Rivalry and roses

here ar

the soft creak of old floorboards, as if the

ny things-quiet wasn't one of them. Thi

y, one hand pressed to her hip, the other massaging her

you're stuck in a cu

the faint hum of t

cked the living room, the kitchen, even pee

quite angry-but laced with

't make me call your

ice floated down fr

pstair

ic. Of

y up with the heavy determination of some

ly hanging on. What if you fall? What if-" She stopped herself. "Y

gged on the wooden floor, half-swallowed by shadows,

unusually quiet, almost reverent. "Did y

ebrow, but something about the way Mina cl

e a daughter who didn't sneak in

ut there was something else too-like her mind was

he sound

scold, but her voice softened as she

did you fin

gers lingered on a particular envelope, one she quietly

the stairs. "Well, since you love the attic so m

scrambled afte

find the dust, yo

in betrayed her. As they descended, h

ing strange up there-something that d

rtled. "Why would

le too quickly. "Oh, you know. Old house

ady latched onto the idea lik

barbs about chocolate bribes and curry scents, but

s, letting the cool breeze brush her face,

tretching out like she'd

what?" came a

t jumped in

approached, hands stuffed in his pockets,

ed, settling beside her. "Caught sn

om's form of medi

"You mean you go

exploring! The attic pr

actically called the p

her mother's worry had sounded in those

ed just a little, h

er you. I mean, she notices when you're gone. M

he way he said it-like maybe he'

time. "Hey, I like your company. Even if yo

is frie

it's

ing the sky darken, his smi

xt time you hear the attic calli

ll find somethi

ind all the wei

a asked, watchin

nt. "Like... things that

ine, but Jeremiah's lazy grin

onna uncover ancient attic secre

the question st

today? And why did part of her fee