Scrivenings of the King-Beyond-The-Wall

Mirror Mirror #17

The sound of rain tapping on the window was like a persistent reminder of the dreary Sunday afternoon Jaime found herself in. Her plans for a sunny day out were washed away, leaving her stuck inside her new, old house. It was one of those charming fixer-uppers "with character" in the suburbs of Atlanta, which really meant creaking floors and drafty windows.

While exploring the attic, searching for a leak she suspected had sprung from the incessant rain, Jaime stumbled upon a small, odd-looking panel on the wall. It was covered in floral wallpaper that matched the rest of the room, but the edges were peeling, revealing something metallic underneath. Curiosity piqued, Jaime tugged at the wallpaper until a brass handle, cool and solid, came into view.

"Huh, what have we got here?" she muttered to herself, giving the handle a firm pull. To her astonishment, the panel swung open, revealing a narrow, dusty passageway. It was pitch black inside, and the musty smell of untouched air wafted out.

"Of course, I find the secret passage on the one day I forgot to buy batteries for my flashlight," she said, rolling her eyes. Still, the adrenaline of discovery urged her on. She grabbed her phone, turned on the flashlight app, and edged into the secret passage.

The corridor was cramped and cobwebbed, with spider silk brushing against her face as she moved. "This better not lead to Narnia or some horror movie nonsense," Jaime joked nervously to herself, half expecting a minotaur to greet her at the end.

After a few cautious steps, the passage veered sharply to the right and sloped downward. Jaime followed the bend and emerged into a small room that looked like it hadn’t been touched in decades. Old furniture was draped in sheets, and stacks of books leaned precariously in corners.

But it was the photographs on the walls that caught her eye. They were black and white, featuring people in vintage clothing, posing stiffly. One photo, in particular, drew her in—a young woman with a mischievous glint in her eyes, standing boldly in front of this very house.

Jaime's heart raced as she realized she was standing in a forgotten part of her home, surrounded by its previous life. Among the dust and silence, she found a box filled with letters and journals. She sat on the dusty floor, flipping through pages filled with elegant handwriting, chronicling days long past but filled with dreams and laughter much like her own.

Hours slipped by as the rain stopped and the house began to fill with the golden hues of the evening sun. Jaime barely noticed, so engrossed was she in the lives of those who had walked these halls before her. It was like the house had shared its secret history with her, making her feel less like an intruder and more like a custodian of its stories.

When she finally emerged from the passage, it was with a new sense of belonging. Her house didn’t just feel like a property she’d bought; it felt like home. Jaime knew then that she would fix the leaky roof and squeaky floors not just to increase the house’s market value, but to honor its past and protect its future.

With a newfound respect, Jaime set about planning her renovation projects, determined to preserve the essence of the house while making it her own. And, of course, the secret passage and hidden room would be kept just that—a secret, a magical part of her new home that connected her to its storied past.


______________________________

(595 words)


Prompt: Write a story about someone who finds a secret passageway in their house.