Stuck

“Was there always a security camera in this room?” Gene said. The camera whirred to life and rotated to the left. Then back to the right. Back to the left. The red-light on top was the only light source in the room. Gene could barely see Zoe who had placed herself in the corner, curled up into a ball.

“Who knows. You’re pretty dense so I’m not surprised you didn’t notice it.” Gene turned to face Zoe but he couldn’t tell if she was looking back at him or not.

“Who are you calling dense? It wasn’t me that lost my phone.”

“I told you, I didn’t lose your phone. I gave it back to you. Remember? I said ‘Well, I guess that was 5 minutes’ and gave you your phone back.” Gene didn’t remember. He moved up to the door and tried to get a good look at it with the little light they had.

“That didn’t happen.”

“Are you calling me a liar?” Gene pushed on the door to try and let more light in.

“You are.”

“Your only sister and you’re claiming that I’m a liar. You’re horrible.”

“You are.” Gene let go of the door. He immediately regretted what he said. She’s right. I am horrible. “Let’s just move past this. How about we say we’re both equally responsible.” He turned to see what he thought was Zoe nodding her head. “By the way, do you not have your phone?”

“I don’t have a phone.”

“Right…” Gene pushed on the door once more while squatting down trying to see how the door worked. “There must be some kind of auto lock system on this door. I’m not confident, but if I can figure out how the door works maybe I can get it to open again.”

“Give it up. You’re not going to get anywhere.” Gene didn’t feel encouraged by her words but quickly he found out that she was right. From what Gene could see, the door didn’t even have an auto lock, or any electronic lock at all. It was just a simple lock that needed a key for them to get out. Did someone lock us in from the outside?

“This doesn’t make sense at all, wasn’t this door wooden when we came into the house. How come it’s made of metal on the other side. Plus it’s not even rusted.”

“You’re thinking too much. Just sit down. We need to conserve energy for when someone comes to get us.”

“If someone comes to get us.”

“Mum and dad will call someone to get us.”

“Maybe for you. They wouldn’t notice if anything happened to me.” Gene let go of the door and stood back up. “They’ve basically cut all ties with me.”

“Or did you cut all ties with them?” Zoe said. Gene didn’t respond. He didn’t want to respond. He didn’t want to think about it. He refused to think about it. “Just sit down and relax. Like I said, you’re not getting anywhere.” Gene did as she said and sat opposite the door, a sizable gap away from Zoe.

“What even is this room anyway?” Zoe shuffled a little closer to Gene.

“Who knows. Probably some kind of torture room. You’ve heard the stories.” Zoe answered.

“Those stories are fake though.”

“Don’t be such a sourpuss. You’re a horror themed Youtuber, you should play the part and believe in the unbelievable a little bit more. Maybe lighten up a bit.” She nudged into him, taking Gene a little by surprise. But he didn’t move away. “But then again, how many subscribers do you have?”

“None, I haven’t even made the channel yet.”

“Why not? If you had, you could’ve capitalised on the trend of talking about the Papillion before coming here.” Gene looked at the door. Vacant. His legs were laid out in front of him, his arms placed on his lap, limp. A lack of life.

“I guess I didn’t believe in it.”

“You didn’t think it would go viral?”

“I didn’t think anything would happen. I thought I would come here, make a video, upload it and nothing would change. Just like always.”

“If you didn’t think anything was going to change then why even come here in the first place.”

“Because nothing ever changes. No matter what I do, I’m that same loser my mum and dad want me to be. No prospects. No hope. Completely stuck in one place forever.” Gene curled into a ball similar to Zoe. “And I tried. I really tried.”

“I know… I’m proud of you.” Zoe placed her head on his and hugged him. Gene let it happen and smiled. “And because I closed that door, we can be together forever.” Gene’s smile faded. He freed himself from her hug and stood up. “What? I told you, you’re not allowed to be mean to me.”

“Why did you close the door?”

“This fight again? I thought we were having a nice authentic sibling bonding moment and now you’re ruining it. Please just sit down.”

“I’m not fighting. I’m asking. Why did you close the door?” Zoe refused to answer immediately. Sitting silently. “Zoe.”

“I just… did. What do you want from me?”

“You saw the room. You couldn’t have expected to be in this room for more than 5 seconds so why close it.”

“I just did!” Gene grabbed Zoe’s arms and pulled her up to her feet. “What are you doing?” He shoved his hand into her hoodie pocket and took out a key that was hidden inside. “That’s…” Gene went to the door and put the key in. Obviously it fits. He opens the door.

“We’re leaving.” Gene said, walking out of the room. Zoe runs after him.

“But… we still have a whole floor to look at.” Gene didn’t respond, he just kept walking to the exit. “And what about the basement? So many 'spookies' could be in there!” Gene kept walking. I don’t want to hear you speak. “What about your blossoming YouTube career? You’re just going to leave it.”

“Shut up! What career? What part of my life do you see as ‘Blossoming’ in your eyes? Leave me the fuck alone. This entire time you’ve been acting strange and I don’t know why, I just need you as far away as possible right now.”

“You know why.”

“I don’t! Now leave me alone.” Gene opened the front door of the house. Zoe ran at him and grabbed him from behind. Similar to a hug. But this was not a hug.

“If you leave…” Zoe gripped tighter. Her voice was shaking. “I won’t come with you.”