The Door to Eternity

When Emily took the job to be a companion to Mrs. Brewster at the Pinewood Mansion she had not idea what she was getting into. The old mansion stood on a hill overlooking the Pine River that flowed by below. The only family left living in the mansion was Colonel Jock Brewster, his wife Jane Brewester and the Colonel's two sisters Ruth and Hattie. They got along with a housekeeper, a maid, and a cook. Emily had taken the job for the summer to make money so she could return to university in the autumn.

Her father drove her to the Pinewood Mansion and made sure she was fine. The housekeeper showed her to a lovely room from which she could see the river. Jane Brewster was a pleasant old lady who seemed to like Emily right from the start. When she enquired why the sisters could not be her companions Jane said they had never gotten along from the very start of her marriage but her husband insisted they live with them.

Her duties were straight forward keeping Jane company, reading to her, taking her out into the gardens, and making sure she was comfortable and happy. The Colonel spent his days in his study and Emily hardly ever saw the sisters. The only one thing that bothered her was that she was told never to open the door at the end of the third floor hallway. From what Emily could tell during the times Jane took naps or wanted to rest alone was that every room was unlocked and held no secrets.

She had wandered all over the house and seen many wonderful pieces of art and old antiques. The Colonel had shown her the library where she could choose books she wanted to read. As the days drifted by that one door bothered her. She was curious but she figured if she had been told not to open the door then surely it must be locked.

One night sometime after midnight Emily suddenly awoke and thought she could hear music playing, There was the sound of voices and sudden footsteps. She the Colonel's voice raised in anger and she supposed if Jane was not calling for her then he must be arguing with his sisters. However, she could not sleep once everything quieted down she got up.

Listening she thought she heard strange music so she followed the sound. It brought her to the door at the end of the third floor hallway. This time she was sure there was something going on beyond the door and she felt a cold chill around her. There were strange voices on the other side and shuffling footsteps.Would it be so bad if she took a look? Could the room be unlocked? She grasped the door handle and it was unlocked. Slowly her heart beating fast she opened the door. Realization came quickly it was the door to the world beyond and suddenly Emily was in paradise.