Never Open That Door – Curiosity Killed the Cat

This is part IV of this six-part story.  Part III can be found here:

****

Gabby moved her belongings into Cory’s house in the morning.  She was waiting for Cory to get back, which was around 10 o’clock, just as he had said.

She said goodbye to Mrs. Montgomery. Mrs. Montgomery wouldn’t take any money for the two nights. She made her promise to visit in a few days.

Gabby agreed. She had a big university assignment due before Friday.

As Gabby lay in her bed the first night, she heard the floorboards creak outside her room. She didn't hear the floorboards creaking yesterday while inspecting the place.  In the dim light sneaking in under the door, she made out two feet that stopped right outside her door.

Gabby pulled the sheet up to her mouth.  Her heart was beating like a bass drum, almost popping out of her chest.  Who was it?

It had to be Cory; there was no one else in the house.  She wanted to close her eyes, but couldn’t.  She had to be awake if he burst in through the door.  Had she locked the door?

She couldn’t remember.

“Oh, please make it that I locked the door, please, please,” she muttered under her breath.

The feet moved away.  Gabby listened intently.

She heard some shuffling, and then a key turned in the door next to her.  The door that Cory had been very emphatic about was not opening.

“Never open that door.” She could see his hand covering hers yesterday as he said those words.

What was in that room that was so secret?

The curiosity was killing her.  All her investigative senses were at warp speed.

****

The next morning, she was in the kitchen downstairs.  She just had her nightie on and was making a cup of coffee.  As she stared out the window at the new day, she felt a strange sensation, like someone was watching her.

She turned around as the kettle signaled it was boiling, and there he was.

Standing in the doorway, looking at her.

“Oh my God,” she exclaimed.

“I didn’t see you there.  I was just making a coffee before having a show,” she said, trying to be civil.

He said nothing.

“Can I get you a coffee?”

“N---o-.  I don’t dri—n---k co---ff---ee.  I’ve g---ot t—o m---y ---room.”

Gabby made her coffee and retreated to her room to have it.  This was one strange dude, she thought to herself.

She had gathered her toiletries and headed for the bathroom to take a shower.  She was due at Uni in just over an hour.  As she left her room, she walked past “the door.”

Her heart thumped.  She paused.  Nothing, she could hear nothing.  Perhaps I'll just try the door.

She grabbed it gently as if it were going to explode and tried to turn it.  Locked.

Not surprising, she thought, and probably just as well.

****

Gabby arrived home at about 6 o’clock.  She had stopped on the way and bought something for her dinner.  Something quick to eat—and then hit the books to get that dreaded assignment done.  Only two days to go, and she wanted it to be good.

As she entered the door, she noticed a lady sitting in the family room, watching TV.

“Hi, you must be Briley, right?”

“Yes, that’s right, and you are?”

“Oh, I am Gabby. I moved in yesterday into Leslie’s old room.”

“Great, well, welcome.  I have just gotten back from a flight to London.  I am dead tired and was just trying to chill for a bit before trying to get some sleep.  I’ve got another flight the day after tomorrow.  No peace for the wicked,” she added with a smile.

“That’s right. Cory said you were a flight attendant.”

“You got him to speak – a miracle,” replied Briley.

Gabby saw her opportunity.

“He seems, well, a bit strange.  Is he O.K.? What’s with that room?” probed Gabby.

“I try not to have much to do with him, but I am glad someone else is here, let’s just say that. “He always checks me out, especially in uniform, but never says a word,” Briley confessed.

“Look, he seems harmless, but I still suggest you lock your door. Also, remember to lock the bathroom when you’re inside.”  Oh! And steer clear of hat room.  Whatever goes on in there, he doesn’t want anyone to know about it.”  Just saying, not trying to scare you or anything, but you can never be too careful.”

“Nice to meet you. Talk more tomorrow when I am more awake,” said Briley as she got up.

Briley had not filled Gabby with confidence.  As she ate her dinner, she thought about Corey.  She could see how he might be attracted to Briley.  She was drop-dead gorgeous.  Blonde, beautiful, with olive skin and a great figure.

What was it with that room? Even Briley thinks something odd happened in there, though she hasn’t said it.  Gabby had picked up on that.

Better get on with this assignment, she said to herself, her curiosity peaking again.

****

Gabby was up late working on her assignment.  When she finally got to bed, she was tired.  She couldn’t let it go.  “What was it about that room?” she said to herself as she fiddled with her bracelet."

She fell asleep thinking about it, but was woken up again by the sound of footsteps along the corridor. Just as the night before, they stopped outside her door.

Waiting.

Listening.

Sher couldn’t take it anymore.  She quietly got out of her bed and put her slippers on.  I will pretend I am going to the toilet.

As she went up and moved toward the door, she could see the feet move away.  The footsteps started again, but not for long.  She heard shuffling.

She opened the door.

In the light, she saw Corey unlocking “the door.”

She startled him by his reaction. He stared directly at her, but in his haste, he accidentally dropped the key and kicked it under the door.

"Sorry, Cory, I did not mean to startle you.  I was just going to the toilet,” explained Gabby, her heart pounding.

“O-ka---y.  l  l-eav-e th---i-s unt---il m—oorni---ng-- -th—e-n,” and hurried up the stairs to his retreat.

“I’ll turn the light off if you like?”

“N---o ---th—at –i-s  O.—K.   I Lea---e—i—t –n –unti---l -I go -t—bed,” he stuttered over his shoulder.

If Gabby didn’t need to go to the toilet, she sure did now.

She got back to her room in a cold sweat.  Now is my chance.  I will wait until he goes to bed, turns off the light, and then I will see if I can get the key from under the door.  I have to find out what is in there.  Why was he so secretive about entering the room when he knew she was there?

It is killing me!

****

Till next time,

Calvin