Reality - Ch. 3

Nah, they'll easily let us in.  Front door is open.

Well, it usually is.

Let's let's have a look.

You see?  There - completely open.  Thank God.  Yeah, well I know you heard that.  There's no point in whispering around you is there?

Okay so stepping in - you see this wonderful corridor - okay that's a bit weird.  They've redecorated since last time I was here.

Mind you it's probably not surprising - there was plenty of blood everywhere. 

I suppose in some ways that's probably a bit off putting for people coming into the house.  You know - seeing blood everywhere.  A bit squeamish don't you think though?  Well probably not if you like making black puddings or something.

Anyway I'm getting off the track here.

Let's move on into the lounge.  Hmm?  Yeah I suppose it is a bit strange there isn't anyone around.  Maybe they're at work or something.

Now - you go and have a sit on the... armchair over there.  I'll sit on the sofa - unless you'd rather sit on the sofa?  No?  Well that that chair looks quite comfy doesn't it?

Okay so this is probably where they were last.  You're asking why?  Well, one of them was actually on the phone when they stopped speaking and something happened.

I think they said there was some kind scuffle or exclamation or something like that.  Yeah it was an interview with one of the relatives of the disappearing couple.  Their names?  Oh God trying to remember their names.  Oh I remember.  Joe and Lila.  I think it was Lila.  Yeah it was her because-

Well that's another story in itself isn't it?  When they were in America it think it was.  Yeah they were hiding from someone I suppose. 

Hmm?  No I think that was their false names.  I don't know what they were actually called.  I think that somebody had paid them or something like that.  I know it a bit weird to be paid to change your name.

Now I don't know if it's possible they might have left some kind of clue around here.  Yeah I know that sounds a bit like Agatha Christie or whatever. 

You know what?  I do remember them telling me something about that fireplace over there.  What was Joe trying to tell me?  You stay in the chair.  I'm going to have a closer look at that fireplace.

Now this fireplace doesn't get used.  I'm surprised it's still here.  I mean it's not been bricked up whatever.  Let's face it, it's not a major 50s or 60s fireplace. 

Oh, I'm trying to remember what he said.  Oh now I remember.  How can I forget when he told me such a weird sentence.

"The fireplace is a neck but the chain is under the skin."

The fireplace is a neck.  Bit of a square neck wouldn't you say? Under the skin?  Did he mean under the edge of the fireplace surround? 

I'll run my hands around the bottom part of the surround.

Hang on - I can feel something weird here.  If I can just - there's a small part of the surround that actually is giving way.  Thank God the fire isn't on.  It's come away and I can feel something underneath.

If feels like a chain or something.

There.  Can you see that?  An necklace with a strange pendant on it.

We'd better go before whoever is living here gets back.

Come on - follow me out.

Closing the front door behind me and onto the pavement.

Lets walk - casually - don't rush.

You know something that just occurred to me.  If the house is now owned by somebody else how come I was easily able to get in?

I could write a conspiracy theory book about all the things I've seen over the years.  Anyway we're safe now.  Let's go onto the main road and walk away. 

We'll have a look at that necklace in a bit.