The Night

All I know is that there is a door at the end of the hallway.

It wasn't there before.

Everyone called me crazy, for trying to see what was inside.

Maybe I was.

Because it was obvious there was something wrong with this house-

So why did I want to go chasing for whatever it was?

The door appeared one day, and I don't remember when.

None of us know when.

But I wanted to.

I wanted to figure out what it was.

What was behind the new door.

But why was Anthony here?

He should've been in bed.

I kept one hand on the door as I looked to him.

"Why're you awake, kid?"

He shifted awkwardly.

"Hazel said the door didn't used to exist."

It was spoken quietly.

Dangerous words.

Especially for one so young.

"Hazel's a fool, then. Don't listen to what she says about it."

Take the words and go, kid.

Go to your room, and go to bed.

Don't get caught up in whatever the hell was happening.

This house would kill you if you weren't careful.

Tony didn't move.

"Victoria says the grownups can't see it."

Ah.

Both of them, huh?

I bit down the anger that threatened to rise.

It burned deep inside.

I hummed.

"I'm almost a grownup, right?"

I smiled.

It felt like plastic on my face.

"I can see the door just fine, Tones.

Victoria's just messing with you."

The boy didn't look convinced.

I pressed my hand more solidly against the door.

"Go to bed. It's late."

Sleep and forget this ever happened.

Hazel and Victoria should've left it alone.

So what, if they saw me trying to open the door?

It didn't matter.

They obviously didn't care about everything that was happening.

They didn't care about the sickness that oozed from the walls.

About the too sharp shadows with eyes that watched every step you took.

About how no one ever built the second and third floor.

This house would kill you, if you were careful.

"Micah?"

He was still here.

"What's up, Tones?"

I spoke gently, this time.

"Will you tuck me in?"

I breathed in.

I nodded.

Then I stepped back, pulling my hand away from the door.

It screamed for me to return.

There was a flash of light underneath.

I turned around.

"C'mon. Before Aunt Teresa catches you out of bed."

A useless statement.

She never stepped foot on the third floor.

None of our parents did.

I let him grab my hand, pulling me down the hall and into his room.

It was the furthest from the door-

Probably due to him being the youngest.

No one built our rooms.

They appeared one by one, with each child brought into the home.

It took me a few minutes, but I got him into his bed.

Away from the door, from the eyes in the halls and the chill that never seemed to go away.

"Are you gonna keep trying to get past the door?"

Anthony's question came out in a whisper.

I paused.

"I'm going to open that door, kid."

My voice dropped.

"Even if it kills me."

I was going to figure out what was happening.

If it would keep my family safe?

I would do anything.

I cleared my throat.

"Anthony. You can't tell anyone I was at the door, okay? It'll be our secret."

He eyed me wearily.

"Promise me."

No one could know.

"Promise, Micah."

After that, I left his room.

Closed the door tightly, to keep out the chill.

To keep him safe.

I turned.

Damian was standing in front of his room, watching me.

I breathed out, and strode towards my own room.

I would do anything.