We were supposed to meet at her house for one o'clock for my Reiki session. Looking at my watch I knew it was a little earlier then planned but figured since I'd done all the running around I needed to do I would go anyway. What is a half an hour early anyway I thought, Faith won't mind, she never has before. I am one of those people who is perpetually early or bang on time, usually on the early side and people have pretty much come to expect it.
I walked up the steps and knocked on the door and waited, trying to be patient but it was cold outside and I am not one who enjoys the cold at all. Wiggling from one foot to another in an attempt to keep warm, the snow swirling around me on the exposed front porch, I peaked in a window to see if anyone was coming to the door...nothing.
Knowing the doorbell didn't work and figuring Faith was in the rear of the house, probably doing laundry and didn't hear the knock, I opened the door and let myself in. This was not unusual either; we had both done it at each others homes many times over the years.
Calling out the usual hello, hearing my voice echo back at me, I expected a reply but got a simple silence, not even the dogs came to greet me which actually made me uneasy. Where on earth could everyone be, she was expecting me soon anyway and the dogs were always running around yipping about whenever anyone came in the house.
Calling again and receiving the same non-reply I began to grow worried, just a little really but still concerned. I was thinking maybe she had just taken the dogs for a walk and would be back anytime now or perhaps they were out in the yard and that would explain why she had not heard the door. I made my way through the kitchen and looked out the side sliding door, where the deck and part of the side yard and driveway were visible.
Seeing nothing I continued my journey through the house, down the four stairs to the lower level and to the back sliding door. This one had a view of the entire back yard, covered with a light dusting of snow, but not even a faded footprint from one of the dogs. This was getting really weird now.
I really shouldn't have been wandering about I guess, but I had been here many times and it felt more like my own house then a friends. Starting back to the stairs, with the intention of just going to plop myself on the couch and wait for her return, I heard a "bump" that sounded like it had come from the back bedroom. Knowing that room belonged to her son, the border had moved out last year, I went down the all and knocked on the door. He should be in school right now and if he was bagging he was going to catch hell for it.
"Mitch?" I called through the door. No answer, no more bumps, nothing. Opening the door I looked in and called his name again, saw only his unmade bed and a few clothes on the floor as is typical of a teenager. Maybe the cat was locked in his room or something and had made the noise.
Leaving the door open for the skittish Whiskey, I went back to the stairs. "Bump, ooof!" There it was again, in the laundry room. Ok, so my initial thought was right, she was down doing laundry.
Opening the door and walking into the room her name died on my lips as the dogs came rushing over to me and began to jump at me in their happiness to see me. Ok I was now wondering what the hell was going on. Why were the dogs locked up in the laundry room?
Pushing Cody down before he did the same to me I walked away telling them to stay but leaving the door open. Cobalt gave me his sad eyed stare almost as if to say "but you just got here!"