The Whispering Key

lden streaks across the faded floral wallpaper. She'd barely slept. Her mind had been racing

she sat on the edge of the bed. In the daylight, the key looked almost or

ng the voice she'd heard. The words sen

into her bag. "I need coffee," she

fee maker that sputtered more than it brewed. She sipped her lukewarm coffee and stared out the wind

maybe talk to a few locals, and-though she wouldn't admit

re lined with redbrick buildings and shops with hand-painted signs. It was the ki

walked down the main street, she noticed how people paused to glance at

hter," she overheard a wo

them, but the stares

Tomes. The scent of old paper and leather bindin

counter. An older man with wiry gray hair

ing a small smile. "I'

s eyes narrowing slightly as he

inherited my gran

fted, his smile falterin

d. "Did yo

arefully, closing the ledger. "S

you mean

to come closer. "If you're staying in t

er-bound journal. Its cover was scuffed, the edges worn, a

Lila asked, ta

he left it with me years ago. Said some

l, her pulse quickening.

rave. "But Edith wasn't the type to do things

n her hands. The clasp didn't

murmured, tracing her fin

"If anyone can o

the brass key in h

ned and nodded toward the door. "You should

what's in here? Is

, lowering his voice. "And

cutting their conversation short. Lila glanced back at the man, b

diary, she s

ng wheel as questions swirled in her mind. What secrets had her grand

nd pulled the brass key from her bag. Her hands t

click, the l

rst page. Written in her grandmot

t only what you see, a

me again, faint

nd

. She looked around, but the kitch

feel like they were comi

they were comin