Mystery of the Fincher Mansion (Part I)

Little Jimmy Fincher found himself at the foot of the those stairs again. Every summer, his parents left for an extended vacation in Boca Raton, leaving poor Jimmy to crash at his grandfather's Gothic, dusty old mansion on the outskirts of Boone, North Carolina. Now for most kids, this would be a dream. Hundreds of rooms to explore, and a kitchen and wait staff handy at the drop of a hat. But most kids didn't know the truth about that mansion. The truth that haunts Jimmy every time he shuts his eyes, like it was painted on the back of his eyelids.

Just four steps to the door, and then there's no turning back.

Jimmy picked up his hefty duffel bag and shuffled up the stairs. This year, young Fincher was going to fight back. Face your fears head on. That's what the psychologist on the TV said. That's the only way to conquer them. And that's just what Jimmy was going to do. Just as soon as he got comfortable and spent some quality time with Grandpa Claude. Yikes. Just the mere mention of his name made Jimmy uncomfortable. It wasn't that Claude was evil or mean or even crotchety - he was just...unnerving. He always spoke in a whisper and never looked anyone in the eye, like he was ashamed of something. Jimmy never thought that Claude had any clue what really happened in his old house.. Actually, the thought never occurred to him. But maybe that's the secret that Claude kept. The thing that he wouldn't dare expose - the thing that those weathered grey eyes might give away.

Jimmy opened the great oak door. He was immediately greeted by that old, familiar musk. It's funny how you can smell something, and it will take you right back to the moment you last took in that scent. For Jimmy, it wasn't pleasant.

"Claude?", Jimmy yelled into the foyer. "Grandpa?"

Jimmy's voice echoed into the great hall. This place was like a museum, with great wooden structures and vast open spaces. Jimmy didn't know how old the mansion was exactly, but he did know that it carried with it a lot of history. It was exactly as he had left it.

"Jimmy, my boy, is that you?" Claude limped into the foyer, putting most of his weight onto his magnificent mahogany cane. He called her Jessie - god knows why. "I thought I heard you, you little scamp!" Claude leaned down and tussled Jimmy's golden brown hair. "Come on, let's get your stuff into the kid's room".

Jimmy hated that he still had to stay in the kid's room. He was 12 now, and a room wallpapered with cartoon dinosaurs was no longer appropriate. It was also a little creepy, sleeping with a Tyrannosaurus right over your head - not that Jimmy was scared, Jimmy's not scared of stupid kid stuff like that.

Claude was surprisingly spry and energetic for an 87-year-old. But even so, he was still an old man, and dinner was always at the unbearable hour of 4:30pm. Tonight (if you can call it that), Jimmy would order his favorite - grilled cheese and banana sandwich. But fate had a different plan. Tonight, Jimmy wouldn't make it to dinner at all.

Jimmy dropped his bag in the kids room. He took in the familiar scent - the bookcase, the dresser, the outdated and dusty TV. Did Claude ever have cable? Jimmy couldn't remember the last time he watched television in the mansion. With no A/C, the estate could get pretty stuffy. Jimmy walked over to the window to let in some air. Three valiant pushes later and the window was open. The young boy was greeted by a powerful breeze, strong enough to knock the rail thin boy right on his butt. SLAM! The bedroom door closed behind him. Circulation was the key; if the door was closed, the open window would do little good. Jimmy pulled the knob. No luck. Harder this time. Still no luck.

Suddenly, Jimmy's stomach dropped. He was locked in. Bad things were going to happen.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "It's probably just stuck. I mean, this IS an old house". I don't blame you for thinking such a thing. But you also don't know what I know....and what Jimmy knows.

The room went dark. A rush of wind chilled the room. Jimmy felt very alone. He looked to the closet. Where would it come from? Maybe Would one of the dresser drawers bring him forth? Jimmy prayed it was a false alarm.

But then, from underneath the bed, he saw it slither out....


TO BE CONTINUED.