Flowers For McGee

5 - You've Got to be Kidding Me

Rose woke up the next morning with a killer headache and she sat on their sofa with a diary in hand and coffee in the other. Since the living room was stacked with boxes when they arrived, the couch was sitting at an odd angle in the hallway but that didn't keep Rose's butt off of it.

Her mother and brother made a run to town and she was left alone. They left before she woke up, but Johnny was kind enough to text her and tell her where they were. Johnny was a little worried about his sister after she was screaming her head off last night. They both agreed that it was best not to tell Maggie about the incident. She already worried profusely about Rose.

Rose looks at the diary that belonged to Rosaline. The book was small and Rose was uninterested in it. It mainly contained things super personal. Rose wasn't sure she wanted to read about how terrible and lonely life is without love.

Okay, it wasn't that dramatic, but it was enough to send Rose rolling her eyes.

And from some of the entries, it appears they called the deceased girl Rose, too.

Rose found that creepy and would stick to referring to her by her full name. There was no way she was sharing her name with a scary dead lady, it just wasn't happening.

Rose opens it to the middle and reads a passage as she sips the coffee and sighs. She was only reading it to get it out of the way.

Dear Diary,

He came home late again. I don't understand why he does this to mother, she is so forgiving, he must not think she cares. He has Gwen brainwashed that he is a saint. He is not saint, he is walking disatser if there ever was such a thing. He gets everything he wants and I can't get a simple hello on the street.

"I just want to know his freaking name. That's all I want." Rose groans as she flips through the pages. No one ever says his name and Rose is quite offended for the poor guy, but she found that a little too coincidental.

Mumbling useless babble, Rose sets it down and goes through the box and finds one that has no name on it anywhere. Rose rolls her eyes as she opens it to the first page. The handwriing is sloppy and Rose classifies it as male.

Dear Journal,

Mother insists I use you. For what reason, I have no idea. I've had you on a shelf for so long I've forgotten. I'm going tell you that I've messed up. I messed up badly and I'm afraid this one can't be undone.

Rose hears the familiar creaking again and she stands and walks around boxes to the fireplace and picks up a poker. "You've got to be kidding me." Rose mumbles. She stands there and flips ahead a few pages as the creaking above her continues.

Rose was easily frightened, despite the tough facade she tries to wear. But she would like to think she is handling this whole predicament pretty well considering most people would lose their mind.

Dear Journal,

Hodge came by today and asked for his money. I had to send Gwen inside, she can't know that I'm actually a monster. She can never find out the things I've done.

"I'm warning you," Rose calls out as she shuts the books and sets it on a box infront of her. The noises weren't going away. "I'm gonna use this! Not like it's gonna help," She listens and stomping sounds above her. "This is so rigged."

All of a sudden, the noises stop and nothing can be heard and Rose frowns. She looks down at the book to see it is open. Rose quickly reaches down and picks it up and her eyes glue to the page.

Dear Journal,

Mom had our portraits painted and they are hanging in the dining room now. I didn't think she'd want mine done, but there I am, as devilishly handsome as ever. Our names were written on the back and I'm proud. I spent the day with them all today and it wasn't as much as a hassle as it usually is.

"No way," Rose says and shuts the book with a small laugh. "I'm supposed to go back up there? No. that's most definitely a trap." She says and crosses her arms.

Rose stands for a second waiting for something, anything, but hears nothing. "Dammit, I'm going to die." She says in an exasperated tone and she takes the poker with her as she ascends the eerie staircase.

-

Rose slowly opens the door and stares at the portrait in the corner. The room was dark and the lights in the room didn't work. Rose didnt think to bring any source of light other than her phone.

His eyes watch her every move as she shuts the door and walks over, pulling open the curtain and filling the room with sunlight. Rose never puts her back to the door or him.

She picks up the surprisingly light picture and flips it over. The name is scraped off an all it reads is McGee snd she scowls in disappointment. Because she was so angry, she felt like breaking the frame in half. She wasted her time I'm coming up here.

"It's not here. Your name isn't here." She says and groans and her phone rings. Rose pulls it out of her pocket and answers it. "Hello?"

"Where are you?" She hears Johnny over the phone and she walks to the door with the picture in her hand.

"I'm upstairs. Bring the lock cutters, would you?" She asked as she opens the door and peeks through the crack at the locked door at the end of the landing.

"Sure." He says and she hangs up and waits for him to arrive. She clutches the painting in her hands and her eyes stick to the door, never once leaving it.

As she hears Johnny on the stairs, a shadow passes under the door.

"Hey, what are you doing? I figured you'd avoid this floor after last night." Johnny says and he holds the cutters in his hands. He doesn't question her death grip on the painting or her colorless cheeks.

"It was just a dream and I'm nosy," Rose easily lies to him. "Open that door." She points to it and he nods.

Once the door is open, it reveals a plain bedroom. "What a disappointment." He says and she sighs.

"Why is this room locked?" Rose asks and it dawns on her. "It's his room." She says and walks around.

"Mom and I were talking, we don't understand why McGwire told us to be careful up here. There is nothing really wrong with the floors or anything, but this room and that other one was locked. It like they are trying to keep something in. Or keep us out of something." Johnny says and Rose nods her head in agreement.

"How can they keep you in if you are already out and about?" Rose asks in a low tone. She isn't talking to Johnny, but to whoever else is listening.

"What did you say?" Johnny asks her and she spins to face him.

"I don't know, but I predicted all of it." Rose says and quickly changes the subject. She didn't want Johnny to know, she wanted to do this by herself.

"I'll give you that, you did predict it." He says and walks over to the bed. He sits down and looks around. "What did this guy do?"

"I don't know that either. Not yet, anyway. I've been reading their diaries and they never say his name. They all call him brother or just say he. Occasionally monster," Rose says and places his picture against the wall. "It's quite annoying.

"I read one, too. You guys are similar in character. No offense, though." Johnny says.

"One of his sisters calls him a monster, did you not hear me? I take high offense to it." Rose says smiling and Johnny chuckles.

"Well, what can you do? I guess it runs in the family." Johnny says.

"But, if our ancestors killed them, is he part of our family or theirs?" Rose asks as she looks at the picture. She and Johnny have already discussed this. This guy has to be related to them.

"It's like looking in a mirror, isn't it?" Johnny says and Rose doesn't answer. "All I know is that he did something and that one angry looking chick down stairs did not like it one bit." Johnny.

"Help me find you." Rose whispers as she looks at the picture.

"What was that?" Johnny asks.

"Nothing." She says quickly and she hears their mother calling for Johnny. "I'll come, too." She says and they both stand.

Johnny walks out before her and the door shuts without either of them touching it. She stands there frozen. She can hear Johnny feet as he continues to leave. Apparently he didn't notice.

"Rose." She hears behind her and she shuts her eyes.

"No," Rose says. "I'm not looking at you, I'm not stupid." She was afraid the face she would see was the one she saw last.

"Look at me, I'm not going to hurt you." The voice rasps.

Rose slowly turns and she doesn't see anyone. "What?" She mumbles and frowns.

"Look at me." She quickly faces the portrait and it is blank and she stares at the plain black background.

"Where are you?" She asks with a shaky tone. The closet door opens slightly and she backs up.

"Don't be afraid." He says and only half of his face can be seen.

"Rose, I thought you were coming with me?" The room door opens and stays open, but he is gone.

"I was, sorry I was looking in the closet." Rose says and she follows Johnny, this time making sure to stay close to him. She looks back to the closet and then looks away.

On the way down the stairs, Rose sees a small slip of paper and quickly picks it up and stuffs it in her pocket before Johnny sees.