As Xander drives us towards the outskirts of town, a heavy silence hangs within the car. Imogen and I sit quietly in the back seat while Janie occasionally glances back at me, her eyes filled with sympathy. Suddenly, tension fills the air as my phone beeps and illuminates. I look at it and sigh, 'It's from Brad.' A sense of despair washes over me, and my stomach sinks.
'You don't have to read it,' Janie reassures me.
Knowing that I won't be able to rest until I know what he has to say, I click to open the message and reluctantly read it aloud, ‘Sweet dreams, babe. I love you.’
Janie's mouth drops open, her eyebrows shooting up in disbelief. 'Did he really just text you, acting as if nothing happened tonight, as if you're still together?' she asks, in shock.
I nod, passing my phone to Janie. She shakes her head in disbelief as she reads the message. 'Can I at least block his number?' Janie asks, a hint of anger in her voice.
I agree, knowing it's the best course of action. 'Brad's always like this. He switches between anger and physical abuse one moment and then sweetness and kindness the next. Just as you said, Janie, Brad acts hot and cold because he truly is. He feigns love and tenderness after intentionally doing something terrible, just to escape the consequences and blame me for his actions,' I explain.
'I wish you had told us sooner,' Imogen chimes in, her expression full of concern as her mouth turns downward and her eyelids lower.
'I'm sorry. I wish I had told you all sooner, too. I was just so scared,' I confess, resting my head on Imogen's shoulder.
'I know,' she reassures me. 'I can't even imagine how awful it has been for you.'
As Xander manoeuvres along the winding dirt road, we find ourselves enveloped in a mesmerising tunnel of trees. The moonlight flickers through the branches, casting ethereal patterns on the path ahead. Feeling the thrill of the night, I roll down the window, allowing the crisp, cold air to rush in, caressing my face and tugging at my hair. I close my eyes, savouring the exhilarating sensation against my skin. In the distance, an owl hoots, its haunting call echoing through the nocturnal symphony of creatures scurrying and foraging in the underbrush.
Finally, we arrive at Grammy's old house, nestled deep within the heart of the now-overgrown forest. The windchimes hanging from the porch tinkle delicately as the wind whispers through them, and the dreamcatchers sway, their beadwork shimmering like moonlit jewels. I marvel at the peculiar small items crafted from sticks. A twig catches my attention, adorned with twine and crowned with withered and browned leaves. I pick it up, twirling it absentmindedly, and share my thoughts with Janie. 'It's been so long since I've been here,' I murmur. My shoulders relax as I reminisce about Janie's Grammy. 'I miss her a lot. She was always the coolest grandma,' I add wistfully.
Janie nods, her gaze sweeping across the yard. She sighs a hint of nostalgia in her voice. 'I miss her too,' she confesses, her words carrying a weight of longing and cherished memories.
Meanwhile, Imogen ventures into the moonlit garden, her curious spirit leading her through the fragrant herbs. Suddenly, she let out a shrill shriek, exclaiming, 'Cobwebs!' She frantically brushes her arms, trying to rid herself of the invisible threads. Janie chuckles, uttering the incantation 'Illumini' and flicking her hand towards Imogen. In an instant, a radiant sphere of spectral light burst forth from Janie's palm, gliding toward Imogen. It hovers above her, casting a soft glow illuminating the area around her. Janie smiles, at Imogen, 'The light will follow you until I remove it.'
Imogen beams, her hands on her hips as she surveys the well-lit surroundings. The light accompanies her every step, revealing the hidden corners and paths. 'Thanks! This is so much better,' Imogen exclaims, her joy evident as she continues to explore. She calls out to Janie, her voice full of awe, 'You literally have no neighbours out here!'
Lost in my own reflections, I can't help but notice the moss and ivy adorning the sloping roof, now blooming with delicate flowers. I gently trace my hand along the weathered stone wall of the house. Memories of childhood adventures with Janie flood my mind.
Xander strolls along the stone path to the vibrant yellow front door, his curiosity piques. He pauses to inspect one of the whimsical structures made from sticks hanging from the house with delicate twine. Some resemble swings, while others take the form of miniature ladders.
The air is thick with the scent of various herbs and flowers, enticing me to take my time, savouring the fragrant journey toward the entrance. The crescent moon knocker on the door floods my mind with cherished memories of Janie and me, knocking mischievously and hiding in Grammy's Garden before she caught sight of us.
Janie retrieves a weathered, large key from her pocket, unlocking the door. As it creaks open, she illuminates the interior with a flick of a switch. Her voice resonates with enchantment, 'Dimulous,' causing the sphere of light following Imogen to fade away into nothingness.
We step into the once lively house that now exhibits an air of desolation and neglect. The floorboards beneath my feet groan, their echoes harmonising with the door's earlier protest. The tapestries adorning the walls seem muted, their colours faded, while the faces depicted on the mythical creatures appear melancholic. I don't remember the tapestries being this dreary. They were always so vibrant. Even the creatures in them used to look content. As we venture further into the house, cobwebs and dust enshroud bookshelves, floors, and walls.
Janie methodically flips on the lights as we move through each room, dispelling the gloom. We enter the kitchen, its shelves still lined with jars of homemade jams and preserved treasures, while baskets overflow with dried herbs and flowers. The air hangs heavy with a medley of aromas, mingling the scents of spices and botanical wonders.