Vivien K. Wilk

With a jerk, Grace straightened. Her heart was racing. Everything around her was dark. Her hands felt for her surroundings, trembling. She didn't know what had awakened her. She didn't know where she was. The beating of her heart pounded in her ears as she tried to get up. The ground beneath her was soft. Was she in bed? No, she felt a backrest next to her. The last memories slowly seeped into her consciousness. She had watched television. She'd probably just fell asleep. Her hand landed on something hard, right next to her. She reached for it and knew after a few seconds that it was her cell phone. She turned on the device's flashlight with relief. Light flooded the darkness. She closed her eyes, blinded. It took a moment before she could see properly again. Her whole body was still electrified. She felt the tingling sensation all over her body. At least her heartbeat was starting to calm down.

Grace rubbed her eyes. She reached for her glass and took a sip. What time was it actually? She activated the screen of her cell phone and checked the clock. Almost four in the morning. She had no idea when she fell asleep, but it had been long enough since even the television went to stand by. Apparently she had been more tired than she thought. And actually still was. Moving upstairs was probably not the worst idea. It had gotten cool, without any blankets. Shivering, she ran over her arms as she got up and headed for the attic stairs.

There was a rumble to be heard. Distant and very quiet, but clear enough. Grace froze in movement. She listened rooted to the silence of the house. Where did it come from? Had she left a window open somewhere? A second, quieter sound made her flinch. She couldn't quite make out what it was. But it had to come from downstairs in the shop. An icy shiver seized her body. Her heart started racing again.

She didn't move for a few minutes. She didn't want to hear any more noise and yet she listened for it. Maybe it was just the house. It was already older. It creaked and cracked once.

But what if it isn't?

The thought brought a cold sweat to her forehead. She could go up and lock the door. But then she would probably not sleep anymore. She had to know that there was nobody in the house. As if in slow motion, her steps began to move in the direction of the hallway. She cursed herself inside. But she would feel just as stupid if she sat here for the rest of the night and saw in the morning that everything was locked down below.

She reached the door to the hallway and from there glanced at the spiral staircase. In the light of the cell phone she could see that nothing was moving there. Grace took a deep breath. She pushed into the hallway and shone down below. From here she could see the counter area and the front door. It was still closed and everything was quiet downstairs. Grace continued on her way. This time the steps felt a little easier for her. As she slowly descended the spiral staircase, she shone into every corner of the shop that she could already see. She was ready to turn around and run upstairs if she saw anything. As she put her foot on the shop floor, she felt dizzy for a moment. But she caught up quickly enough. Her eyes went to the front door. On the spur of the moment, she snuck up there and checked whether the door could be pushed open. The resistance showed her that the door was still locked exactly as it was when she went upstairs that afternoon. The windows were also undamaged. That left only the back door.

Grace had to swallow. Her body was shaking, and not just with fear. It was cold. Almost icy. However, she felt no draft. And actually she was sure that the windows had been closed. It took a lot of effort to get started again. She slowly moved around the corner. Little by little, she was able to see more and more of the café area. At the same moment she winced. Was there any movement? Grace directed the flashlight into the corner where she had seen the movement. Nothing. She only saw furniture. There was also no place where anyone could hide. Without further ado, she took a deep breath and walked resolutely to the back door. She reached for the doorknob. She rattled the door, but it was still locked tight. She let out a deep breath, relieved. Once again she shone the cellphone light around her. She still had no idea what might have caused the noise, but nothing seemed to have changed down here either. Still shivering, she rubbed her hand over her arm. As uncomfortable as it was down here, she didn't want to stay there any longer than she had to. She made her way back upstairs. And even if she hadn't found anything, a strange feeling remained. As if something happened behind her back as soon as she turned around. Almost hastily she climbed the two flights of stairs. She only felt really comfortable when she was in her room and pulled the door shut behind her. Somehow she had the feeling that she would sleep with the lights on again today.

 

The ringing of her cell phone woke Grace from her sleep. She didn't know when exactly she'd fallen asleep again, but she felt worn out. Her head was heavy and a slight pressure in the front area of ​​her head made her slow in her thoughts. It was therefore not surprising that the call was already over when she finally picked up the cell phone. Still off track, she blinked to get a clear view of the display. There she saw not only the one missed call, but also new messages from her family.

I'm not very good at keeping everyone informed.

Grace turned to the call. It was Mr. Steel who tried to contact her. She was almost a little relieved that it was nobody in her family. She pressed the callback button. The phone call wasn't long. Mr. Steel just wanted to know if he should pick her up this morning to go over the will with her. There were also a couple of final things to decide about the funeral. Grace agreed to be ready in an hour to be picked up. If she was being honest, she hadn't wanted to admit to the lawyer that she had slept so late into the morning. It was a quarter past ten when she was in the shower. The memories of last night still haunted her head. It seemed like a distant dream and her feelings suddenly seemed childish to her. What did she think? That someone would break in here? It was certainly not entirely absurd that the house of a deceased was broken into, but it would have been a coincidence that it would happen now.

Just before eleven, she was in the kitchen, nibbling on a bun as she went through her family's news. Since her mother had already sent her the same question twice, she gave a short answer. She suspected that she was already straining her mother's patience. After she finished, she was about to put her shoes on when her cell phone rang again. At first Grace thought it was Mr. Steel who wanted to tell her that he was waiting for her downstairs. But when she looked at the display, she could see her mother's number. Sighing, she surrendered to the situation and took off.

"Hello mum."

"How nice that you are available."

Her mother's voice sounded irritable. Grace pressed her lips together and waited for her to continue.

"I didn't mean to bother you as you probably have a lot to do, but I actually expected you to call."

"Sorry. I haven't really had anything to report yet. I'll meet Mr. Steel in a moment to discuss everything."

"As if I didn't have to tell you something too. Grace, remember to look at Evellyn's finances before you accept the inheritance. I mean, I hope not, but who knows if the place made enough profit at all. Maybe she had to take out a mortgage."

Grace paused for a moment. This information was hidden somewhere in her memories, but she had to admit that she hadn't thought of it now. Inwardly, Grace cursed.

"I know. Don't worry, I was going to ask about it."

For a moment there was silence. Somehow it was a judgmental silence on her mother's side. Whether she knew her guess was correct.

"Good, take care of it then. And get a quote for the funeral so I can settle it."

"I'll do it mom."

"Then I don't want to stop you. Otherwise you will be late for your appointment."

"I'll call you as soon as I know all the details."

"Please just text me them. I'll be in a meeting for the rest of the day."

"Of course I will."

Grace smiled before saying goodbye and hanging up. That would make everything visibly easier. At the same moment the doorbell rang downstairs. Grace winced in surprise before glancing at the clock.

"Damn."

It was already five past eleven. She quickly put on her shoes, threw on her coat, and reached for her bag. As she walked down the spiral staircase, she could already see Mr. Steel standing at the door. He had a mischievous smile on his face and raised his hand in greeting. Grace returned the gesture on the way to the door. There was something about his manner that calmed her. She had often the feeling that the looks of others were always judgmental on her. Since she was here, however, the other people had met her with nothing but understanding.

Probably because of the whole circumstance. It's nice anyway.

Grace reached the door, unlocked it, and stepped out.

"Hello Grace. I hope I haven't rushed you?"

"No, definitely not. I just had a call."

"Ah, I see. Then let's get the uncomfortable over with."