Deuces I swung open the unlocked front door, anticipating the creak, but it did not arrive.

Crushed M&Ms, bits of dried petals, and wine stains covered the carpet, setting a scene that would put most red-light district motel rooms to shame. The houses contrast with my score-old memory sparked a blaze of uneasiness in my mind, but I pressed on through the sea of hardened chocolate and crisp flower remnants. The rooms of the house were in sheer disarray red chile sauce, tofu, and other food items were dried onto the kitchen floor, walls and ceiling, as if a muse had paid a visit to some bad abstract artist; the window and tube were smashed in the living room, and the couch expelled its stuffing like it was some kind of contagious disease. I treaded on, down the hall, and through the master bedroom reeking of Captain Morgan and KY. A great deal of cheap silverware, mostly spoons, littered the floor around the bed; the nightstand was cluttered with messy stacks of playing cards sitting under waxy candleholders. Focus, I commanded myself. I pulled open the closet and yanked down the attic ladder, climbing up.8\ I squinted. Afternoon sun poured in through the grime and smudges on the old pane, setting a newfound scene in the attic. A layer of dust measurable with a ruler sat on top of everything, and under that lay shreds of paper with faded handwriting. The roof had collapsed partially, caving in the ceiling right smack damn in the middle of the room. There was no one else there, Im telling you. Im sure of it. Positive. I glanced around helplessly one last time, searching for hiding places, secret doors, anything. I couldnt find any. Frustration exploded inside me. I slid back down the ladder and pushed it up to the ceiling violently. Tears welled in my eyes, but thats as far as they got. I raced out of the house angrily, slamming the front door and locking it with my old key. I walked down the drive without looking back. For a second, I thought I heard a faint wailing from somewhere upstairs, but there was a gust of wind and it was gone.