The Talk

Micah had always been weirdly drawn to the door.

We had all taken our turns trying to get him to stop.

To leave it alone-

It wasn't harming anyone, was it?

Just a door that's key was lost long ago.

I had listened mutely to him as he talked with my brother.

My brother, who was just 10.

Who was just a kid.

I couldn't let Micah corrupt him.

I wouldn't let Anthony get lost to the door like our eldest cousin.

I had waited for their footsteps to pass.

Then I had stepped out, into the hall.

After a few minutes, Micah had returned.

He had gently shut the door.

My jaw clenched as he approached.

"What are you doing, Micah?"

Don't do this.

Don't hurt my little brother.

The rest of us may be too late, but not him.

He stopped, his back to me.

"It's too cold in this house."

Too cold?

There was always going to be a chill, there had been since we were children.

Children not yet lost to this place.

"That isn't an answer.

Don't you dare bring Tony close to the door again."

He stiffened.

"He's practically a fucking baby, Damian.

I brought him away from the door."

The words were sharp.

He turned around, eyes narrowed.

"If you put him in danger-"

A laugh cut me off.

It was bitter, and tired.

"This entire house is a danger to him.

I'm 17.

All of us are children, and we're putting up with whatever this is."

I didn't want to admit it.

How could I?

Micah, Victoria and I were the oldest.

But our siblings and cousins kept coming.

Anthony was 10.

How could I admit that something was wrong?

And that I didn't try to get him out?

"This house is too fucking cold.

Look around you.

Look at the shadows, and tell me what you see."

My head turned immediately, locking onto the shadows of Hazel's doorway.

Shadows didn't look like that.

Shadows didn't have eyes.

Shadows didn't have arms that reached out, ready to-

I took a deep breath.

"It's just a shadow, Micah."

I looked at him again.

The door had a light shining underneath.

He scowled.

"I would never hurt Tones.

I would never hurt any of you."

His head dropped a bit.

"No matter how crazy you all think I am."

I paused, licked my lips.

Despite everything, I... kinda believed him.

He had always been careful, gentle.

Especially with Anthony.

"You're obsessed with that door.

Leave it alone.

We don't need to know what's on the other side."

A warning.

A plea?

"This house will kill us.

Damian, this house is dangerous, and is going to kill us all.

We're children. We shouldn't have to put up with this."

We were quiet for a few moments.

What was I supposed to say to that?

I had tried to tell our parents once.

About Micah and his obsession with the door.

They had laughed it off, calling us silly and telling me that there was no locked door.

"You can't stop me.

I'm going to get past that door."

I closed my eyes for a moment.

Just to block out his words.

To block out the crazed look in his eyes.

"I know I can't stop you.

You won't listen to any of us."

I opened my eyes.

I was so tired.

"But if you're so insistent that this house is going to kill us?

Then what's going to happen to you?"

I didn't wait for an answer.

I simply turned, and stepped into my room.

Yet I made sure to close the door quietly.

As I did, I heard him whisper.

"Goodnight, Dami."

Goodnight, Micah.