Chapter 6: The Portrait

Chapter 6- The Portrait

“Did you see that?” Fenella cried.

“See what?” Zea asked.

“I think someone’s following us.” Fen whispered.

“That’s ridiculous. Were alone this building.” Zea said.

Zea turned around. She sensed something was wrong. Something’s definitely not right. Yet, she couldn’t put her finger on it. She heaved a sigh. “Let’s continue. Darcie and the others may have reached the top floor by now.”

Cold wind blew upon an opened window. The hairs at the back of their necks tingled. It felt as if someone was watching their every move. Someone who can’t be seen by their naked eyes.

Zea turned into an intersection and climbed the winding stairs. At the foot of it, there was a wall and a big wooden door. On the wall rests a portrait. Although dim, she can clearly make out the hand-painted picture in the canvass. It was a girl with ebony black hair that cascaded down her shoulders. She had a creamy complexion and hazel brown eyes that seemed to sparkle. Her thin red lips curled into a tiny smile.

“She’s pretty.” Fenella observed. “She must be Kameko right?”

“This picture gives me the creeps.” Zea commented.

Fenella edged closer. “She looks a bit like you, Keely, don’t you think? Same eyes and almost the same hair.”

“C’mon guys! Let’s go inside.” Zea headed towards the door. She opened it and a blood curdling scream escaped from her mouth.

“What--?” They rushed to their friend and their eyes went wide to what they saw. A girl was hanging on the ceiling, her head tilted in an awful angle. Traces of bright red blood were found in her white dress and in her face too. Her mouth was opened in an anguished cry. Her body swung back and forth. It made a sound. Creak. Creak. Creak.

“Aahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!”

Then they heard boom of laughter. They saw Scarlet coming out of a cabinet. Cleo went out of her hiding place too.

“You should’ve seen your faces!”

“You looked really afraid!”

“Boo!” Darcie showed on their back. “Surprise!” Then she chuckled.

“Y-you scared us!” Fenella managed to speak.

Zea was catching her breath. Her heart was beating fast. “That wasn’t funny. At all.”

“C’mon, it’s just a doll on a long dress. Can’t you guys take a laugh?” Scarlet giggled.

“It’s not funny when you’re on our part.” Fenella spoke. “And you shouldn’t have touched the things that are not yours.”

“We’re sorry okay.” Cleo apologized. “We didn’t mean it.”

Zea inspected the creature that seemed to be alive a few seconds ago. “ It really looked so real.”