Flutter

Flutter: Vingt - Deux (1/2)

Mary began punching in the numbers.

"I don't see how a door is going to keep out a full fledged wolf."

"A door reinforced with one of the strongest metal  and set to electrocute anyone who tries to break in without using a password will certainly cause some damage."

"Sheesh."

"Quinton does not like people messing with his things."

"That I know." Nora said, shaking her head. 

The door was deactivated and unlocked. Mary pushed it open, with no shock to be had. Before them was a staircase and Mary began to ascend.

"I don't get it. What's with all the protection?"

"Haven't you ever had something dear to you that you wanted to take care of, even if it wouldn't mean that much to anyone else?" Mary said, looking at Nora over her shoulder as they reached the landing.

Nora did not answer, and Mary could see that she understood

"So, here we are."

The floor had the same lay out as that beneath them. Doors lined the hallways, but at the end of the corridor was a large open space, that was meant to be a sitting room of sorts. There was a a french door that opened up to a small balcony. Nora understood why it was referred to as "the attic." Boxes upon boxes were stacked upon one another, from one end of the floor to the other. Among the boxes, were cloth covered furniture and various objects - from coat hangers, to a rocking horse.

"Oh, wow." Nora said as she looked about.

"Yes. This isn't the half of it, either."

"Where do all these things come from?"

"Generations of Reeves have lived in Gillans, and so, during their time here they left behind pieces of themselves, whether it's a riding crop, or a bassinet."

"I can see that. So where do I start?"

Mary reached into the pouch of the apron.

"Here's a notepad. I've placed various colored stickers on some of the items. Dust them. And write the sticker color and what the item is. If you aren't sure what it is, just ask me and I will give it your name."

"Why do you do this?"

"To ensure that all the items in are possession still remain so."

"Oh. I see."

"Yes. And it helps to dust them periodically, so when the time comes that we need something, we don't have to blow off layers and layers of filth."

"Makes sense."

"So start off in this half of the hall. For items already in boxes, you need only write the designation on the box. For example: clothing, or miscellaneous. Just catalog how many boxes of each kind you come across."

"Alrighty."

So, they began. They both put on their masks. Mary started near the balcony, rummaging through boxes, inspecting silverware and china. Nora found a box labeled, "toys" on it, and wrote that down. She did the same for all the other storage bins and boxes that surrounded her. It was simple busy work, but Nora was happy to have it. She was enamored with all the thingamabobs that covered the floors. There were old tricycles and mounds of hats circled with ribbon. Nora knew that today would not give her enough time to explore.

Nora and Mary worked diligently for about an hour or so, but eventually Nora began to idle, too captivated by the numerous gadgets, gizmos, who-its and whats-its galore.