Tea Time!

The shadow turned out to be an old woman with purple, stringy hair and a glassy eye. I forgot what the word is for it, but one of her eyes has no pigment what so ever. I think this is the kind of eye that Poe was talking about in Tell Tale Heart. Currently I am sitting in her living room. Though I don't know if one could really call it a living room. It looks and feels like a dungeon. It's cold, damp, the walls are made of stone, and rats are rampant. She gave me a warm cup of tea and told me to drink up. She's ever so eager to look at my tea leaves and tell my future. I sip my tea. She folds her long, knotted hands, and stares at me with her glassy eye. I finish my tea and set it to the side. "All done?" She asks. I nod. She grasps my tea cup and studies the remnants carefully. "Interesting." She says to herself. "What is it?" I ask.  She leans back and smiles. "What is it?" I ask again. "It's just about your journey." "But what does it say?" " I don't know if I can tell you." "What do you mean you can't tell me? you said you would read my fortune." She laughs to herself. " I said I'd read it, but I didn't say I'd tell you what it said." I clench my fists. She notices this right away. "All it said was that you are right on schedule with your journey." I shake my head. "How wonderfully vague." She takes a deep breath. "You wanted to ask me about a card?" "Yes" I say. "As well as many other things."  "I'm the piper, and that tunnel was for you." "Jeff didn't build the tunnel?" She snorts.  "You can't be serious?" "Alright, if you are the piper than where are you leading me?"
She, the piper, takes a deep breath. "That's a good question." She says. "Oh for the love of -" "Now , now, " She interrupts. "Do you remember how the story ends?" "Yeah, the pied piper leads all the children to their death." "We don't know they died." "He led them off a cliff!"  The piper shakes her head.  "Only in a few versions, besides who is to say they died?" "Conventional wisdom."  She ignores me and continues. "The pied piper takes away the children and they are never ever seen from again." I see a metaphorical  light bulb  above my head. "You took Ms. Rosalyn, didn't you."  "Calm down, I didn't take her." "Why should I believe you?" " Yes, I could have easily taken her and hid her in another realm where no one would ever find her, but I didn't want to do that."  "Why not?" I ask, still not believing her.
"Because I don't get anything out of it, besides I've been trying to reach you for weeks."  I raise my eyebrows. "You have?"  "Yes didn't you receive any of my letters?"  I take the letters out of my back pockets. "You mean these?" The piper places her face in her hands. "Good lord." She takes a deep breath. "Ok let me explain something."  She sticks out her left hand "This is where you are." She wiggles her right hand underneath her left hand. "That is where everyone else is. Not bad." Then she moves her right hand and puts it above her head. "But this is what you have to learn yet." "Ok, so what do I have to do?"  "You need to go back to Jeff's house. There is more to the story, and you know that."  "Do you think he abducted her?" The piper takes a deep breath. "I'll tell you this, he is a computer analyst. He knows codes. Now go and use this knowledge." I stand up and take off into the great unknown once more.

The Tunnel

It was clear what was needed at the moment, and that was a pawn shop. when I say pawn shop I don't mean a quasi reality shows that you find on History channel. I mean one of those old, dusty shops that you can find weird items, such as a Monkey's Paw. Every town has one. It is just a matter of looking in the right places. Fortunately, I had an idea of where to look. I just had to get something to eat first. Breakfast is the most important part of the day you know. I didn't want anything heavy. Just something light, like Pop Tarts to tide me over. I rummaged through the cabinets. Nothing but plastic cans and cereal boxes. "That's weird." I thought. I checked in the drawers, plastic silverware and fake spices. I opened the refrigerator and looked about. All that was there were plastic fruits and vegetables. I closed the refrigerator door and backed away. I slowly realized that I was in a child's kitchenette set. This could only mean two things. Either there was some sort of reality shift or Jeff is a complete and utter nut. That's when I saw a very real knife on the kitchen table. Without hesitation, I grabbed the knife and headed for the wall. I'm not exactly sure what prompted me to do it, but I thrust the knife into the wall and began to tear the wall apart. It came down a lot easier than I thought it would. It was like tearing off the  paper on a present. Just that easy.
On the other side of the wall was a tunnel. It looked like a coal mining tunnel. Except there where piles and piles of unopened letters. "What could Jeff be hiding?" I wondered. I snatched a couple of letters and placed them in my back pocket. I then proceeded to crawl through the tunnel. It was a lot cleaner than I thought it would be. There were no spider webs. No mice. No rats. No verman of an sort. It was also strangely illuminate. It was so well lit that I could see the path in front of me clearly. I wondered where the light was coming from. Until I got to the end of the tunnel that is. It's a passageway to a castle. Right now I'm looking down at a spiral stone stairwell. It must be in a tower. I hear the footsteps of someone not so far away coming up the stone steps. I can feel the heat from their torch as they walk closer and closer.  I can now make out a shadow of this being that is inching closer and closer by the second. It appears to be a smaller woman with a hunch. Maybe this is who I ask about the card.

Ransacked

Concrete makes for a terrible pillow. Anyone who doubts me should try it out. Though I seriously doubt anyone ever will. Last night I played the part of a good little guard keeping watch over a quiet suburban home. Yes, I did fall asleep. I'm only human. At least I'm pretty sure I am. Anyways the front yard is fine. Everything looks like it is in tact. No one kicked in the front door. As long as I get in the house before Jeff wakes up and make a pot of coffee , no one's the wiser.  I carefully open the front door. Holy shit. Everything, and I mean everything is ransacked. It looks like the whole place was turned upside down. I rush over to the couch. All the cushions are over turned. Then, as if right on cue, I hear Jeff walk out his bedroom and let out a big yawn. I hear Jeff making coffee in the other room. "Good morning Jeff." I shout from the living room. "How did you sleep?"  "Wonderful."  Jeff groggily walks into the living room and sits down beside me, completely unaware that the room is torn apart. He puts his arm around me. " I had my doubts about you, but you're alright." "You sure you wanna celebrate just yet?" I ask.  "Why wouldn't I?"  I point my head in the direction of the surrounding chaos. I see Jeff slowly open his eyes. "What the fuck did you do?" "What the fuck did I do? What the fuck did you do? You were in the house" Jeff shakes his finger at me. "Oh no, don't turn this around. You had one job to do."  "My one job of guarding your grandmother, is like seven jobs."  "I'm sorry if it was a burden to you." Jeff walks off to the kitchen. I attempt to follow. "You stay here and look for clues. I'll get us some coffee." Jeff snaps at me.  I glance at the mess in the living room. I can't help but notice this appears to be the only area of the house like this. "They were looking for something." I shout to Jeff. He comes out of the kitchen with two cups of coffee. "Why do you say that?" I grab the coffee from his hand. "The mess is contained."  "She probably put up a fight." "She probably did, but then why are the drawers open?" Jeff stumbles" I don't know." "What if she knew she was going to be taken? And she came to your house specifically to get something?"  Jeff takes a deep breath. "What could she possibly want from my house?"  "I don't know, what do you do for a living?" Jeff takes a sip of his coffee and smiles. "I'm a computer analyst. Good luck finding something with that." Jeff gets off the couch. I notice a playing card where he was previously sitting. It's different than any playing card I have ever seen. At first glance it looks like a regular face card. But it's a Piper. A piper of clubs. I pick up the card and show it to Jeff. "Have you ever seen a playing card that looks like this?" I ask him. He glances carefully at the card. "No, but maybe it's a tarot card." "I don't think so. I think someone left it for us to find." "Sure, but who?" "I don't know, but it's worth investigating."

Jeff's Place

Turns out her grandson lived nowhere near the park.  After an hour long cab ride, we arrived at this small ranch house in the middle of no where. I wonder if she mistook my question of which family member lives the closest and thought I meant "which relative are you the closest with?" Or maybe he does live the closest. Any rate we arrived Jeff....Jeffy's house. The front yard was neat, and clutter free. On the front door was one of those old fashioned knockers. Even though there was a door bell I decided to use the knocker instead because those things are so much fun. I banged on the door. A tall red head with broad shoulders answers the door. He looks down at me and Ms. Rosalyn. "What are you doing here?" He asks. "You were right. Something is going on. She can't stay there"  "She can't stay here either"  I push Jeff aside and enter his house. "Fuck off, she's staying."  Jeff looks stunned. "This is my house, you know." "Yes, and this is your grandmother and she may be in danger so she's staying."  "I know she may be in danger that's why I called you, to fix it."  Ms Rosalyn interrupts the two of us. "Excuse me, I hope you boys don't mind. I was just going to watch some television." "Yeah, go right ahead , grandma." Ms. Rosalyn walks into the living room with hardwood floors and plops down on the leather couch. She proceeds to channel surf. "Look." I say. "I don't know who you are or how you got in touch with me, but you asked for my help." Jeff bites his tongue. "Taking her to my house at night is not helping." "What the fuck do you want me to do then?" Jeff throws his hands in the air. " I don't know." He sighs. "You both can stay."  Jeff starts to walk away. Ms Rosalyn takes her attention away from the T.V.  "I hate to be a bother but there is something I have been meaning to bring up."  "What is it, grandma?" She pauses for a brief moment then continues. "While we were in the cab, I couldn't help but notice there was a black car following us."  Jeff becomes enraged. "What?"  "Well, it wasn't always there , but it was behind us a lot." Jeff points at me. "This is the kind of shit I didn't want." "No." I begin to explain. "This is good,I think this is what we needed." Jeff clenches his teeth. " I don't know what the hell that means but you better fix this." Jeff exits the room. "I'm going to bed."

Sunset In The Park

After taking two city buses and a cab, we arrived at a park. Not knowing where to start with this whole reprogramming business , I got some popcorn and we sat down at a bench.  We stared at the pink and purple sky. A chill was creeping in. I knew I had to do something, but what? "Ms. Rosalyn, do you like it at Old Oakes?"  "It's alright I sapose, I do miss my family though"  "They don't visit?" Ms. Rosalyn shakes her head. "Not that much, they find it depressing."  "I guess I could see that." She hangs her head.  "Well, would you like to visit them?" I ask. She smiles.  "I would love that." "Ok, who lives the closest?" "That would be my grandson, Jeffey."  I stand up and put out my hand. "Then let's go to Jeffey's."  "Right now?" I nod my head. "But shouldn't we call the home and let them know?" She asks worriedly. " Trust me." I say. " They don't need to know." She grabs my hand. And like we're off... to Jeffey's.

Poor Ms. Rosalyn

Ms. Rosalyn turns around and gives me a nice, warm smile. "Hello dear, come sit down."  I welcome her invitation and sit beside her. We pier out her window into the great nothing outside. After a moment , she interrupts the comfortable silence. "Who sent you?" She asks. "Jeff and Tom." Her eyes light up. "You mean Jeffey and Tommy? My grandsons?"   I nod. "Were they concerned?"  "Very."  "Do you know what it was regarding" I take a deep breath. "Your memory."  Ms. Rosalyn shakes her head in frustration. "My memory is as good as it has ever been."  "I just met you, but I do believe that your memory is sharp. That's not the problem though."  "Then what is?" "They question whether some of the things you talked about actually happened." Ms. Rosalyn's mouth drops. "That is absurd."  "I know." Ms. Rosalyn paces back and forth " My memory is as clear as it ever was. I was born in '32  to Stan and Julia. I married my husband '55. We had three children and someday soon I will give all of my life savings to The Angelic Order of Brotherly Love." That was it.  That must be the brainwashing her grand kids were talking about. "Ms Rosalyn are you aware of what you just said?" "Yes I have three children, their names are -"  "No the part about the Angelic Order of Brotherly Love."  Ms. Rosalyn's expression becomes blank and she continues. " THE ANGELIC ORDER OF BROTHERLY LOVE IS A MOVEMENT TO PROGRESS SOCIETY AS A WHOLE. ONLY THE PURE HEARTED MAY ENTER. BUT FIRST WE NEED YOUR LIFE SAVINGS, BARBARA."
Shit. Someone did get to her. But who? It could be anyone. It could easily be one of her caretakers looking after her. I couldn't trust anyone. I had to get out of there. "Ms Rosalyn, would you like to go for a walk?" Ms. Rosalyn smiles big a bright. "That would be lovely. Where to?" "Somewhere far, far away."

Old Oakes

Got the assignment today to checkup on an 80 year old woman. Apparently they think she was abducted by a cult, brainwashed and reprogrammed. What they are basing this on, I don't know. But here I am at the Old Oakes Assisted Living. Looks like a semi- secluded mansion from the outside, and I'm sure it will look like Disneyland on the inside.  I knock on the front door. A nurse in her forties answers the door. "May I help you?" She asks. "I am here to see Ms. Rosalyn."  "Friend? Family?"  "Neither." I saw cooly and calmly. "Just a visitor asking questions."  "Are you a detective?"  I glance down at my cape. "I guess you could say that." She sighs. "Where is your badge?"  I could not believe that. I could not let this golden opportunity pass, so I shouted out "Badges, I don't need no stinken badges." Nothing. She stared at me stone faced.  "Look, I'm very busy. Unless you are family, or a friend, or have a badge, I can't let you in to see anybody."  I nodded and she shut the door on me. "Sucker." I thought. What did I care? I had seen enough movies. I know that where this is a will there is a way.  I tip toed to the side of the building. Sure enough, there was a drain pipe.  Without hesitation, I started to climb it. Less than a foot off the ground, the drain pipe rips off the wall and I fall flat on my ass. I make a loud thud. Out of no where, a security guard rushes up to me. I don't feel threatened. He's about as scrawny as me and not carrying any weapon. "Just what in the hell do you think you are doing?"  "Right now I'm dusting myself off."  The security guard gazes at the wrecked drain pipe.  "Where you trying to climb the drain pipe?"  "It would be stupid to say no now."  "Who are you and what are you doing here?" "Relax, I'm the good guy. I'm here to see Ms Rosalyn." " Dressed like that?"  "Yeah, she made me this cape."  The security guard smiles. " I know exactly how that is, my nana still thinks I'm 12." He can't see it, but I'm rolling my eye.  "Can you let me in now?"  The security guard pats me on the back. "Of corse, right this way." We start to walk away. He turns around. "Wait, why were you climbing the drainpipe?"  "One of your nurses wouldn't let me in." "Which one?"  "I don't want to tell on her. She was just doing her job."  He laughs to himself. "Women, you give them a little power and it goes to their heads." Not only was he dumb, but also sexist. However, I needed to get in. So I shut my mouth and followed silently. We entered through the front door. Smiled at our nurse friend as we walked past.  We went up an old creaky elevator. The small kind from the 20's that has a gate to close it. He let me off on the third floor and explained that she was the first room on the right. Her door was wide open. She appeared to be a very teeny woman with curly white hair. She sat on the edge of her beige color bed, looking out her window with her back to the door. I crept into the room. "Ms Rosalyn?"