The House On Turner Street

Chapter 20 - The Master Bedroom

Tyler and Stephen decided to watch the command center while Evan and Val checked this one out. They headed upstairs to check out the master bedroom.

"Well, let's finish this night on a high note."

Stephen was still helping the effects of the dream, but his mind was on the task.

"Tyler, I'm glad you dropped in on is. I'd hate to be here alone right now. Have you ever thought of being a part of a group like this?"

"I don't remember the last time I was around other people. I stay pretty isolated. Trauma tends to stay with you. I've learned to live with it, but too many things remind me of my family. I start missing them, and it comes at me hard."

"I can understand that. I'm afraid I haven't experienced anything like you have, but I know what the fear of loss feels like. If something ever happened to Evan, or even Val, I'd die. They are my world. "

"Why don't you just admit your feelings?"

"I've thought about it. In the end, it's easier to love at a distance and keep what I have than it is to mess it all up. It's not even the rejection so much as things change. And I have no idea why I'm telling you all this."He laughed at himself, "I guess it's nice to be able to let it out instead of holding it in. "

"Well, I can't tell you how to live, but I can tell you that we aren't here forever. If you have feelings, just admit them. People might surprise you. Evan is a seemingly good guy. I don't think things would change too much, and you'd know."

"You're probably right. I shouldn't let myself be controlled by my fear. I just don't know how to handle loss. I don't have much experience with it."

"Consider yourself blessed. In my eyes, loss is the worst thing a person has to experience. I don't believe that's your future, though."

"Thanks, Tyler. I like you. You should really join our group. We could use an extra member."

"I'll think about it. For now, let's focus on keeping the others safe."

The master bedroom was easy enough to find. It was the only room with double doors and an ornate pattern that was so intricately carved that it looked natural. They spared no expense on this room for sure. Evan walked in first. Val found it cute that he could be so chivalrous, though she didn't like being treated like a porcelain doll. At first glance, it looked like a normal bedroom. A four post was that could only be described as a king size plus one. Wardrobes that were most uplikely filled with clothes.

There was a large portrait of Gabe above a desk. He looked pretty distinguished for a man with such humble beginnings. Val commented on the familial resemblance between Gabe and Tyler. Their family must have dominated genes to maintain such a closeness in features.

Val went to check out the desk while Evan checked the drawers in the bedside tables. Nothing out of the ordinary. There was still an old lamp as well. The room seemed antiquated for having had a family in it not too long ago. Evan felt like he was missing something. It was most likely paranoia. After that footage, this place had him on edge. He glanced over at Val. If anything even looked out of place, he'd me by her side. He loved his friends. He'd protect them.

Val noticed him looking and smiled. She really had an amazing smile. Now was not the time for distractions. He had to stay on guard. He hopped the other two were having as uneventful a time as Val and himself.

"Look at this, Ethan!"

He walked over to Val and saw what she was looking at. It was a box of family photos. They recognized some of the people in the pictures as the same ones from the portrait by the landing. It was Gabe and his family. There were some from some kind of fair. Cameras were more of a luxury for the higher classes that long ago, but everyone had a chance at the fair. This fair must have been a ritual. Most of the photos seemed to be older and in the same setting. The familial resemblance really was uncanny. They were definitely Tyler's relatives. He found a picture of Miss Watson in her younger years with her brother. They continued to search until one caught Evan's eye. He decided to check the back of it, and Val noticed that his face went white.

"Evan, what's wrong??"

"We need to get back to the others. I think this adventure is over!"