Chapter 6
Saturday morning arrived under a blanket of heavy grey clouds that threatened rain before noon. The atmosphere inside the house was strained and silent, marked by the methodical sound of zippers closing and suitcases being packed in the master bedroom. David had reluctantly agreed to the trip, not out of belief in Allison's warnings, but out of a desperate desire to prove to Claire once and for all that her sister was unstable and that the fears gripping her mind were entirely unfounded. Claire moved through the rooms with a focused, mechanized efficiency, packing extra clothes for Lily, snacks, and the small wooden box containing the brass key and the parchment note. She wrapped the doll with the purple bow herself, placing it carefully in the center of Lily's small backpack, ensuring it would remain safe and close to the child throughout the journey. When Lily asked where they were going, Claire knelt down, smoothed her daughter's blonde curls, and explained that they were going on a surprise road trip to visit Aunt Allison in her cozy house by the sea. Lily’s face lit up with genuine excitement, clapping her hands and asking if they could bake cookies together just like they used to do. David carried the bags out to the SUV, his movements stiff and unyielding, reflecting his ongoing resentment toward the entire endeavor. As Claire buckled Lily into her car seat and watched her immediately reach into her backpack to clutch the doll, a heavy sense of foreboding settled over her. She knew that once they turned the ignition and drove out of the driveway, their quiet, predictable life was officially over, replaced by an uncertain path winding toward secrets best left undisturbed.
