The Secret

The Secret

Intro


“I dare you to do it,” the boy said.
“No, you do it” another boy said.
“I’ll do it.” It was Joseph. He would do anything. The three boys were attempting to scare each other no matter what. If any of them had the guts to do anything, it was Joseph. The two other boys looked at each other with amazement. Would he really go up to that old, deserted house and knock on the door? They both nodded their heads in unison. It was Joseph he would do anything.

Joseph got off his bike and started walking towards the house. The house dated back to civil war times. Inside once dwelled a family of six. There was the father, mother, two daughters, and two sons. They owned several slaves that were made to stay in the basement. It was a damp, dark place. They were only a few cots. Most slept on the dirt floor. Their showers consisted of hot water thrown on them every couple of days. It was not the greatest hospitality measures for people who were made to do everything for this family. Behind the walls of this house were victims of torture and deaths. Generation after generation, the family stayed there until the nineteen eighties.

Just as Joseph was approaching the steps of the porch, he could hear distant yelling. It was a type of scream he had never heard before. The person making this noise was in horrible pain. “How could that be, he thought, this house is empty.” As his foot touched the first step, the screaming had stopped and he suddenly heard a large breaking noise. It almost sounded like a tree.
“Joseph!” one of the boys yelled. Then both of the boys screamed at the same time. “Watch out!” Joseph turned to look at what his friends were yelling about and just as he turned his head to look back at the house, a huge branch fell right in front of his body. The branch was centimeters from his head. Joseph had never been scared of anything, until today. All three boys ran from the house’s creepy disposition, and never returned.




CHAPTER 1

“No daddy no!” a little girl pleaded. Her tears were flowing down her face. Her curly brown hair was trapped in her mouth. She was not worried about her hair at this time. She was worried about what her father was going to do to her. What would he hit her with this time? Whatever it was she would beg him until the end not to hurt her.

“It seems as though you can’t be trusted.” Her father hovered above the tiny little girl. She was no more than six years old.

“But daddy there is strange noises coming from down there. I just wanted to see what it was.”

Her dad raised his arm. In his fist was his weapon of choice for little girls who did not listen. It was the wooden paddle, carved from a two by four, with leather straps, cut to size, nailed across it width wise. This device was not as bad as the chain, but it was no better. He raised his arm higher above his head. His eyes were blank and you could see all feelings leave his last breath before his arm came down in full swing and…

Janet suddenly awoke from yet another bad dream. They were getting worse every night. She reached over to the nightstand and took another zanax. She knew she needed something stronger than that. She then looked at her clock, seven a.m. It was time to get up. 

She prepared her morning by washing her face. Her big brown eyes stared at her in the mirror. "What are you looking at” she thought. Then her hand came upon what she hides with large amounts of make-up, a deep scar, caused by one of her dad’s weapons. The plastic surgeon only had to make a few more passes at it. After that one dash of concealer would do. She combed her long, curly brown hair. She put on her best pair of jeans and t-shirt combo and headed out the door. Janet didn't have a car. She always rode her bike to and from work. Either rain or shine. Today was neither. It was cloudy.

Janet worked as a teacher for the mentally handicapped kids. She enjoyed every minute of that job. It gave her great satisfaction to help kids who were not like everyone else. She wanted to be there for someone, because nobody was ever there for her.

Awhile later Janet arrived at the school. All of her students greeted her as she walked through the door. They loved her. She was patient, funny, and kind. All of the boys thought she was pretty. She was adored and admired. Janet felt very safe here.

The day had passed and she was helping the teacher, Mrs. Sanders, grade some papers.
“Are you going to the town meeting tonight, Janet?” Mrs. Sanders asked.
“I don’t think so. I really don’t like those meetings.”
“I think you should go. You should really get involved with what is going on in this town.”
“What’s going on tonight?” Janet asked, knowing she could care less.
“The town is voting to keep up or tear down the house on 3rd and Main St.”
“Really, that house old house? I just assumed they would want to keep it up. It has been there forever.”
“They want to build a shopping mall.” Mrs. Sanders said.
“Don’t we have enough of those?”
“Apparently not. So, I will see you there?”
“Yeah I’ll be there.” Janet gave her famous fake grin as she walked out the door.



“Order, Order!” said the judge. His voice cracked a little. He scratched his gray beard, while constantly shaking his head.
“Order, Order!”

A row of city council sat on either side of him, all with serious looks on their faces. The roars in the courtroom finally became quite and everyone took their seats. In the middle sat all the teachers for the district. They had their own click. Most were always seen together. Mrs. Sanders looked at one of the other teachers and asked, “Do you know where Janet is?”
“I don’t.” she replied.
“She’s probably sleeping.'' another teacher said. “That girl sleeps all the time. Maybe you should call her."
Mrs. Sanders got up and headed towards the pay phone.



Down the deep corridors of night, she could hear the voices that haunted the house. She always heard screaming and crying. She would hear chains and what might have been dishes scrapping against each other. She cried herself to sleep. “Janet!” A voice from the next room screamed at her. Her eyes popped open and she pulled her covers over her face. “Janet answers me!” Janet did not know why her father was screaming at her this time but it didn’t matter. What mattered was how she would be punished for it. Tears ran down her face and with great terror racing through her weak body she noticed that she was urinating on her bed. It was not the first time that had happened. She sadly knew it would not be the last. “JANET!”

Janet woke up, fell off the couch and hit her head on the coffee table. She felt a little blood rush down her cheek. As she picked herself up, she grabbed a nearby napkin and put pressure on her wound. Just then, the phone rang. Janet took a deep breath, still shaking off the dream.

‘Hello?” Janet said as her voice quivered.
“Janet?”
“Mrs. Sanders?”
“Yeah. Hi. Are you coming to the meeting?”
"Shit." Janet thought. “Umm... yeah, I’ll be there. I, I was sleeping.”
“Are you ok?” asked Mrs. Sanders.
“Yeah you know those kids just wear me out.”
“Yeah, they can get on your nerves.” Mrs. Sanders said.
“I'll be there in about ten or fifteen minutes.”
“Hurry, the meeting has started.”
“Thanks.”

Janet hung up the phone and went to the bathroom.
She grabbed some antibiotic cream and put a band-aid over her cut.
Then, she took a couple of Zanax.
She got on her bike and headed toward the town hall.

When Janet arrived, she could hear a lot of commotion. She heard the judge trying to silence the room. “Maybe, I can still get my vote in.” Janet thought. She opened the door and noticed Mrs. Sanders and all the teachers sitting together. A few of them noticed her and motioned Janet to come and sit by them. Janet walked past and headed towards the council.
“Hello,” said the judge. “Do you have something to add?”
“Yes I do. Have you counted all the votes yet?”
“Well, young lady, we are in the middle of that now.”
“Can I still vote?”
“Sure, read this form and take your pick. Move it or keep it.”
Janet was surprised about the judge‘s disregard over the subject. “Thank you.”
She marked her decision, handed the judge the piece of paper and sat down by Mrs. Sanders.
“I’m glad you could make it. What happened to your forehead?” Mrs. Sanders questioned.
“I fell off the couch and hit my head on the coffee table.” Janet said shrugging her shoulders.
“My goodness, are you okay?”
“Sure, I have had worse injuries.”
“Well, I’m glad you could make it.”
Janet smiled and wondered why she was still in this town.


The judge looked up from his podium.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please prepare yourselves for this outcome.”
The room grew silent and Janet hoped that her vote had made a difference.
“To make expansions for the town, the house will be torn down.”
Janet’s heart sank into her churning stomach. Silence filled the air and just like the calm before the storm, everyone was yelling.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please calm down!” the judge yelled. Soon everyone on the council also started to yell to quite the crowd. The attempts were effortless. Knowing they would get nowhere, the judge deemed the meeting final and over. Janet watched as they got up from their seats and walked out.
“Well, that’s the way it goes.” said Mrs. Sanders.
“It’s sad, that house has a lot of history.” another teacher said.
Mrs. Sanders turned to Janet and asked, “How do you feel about the outcome? Janet are you okay?”
“I feel a little sick. It was probably something I ate. I’m going to get out of here before it gets too ugly.”
“Have a good night, and be careful.”
Janet gave a slight grin and was annoyed by Mrs. Sander’s motherly tone.
The ride home was long and a bit scary. Visions of her father were flashing in her head. His face was rigid and his eyes were cold. She prayed that he would go away. She knew it was going to be a long restless night.




Chapter 2


“Can I interest you in the Pro Plan 500? Look at all these great benefits.”
“For the last time, no thank you.”
Taylor hung his head and gathered up his belongings. That was the seventh no in one hour. He was starting to think he couldn’t hack it anymore.
“Maybe burgers are my thing?” he thought to himself as he made his way off the porch. “I should go back to work and quit. Do everyone a favor.”  Just as he made his way on to the sidewalk, he was run over by a speeding bicyclist. As Taylor fell to the ground he saw the face of what he believed to be an angel. At that moment he erased the thought that whomever ran him over was at fault. Immediately he rushed to her side.
“Oh my, are you okay? I’m so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.” Taylor said trying to help the woman to her feet.
“I’m fine. What were you thinking? You can’t just walk onto a sidewalk and think no one is coming.”
“I truly am sorry, it’s been a rough day and…”
“Please stop trying to help me. I’m fine.”
Taylor couldn’t help himself. No matter how many times she said no, he had to know everything about her.
“My name is Taylor, Taylor Johnson. “What is your name?”
Janet looked at who was attempting to help her. His eyes were so soft. She tried to hold her tongue and not speak.
“Janet, Janet Smith. If you don’t let me leave, I’ll be late.” Janet stood up and tried to get back on her bike. “Great, just great!” Janet protested.
“What’s the matter?” Taylor asked, still trying to help.
“Look at my bike. The wheel is bent; I’ll never make it to work on time.”
“I’ll take you to work.”
“What?”
“Please let me, I feel horrible.”
Janet did not want to get in car with a man who couldn’t even walk and not get into an accident. However, he was so good looking. She looked to the sky for answers and noticed the dark clouds above.
“Fine, I’ll let you take me to work.”
“Thank you, I feel so bad.” Taylor opened the door and motioned her inside.
“What luck." Taylor thought as he put the broken bike into the trunk. “This is going to be a great day.”
“Where do you need to go, Janet?”
“The high school.”
“You’re a teacher?”
“For the handicapped kids.” Janet couldn’t believe she was talking to this guy. She tried to fight it but she couldn’t. “They’re great kids.”
“Are you okay? Did you get any cuts?” Taylor asked.
“I’m good. Thanks for asking and taking me to work.”
“I can pick you up and take you home.” Taylor said enthusiastically.
“That would be great. “Did I just say that", Janet thought, "I don’t know this guy. What if he is some psycho? A cute psycho."
“Really, I can pick you up?” “Awesome", thought Taylor, "I could sell so much insurance now.”
Janet couldn’t believe she was agreeing to any of this. “I get off work at four. Just pick me up where you drop me off.”
“Great, I’ll see you then. I can’t wait.” Seconds later Taylor pulled in front of the high school.
“Thank you". Janet said.
“Anytime.” Taylor flashed a smile at Janet. He couldn’t believe that she agreed. Janet smiled back and slightly blushed. She couldn’t believe she agreed.

The door opened slowly as it made a horrible screeching noise. Janet crept down the stairs, looking behind her with every step. If her father knew of her presence here, she was sure it would be the end of her life. Her father scarred her, but the noises that kept her up at night, had clutched her curiosity. She reached the end of the stairs and could feel the dirt underneath her. Her heart pounded so hard that it was all she could hear. Before she knew it she was picked up off the ground by a familiar hand. As she left the basement, she caught a glimpse of what may be making all the noise. It was almost worth the beating.

“Janet“, Mrs. Sanders said trying to wake her. “Please wake up. Please.”
Janet opened her eyes and saw all of the kids standing around her.
“Are you okay Ms. Janet?” one of the kids asked.
“Yeah, what’s going on? Was I sleeping?”
“Yes, one of the kids saw you go into the supply closet. It had been a while since I saw you so, I went to check. That’s when I saw you lying on the floor. Are you okay?”
“I guess so. I feel a little sick.”
“Maybe you should go see the nurse and then go home. I can handle it from here.”
Janet nodded her head in agreement. She gathered her things and headed to the nurse’s office.

“Has this ever happened to you before?” a large woman with rosy cheeks was sitting in front of her.
“Sleeping? I do it all the time. I take long naps after work and sleep a good portion of the night.”
“Are you on any medication?”
Janet already grew tired of the inquisition. Her life was nobody’s business. Especially a gossipy nurse.
“I think I’m fine. I’ll just go home and make some soup. I might have a virus. I would hate to pass that on too these kids.”
The nurse got out of her seat very disappointed. She handed Janet a release paper and rolled her eyes.

Janet started walking towards the bike rack when she realized it wasn't there. It had been demolished by a cute weirdo.