Unaccounted For!

By T.K. Rittenhouse

A mother's broken heart, an abandoned child and a secret that only the supernatural can tell! Siblings, Kansas and Kelly are pulled into a mystery between two worlds. Danger, deceit, sorrow and an occasional surprise awaits them as they untangle a hundred-year-old puzzle.

• Language: English
• Publisher: T.K. Rittenhouse
• Release date: Mar 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463454282

Book preview

Unaccounted For!

By T.K. Rittenhouse

Copyright 2017

Do you love me? asked Kelly.

What? Why are you asking such a ridiculous question? inquired Kansas.

Do you love my curly red hair and my hazel eyes, not to mention my perfect model body? Kelly asked.

Kansas began to laugh. You’re missing some marbles, goofy! So, what do you need, little sister?

Kelly began to laugh. I need those big muscles of yours to help unload my new treasure. Can you meet me at my house in half an hour?

Couldn’t you just have said that first! I thought something was wrong! By the way, I’m not sure I’d agree with the perfect model body! But yeah, I’ll be there, but next time just ask and don’t mess with my head. Do you know how crazy that makes me? asked Kansas.

Kansas stood leaning against his bright red pickup. His arms were folded across his chest. His muscles bulged from beneath the rim of his tee-shirt sleeve. His dark black hair glistened in the sunlight, almost as much as his baby blue eyes. Kelly pulled in next to his truck and climbed out. Kansas walked over to peek into the back of her truck.

Nice find sis, you did well. That’s actually real wood! That is some nice woodwork on the front panels. Let’s see if there is a manufacturer’s label on the back. Kansas rotated the dresser so he could see the back. A faded label was all that was left and only a few letters were readable.

Who cares who made it? It’s mine now! How about we get it inside, Kelly said as she bounced up and down.

It looked out of place, surrounded by the yard sale specials. It stood out like royalty. Rushing to the bathroom, Kelly grabbed a damp cloth and began removing the dust.

Thanks for coming over and helping me.

Who did you sucker into selling this so cheap? Kansas asked.

Charlie Morton had this stashed in an old decrepit house.

It looks like you have everything situated. So, I’m going to head home sis.

Kelly hugged her brother goodbye and walked him to the door.

The dresser had a musty smell. Gathering a bucket of bleach water, Kelly began washing the inside of the drawers. Instead of removing the smell, the odor grew worse, as if the wood was soaking up the bleach and mixing it with its own scent. Kelly began to feel woozy; dropping to the floor, she buried her face in her hands. Kelly rolled over onto her side; she was so weak she couldn’t stand. Her eyes began to burn and water, followed by darkness. How much time had passed? She wasn’t sure, but the sun had begun to go down. Slowly she opened her eyes; a puddle of red liquid surrounded the dresser. She began to gasp for air. Forcing herself upright, she crawled to the dresser. She dipped her finger in the substance on the floor. The liquid was sticky and red. Panicked, she wiped it on her jeans and crawled outside. Stumbling down the steps, she sat down on the bottom step. Once she had stopped hyperventilating, she took a deep breath and went back inside. Walking back into the room, the floor was spotless. Glancing down at her jeans, there was no sign of blood.

I guess the fumes got to me. I don’t ever want to do that again! she whispered to herself. The day had faded into the night and exhaustion had taken its toll. Sleep was the cure-all for weary minds. Kelly cuddled up on the bed and passed out.

The morning sun streamed straight into Kelly’s eyes. Peeling one eye open, she looked across the room at the dresser. I wish Charlie hadn’t mentioned anything about this dresser being haunted. Now my mind is playing tricks on me. Really, why would a spirit want to haunt a dresser? I could understand a whole house, but a single dresser? she said to herself.

Her stomach growled, informing her that it needed sustenance. Opening the refrigerator, she glared at the half-empty jug of milk and some eggs. This was to be breakfast. After eating, with a magazine in hand, she walked outside to enjoy the morning. The street was filled with children playing, laughter echoed everywhere. A young boy whizzed past her on his scooter and waved. It was a nice place to live; everyone was friendly. Flipping through the magazine, she shut out the rest of the world.

Please help me! whispered a childish voice in Kelly’s ear.

I am so cold, it’s dark and wet here! said a childish voice.

The voice seemed to come from behind Kelly. Turning, she found no one. Taking a deep breath, she returned to her article. Once more, the childish plea whispered in her ear. Please don’t’ forget me! A chill ran up Kelly’s spine. There was such sorrow and desperation in the child's voice.

Kelly walked towards the children who were playing down the street. Looking on both sides of the street, she saw no one who might have called out for help. Sweat was starting to drip off her forehead. It had to be at least eighty degrees. How could anyone be cold, wet or in the dark? It was mid-morning and dry as a bone. Kelly felt the hair on her arms crawling, or so it seemed. Perhaps, there was more to the stories of the dresser being haunted than she wanted to believe.

Running back into the house, she went straight to the dresser and began removing the drawers. There were no identifying marks on any of the drawers. Laying the dresser over on its side, she began to search the bottom. Something shining in a small crevice caught her eye. Grabbing a screwdriver, Kelly began to pry the crack wider. The object came free and rolled from beneath the dresser. It was a pendant; a small imprint was on it. It appeared to be a cat, but it had long been faded. Turning it over, there was another imprint. It read C.R., pocketing the pendant, she climbed into her truck and headed back to talk to Charlie.

Kelly pulled into Charlie’s driveway; a young lady was working in the flower beds. She strolled toward Kelly, ever so slowly, swaying her hefty self. Her hips looked as if they were racing to see who could get