The guest room finally smelled like nothing.
Not Eleanor’s rose hand cream. Not Harold’s Old Spice. Except for that faint, warm, yeasty smell I’d never been able to place, hanging in the corners like a ghost. I brushed it off.
I threw the window open. Cool October air drifted in, smelling like leaves and woodsmoke. Sunlight came across the bed in long gold stripes.
I stood at the foot of the bed with my hands on my hips, grinning like an idiot.
“Bye, guest room,” I said out loud. “Hello, home office.”
Down the hall, I could hear Thomas in the kitchen. The clink of a mug. Water running. He’d offered to help me strip the room. I’d waved him off. This was the part I wanted to do myself.
I grabbed the corner of the fitted sheet and yanked.
It didn’t budge.
“Oh, come on.”
I yanked again. Eleanor makes beds like a Marine. Hospital corners. Tight enough to bounce a quarter off of.
I braced one knee on the edge of the mattress, got my fingers under the corner, and lifted the whole mattress up to free the elastic.
Something shifted underneath it.
It didn’t fall. It shifted. Like a small, heavy thing that had been very carefully placed there, and was now sliding an inch to the left because I’d just tilted its whole world.
I froze.
Down the hall, the coffee grinder started up. That familiar rattle. The sound of a normal Saturday morning in a normal house.
“Okay,” I whispered to myself. “It’s probably a phone charger. Or Harold’s reading glasses. Or a Tupperware container. Something they lost and were too polite to mention.”
My free hand hovered in the air over the gap.
Then I reached under.
And that’s when I found the bags.
Ethan Blake is a skilled Creative Content Specialist with a talent for crafting engaging and thought-provoking narratives. With a strong background in storytelling and digital content creation, Ethan brings a unique perspective to his role at TheArchivists, where he curates and produces captivating content for a global audience.
Ethan holds a degree in Communications from Zurich University, where he developed his expertise in storytelling, media strategy, and audience engagement. Known for his ability to blend creativity with analytical precision, he excels at creating content that not only entertains but also connects deeply with readers.
At TheArchivists, Ethan specializes in uncovering compelling stories that reflect a wide range of human experiences. His work is celebrated for its authenticity, creativity, and ability to spark meaningful conversations, earning him recognition among peers and readers alike.
Passionate about the art of storytelling, Ethan enjoys exploring themes of culture, history, and personal growth, aiming to inspire and inform with every piece he creates. Dedicated to making a lasting impact, Ethan continues to push boundaries in the ever-evolving world of digital content.