The cat had jumped on a sewing machine knocking a box of bobbins to the floor.
Above Scruffy's head was a bulletin board displaying several yellowed and tattered newspaper clippings. I stepped into the room and strolled over to it scratching the cat's head while I glanced at the clippings. They were mostly wedding announcements with pictures of women in flowing white gowns. Each announcement stated, Bride's dress designed and created by Mary Reed.
The room chilled and gloominess surrounded me like a cloud covering the sun on a summery day. I glanced out the window. The sunny day had turned slate gray.
The cat arched his back and hissed at me then jumped to the floor and shot out of the room and down the stairs as if the devil him self was chasing him.
The quick departure gave me pause and I too felt like I had to get out of that room. I started toward the doorway when the door slammed closed. I felt trapped!
Page 9