Chapter 1- Iris: The beginning

The rain starts to hit at my window, I can see dull clouds slowly coming over. I frown as I look trying to ease my mind. Again my mood is reflected in the weather outside. I’m still unsure if it is 100% me that makes it happen, but it seems too much of a coincidence for it to not. It isn’t often the weather reflects my mood, when it does it’s usually because I’m riddled with anxiety or stress and unable able to control my feelings. Luckily it’s a rarity, though today as I sit looking out of the window I can’t help but think about the giant task at hand.

            Sighing I close my eyes and move my sight to my laptop. Checking over all the details. It has taken months of planning and years of searching. I guess I should start at the beginning to explain it all….. But even then I am unsure on exact timelines and events or even basic information. I only know snippets through hearsay. Other details I have managed to find through long and often tedious searching.

It begins with my grandparent’s death. They lived in a beautiful old manor house right in the middle of the country side. The house is few hundred years old, but the exact date I haven’t checked yet. Beautiful fields surround the house at the front, and a rich thick forest at the side edge where the boundary ends. It is the most picture perfect house. I know this because it is still in my family’s possession. According to my mother, my grandparents were madly in love. Ivy Rose Thornton was my grandmother and Aster Thornton was my grandfather. They had Rose who was my mother. She was an only child but never missed out on anything, she felt full filled in every way until her parents died. My mother didn’t remember much about what happened as she was only a very young child, but what she does remember isn’t exactly clear. They died in a burglary that seemingly went wrong - if you read the newspaper clippings from that time. However my mother remembers it differently. She feels it was all planned out, the night it happened she said there was a huge darkness over the house. Everything felt cold even though it was a very hot summer’s night.

“Rose darling wake up” her mother had whispered whilst shaking her gently. She starts to stir lifting herself up from her pillow.

“Quickly Rose we must hurry” she rubbed her eyes and watched her mother rushing around the bedroom grabbing clothes and other things stuffing them hastily into a pillowcase. Rose got out of bed and her mother rushed towards her, wrapping her up in tartan dressing gown.

“Mummy why is it so cold?” she asks

“Not now darling quickly get some shoes on”

As she was doing up her little red shoes, her mother carried on rushing around grabbing things, and again stuffing the pillowcase. Rose’s mother told her to be quiet as a mouse. When she was done she scooped Rose up and ran towards the back stairs of the house silently. There was a secret door in the hallway to the bathroom. It was easily missed as it was hidden in the wall. Like all old manor houses long ago when servants were a thing, they were made to use this back stairs so they wouldn’t be seen. Now it was kept as a guest wing. All the guests loved this part of the house. They had a cleaner at the time called Mrs Smith, who came to clean every morning, and had been long before Rose had been born. This was to help out as it was a big house for 2 busy adults and a child to manage. Mrs White however was currently staying in the guest wing of the house, as her house had been severely damaged due to flooding. Sadly she lost some of her family to the floods, and Rose’s parents took pity on her as she had no family left and nowhere else to go. So while her house was being fixed up they let her stay with them.

Rose’s mother soon came to Mrs White’s door, as she opened the door a bright purple flash fills the whole house, they quickly dashed through the door closing it silently behind her. The only thing that my mother (Rose) can recollect after this was hiding in Mrs White’s room, until morning. Then it had transpired that they had awoken to both her parents being dead. They couldn’t find anything missing, or any sign of a forced entry, but some of the rooms had been completely ransacked. So it was assumed they were looking for something and found it. The Death certificates only said that they were murdered - a robbery gone wrong. There were no details on how they died and whatever happened to the culprits. It was all strange but then it was a long time ago and methods of finding information were not what they are now. My mother ended up living with Mrs White (Turns out she was god mother to my mother) until Mrs White passed away. Mrs White died naturally of old age, my mother was 18 at the time. They didn’t live in my mother’s family home they lived in Mrs Whites when it was fully renovated, as neither could bare to be in the manor house again. They went daily to check on the house but it remained untouched until I was a young child. My mother met my dad not long after Mrs White passed away and had me the following year.

When I was around 10 years old she took me to the house and naturally that sparked a lot of questions about my mother’s life and her parents. We realised it was something we needed to investigate together since we had many unanswered questions and far too many strange things happen to us, and dare I say it… possible super natural abilities. Both my mother and I had the same weird weather ability. Uncontrollable, not very huge in power but always with the rain. The other unusual oddity was knowing random things, for example not to travel on the bus today and finding out it had crashed…again not always did this happen but important when it did. Another was seeing people glow. Which is as weird as it sounds. I found every now and again people have a glow around them, some would call it an aura. I could never control when I would see this glow. My family all had the same colour glow a deep pink. This is another thing I have no idea how to use or what the auras mean. My mother saw the same and was as equally frustrated as I was. What did it mean? The final oddity was our eyes. We had pale blue eyes that had a lilac circle around them, almost like a beautiful water colour painting. This we knew was strange, as it was the thing people commented the most about. The more we dug through my grandparent’s house, the more strange things we would find, the more confusing and frustrating it became. There were many old. No… not old. Ancient books, in languages and symbols we hadn’t even seen or heard of. The most interesting by far was a golden book with a type of lock. It was exciting to look at as it pretty much looked like it had stepped out of a fairy tale. It was beautiful with golden metal carvings and gems all over it. I couldn’t figure out where the lock on the book was or how to open it. The details were so intricate and busy it was probably going to take me a life time to figure out.

After many years of searching the house, my mother and I had a good few of what we called, ‘important items’. One being the book, others are interesting objects like jewellery we weren’t sure what they actually were, and the rest were photographs. One of the photographs we deemed extremely important. It was a black and white photograph of my grandparents. My grandmother was lovingly looking up at my grandpa. My grandpa had a cheeky grin, he wore a tweed suit, most likely would have been brown or grey but I couldn’t be sure as the photograph wasn’t in colour, but from the era and tone of the picture I’d guess brown. My gran wore a lovely simple floral dress with an apron tied around her waist, she had a large necklace/amulet around her neck. Apparently my mother swears she always had this on. But the night my grandparents were killed it was nowhere in sight. Not on their bodies or anywhere in the house. We deemed this an important find as it meant we had found what may have been taken.

As years passed and I grew older. We still kept on our search in the house, and on the internet to search for what some of the objects could possibly be. After a while I spent less time helping and spent more time with schooling and socializing as teenagers and young adults do. When I was 18 I met a man who I thought was madly in love with me, and I with him. He became my husband, and after a year with him I had my son Finn. I was 20 when I had Finn. Quickly I realised what a huge mistake I had made in marrying my husband. The only good thing to come out of the marriage was Finn. My Husband was a complete idiot. Finn was 2 when I finally plucked up the courage to leave him, finding him literally fucking another woman in our house our bed while Finn was napping was the complete last straw. When I left him I find out about all the constant affairs he had and was still having. It wasn’t just one woman there was a whole string of them. At the time I was utterly broken hearted that someone who I thought loved me could deceive me and break my heart so easily, and without any remorse. I hadn’t realised how much of myself I had lost whilst being married. I moved back home with my mum and dad which was actually wonderful. Taking my mind off my failed marriage I managed to get back to schooling and started my own fabric design company. And over time I realised not all men are complete dickheads I just happened to fall for the false charms of one.

My mum and I had regained our “Family secrets” mission. This only went on for a few months or so when my world suddenly came crashing down again. Mum had been diagnosed with cancer and was in fact very sick. She soon became bed ridden and I again had to let our project be pushed a side to help my dad take care of her. 6 months later she died and my dad and I shut ourselves off from everyone deep in mourning. It was hard to go on without her, she was our world, our reason for being.

That was 14 years ago now. Finn is 16 at college and living a normal teenage boy’s life. My dad is still with us and we still live in his cottage he bought with mum, when they first got married. My ex-husband sees Finn when he can be bothered or when he wants something. I do still however have an excellent relationship with my ex’s parents much to his annoyance. They absolutely worship me and Finn. I let them have Finn whenever they wanted as a boy. Now he is a teenager it’s not as much but he still visits them regularly.

Mine and Finn’s long term project is to renovate the old manor house for us to live in. I run my own business and when we have a great month I plough it all into my savings, which go towards the house. The past year I have really picked up speed and the house now has all modern day electrics, and all the repairs on the roof and damp have been completed. I spend my spare time though trawling antique shops, charity shops and auction houses still looking for the missing jewellery that was my grandmothers. I’ve had some very close encounters with similar pieces but all ending that way… similar but not the one. That is until I found purely by accident, a museum in America. It was when I was randomly watching a video on YouTube about interesting artefacts. When the video had finished I let it roll on to the next video as I always did. The next video was about museum, it contained a variety of historical Native American artefacts, and interestingly it was also looked after by Native American’s. It had some of the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen in this museum, and many of them very ancient.  But what caught my eye was a glass cabinet behind them with what looked like my grandmother’s necklace!

I literally couldn’t believe it, I was sure that it was the same one. If it wasn’t the same one then it must be a twin or maybe more of them existed. Either way I can at least find out about the creator and the piece itself. I watched until the end credits then took note of the museum name and curator of the museum. Then I re-watched the video and paused it the moment I could get a good look at the necklace. I was almost certain it was the exact one. To be sure I closed my laptop without shutting it down, shouted to up to Finn.

“Finn!?!” he didn’t answer per usual, so I shouted twice as loud this time. “FINN!!!!!”

I could here banging and stomping then a head poking over the banister. Running a hand through his dark blonde hair he huffs and looks down at me.

“What mum” I raised my eyebrow at him, and a cheeky smirk appeared on his face.

“Sorry mum, what’s up?”

“I need to just head over to the house to check on a few things. Granddad is out with Jeff having a game of chess. I’ve prepared tea so all you need to do is turn on the oven… 180 degrees if I’m not back by 5pm, and next time don’t answer with “what” - I’m pretty sure I bought you up to have manners….” I gave him a smirk back knowing he will probably moan about having to sort tea.

“Yes ok fine….” He huffed, he then ran back to his room and then quickly ran back out.

“Love you mum!”

“Love you to!” I grabbed my car keys and headed on out. I groaned to myself, it was slowly getting dark and I still hadn’t got the power sorted at the house. All the electrics were done but I just hadn’t sorted out everything else. At least the house will be empty. Work has stopped at the house for now until I can figure out what I want to do next. But it means I’ll need to use a torch. Not ideal but needs must. After half an hour I pulled up to the long drive way. The grounds were so beautiful even at night but I always got a funny feeling. I think partly because my grandparents were murdered here, but I am determined to make it a lovely calm and peaceful home again. Rummaging in my car I found my torch and an old camping lantern dad bought me for Christmas years ago, ever the practical man my dad!

Locking the car I walk over to the porch, I glance over the view before unlocking the door. It really was a beautiful view, rolling hills and the sun setting in the distance. I can’t wait for us to finally be able to enjoy this. I flicked on my torch closing the door behind me. As soon as you walk in there is a huge wide round spiralling staircase, that leads up to 4 large bedrooms a massive bathroom, and a mini hallway that houses a small bathroom and lots of cupboards. Behind the door into this hallway type area is the back staircase that leads down to the kitchen and up to the guest areas. That’s what would have been the servant’s area. This is Finns favourite part of the house because the door is hidden. All the main bedrooms are huge, I have plans to add walk in wardrobes and bathrooms eventually. As I shine the torch around, everything is pretty much as I left it a few days ago, I walk down the hall way, and trip over a tool box one of the work men left behind. “God dammit!” giving it a quick kick to the side I carry on to the study just before the kitchen. The study went under the stairs. It was the cutest little room, I say little it wasn’t little but it was for the size of the house. It had my grandparent’s huge old carved desk, I have also bought a spare desk from another room in the house, I used this desk for all my paintings and design work. I made a make shift notice board to pin ideas and photographs of patterns on. The room had a few book shelves and many shelves. There was a shelf above my work desk that I had emptied and filled with art supplies. My grandparent’s desk stood proudly in the window overlooking the garden and forest. I shone my torch at the desk and plonked on the lantern on top. Placing my bag on the desk taking out my laptop and sitting in the old leather chair behind the desk. The room was full of books and interesting objects. I decided to keep all the things I thought held clues to my family in this room. I kept the photograph and the box locked inside the desk. The only signs of renovation in this room were the channels where the rewiring had taken place. So it had more of a homey feel compared to the rest of the house, I had decided to leave this room until last, as recently I started using it as an office. Sometimes I had to be at the house to make decisions on important things so to make sure I could still work this had become my office. It had become my little solace in all the madness. Waiting for my laptop to wake up I quickly checked my messages. One from dad saying he was home and one from Finn asking when to start dinner. Face palming ugh the boy never listens I swear. I text back “turn it on at 5pm like I said earlier.”

I popped my phone back in my pocket and took out the photograph holding it next to my laptop…..it does look the same the size, shape, details….. The stone set in the centre of it couldn’t really be seen very well in the photograph….hmmm I don’t know if it’s the same colour or not. Sighing, I take a photo of the YouTube video and zoom right in on the medallion. All the markings definitely look the same…. The stone in the video was stunning. It was like the cosmos had been placed inside the stone. Dark swirls and specs that looked like stars. It just has to be the one. I bring up the museum details on my laptop, open my emails and start to type. It can’t hurt to ask the history of the stone see what they can tell me about it …..and send…. Feeling slightly exhilarated and hopeful I close my laptop pack away my things making sure to bring the photograph a long to. I get up to walk towards the door when a weird sensation told me to go back to the desk. I stood still looking at the desk- middle draw the one with the book in. listening to the pull I grab the book out and take that home with me too.

When I got back home to the cottage the smell of dinner wafted through the house. God I was starving. When I walked in to the kitchen dad was just setting the table.

“Hey sweetheart”

“Hey dad good game with Jeff?” I asked him knowing what was coming next. Dad was completely adamant Jeff has rigged the game… its chess… not much can happen unless he is a magician.

“Bah, He won yet again the sly git. I’ll work it out one day how he wins!”

“Why don’t you ask him how he does it?” chuckling knowing my dad wouldn’t ever ask as he has too much pride. He wants to figure it out for himself. He just raises his eyebrow at me and shakes his head. I leave the kitchen and shout Finn whilst grabbing my laptop out of my bag.

“Finn get your arse downstairs and help granddad with tea!”

“Ok down in a sec just going to the toilet”

Clicking my tongue I knew he was stalling trying to get out of chores. I popped my laptop on charge and check for e***ls. I know I’m being impatient I only just sent the damn e***l but I just can’t contain my excitement at the possibilities. No e***ls yet, that’s ok I only sent it what… half an hour ago? I check my watch yes roughly 30 minutes ago. My inner voice telling me to chill and go get food.

Grabbing the oven mitts I turn off the oven and pull out my huge cottage pie, it smells and looks amazing, minced beef, vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes baked in the oven.

“Hmmm that smells amazing mum!”

“Go on lad get the plates and sort the drinks” my dad smirks at Finn as he does as he is told.

We sit down eating happily chatting away. Finn has a few important assignments he has to get done at college but he isn’t concerned about them, dad asks me how work is going. I tell him fine, actually better than fine a few recent pieces I’d been working on had sold within a few days so I was ecstatic.

“It’s really exciting dad. A huge designer wants me to work on some fabric designs for a couture collection next year. Including soft furnishings! So let’s see how the negotiations go. You could be sitting on a sofa covered in my patterns pretty soon” I gave him a cheeky wink and he gave a huge clap and belly laugh.

“That’s great! When you rake in the big bucks remember your old dad won’t you?!”

“Sure dad… that or I’ll earn enough to shove you in an old fogeys home” I laughed

He gasped over the top “you wouldn’t” he knows I’m joking there’s no way I’d send him you an old folks home. But it’s still funny to tease him about it. We finish dinner and start tidying up.

“Finn remember to load the dishwasher with a tablet this time”

“Sorry mum” he starts loading the dish washer while I tidy up. A few minutes later I’m done and decide to again go check my laptop. Nothing still, ah well I am sure I’ll get a reply sooner or later.

It was actually a couple of days after that I finally got a reply. The e***l was friendly and to the point. The museum’s curator had contacted me personally. She seemed just as enthusiastic about the piece as I am.

            “Dear Iris.

I would like to take this moment in thanking you for your wonderful enthusiastic e***l about our museum. The necklace you speak of is actually an amulet. It is believed to be over 1000 years old. Can you imagine that! It is made from a mixed metal, one is definitely gold the other unknown. It has intricate vines thorns flowers and symbols cast into it. The stone in the centre is an absolute mystery. It's cool like glass when you touch it, and you expect the whole thing to be heavy but it isn't. It was originally thought to be one of a kind. However around 7 years ago another appeared at in auction somewhere in Europe. I'd have to dig a little deeper to find the details on that though as we don't have them to hand. The amulet even appears in some fairy tale books and poems, claiming to have magical properties. Though it has been analysed and looked over by many specialists, and nothing significant or supernatural came up. But that's not to stop you believing! It came in to our hands in an unusual way. From a hospital of all places. It was found on a “John Doe” patient who later died. No relatives, addresses or information on the man, and so after 2 years they gave the necklace to the museum, with a view that if any relatives or information came forward it could be given back to family. I'm not sure if this answers any of your questions that you have. But please do not hesitate to ask me anything else you wish to know, and I will answer as best as I can.

Kindest regards

Rae Garcia

Curator

I was so blown away that someone could possibly have just a tiny snippet, a piece of the jigsaw that was this necklace/amulet, and the l**k it has to my family. I didn’t know what to expect in a reply or even if I would get a reply. I re –read the e***l over and over until I knew it off by heart. After a few days I managed to collate a list of questions. I say questions but in reality it was turning in to an essay day by day. By the 3^rd day I completely scrapped my essay and decided to just ask 2 questions and go from there.

A month went by and I was constantly e***ling Rae the curator back and forth. I had confided in her about the photograph and my grandparent’s murder, not much else just mainly these details. We got on brilliantly through e***l and I could sense her curiosity as much as mine I could even tell we have similar personalities and the same sense of humour. When you have an inquisitive mind you can’t help looking into things further. The more questions they reveal the more you can’t help looking into them. I had decided with Rae that I would come and see the amulet for myself at the museum and I was going to bring a few strange objects I’d found, the book, as well as the photograph in question. I had business to finish up over there anyway with my new pattern contract so I can kill two birds with one stone. Rae had also found out that the identical amulet had been sold to someone who lived in the next city, so we decided together we would try and see if it was possible to arrange some kind of viewing. After all it’s purely for research purposes!