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Novelo Rectangle

The Girl in the photo on her wall blinked. She traced the golden antique frame with the edge of her hand. You would expect her to flinch or show some trace of terror. But the walls in this house whisper secrets, and the floors groan with the burden of things left buried. She stared at the picture with a heavy feeling of familiarity. She knew the girl in the picture. Every piece of the house gave her that same feeling, but somehow, she knew nothing about it at all.Her past is all a mystery to her, from what she knows her life started when she was a teenager, alone and desperate for any piece that could connect her to her childhood. The last thing she remembers is waking up in the hospital, with a face she didn’t recognize as her own. She was released with no family, no name, and no answers. She’s spent the last few years learning to survive in a world she knew nothing about with no clues as to who she once was. That is until on her eighteenth birthday a mysterious and haunting letter appeared outside of her one-bedroom house, if you can even call it that. <ul><li>To the one whose story is left untold, and a name unknown</li></ul>Take this Key and unlock the truth of you. These walls remember what you cannot, the doors will open the vaults of your memory. The truth will unravel in the floors. You may not remember. I have never forgotten. In time you will know who we both are. Go home. You’ll find the way. The knob to the front door was cold and wobbly, the door creaked loudly as she entered. The cold thick air hit her hard, taking away her breath. The room was filled with a stagnant dusty odor with a slight sticky honeysuckle smell. She had this unshakable feeling that her was just beginning. She took a deep breath inhaling the sweet smell of the familiar scent. She got a vague vision of hugging a woman, older heavy set with long brown braided hair. The ends of the braid have tiny embellishments hanging, she’s not able to focus on the memory enough to see what they are. A gust of wind blows through the open windows, chilling the air around her. She squeezed her eyes again trying to regain the memory. But nothing came. The floors were made of weathered ash-toned boards, faded by the years of silence. As she walked across them they wavered to the rhythm of her steps, almost as if they had held her once before. She stepped lightly down the dark hall, suddenly a light flickers on and off causing her to gravitate towards it. A voice in her head screamed to stop, to leave the house, but her heart was singing a different tune.When she reached the end of the hall she noticed light weathered etchings in the wood panel of the wall. Two names were carved out, Mina and Rohan. Reading the names took all the breath out of her lungs, tears stung her eyes, and her bones filled with an urgency shes never felt before. “Mina” She whispered to herself. She didn't know why this hit her so hard but so was sure she heard those names before. She collected herself and continued to explore the house, as she entered the bedroom she noticed a terracotta clay vase with mosaic flowers in white and pink. Touching the vase caused another memory to flood in. The same lady from before was sitting at a table filled with the same vases, she was holding this particular vase in her hand attaching the tiles one by one. She was Singing a song- ohhhh little one, if the night comes and you've lost your way, search in the stars, they will never forget your name. This time her memory was interrupted by a knock on the door. She groaned loudly and asking out loud to herself, who is this woman?” She wanted so badly to just get back to the memory but the rapping at the door wouldn't stop.	She answered the door to a young man, a few years younger then her, standing hesitant like maybe he was thinking of bolting before she opened. “Uhm. Hi. Sorry. I uh. Well I know this is weird, but I heard someone finally moved in here. This was my childhood home and I just wanted to see it one more time.” She couldn't help but notice his shy grin that awkwardly met his dark gray eyes. When he smiled his eyes lit up revealing the hues of green hidden beneath. He had deep brown hair that hung right above his eyes. She realized that she hadn't responded to him yet, “oh I am sorry. What is your name?” The boy looks down with hesitation, and rubs the back of his neck. “um yeah. Its Bo. And yours?” He asks. She starred blankly at him before answering. “Rosa, I guess.” This made Bo chuckle. “You guess? You don't know your name” Rosa has never met this man before but she had this feeling shes known him her whole life, it gave her a feeling of trust she's never felt before. “ It is Rosa, but I just don't feel like a Rosa.” 	His eyes lit up even more, his smile turned from an awkward grin to a full blown, light up the room smile. “ I know exactly what you mean, I don't think I am a Bo at all.” They both let out a sigh or relief and a light giggle. “Alright Bo, sure come on in I guess.”	Rosa opened the door wider and stepped to the side allowing Bo to enter. The door slammed shut and the floors beneath them began to rumble, the walls were shaking and Rosa and Bo collided into each-other. The house fell quiet and the two of them were left holding on to each other. They locked eyes for what felt like an eternity, and Rosa knew they both felt the same tension between them. Rosa broke eye contact first, “ I heard a crash in the bedroom, maybe I should check it out” Bo just nodded quietly still trying to process what happened. 	Rosa headed back to the bedroom and found the mosaic vase shattered on the floor. A sudden urge of sadness flooded her. She bent down, sweeping her fingers over the shards of clay pieces rubbing her thumb around one of the mosaic tiles, closing her eyes taking it all in. She fell into another memory gap. 	This time she could see a little girl about six years old with long black hair flowing in the wind. The young girl was chirping, “ZAZA! Can you smell that??” The older lady was in this picture again, she was smiling a deep hearty smile, taking a sharp inhale of the air around them. “Ah yes my little Mina bird, that's the honeysuckles.” This memory jolted something hard in Rosa. She looked down at her wrist with the black bird tattoo she had gotten right before her birthday. She still doesn't know what drew her to this design, she just felt a sense of identity to it. Rosa gathers the broken pieces to find a small envelope underneath. She's reading the letter inside as Bo walks in to check on her. He finds her in a trance reading it over. <ul><li>Your name will soon be known,</li></ul>Remember little one, the stars never forget.And as they align, and the two worlds collide an unforgettable bond will be designed. Don't deny the stars. 	Rosa looks up at Bo and shows him the letter.“what do you think this means?”Bo re reads the words over again and sings when you've lost your way the stars won't forget your name.“what did you just say”“oh nothing its a song my Nani used to sing to me.”A look of confusion washed over Rosas face.“ Hey Rosa whats wrong”“it's nothing. I just.... I'm going to sound crazy so let me just show you.”Rosa pulls out the first letter from her pocket and shows Bo.“so you think there's some hidden message in this house for you?”“ I don't know. Just forget it, I told you it sounds crazy”	They both sit in silence for a few moments before Bo speaks up. “ I don't think you are crazy. Maybe there was a reason I was led back to this house today. Maybe I can help you unravel everything.”Rosa hung her head down embracing it with her hands letting out a light sob. Bo knelt down beside her pulling her in letting her tears soak the light brown t-shirt he was wearing. Lightly stroking the top of her head. He knew it didn't make sense, but somehow she felt like a part of him. Like the two of them here in this house was destiny. He wanted nothing more to comfort her and show her the love shes been missing.Rosa wiped her face as she looked up at Bo, and she started laughing. “ I am so sorry, you are a stranger and here I am snotting all over your t-shirt. Bo gave a light smile, “it's okay, I'm not that fond of this shirt.” This made Rosa laugh-authentically this time, “well, that's good, cause its hideous” “Hey now! It's not that bad, Bo roared. 	They sat shoulder to shoulder against the wood-paneled wall, sinking against it letting the quiet consume them. The night unfolded hour by hour as they talked about it all. Rosa told bo everything from her past she could remember. Telling him how afraid and confused she was the day she walked out of the hospital on her own. Bo's eyes shimmered with tears as she told him that Rosa was a name she had to give herself-and ever since that day she's been searching for her identity. He was in awe about her strength that she had taken this journey at only sixteen years old. “Some how, everything aligned perfectly for me though. I don't know if it was a higher power or a guardian angel. Don't get me wrong it was scary and really hard, but everything seemed to fall right in place.” Bo listened quietly while she spilled all the contents of her heart, like she's been holding it in for years. “ It's still hard for me to wrap my head around.” she went on. “I was walking from the hospital just looking for a place I could lay my head when I walked upon this old shack, it almost had a glow around it and there was a little old lady sitting in a rocking chair on the porch. She motioned to me and told me she needed someone to take care of the house. Rent free. Her voice trailed off. She glanced up at Bo, her face caught in a strange stillness- half puzzled, half lit by something just out of reach, like a memory slipping into focus."Asked me if I needed a place. I was so confused and overwhelmed. I didn't even think about the fact that I hadn't told her my name. But when she asked, I looked down and saw a rose bush growing near the steps. I told her my name was Rosa. I didn't even get her name. It was so much to process.But I had a place to lay my head. It wasn't great but it was mine. I never saw her again after that day.” Bo wrapped his arms around her shoulder.“You had to be terrified, why did you trust this lady enough to stay in her house like that”“Same reason I let you in when you asked. I just...Knew.” She paused for a moment. “Somehow, through all of this, I've just known.” The conversation died down, they fell asleep right there, Bo's arm still wrapped around Rosa's shoulders. Rosa was shaken awake by sound of the name Mina being chirped through the walls. Some how it was both a whisper and a howl at the same time. Miiiiiiiiiina. Miiiiiiiiiinaaaaaaaaa. She trailed down the hall to find where the noise was coming from, to see the same light from before flickering again. This time the names Mina and Rohan were glowing in the wood. She placed her palm flat against the names and closed her eyes. The glowing aura of the words traveled up her arm and slammed her in the chest.	There was a little boy about a year old, teetering like he was just learning to walk. He had the brightest smile that lit up his eyes. He was making his way to the little girl she saw before. Her arms were wide open welcoming to her and she squealed with excitement. “ Rohan!! You did it!” He made it to her and collapsed into her arms in a fit of giggles. The older lady with the braids appeared and scooped the little boy up. He was all giggles squirming in her arms. “Down ZaZa! Down!” There was a deep ache in Rosas chest. She knew this kid. Or at least she did at one time. When Zaza put Rohan down he ran back to the girl calling her name. “Mina!” Rosas eyes snapped open, she reached back stumbling against the wall behind her. The air around her fell cold, she was struggling to breathe. The commotion woke Bo, he found Rosa slumped against the wall in full panic mode. “Hey hey Rosa, whats going on?” Rosa gave no response, she slowly looked up at him with bewildered eyes hands shaking feverish. Bo grabbed her hands tightly and told her he thought she was having a panic attack.He slowly sat down next to her, not letting go of her hands. He dramatically slowed his breathing, “ Breathe with me. Slow it down” Matching his pace she inhaled sharply and slowly released the air. Bo stayed with her until she was able to bring herself back down, finally she slumped over back into his arms. He held her tight running his hand over her the top of her head. She lifted her head and caught his gaze down at her. She was stuck in a trance in his eyes. Searching for something, but she didn't know what. He pressed his forehead against hers, catering her face in his hands. He leaned in to kiss Rosa, but she pulled away. “Bo? You grew up in this house right? <ul><li>“ Yeah. I lived here with Nani for most of my life, a few years ago we moved suddenly, she never told me why.”</li><li>“Whos Mina and Rohan? The names on the wall.”</li><li>“From what I've been told they were the kids that lived here before”</li><li>“Oh. Have you heard any stories about them or what happened to them”</li><li>“No, but I used to make up stories about them. Sometimes I felt like I actually knew them. Like I felt something from their names on the walls”</li><li>“I know what you mean. I get the same feeling with you”</li><li> </li></ul>	Bo's cheeks flushed with a light pink, and the green his eyes brightened, still holding on to Rosa's hands he pulled her in for a hug. He tried again to lean for the kiss, Rosa hesitated but leaned in too, before their lips met the house started rumbling again. This time knocking a picture off the wall revealing another letter. <ul><li>Your name is nearly known, your face- already seen</li></ul>Open your eyes, listen to what the walls have to say.The stars have aligned, don't misread what's been tethered.The floors will speak the rest of the tale. Rosa quietly whispered “The floors will speak the rest of the tale.” She looked at Bo, who was already on his feet. “The floors will speak the rest of the tale, He said with understanding. He grabbed Rosa's hand and pulled her to her feet. “Follow me, I have something to show you.” Bo lead her into a room in the back of the house. Small and empty. There was a thick layer of dust covering the walls and floors. As they opened the door a thick scent of Honeysuckles assaulted their noses, lightly in the background the same song from before played. They both looked at each-other with confusion. When they stepped into the room the door slammed behind them.“ Ugh. This is pointless, Rosa exclaimed. “There's nothing in this room.”Bo paced around the room thinking of their next move when his foot caught on one of the floor panelings.“Rosa...The floors... “<ul><li>What? Bo. I don't have time..</li><li>Bo interrupts her. “No Rosa look, the floors.. They will speak the rest of the tale.”</li></ul>	Rosa scrambles over and lifts the paneling, The same glow that was etched into the names on the wall streamed from the hole in the floor. They both paused with a mix of fear and excitement.Bo reached down pulling out a box that was in the floor handing it to her.“Bo, have you ever seen this before?”-No, Never.”	She opened the box, the Music of the song, and the smell of the flowers both got louder. There was one last letter and a bunch of pictures. She grabbed the first picture out of the pile. It was the boy and the little girl Mina. She looked closely at the baby in the picture. The flash from the camera perfectly brought out the hues of gray laced with green in his eyes.“Bo...”“Yeah, what is it.”Rosa was staring sharply at Bo, like she was seeing into his soul. She dropped the picture shaking her head.“Um. Never mind lets keep looking.”	Rosa picked up another picture, this one was of both children and the older lady. Her long braids traveled down her shoulders, at the ends were honeysuckles tied to them. The baby was in her arms and the girl was under her arm. They had the biggest smiles plastered on their faces. They were in a field, flowers all around them. Rosa showed Bo, “ Do you know this woman?”Grabbing the picture, his face fell with confusion. “Yes. That's Zaza”-Zaza? Who are the kids?”-Yeah. Zaza. My Nani. I don't know the kids though. She reached for the picture, causing their hands to collide. The whole room spun causing their memories to crash together. It was that day in the picture. They had gone out to the fields to pick wild flowers for their mom. Zaza was their nanny. She would take them out to this field often and let them pick fresh flowers for their mom. Rohan, the baby would sit in the middle of the flowers picking the petals of the stem and roar with laughter. Mina would gather the flowers in perfect rhythm, mom had to have the best of them. She would always pick a couple honeysuckles for Zaza to add to her braids.	Rosa Blinked, but this time the memories didn't go away. The music slowly faded, The lingering scent of the honeysuckles dissipated, but the walls weren't the only thing who remembered now.“That was us” She whispered quietly to her brother.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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What Lies Beneath

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What Lies Beneath

Melbajt

Melba Trantham

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What Lies Beneath

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Melba Trantham

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