The Enigma House: The Adventure Begins

By Rebecca Rokey

The Miller family (Henry and Jean, and their children Emma, Michael, and Sophia) arrive home one evening to find their house on fire. After weeks of searching, the family locates a new house, but they soon find out that not everything is what it seems: strange lights appear in Sophias room, voices are heard in Michaels room, a bright orb of light flies around the house at night, and that is just the beginning of the unusual, unexplained phenomena. As Michael and Emma explore deeper into the houses past, they soon find amazing wonders that will affect the entire family, but not everyone shares this view. When Jean discovers what is happening, she begins to worry for her familys safety and feels they need to move out. Henry, Michael, Emma, and Sophia want to stay. As the division grows between the members of the family, the unusual activities in the house come to a halt.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Apr 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781491789186

Rebecca Rokey

Rebecca Rokey was born and raised in Southern California. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and an Associate in Science from Jamestown Community College, NY. She has also spent time abroad backpacking through Europe and getting to see the world on its terms. Rebecca has always loved reading and writing about adventures, mystery, and science fiction, particularly when it involves the latest scientific discoveries. She also has a fascination with old houses and loves touring them. It was during her favorite month, October, while cleaning an old Victorian house, that she had the inspiration to write “The Enigma House”. Rebecca lives in Pennsylvania with her cat, Opie.

Book preview

Chapter 1

I t was a typical late August Friday morning. Michael and his sisters Emma and Sophia were getting ready for another day at school, while their father and mother were getting ready for work. However, little did they know this was the day that everything would change for all of them.

Michael was in his bedroom putting his book in his backpack when he heard Emma coming up the stairs.

Are you ready yet? We’re going to be late for school, Emma said. She was sixteen years old and tall for a girl her age.

I would have been ready ten minutes ago, if someone wasn’t in the bathroom for an hour, Michael replied then combed his fingers through his dark brown hair.

Will you just hurry it up? Emma shouted as she turned to head down the stairs.

Michael, will you help me with my coat please? Sophia asked. Her bright blue eyes shone as she smiled.

Okay. Come here, Michael replied. Sophia’s curly blond hair bounced while she toddled into his room. She handed him the coat then turned around and put her hand down one of the coat sleeves. She was a tiny girl.

Michael, what’s taking you so long? Henry called up the stairs.

I’m coming. I was helping Sophia with her coat, Michael replied while he and Sophia came down the stairs. He was the only boy in the family and the middle child.

All right everyone, head for the van, Henry said, while he opened the front door.

Oh, Jean, I’m going to leave work early today. So I will be able to have dinner with you and the kids, Henry said; then he kissed her on the cheek.

So, we will have the honor of eating with Henry Miller? the children’s mother asked with the hint of sarcasm in her voice. Her green eyes lit up while a sly smile spread across her fair complexioned face. Henry smiled and then reached out and lightly touched her strawberry blond hair.

Henry took Jean’s hand and led her out the front door, while the children headed down the driveway. Their father got into his car, while Jean, Emma, Sophia and Michael climbed into the van.

Have fun at school, kids, Henry called from his car. His head, with its brown hair, almost touched the ceiling inside of the car.

Bye, bye Daddy. I love you! Sophia called out the van window staring into her father’s brown eyes.

I love you too! Henry replied.

Mom, can I go to the craft store after school? Emma asked, while she opened the van door.

What do you need from the craft store? Jean sighed.

More art supplies, you know a new pad of paper and pencils, Emma replied, while she tucked her brown hair behind her ears in an attempt to keep it out of her emerald eyes.

Don’t you have enough art supplies? Jean slid into the driver seat of the van.

No, it just looks like I got a lot of art supplies. My room is too small, Emma said. Hey, I have an idea, why don’t you and Dad give me a new art room?

Where will this new art room come from? Jean asked as she started the van.

Simple, we could move Michael to a tent out in the backyard, and then I move all art work into it, Emma said. She was the artist in the family, and the believer in anything out of the ordinary.

Why don’t you go live in a tent in the backyard and I can use your room as my new library? Michael snapped.

I want to live in a tent! Sophia cried from her seat.

No one is going to live in a tent, Jean said with a hint of agitation in her voice.

Their mother soon drove the van up to the school. All three children climbed out of the van, walked over to the sidewalk then they turned, and waved goodbye to her.

Bye Mommy, have a good day at work, Sophia said as she waved.

Bye Sophia, have a good day at school, Jean put the van in gear and drove off to work.

Michael’s day at school went pretty well. He passed a test in math class. In history class (which he didn’t like) they watched a movie, and his teacher in science class talked a little about magnetism. Michael and his friends Bobby and Joe always had lunch together at their table. They talked about various things.

How cool would it be to work in a real lab? Michael said as he pulled his sandwich from his lunch bag.

I want to work in a bio-lab, Bobby said then he took a big bit out of his apple. Bobby was well known for his red hair, and to have a smart mouth with a brain to match.

I would like to work in a morgue, like they do on TV, Joe said as he opened his milk carton. Now that would be cool.

I don’t know if I’d like that, Michael replied, with a little disgust in his voice. He never really liked those shows on TV. They showed too much blood and guts.

So Michael, what kind of work would you do in a lab? Joe asked as he narrowed his brown eyes, which were half covered by his black hair.

I think I would invent a time machine. After that I would go back in time and fix it so that my older sister had never been born, Michael said with a sinister smile, and then he let out an evil laugh.

His friends started to laugh; they knew what his life was like living with his sister Emma. Michael’s friend Joe was the lucky one out of the three, because he was the oldest out three boys. Bobby had a younger sister. When his parents told him that he was going to be a big brother, he replied, What’s wrong with being an only child?

At the end of the school day, Jean picked up Michael and his sisters from school. They went to the craft store per Emma’s request, then stopped and grabbed a pizza to go. Jean was just about to turn the van onto their street when they saw it. A huge cloud of smoke climbed high into sky creating a black tower. Jean slowed the van down as they approached the area where the smoke was coming from.

Sophia whispered, Michael, I’m scared.

It’s going to be okay, Michael replied while looking out the van window; but he had a feeling deep down inside of him that told him that things were not going to be okay.

Jean stopped the van a few feet behind a barrier that was set up by the fire department, which blocked their way to their house. Behind the barrier, there were fire trucks and police cars. They could see a firefighter running up to the van and waving his hands to get Jean’s attention. She rolled down the window; the smell of burning wood and a sickening odor of chemicals filled the van, which caused them to cough. They could feel the heat of the fire pushing its way in through the window, making it very uncomfortable for them in the van.

I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to turn your van around. This street is closed off, the firefighter said then he pointed back in the direction from which they came.

But our house is on this street. It’s just beyond the barrier, Jean replied with a bit of fear in her voice.

The firefighter’s face soon turned grim. What’s your address?

Ten Fern Street, Jean replied in a whisper while lowering her head and closing her eyes.

The firefighter closed his eyes and let out a long breath, Mrs. Miller, I need for you to move your van over to that side of the street and someone will be with you in a few minutes.

Jean froze when she heard those words. How did the firefighter know her name? The sense of dread washed over them. Jean drove the van over to where the firefighter had pointed. Michael, Emma, and Sophia looked outside the van window; they were in shock at the sight in front of them. Then it hit them: It was their house that was on fire!

Mommy, where’s Daddy? Sophia asked in a timid voice as she looked to where her mother was sitting.

Jean’s face went from one of shock to one of dread, and in a panic, she unfastened her seatbelt and began to open her door, at which point the kids began to unfasten their seatbelts. Michael grabbed the side door of the van and was about to open it when he heard his mother shout, NO! Everybody stay in the van! All three of them froze as their mother climbed out of the van. She did not get far when a police officer spotted her and started to walk over to the van to intercept.

Mrs. Jean Miller you need to get back into the van, the police officer said as he put his hands up in a calm manner hoping to stop her from going any further.

Officer, my husband was getting off from work early, Jean retorted with a little panic in her voice.

Okay, calm down. Let me radio a few officers that are here and see if we can locate him, the police officer said. He started talking into his radio.

Emma, Sophia, and Michael stared outside the van windows. Michael was holding his breath thinking to himself Please, let Dad be okay. The idea of life without his father was something that he couldn’t imagine. They kept an eye on their mother and the officer, trying of figure out what was going on. Sitting in the van, and waiting for news on their father, it felt like an eternity. Michael wanted to jump out of the van and run—run to anywhere and everywhere to look for his father. Then a police car pulled up to the barricade. They could see the back door of the car open and their father stepped out. Michael let out a long slow breath.

DADDY!Sophia shouted with joy as she pointed out of the window.

Henry! Jean called.

He’s okay, Emma cried.

Jean ran over to where Henry was, and threw her arms around him. The both of them stood there holding each other. At that point the three children were unable to hold back anymore. Michael opened the van door, and they jumped out and ran over to their parents. They threw their arms around their parents. The family stood there holding each other for a long time. They may have lost their home, but they still had each other.

Later that night the Miller family checked into a motel. The family walked down the hallway and into the two rooms with what little they had on them. The pizza that Jean had bought earlier was cold, but they ate it anyway. Michael had an empty feeling as he observed his family trying to figure out what to do next. They couldn’t unpack any suitcases because they didn’t have any. Emma, Michael, and Sophia couldn’t get ready for bed because they didn’t have any pajamas. It was then Michael realized that they had lost everything. His family had nothing.

It was hard sleeping that night in the motel room; Michael’s mind was full of questions. He thought, What do we do now? Where do go? Where are we going to live?

The next few weeks Michael’s parents were busy talking on the phone, and stopping at stores to get some basic things they needed. When Jean and Henry’s co-workers heard what happened, they got together and donated some things, which would come in handy when the family moved into their new home. Emma, Sophia, and Michael tried their best to behave. Nevertheless, it wasn’t easy for everyone, being crammed in two motel rooms. The family was told that the fire was caused by an electrical short. Thankfully, no one was inside the house and the fire had not spread to the neighboring houses.

It was hard for them, because they didn’t have any of their usual distractions like they would if they were on a family vacation. Sophia would be playing with toys that she would have brought with her or a new toy she might have bought from a souvenir shop. Michael would be reading a book that he had brought or found at one of the shops. As for Emma, if this were a family vacation, she would be working on a sketch. She would sometimes sketch something that she saw during the trip. The sketch would be a building, a landscape, or an object that she saw at a museum. Now her sketchpad and the pencils sat on the motel dresser unused, and still in their bag.

During their motel stay, Michael would sometimes go down to the pool and sit there for hours, looking around the pool area.

What are you doing out here? Emma asked, walking up to where he was sitting.

I was just thinking about how lucky our family is. Michael said.

Lucky? We just lost our home. You do know we’re homeless, Emma stated as she sat next to him.

Mom and Dad are looking for a new house for all of us. We need to give them time, Michael said.

I hope it’s bigger than the old one, Emma sighed as she brushed a few strands of hair out of her face.

Maybe you’ll get your new art room, Michael said with a grin.

I better. I have many new ideas. I want to get to work and the sooner the better, Emma replied.

One cold and rainy day while Emma, Michael, and Sophia were at school, Henry and Jean went to look at a house for sale that they read about in the newspaper. They took the newspaper with them and drove to the address in the classified ad. The drive was long but rewarding. When they pulled into the driveway and got out of the car, they found a beautiful old Victorian house before them. Jean stood next to the car for a moment; she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

Are you sure this is the right address, Henry? Jean crossed her arms in front of her. Henry pulled out the newspaper and looked at the circled ad.

Yes, this is it. Is there something wrong? Henry asked as he walked around the car to where she was standing.

Nothing, I just can’t believe this house is for sale, Jean said with some hesitation. The house standing before her had more than enough room for the whole family, but how could a house of this size be sold or rented for such a low price? The two of them looked down at the ad and then back up at the house. Henry folded the ad and put it back into his coat pocket.

Come on, let’s take a look inside, Henry replied, then took Jean’s hand and walked up to the house and knocked on the door. A woman opened the door and welcomed them into the house.

Hello, my name is Susanne. Welcome, the woman said while she straightened her gray suit coat and pushed up her glasses.

She walked over to a folding table. On the table were coffee and a plate of cookies and another with donuts, and a few neat piles of papers. She picked up a few papers and handed them to Jean.

Would you folks like a tour of the house? Susanne asked in a soft, yet business like voice.

Yes, please, Jean said while she folded the papers and placed them in her pocket. Both Henry and Jean followed Susanne as she guided them through the house. Their first stop was the kitchen and the pantry, which to Jean’s relief had all new appliances. Next, they toured the dining room, the study, the library, and the sitting room. Then they headed upstairs to check out the bedrooms, the morning room, and the bathrooms.

After the tour of the house, Jean and Henry talked to Susanne and asked a few questions. Jean and Henry were satisfied with what they saw and what Susanne had told them. The next thing they knew they were signing lease documents to rent the house.

Before they went back to the motel, Jean and Henry stopped at a little cafe for lunch. They were glad to have found a house for their family and relieved to move on after the fire; nevertheless, some things were still bothering Jean.

According to the paperwork Susanne gave us, the house is structurally sound and yet…, Jean said as she looked over the papers.

I know what you mean, Henry said, reaching for one of the papers.

The house has a ton of square footage, and the lot is huge, so there would be plenty of room for the children to play and even plant a garden. But why was it selling for such a low price, and there was no return on the security deposit should we try renting the place? And why had the house sat empty for so long?

The server arrived with their lunch and placed their meals before them. They soon put the paperwork away. Once the server left, Henry picked up his glass.

A toast to a fresh start in a new house, Henry said as he and Jean toasted.

After school, Emma, Sophia, and Michael’s parents took them to their favorite restaurant. It was there that the kids received the good news. Their parents had found a house for rent and if things work out, their parents might be able to buy it. A huge feeling of relief washed over the kids when they found out that they were going to be leaving the motel.

Finally, some sense of a normal life, Michael thought, as the waiter placed his order in front of him.

Hey Michael, a penny for your thoughts? his father asked.

Michael looked up and said, Not much. Just wondering how soon can we move in?

Your mother and I believe we can move in this weekend, Henry said.

Well, the moving part should be easy. We don’t have much to move, Emma said, matter-of-factly.

Mommy, can I share a room with you and Daddy? Sophia asked as her mother cut up Sophia’s food.

No, honey, you’re going to have your own room, Henry said.

Since the night of the fire, Sophia had been having trouble sleeping. She would wake up in the middle of the night screaming. Jean took Sophia to a doctor to see if there was anything they could do, but there was nothing; the doctor told Jean that once the family settles into their new home the nightmares would very likely go away.

The weekend came quickly and everyone was excited. Michael, Emma, and Sophia had never seen the new house and they kept asking their parents questions about it.

Do I have to share a room? Emma asked.

No, everyone has their own room, Jean replied as she started the engine.

I don’t want my own room. I want to sleep in your room, Sophia cried from the back seat.

Sophia, we talked about this. You’re a big girl now, and big girls sleep in their own room, her mother said while pulling out of the parking lot of the motel.

So how many rooms does the house have? Michael asked.

Well, the house is an old Victorian that was built around 1870. The house has three good sized bedrooms and a master bedroom upstairs with its own bathroom. The house also has a morning room on the second floor, Jean said.

What’s a morning room? Michael asked.

It was a room that the woman of the house would do her work in. Such as balance the household budget, pay bills, plan out the week’s menu, and sometimes invite some friends over, Jean replied.

In short it’s a mom’s cave, Emma said with a giggle.

No, it’s a morning room, and it would be nice to have one, Jean said with a smile.

Downstairs there’s a nice size kitchen, a dining room, and pantry. There’s also a sitting room—which we can use as a living room, a library with books, a study, and a good size foyer, Jean said.

A study, is that the man’s cave? Emma asked.

It’s a room which the man of the house would go to do his work. Such as read, do research, sit and think, pay bills, and other things, Jean replied in a firm voice. She didn’t like it when her children used any of the new words that are flowing around these days, such as man or woman cave.

The house has a fully stocked library. Alright! Michael said excitedly.

We don’t need a study. Maybe we can make it into an art room, Emma said hesitantly.

Well, if we turn the study into an art room, then what would we do with one of the rooms on the third floor? Jean inquired as she turned the van down another street.

There’s a third floor with rooms—how many rooms? Emma asked.

The third floor has four rooms and an open area. It used to be where the servants slept, her mother replied, as she put the van in gear.

Are we going to have servants? Sophia asked.

No, we’re not going to have any servants. But we can use one of their rooms for an art room, Jean replied.

Emma, Michael, and Sophia looked at their mother in surprise; the more they learned about the new house, the more they couldn’t wait to move into their new home. To move around and have their own space was like a dream come true for all of them. Not only did the house have all the room that Jean described to the children, but also it had an extra half-bath, located under the staircase. In addition, it came with a large wraparound porch, separate workshop, and a full basement.

There’s more, Jean said as she turned the van down a dirt road.

More? Emma said in disbelief.

Well, look for yourself, her mother replied as she slowed the van and brought it to a stop.

The very large Victorian house stood on a hill; it was surrounded by a huge yard scattered with trees of various kinds and sizes. Out past the yard there was an open field followed by a forest beyond. From the van, they could see what looked like a path leading from the house through the field.

Where does that go? Michael asked, while pointing to the path.

The path goes down to a lake, which none of you are allowed to go by yourselves, his mother said firmly.

A lake, we can use the water from the lake if the house catches on fire, Sophia said.

Sophia! Jean shouted with a surprised look on her face as she turned to face Sophia.

Sorry Mommy, Sophia said in a soft voice as she looked down at her lap.

Jean slowly drove the van up into the driveway of the house. Henry was in his car waiting for them, so they could all go into the house together. Jean and Emma got out of the van and walked over to Henry. Sophia; however, didn’t move from her seat.

What’s wrong Sophia? Michael asked, looking over to her.

I don’t want to go into the house, Michael, she said as she crossed her arms in front of her.

Why not? Look at how big and pretty the house looks. Michael gestured towards the house.

I don’t want to go in! She exclaimed, louder this time.

Well, you can’t stay in the van, Michael replied.

I don’t care! She said with her small arms still crossed. To add emphasis, she turned her chin up in defiance.

Okay, I’ll tell Dad, and he’ll send the tickle monster after you. Michael grinned.

Whenever any of the children were scared or upset, their father would come in and tickle them to help them feel better. He turned this into his own character, the ‘tickle monster’, and for the most part, it would work. The children would eventually cheer up, or they would be motivated to do something that they did not want to do. When Sophia heard that the tickle monster was going to be used to get her out of the van, she unfastened her seat belt and climbed out of the van.

It’s big. Sophia was looking up at the house as she and Michael stood next to the van.

Well, we now have room to run around and a big backyard too, Michael replied.

Do you think that Mommy and Daddy would let us have a doggy? Sophia asked, looking up and smiling.

Hey, that’s a good question, Sophie. Maybe we should ask them, Michael replied.

Hey, you two, are you coming or what? his father asked as he, Jean, and Emma stood on the porch near the front door to the house.

We’re coming, Michael called, taking Sophia’s hand. Come on let’s go see our new home.

Sophia and Michael started running up to the house to join the rest of their family. Henry pulled the set of keys to the house out of his coat pocket. He then located the key that opens the front door.

Okay everybody. Here we go, Henry announced as he opened the front door.

The silence was only broken by the ticking sound of the clock built into the wall above the fireplace. It felt like an eternity had passed since the sound of laughter had been heard in the empty rooms. The silence had caused a deep sleep, which was broken by the sound of the front door opening, followed by the sound of footsteps of a family and the sound of little footsteps could be heard as well. At first, the little footsteps were faint as if the person was trying very hard to be quiet. There was even hesitation in their movement. Then…voices. The voices were followed by a loud stomp from the littlest feet. This was soon followed by the sound of running and laughter. Somebody was inside the house.

All right Henry. Children, settle down. There will be plenty of time to horseplay in the house later, Jean called out as Henry, Emma, and Michael chased Sophia around the foyer. Sophia was still a little hesitant about entering the house. So, as Michael predicted, Henry became the tickle monster and started to chase Sophia, while Emma and Michael became his minions. All three of them chased her around the room.

They entered the dimly lit foyer, which was lit by outside light from a dull cloudy day coming in through the four small, square shaped, stain-glass windows. Each square contained a yellow center in a geometric design and was trimmed in gold. The windows ran alongside the stairs. A simple silver chandelier hung in the center of the room, but it was devoid of light bulbs. The old wooden floors were worn and faded in some places, and creaked