Wandering Gone

"Grandma's House" Chapter 3

In a peculiar manner, the elderly lady left the cookies delicately perched upon the bedside table, signaling to the girl that her return was imminent. As the girl's gaze wandered to the window that peered outside, she found herself encircled by a dense bush. In a haze of confusion, the girl resolved to rise from her slumber and venture beyond the confines of her room. Peering down the hallway, she discovered a closed door on the opposite side, beckoning her curiosity. With a sense of intrigue, the girl embarked on her journey down the hallway, her footsteps echoing softly against the walls. A glimmer of hope emerged as she stumbled upon an ajar door, inviting her to explore its secrets. As she cautiously entered, her eyes beheld a bathroom that seemed to defy the antiquity of the rest of the house, exuding a strikingly modern aura. Closing the door behind her, the girl sought solace within the confines of this pristine sanctuary, washing away the remnants of her bewildered state. Gazing into the mirror, she was startled to find herself adorned in a sheer drawstring top and ethereal shorts, a stark departure from her original attire. Having refreshed herself, the girl emerged from the bathroom, only to be greeted by a cacophony of crashing sounds emanating from the depths of the basement. Despite the audacity of making herself at home in this unfamiliar abode, she resolved that it was time to acquaint herself with the elderly woman who had been tending to her needs.

"Hello?," she utters, her voice tinged with curiosity, pondering if this was a treacherous snare for a loathsome creature to spring forth from the shadows. Yet, to her surprise, the elderly woman gazes at her with a concerned expression and gestures towards the girl's hair, as if it had undergone a transformation. The old woman then casts her eyes downwards and retrieves a painting she had been toiling over. The canvas appears as if a kaleidoscope of colors had accidentally spilled upon its surface, creating a truly avant-garde masterpiece. "How delightfully modern!" she exclaims, her tone guileful. Intriguingly, the old woman produces a slip of paper adorned with inscribed words. The girl's eyes scan the contents of the note. "There lies an abundance of sustenance in the upstairs refrigerator. Feel free to make yourself at home, for you shall be staying here for a while. All that you require shall be found in their expected places." A perplexing revelation, as the girl had never witnessed the old woman penning this missive. When could she have possibly written it? How could she have foreseen the circumstances surrounding its context?

The grandmother's peculiar talent had become a mundane occurrence, as if it were just another part of her daily routine. Without fail, she would produce slips of paper that held answers to the girl's inquiries. It was almost as if she possessed some supernatural power, leading the girl to ponder if she were a witch. However, after spending four days in this house, a sense of unease began to settle within her. The grandma, the creaking wooden abode, the eerie stillness of the surroundings, and the unsettling portrait lurking at the end of the hallway near her room all contributed to this growing anxiety. The girl had reached her breaking point. On the fifth day, she yearned for some form of entertainment, for this house offered nothing but emptiness, and the elderly woman seemed consumed by her never-ending chores. If she wasn't tending to her duties, she would immerse herself in the world of painting.

This young girl, desperate for companionship, resolved to conjure an ethereal companion from the depths of her imagination. Seated in the cozy living room, she exerted all her mental energy, hoping for a glimmer of success. Alas, her efforts proved fruitless. Though she possessed the audacity to believe that she could manifest an imaginary friend at will, the act itself seemed utterly futile. Yet, in a sudden twist of fate, the sound of approaching footsteps disrupted her solitude. "Boo!" A startled shriek escaped the lips of a girl, seemingly of her own age, reveled in the mischief of her prank. Bewildered, the girl demanded, "Who on earth are you?" Grinning mischievously, the intruder replied, "Weren't you yearning for an imaginary friend?” Perplexed, the girl's mind raced. Never in her wildest dreams did she envision her imaginary companion to be another girl. After all, her imagination held infinite possibilities of men, and yet, here stood her creation. Uncertainly, she thought, "Oh, I don't know. Why would you emerge from my imagination like this?" The girl's tone grew assertive as she declared, "But if you insist on appearing before me, I shall name you." Bewildered, the imaginary friend questioned, "Name me?" Without hesitation, the girl exclaimed, "Ren!" Confusion clouded Ren's expression as she questioned the audacity behind this naming. "Wait, why do you believe you possess such authority?" The girl, her confidence waning, replied, "Because I believe I conjured you into existence.” With an indifferent shrug, Ren dismissed the matter. Clad in an old person's sweater and identical shorts to her human counterpart, she became a tangible presence in the girl's life. From that moment onward, the two embarked on endless conversations, delving into the trials and tribulations of their senior years of high school, and exploring every topic that occupied their minds, day and night.

The Grandmother approaches her, extending a delicate note, inquiring about the mysterious entity she converses with. "Oh, just a figment of my imagination," the girl nonchalantly replies. The elderly woman, seemingly unperturbed, resumes her daily tasks, as if the girl's response was mere background noise. Both mischievous souls exchange secret giggles, their connection deepening. "So, when shall we venture into the great unknown?" Ren inquires. Outside? Yes, beyond these walls. "But it appears as though there is nothing out there," the girl hesitates. Don't you yearn for the comforts of home? Home, the word echoes in her mind. How could she have forgotten its simplicity? Why should she remain confined here? Suddenly, the old woman looms above her, her presence commanding. "Never venture beyond these walls," she warns, her gaze piercing into the depths of the girl's soul. The girl senses that this is not a mere statement, but a menacing promise. The old woman departs, her steps carrying an air of mystery. The girl turns to Ren, who remains unfazed by the bone-chilling encounter they just shared.

Over the past few days, Ren's incessant chatter about venturing outside has been relentless. The girl, however, attempts to dismiss her persistent pleas. As night descends upon them, the girl lies there, while Ren peacefully slumbers beside her. "I yearn to depart," the girl confesses. Ren raises an inquisitive eyebrow, responding, "I understand your honesty, I do, we cannot depart at this moment." "Why?" the girl inquires. "Because when darkness befalls us, the old lady transforms into a devilish entity," Ren reveals. Suddenly, the glass in the room shatters, startling the two girls. In a surge of adrenaline, they swiftly leap out of bed and dash towards the door, as if they had rehearsed their escape beforehand. The girl flings open the door to the old woman's room, only to find it vacant. Ren urgently seizes the girl's hand, urging, "Hurry, we must leave." They sprint down the stairs, leading them straight to the front door. It is then that the girl notices her black boots have reappeared, but cut into halves of their former length. Silently weeping within her mind, Ren urges the girl through the door as she's getting her boots on "We cannot!" Before she can complete her sentence, Ren interjects with determination, "We must, we do not have any alternatives.” Ren swings open the door, yanking the girl's hand as they venture onto the dusty ground. Just as it appeared through the window, the landscape is consumed by an overgrown wilderness. They scan their surroundings, desperately seeking an escape route. Ren glances over her shoulder, twisting her body, while the girl turns her head. In their haste, they forgot to shut the door, and through its ajar frame, they catch a glimpse of the old woman. Only her head remains, but it swells in size, revealing a mouth wide enough for the girl to slip through. Though she spent countless hours in the woman's presence, the girl feels a pang of sorrow. She knows she isn't in her original world, that much is clear. However, ever since she tumbled down that cave, that grandmother’s house is where she truly felt transported back to her own reality. With a burst of energy, Ren dashes along the side of the house, dragging the girl along. They notice that the window in their room that had been broken, remains intact. "It was a test!" Ren exclaims, realization dawning upon her. "She wanted to see if we would venture outside." The girl steals a glance behind them. The old lady, or whatever is left of her, now moves with increased speed, relentlessly pursuing them through the backyard. "Over there!" the girl cries out. A hidden pathway lies in the backyard, concealed from the prying eyes of the house's windows. The girls sprint towards this refuge, dropping to all fours and crawling through the narrow passage. It's cramped and suffocating, but the old woman persists, trailing them into the dimly lit path. This trail appears tailor-made for dirt bikes, as the undulating hills conceal the path that lies ahead. The girl's spirit wanes, unable to break free from the clutches of the elderly woman, yet Ren persists, pulling her forward. The girl's hand throbs with pain, as Ren's grip tightens relentlessly. A glimmer of hope emerges at the end of the trail, prompting Ren to propel the girl forward, while she follows closely behind. Anxiety grips the girl's heart as she tumbles down, contemplating whether Ren will be able to join her, or if she will remain tethered to her place of origin, akin to the bandit monster and the enigmatic red and blue figures. In this frantic pursuit, uncertainty lingers, leaving them unsure if the old lady still trails their every move.

In a dramatic turn of events, the Girl tumbles onto the hard pavement, her knees bearing the brunt of the impact, while Ren gracefully lands on her feet, unscathed. With a hint of insincerity, the Girl mutters a half-hearted "Thanks." Sensing danger, Ren swiftly pulls the Girl out of harm's way, narrowly avoiding a speeding car. As they find themselves on what appears to be a peculiar highway, the Girl realizes that this is no ordinary road. "Aren't you relieved to be free from that place?" Ren remarks. The Girl, who had yearned to escape her previous situation, now finds herself reminiscing about the happier times she had left behind. Curiosity piqued, she questions Ren, "How did you manage to save me? Weren't you just an imaginary friend?" Ren nonchalantly shrugs her shoulders, but the knowing expression on her face reveals that she indeed holds the answer to the Girl's inquiry. Suddenly struck by a whimsical idea, the Girl wonders aloud, "If I were to stand on you, would it appear as though I were floating to others?" Disappointed by the lack of response, Ren wearily drifts away, attempting to ignore the Girl's persistent musings.