The Storage of Seasons

The boy moved toward the attic stairs. To a room he had never been in. The same space had been locked from the day they moved in. James climbed the steps to a small crows nest. Perched in the corner a deep green door, with a large iron handle. James had studied this door before. It had a crescent shaped window in the top left corner. A curious thing for an interior door to have.

He pulled in a deep breath. Then he tried the handle, but nothing happened.

“Hells-bells,” the boy swore.

Even though he already knew the door to be locked. He gave it a pull. But like all the times before nothing happened. He stood there a moment thinking, spinning the ring on his little finger, and thinking. Then turned on a dime and ran. With Dash on his heels, they ran out the front door to the trellis. He made quick work of the rungs. Dash barking after him with each step taken. He eased on the roof. Loose snow spilled over the ledge as James lifted the window and entered the room. To his surprise the room stood empty except for a Cedar chest.

Each wall of the attic displayed a frieze. The same woman in each mural, only older in each picture, but her grey-green eyes were the same in each one. One painting showed birds building a nest as two sparrows took a green ribbon from auburn hair. The ribbon matched the pale green dress she wore; another mural had her feeding a red stag and wearing a dress covered in pink magnolias and cerise hibiscus. Still another had her holding the harvest moon in her hands, and wearing a dress quilted with every colored leaf Autumn could offer. The last mural was of the woman with auburn hair deeply salted. In her left hand she held a tiny star. Her gown a midnight blue stitched with a silver thread. On closer inspection even the door donned a picture. A single Willow that seemed to watch over the entire room.

A constellation of stars was painted on the ceiling. On the West wall the Moon crested the top of the wall spilling over upon the ceiling. While on the opposite wall the Sun seemed to slumber upon a veiled cloud.

The boy walked over to the chest. Lifted the clasp and swung wide the lid. -Swish- a grey blur sprang out of the chest. Knocking James backward. He fell back into a puddle of icy water. Beside the puddle Dash stood. The sight of the dog in the locked attic startled him. Causing the boy to leap to his feet. The grey blur, now rested on the lid of the chest. It was the crazy chatting squirrel, still yammering away.

In the boy’s pocket he found a rock that he chunked at the varmint, the chattering critter scurried out the window. Which he quickly shut and locked. He eyed the white dog suspiciously, “How did you get up here?” He asked, then laughed. How indeed but the dog offered no answers. So, he bent down to exam the contents of the chest. It was covered in a misty woven film. Similar to a spider’s web, but weighted. That is if light had weight. He took the misty film and found he could fold it up. So, he did. Then tucked it in his pocket. Under the film he found a large pair of boots. As he lifted them out of the chest, they appeared to be just his size. James could not resist the urge to try them on. In them his feet surged with speed. The only other item he saw inside was the parchment.

There was no doubt that the ring he wore held the contents of the paper closed. However, he was not ready to take off the strange seal and slid the document inside his shirt. He walked over to the door, hoping he could unlock it. The door had two bolts which he unlatched. Now, the Keyhole where a key needed to be stood empty. James looked around the room.

The door would not open without a Skelton key, but he could not see one anywhere. He roamed around the room looking for a clue, a hook, or a loose board. Something, anything, but nothing appeared to be there. He was standing by the picture with birds flying with the ribbon. When he noticed one bird held a key.

The day had been bizarre. However, this was too outrageous. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and glared at the key. He looked over at Dash and took a step closer. Out the window was the crazy squirrel still chatting away. So, he removed his hands and leaned toward the painting. As he got closer the key and the ring began to glow. The squirrel ponded on the window and Dashed moved in step with the boy.

Author's Note

Draft

Reviews

[Lorry]

Scary biscuits! Glowing rings and keys, mad squirrel thief's and he still doesn't know if it's a treasure map! I'm guessing it's not, but kinda hoping it is. 😊

[knighngale]

I love your world Cherrie, the boots! and a box in the room, and an empty room with lots of paintings, quick! 😋 great read, hon, Maynard

[Cherrie Palmer]

Thank you 😊 Maynard. I try and to keep the idea 💡 simple and the story vibrant. I wish I was better at it. But I guess that is part of writing.

[knighngale]

no honey, you are professional and expert, it is your Craft, honey, you own it, please don't dou😋😋😋bt your work, you are great great at it, hon

[Coyote Poetry]

You have create a masterpiece of words and thoughts. This chapter had everything. Some mystery, great description and you are keeping my attention. Thank you dear Cherrie for sharing the amazing chapter.
Coyote

[KAREN]

Very well written! It held my interest from start to finish!

[Cherrie Palmer]

Thank you eventually I'll edit but foe now I am just pushing forward.

[KAREN]

My pleasure!

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

This is getting so good! Can't wait to see what happens!

[Cherrie Palmer]

Thank you 😊 hopefully I'll add to it tomorrow.

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

My pleasure!

[lightsong]

I almost forgot the dear Willow :> I can't wait until James saves her and his parents.

[Cherrie Palmer]

We'll work our way back to Willow :)