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“This house is insane.” Janet looks at me, running her hand over the edge of the tub.
“The bedrooms are even better. I hate that one,” I nod to the door off the bathroom.
“Is there another door?” She reaches for the antique knob.
“Nope, you have to go through the bathroom, but be warned it’s…” I don’t get to finish the sentence. Janet opens the door, shrieks, and slams it closed, taking a step back and covering her mouth with her hand. Her hazel eyes are wide, and her face is pale. “I tried to warn you. It’s a little disturbing.”
“What the actual fuck?!” Janet’s voice is high, shrill.
“Uh huh. I had nightmares when I found it and haven’t gone back in. And I was here alone, so be glad I’m here to help you through this difficult time.” I give her a look and she uncovers her mouth, taking a slow breath through her nose and out through pursed lips.
“How are you sleeping in this house. That is a thing of nightmares. I’m going to scare the shit out of Collins. Can I please have him come over?” Her phone is already out and sending a text. I laugh. “We have to go back in, don’t we?” Janet looks from me to the closed door. I nod. “Shit. Okay.” Janet puts her phone back in her coat pocket. I offer my hand and she takes it, threading our fingers this time. I reach for the knob, turning it slowly and taking a deep breath before pushing it in. We’re greeted with hundreds of eyes, maybe thousands. Apparently, Aunt Matilda had an affinity for dolls. So. Many. Dolls.
“I… there aren’t words,” I stammer, looking around at all the blank faces with painted eyes. I’d never studied them before, but with Janet next to me, holding my hand, I can really look. My gaze jumps from one doll to the next, not staying long and counting the creepy pairs of eyes staring, watching. I hit a hundred and stop counting, reaching for the light switch. A dull yellow glow makes them even scarier, especially when paired with the pink and white striped wallpaper and pink floral bed. Shelves are built into the walls to accommodate more than just what covers the bed and dresser. Janet reaches to open a drawer and makes a strangled sound.
“Are there more?” I imagine opening a drawer to see the lifeless eyes staring back up at me and cringe.
“Nope. But they all have more outfits, in case they have company, I guess.” She shudders. “Did your aunt seem like the type for this?”
“Not really.” My grip on her hand loosens as I spin to see more of the room. There are just so many. All dusty, but perfectly coiffed, styled, and arranged. “Maybe this needs to be dealt with more than the heat,” I mumble, and Janet snorts a laugh. “Okay, let’s go. I may lock this from the outside.” I tug her toward the door, but she stays still, eyes moving over the dolls. “Janet.” I whine her name and she hurries after me, turning off the light and closing the door behind her.
“Please tell me you want to sell those?” She shudders again. “So many eyes.”
“I am definitely selling those. I’d say donate to children, but that seems like a cruel thing to do to kids.” I let out a slow breath and turn to Janet. “Upstairs?”
“Are there more rooms like that? A sex dungeon? A real dungeon? Anything else you need to warn me about?” She gives me a stern look, but then smiles.
“No. The rooms are color coordinated, but not in a creepy way, just in a dated way. Come on.” I pull her through the kitchen, up the stairs, and along the balcony to the first room. It’s colder up here, but she never drops my hand to tuck it in her pocket. We go from the red room, to the green, then blue, and so on until we’ve seen all the rooms, bathrooms, library, and the closets.
“It’s incredible. Minus the dolls. Fuck that room.” Janet and I head back down the steps and she opens the front door to lead me outside, her fingers still twined with mine as we crunch over the partially frozen lawn to the back of the house. She finds the breaker panel, lifts the cover, and lets go of my hand to stoop below it. I grab the metal cover so she can focus and hold it until I hear a series of clicks. Janet backs out with a smile on her face, and dusts off her hands. “And Janet said let there be heat.” We trek back around to the front and head upstairs to check it out. Sure enough, the decorative black vents are blowing warm air that smells like singed hair. I sigh in relief.
“I’ve been sleeping in the cold all this time when all I had to do was flip a switch?” I adjust my beanie and roll my eyes.
“I have all day if there’s anything else you want to tackle.” Her voice dips low and she steps close to me.
“I could definitely get some cleaning done. If you want to help, I won’t say no.” The chill in the air starts to dissipate as the warm breeze from the vents blows over us. Janet’s eyes are locked on mine and her tongue darts out to wet her lip. I can think of a lot of things to tackle with her help, and this time I’m definitely not misreading signs. I take a step closer; her fingers find mine.
“I’d love to help. Where do you want to start?” This time she moves in closer. I don’t answer. It’s pretty clear exactly where I want to start. My fingers glide across her palm and I move in even closer, trailing my hand up her jacket to her shoulder. She puts a hand on my waist and our bodies are touching. I can feel her breath, smell her shampoo, and fuck waiting for her to make a move, I lean in. My lips brush hers softly just as the doorbell rings. The chime is loud enough to wake the dead and I stumble back, almost taking Janet with me. She grabs my hip, steadying us both.
“You text Wyatt to come over?” My voice comes out thick and I clear my throat.
“Yeah. Worst decision ever.” Janet laughs, eyes moving over my face. “To be continued?”
I smirk and nod, watching her jog through the house to meet Wyatt.
CHAPTER5
JANET
Clearly,I’m a fucking idiot.
Why the hell did I think Collins needed to come over when I’m here alone with her?
Obviously, I didn’t know I’d have her curves and lips pressed to mine less than an hour after that text, but it was still the dumbest decision I’ve ever made. I could be pulling the purple beanie off her head and running my fingers through her long hair right now, but no, I’m about to take Collins into the doll room. It’s going to be funny as hell to watch him scramble from the room, but I still have better things I could be doing right now.
“Hey. You need my help?” Collins is in jeans, a hoodie, and a hat with a ball on top. I bite my lip and he glares at me, holding up a black and red tool bag.
“Yeah, I’m strong, but the upper body strength is failing me right now. It’s this water heater back here.” Rowen comes around the corner to meet us, breath fogging in the cold, and Collins moves his gaze from me, to her, then to where her hand lands on my hip. I can feel the heat from her touch through my jeans and regret inviting him over even more.
