Part Seven, One Tough Cookie: Unsolved Mystery

Thrashing about in her bed, had anyone been looking they would have easily figured out that Miss Anjoline Fickles was having nightmares....

Earlier that night Anjoline had been spying on Agent M. and Deputy H. She surprised them both when she quietly appeared in the Sherriff’s office where they both sat and conversed the Fickles’ murders. By the end of the encounter she was the one left shocked and surprised, it couldn’t possibly be any other way after seeing the pictures of her parents’ bodies tattooed by burns.

Both her parents had been murdered first. But, as determined from the coroner Mr. Malin, some two hours after the killings had taken place other beings had entered the crime scene and left very peculiar and hideous markings to the backs of both Mr. & Mrs. Fickles.

The tunnels underground at the Fickles’ mansion, the murders of both her parents, all money, including Anjoline’s inheritance and property rights vanishing, the more than bizarre markings on the dead bodies of both Mr. & Mrs. Fickles’s, and the fact that Anjoline remained alive after being drugged and left for dead two hours out of town combined and accumulated into one big mystery. Unsolved mystery!

In the waves of disturbed sleep, Anjoline’s memories haunted her. She dreamt of being a little girl again and how she came one day to discover the secret tunnels that weren’t meant for her to ever find. Both her parents had decided they would never share that dark side with their daughter. They had agreed that with them the killings and tortures would end.

On the day she fell in and tumbled, rolling down into the deep dark hallway of a tunnel, Anjoline had been wearing the new white dress her mother had retreived from her trunks kept in the attic. It had been a warm sunny day when Mrs. Fickles remembered the trunk of clothes from her childhood, something she had always intended to give her own daughter one day. As Mrs. Fickles finished instructing the cook and kitchen staff about all preparations for the pig roast that was to be held that evening, Anjoline came bouncing and skipping into the pantry exclaiming that she had nothing nice to wear for the festivity.

The large, open-concept kitchen with many servants and staff was any chef’s dream world. Rows and rows of shelves containing all the very finest stainless steel utensils, pots & pans, knives, and super thick and polished hardwood chopping blocks, as well, as the numerous counter tops, and best of the best appliances of that time era was in fact known as the most sought after and best kitchen across the continent. All those seeking employment wanted a job at the Fickles’ mansion. The rumours of ghosts and it being haunted never prevented people from crying to get on with the Fickles.

Mrs. Fickles finished her instructions and clapped her hands in excitement as her daughter approached.

“Oh my Anjoline! You sure are chipper this fine morning, and I have just the thing in mind for such a lovely cheerful girl,” said Mrs. Fickles, “ come along now! I sure have a wonderful surprise for you my dear, dear, sweet child.”

Taking Anjoline by the hand her mother excitedly skipped along with her.

“Mother? What do you mean? What is it? Please, please tell me Mommy dearest, what surprise do you have for me, I cannot bear waiting, do tell me, please?” replied a very cute Little Miss Fickles as they both mother and daughter walked hand and hand up the flight of stairs leading to the attic.

After the pleasant time spent together going through Mrs. Fickles’ souvenirs from her childhood and the exchange of one generation being carried over to the next by giving her daughter Anjoline her proud possessions both mother and daughter parted ways. Mrs. Fickles went to tend to the details of the festivity. And it was determined that Anjoline would surprise her mother by only revealing how the dress fit when all the guests arrived. As soon as her mother left the room she tried on the lovely white gown. It fit her perfectly she decided as she swirled and twirled around in front of the old and tarnished mirror up there in that attic.

Happily, Little Miss Fickles skipped down the stairs still wearing the white dress. Half way down the stairs she heard a strange sound which was odd enough for her to halt and stand at attention in her tracks. The noise at first sounded like a growl and from its tone—very low and deep Anjoline was afraid. She was still and quiet when the sound came again, but this time she was able to distinguish it. A deep monotone voice with no person evident said, “ Miss Fickle in your new but old dress, keep walking until you get outside there is something you must see.”

A little afraid Anjoline looked around and replied asking, “Who are you? Where are you?”

“All in due time, all in due time girl, go on now, get outside Anjoline,” said the voice.

“Not until I see you,” said Anjoline.

This doesn’t feel right,thought Anjoline.

“Don’t worry deary, it is safe. You are safe, but you must follow my instructions you will not be disappointed,” lured the voice of unknown origin.

Crossing her arms Anjoline spoke in a stubborn manner, “I’m not moving until you tell me your name and what it is you want me to see. Not moving until you do!”

“Have it your way then, but if you are as smart as you look, you will listen carefully to my words,” said the low monotone voice, “when you do decide to go outside, make sure to walk towards the old oak tree just beyond the gazebo. Take a left when you reach the tree and after counting fifty steps stop and you will be given further instructions.”

“Why? Why do you want me to do this?” asked Anjoline.

“Hello? Where did you go?” she asked when the voice no longer answered her.

I must be imagining things. Perhaps, I need to eat or something. No, no, cannot do that, I don’t want mommy to see me in this dress until later when everyone arrives, thought Anjoline.

Descending the stairs, Anjoline hadn’t reached the last step when the front door flew open and a gust of wind blew her long blondish hair out of its perfect placement on her shoulders. When reaching the landing she expected someone to enter the house but, there was no one there. She ran to the open door and looked outside, but still she did not see anyone. That’s weird, she thought.

Sighing as in giving up instead of closing the door she walked outside and headed towards the old oak tree......

To Be Continued......©2011 Maggie May