Lost

Part Two

I get my bags out of the backseat and carry them up the stairs with me to my bedroom in the second floor. The same small bedroom is the same as always. Pale green walls, hardwood floor, and curtains by both windows. Pressed in a corner is a bed covered in tan sheets and cool gray pillows. I drop my things on the floors and stand in the center of my room.

From here, I can see through both windows. One gives me an amazing view of the river. The other lets me see the cliffs, but if I look up, I see thick masses of trees. My eyes catch something I've never seen before: a stairway. Somehow, there is a line of steps carved into the face of the cliff, leading up. How does one even carve stairs into a cliff, and how did I never notice it before? I shrug to myself. I'll ask Dad about it later.

I finish setting my room up for the weekend, and before I know it, it's time for dinner. I go downstairs, but Dad isn't there. He must still be working, I think. I see the light from his lamp coming from his study, so I go over there after I take dinner out of the oven and set it on the table to cool.

Dad's grading portfolio is closed, so I know he's finished, but he's simply staring at the wall lifelessly. I follow his gaze to a photo.

It's a picture of Mom.

In the picture, some of her blond hair is plaited into tiny braids that surround her head like a circlet, while the rest falls past her shoulders in gentle waves. Her brilliant blue eyes are twinkling at the camera, like they're sharing a secret joke. Her face is glowing. In her arms is a slightly round-faced little girl wearing a birthday tiara. She has the same blue eyes as Mom, but auburn hair like Dad. It's me. It was the last photo of Mom before she died.

I suppose Morgan was partially right. She did look a bit like Mom, but personally, Mom was prettier. Never in my seven years of life did I ever see my mother put on any makeup. Her face glowed like that naturally. Meanwhile, Morgan spends at least an hour every day trying to make her makeup perfect. Morgan's eyes, although blue as well, are nowhere near as bright as Mom's.

I can't stand seeing Dad look so lost anymore, so I rap on the doorframe. He startles, then sighs when it's only me. "Reyna?"

"It's time for dinner, Dad." He looks at his watch.

"Oh, you're right. Sorry Rey, I lost track of time." He then looks back to me, "make some noise when you walk," he jokes. "I didn't even hear you come in. But hey, let's eat now."

We're both about midway through the meal when I remember to ask about the stairway. "Hey, Dad?"

"Hm?" He grunts through a mouthful of food.

"What's that stairway for?" Dad swallows before speaking.

"What stairway?" He replies. "The house one? Rey, you know that leads to your room upstairs." I shake my head.

"No, Dad. The one that's carved into the face of the cliff and goes up." His fork clatters to the plate. His face is pale, and he looks frightened. He takes a deep breath.

"You don't need to know what that stairway leads to, Reyna."

"But, Dad, why is it there?" He shakes his head.

"It's just there. Forget it even exists."

"But why?"

"Because I said so!" He snaps. I flinch back. "Sorry, Rey. I just, hate talking about it..." He stands and carries his plate to the sink. "Really though, forget it's there. It doesn't go anywhere at all." He isn't telling the truth, I can tell.

"Dad, please?" He comes over next to me and brushes a stray hair off of my forehead.

"No Rey. Just... Stay away from those stairs. Don't go up them. Especially after sunset." This piques my interest, but I know better than to ask again. "Well, I'm going to catch up on the sleep I missed this week," Dad says drowsily, kissing the top of my head gently. "Don't stay up too late, kiddo." I nod.

"I won't Dad." Really though, I know what I'm doing tonight.

Once Dad's light goes out, I get off my bed. It's sunset, but it's still plenty bright out. I'm still wearing the jeans I had on earlier, but I've changed my tee to be a tank top and a cardigan. I flip the light off and make my way silently down the stairs.