"No, it still goes unsolved to this day. They didn't have sufficient
evidence, and back then, it was easier to get away with things
than it is now, Addie. Some thought it was my grandfather, but I
know he'd never do such a thing. He loved her dearly." unsolved. My great-grandmother was murdered in this very
house, and no one ever caught the killer. Dread sinks into my
stomach like a stone in a lake.
I'm sureI know who killed her, but I don't want to open my
mouth and say so until I'm absolutely positive.
"Where was she murdered?" I ask, my voice subdued.
"In her bedroom. Which disturbingly became your Nana's
bedroom." Shepauses for a beat before muttering, "And now
yours, I'm sure."
She's not wrong. I took overNana's old bedroom, and though
it's beenfully renovated, I still kept the chest at the end ofthe bed
and the full-length ornate mirror propped in the corner of the room.
Things that were passed down from Gigi.
The bedis no more, having bought my own. But the samefour
walls that housed a horrific murder are the same four walls I sleep
in at night.
It's chilling—a little creepy. But to Mom's dismay, it's not
enough to get me to move out. Or even change rooms. If that
makes me a freak, then I would only fit in with the family.
Gigi fell in love with her stalker. The very man who must've
killed her eventually.
And now, I have one of my very own. The only silver lining is
that I would never be so stupid to fall in love with him.
Mom stands, a signal that she's leaving. Her heels click, clack
off the checkered tile as she slowly walks towards the entrance.
She gives me one last look.
"I hope you make the right decision and leave this place, Addie.
It's… dangerous here."
Her staccato footsteps fade as the door softly closes behind
her. I watch her car disappear down the mile-long driveway,
leaving me all alone in this big, cursed house.
Suddenly, my stalker's last words are much more ominous now.
I'll be seeing you soon, little mouse.
***********************
MAY 25TH 1944...
MY VISITOR SPOKE TO ME TODAY. FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE HE STARTED COMING AROUND.
I WAS SHOCKED WHEN HE DID. HIS VOICE IS SO DEEP. SO ALLURING. ONCE HE SPOKE, I HAD HOPED HE'D NEVER STOP.
I ASKED HIM WHY HE KEPT COMING AROUND. WATCHING ME.
HE CONFESSED HIS LIVE FOR ME. HIS DESIRE TO HAVE ME. I ASKED FOR HIS NAME AND HE GAVE IT TO ME.
RONALDO. AN INTRESTING NAME, BUT IT SUITED HIM PERFECTLY.
HE DIDN'T STAY NUCH LONGER AFTER THAT. BUT HE DID ASK FOR A KISS.
I WAS HESITANT, IN THE END, I LET HIM.
I'M ASHAMED TO ADMIT I HADN'T EVEN CONSIDERED JOHN IN THAT MOMENT.
ALL I COULD THINK ABOUT IS WHAT HIS LIPS WILL FEEL ON MINE.
MY IMAGINATION DIDN'T DO IT JUSTICE.
I FLEW INTO THE STARS.
I DON'T THINK I'VE COME DOWN YET.
💋