Chapter 10 - The Infinite Loop
Ethan dropped the photo album as if it were burning his skin. The heavy leather hit the floor with a dull thud, sifting up a cloud of old dust that smelled of river mud and rotting paper. He scrambled backward out of the walk-in closet, his breathing shallow and rapid. Every single photograph in that album showed the exact same life, the exact same faces, the exact same house—just older, water-damaged, and faded by years of damp neglect.
He stumbled out of the bedroom and hurried down the hallway, the floorboards groaning beneath his boots. Clara was standing in the living room, zipping up a small duffel bag. Lily sat quietly on the edge of the sofa, cradling her stuffed white bunny against her chest, her big blue eyes staring intently at the hallway floorboards where the initials E. & C. 2005 were still faintly visible.
Ethan, we're ready, Clara said, her voice tight and controlled, though her hands shook visibly as she slung the bag over her shoulder. We can take the deer trail up the ridge. It avoids the creek entirely.
Ethan grabbed her arm, stopping her dead in her tracks. Clara, look at me. Listen to me very carefully. We didn't move here five years ago. We've lived here for twenty years. We never left.
Clara stared at him, her expression hardening in confusion and frustration. What are you talking about, Ethan? We met in the city in two thousand ten. We bought this place after Lily started school. You're losing your mind.
I found the albums in the closet, Ethan said, his voice dropping to a desperate whisper. I found dozens of them. Every year is the same year, Clara. The flood happened in two thousand six. It washed the foundation away. We didn't survive it. We’ve been living this exact week over and over again, trying to fix the roof before the storm hits, and we always fail.
Clara pulled her arm away, stepping back as if he had struck her. That’s insane. You're talking about a ghost story. You went across that creek and something in that ruin poisoned your head. We are walking out of here right now.
She grabbed Lily’s hand, pulling the little girl toward the front door. Lily stood up slowly, her long light brown hair swaying against her teal knit sweater. She didn't look at Clara; instead, she looked back toward the dark hallway leading to the back bedrooms.
Mommy, we forgot to check the attic, Lily said softly. That’s where we keep the other boxes.
May you like
Clara froze with her hand resting on the brass doorknob. She slowly turned around, staring down at her daughter, as a strange, cold draft swept through the living room from the hallway behind them, blowing the front door wide open on its own.
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