I decide to go to Victoria's home. It won't be more boring than here. Before that, I send her a message to let her know I'm coming, but she doesn't respond, which surprises me because she has this famous habit of responding to me within minutes.
What's going on? I have a bad feeling. Maybe she's taking a nap. Well, I can always go; she won't blame me
I'm just worried...
I quickly put on blue jeans and a very simple white t-shirt. For this outfit, I had the annoying habit of overdoing my outfits, but not today, obviously. I still add a jacket so as not to catch a cold.
I leave my house, and a breath of fresh air passes through me. It feels good to go out... I pass in front of the pretty and humble houses that represent my dear neighborhood, to that of my friend, which visibly stands out from the others. It is much larger than the others; it is a fact.
My earlier premonition is intensifying
As I approached the gate, an overwhelming, nauseating odor hit me, making me wonder if they had forgotten to take out the trash. The house was surrounded by a beautiful garden, a sight I had seen many times before, but it never failed to captivate me
I took long strides toward the large wooden door, my heart racing. I was on the verge of feeling faint, and I couldn't understand why. Maybe it was the stench that made me want to retch.
Victoria had better have a good explanation for this. I knocked once, then twice, but there was no response. I began to worry about whether her parents were home; it would be awkward if they answered the door
Despite my hesitation, I knocked a third time, louder, hoping to be heard. But there was nothing, just an eerie silence.
After multiple failed attempts to get someone's attention, I noticed that the door was slightly ajar. The thought of entering uninvited crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed it as rude.
However, the smell was becoming unbearable, and my curiosity was getting the better of me
I remembered my uncle's words: "One day, your curiosity will get you into trouble." He had a point
I turned the handle and stepped inside, facing what resembled a mansion. No wonder her family was known for their prestige. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy towards my best friend