For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
(All previous chapters and stories can be found on my home page under 20/20 Investigations, Inc. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!)
There’s a lot of smoke coming from the back of the hotel. Jessica always keeps 2 fire extinguishers in the truck, plus there is one in every room of the hotel. After all, the nearest fire department is nearly an hour away in another town. We each grab a fire extinguisher and run around back. The flames are shooting high into the air engulfing the entire back porch and it’s already very hot. I yell at Jessica to go inside and get Muffin out, then attack the fire from inside. She drops her fire extinguisher for me to use and runs around to the front. Shortly after Muffin shows up but stays a safe distance away. It actually doesn’t take long to get the fire out, it looked worse than it was.
But if we had gone all the way to town…there would have been nothing left of this old hotel or Muffin. The back porch burned completely though and it did scorch the wall of the hotel quite badly. I decide it might be a good idea to remove that old wood siding and make sure there is nothing smoldering inside the wall. Jessica comes out and helps me with that without saying a word. Well, at least the fire didn’t burn right through the siding, I say to Jessica. She just answered, that’s good, and went back inside. Muffin and I follow her as she goes and sits in the main room and she just kind of stares. You’re very quiet, I said. Guess I’m a little scared now, she admitted, that could not have been an accident. Meow, meow!=No accident, I see ghosts start fire! What did she say?, asked Jessica.
She said the ghosts started the fire. Sigh, now I’m starting to say ghosts. How many people Muffin? Meow, meow.=It was ghost Bill and that woman again. You’re sure it was the same woman? Meow!=Yep, I’m sure! What are you 2 talking about anyway? Muffin has seen a woman with Bill twice now, and the description fits Trish, from the other hotel. Jessica looked completely shocked and stayed silent for a while. I just can’t believe that Bill is still alive, she said, even though I saw him in the window yesterday. It just makes no sense. And why would he be with Trish? Why would he want me to leave here? He certainly couldn’t live here if he did fake his death, someone would recognize him unless he never left here and Bill would never be able to do that.
That part is a real puzzle for sure, I said, unless there is someone around here that resembles Bill a lot. But why is Trish mixed up in this and what is so important about this old hotel? I mean, honestly, this hotel is so far from nowhere, it would be hard to turn it into a viable business, especially with the other hotel in town. Jessica just kept silent after I said that. Sometimes I think she’s holding back and not telling me everything. There must be something important about this place. Did they find a rich vein of gold in that old mine? But somehow I just don’t think that’s it. There is definitely something else going on and I need to know what it is. Finally Jessica asks, how did you know we should turn around and come back? It’s like you knew something was going to happen.
Well, I didn’t know for sure, but based on the last time, I figured something would likely happen today also and where we turned would have given them a chance to do it. I was really hoping we could catch them in the act though. Muffin, did you see a vehicle drive into the yard? Meow.=No vehicle. Meow, meow!=Ghosts come from cellar and start fire! That’s it, they’re coming in through that tunnel! So we all get ready and head down into the cellar to follow that tunnel. Jessica said she was scared, but would be more scared to stay alone. So, we have everything we need, I open the door and in we go. It’s quite a narrow tunnel, just wide enough for walking. We get in about 20 feet and there is a loud roar and a thick cloud of dust covers us.
To be continued.
Steve and Muffin.
© 2020 Steve McLeod.
A fine dusty mess you’ve gotten into now! 🙀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yep, poor Muffin probably won’t like all that dust in her fur!🙀😾 Now what to do?🤔🙄🕵️♂️🕵️♀️
LikeLike
Scary!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep and also….😬
Thanks for reading!😳🙀😲🕵️♂️🕵️♀️
LikeLiked by 1 person
You two are fire fighters also!! Holy Smokes!! You guys are amazing! I think it’s a Doppelganger! But I guess I’ll need to wait to find that out! Come on Friday hurry up! 🐱👤🕵️♀️🐱🏍
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always something isn’t it? Now what do we do?🤔🙄 How will Muffin get all that dust out of her fur?😾 What about my coffee?😳😲🙀☕🕵️♂️🕵️♀️
LikeLike
Air compressor for Muffins dust! As for the coffee you need a traveler cup with a lid on it!! Did you bring a shovel and pick axe into the tunnel? We need these facts! How can we not worry??
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shovel and pick axe? That would have been a great idea, but….sigh.
LikeLike
I’m sure Muffin will come through and save you again! She deserves a Medal!!😉😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey! What about me?
LikeLike
I’m sure she’ll save you too!😁 she’s a good kitty!😸 You gotta stop walking into those tunnels though😬 Try an R.O.V.!😁 much safer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What?😲 Send Muffin in by herself?😳 OOOOO, she didn’t like that idea!😾😾😾😾😾😾
LikeLike
No.. she would be an ROC not an ROV!
LikeLike
Our Governor has now issued a lock down order for our state for two weeks starting on Friday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same as us.
LikeLike
I didn’t think they would do it here. Oh well.. another two weeks at home. Maybe the ice will be gone by then. Got a lot of rain today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sunny and cooler here today, only right at the 32 mark, should be a bit better tomorrow and in the 50s by the weekend maybe.
LikeLike
Yup, here also! The rain will sure eat up the lake ice though. Glad to see it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, wish we had gotten more rain yesterday, but we barely got anything.
LikeLike
Oh thats not good. You need those spring rains to keep the forest fires under control.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s true, but there’s still lots of time. Though I really wouldn’t mind a drier spring after such a wet fall. I would like to get out walking again.
LikeLike
I understand that. Hopefully you’ll get well spaced rains and the right amounts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The perfect weather, is it possible?
LikeLike
Possible? Yes! Probable? Not Likely! Something in the middle maybe? 😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe so, or maybe no, but one thing that I do know, it will come and it will go.
LikeLike
Ah.. that Silver Tongue stikes again!😂😂😛
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s why my tongue is so heavy.
LikeLike
Could be?😂😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always wondered.
LikeLike
Maybe thats where they got the fillings for your teeth!?😁😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Then my tongue would be smaller.
LikeLike
Or maybe it is and you never knew it?😲😜
LikeLike
When do they start to close up the spillways on the Dam?
LikeLiked by 1 person
This time of year they usually open them more. Must be open a lot right now, I can hear it quite easily from here.
LikeLike
Hmm… interesting I’ve been to the Kettle Falls dam to Rainy Lake. It’s impressive to watch the power of the water as it passes through the spillway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that’s for sure, I was quite amazed watching the water through our dam last fall.
LikeLike
Did you get to the Grocery today?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, wasn’t feeling too good, so I’ll try tomorrow.
LikeLike
I hope you can get what you need.👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I hope they have shelves restocked by now.
LikeLike
Yes! I should hope so!! If not something is wrong.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really? I thought it would just be normal.
LikeLike
Normal is a setting on the washing machine! BTW.. Do you have a wash machine and Dryer in your apartment?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, sure do, which is good since the laundromat is closed now.
LikeLike
Just checking😉🤭
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t usually wear checks.
LikeLike
That’s good! You should be eating them anyway!hehehe😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do, they’re gluten free.
LikeLike
I know! I eat them also😉😂😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Smart.
LikeLike
Thank You!😁 I have to write that on my calandar! Steve said I was SMART! 😁☺
LikeLiked by 1 person
I said that? Momentary lapse of sanity perhaps.
LikeLike
You and your big words!😏
LikeLiked by 1 person
I collect them.
LikeLike
Ahahah… I got no response to that one..😳😟😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that’s bad.
LikeLike
Now I have to write that down too…😟😔 hmmm… it was going so well! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you have a well?
LikeLike
You got me at a disadvantage today..hehehe You clearly have way too much extra time to spend thinking these things up! Yes! I am very well!🤭😁😉😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I can see clearly, I just cleaned my glasses. Try not to fall down the well.
LikeLike
Too late! You already pushed me down the well!😂😂😂😂ahahah
LikeLiked by 1 person
Must have happened while I was cleaning my glasses. You should have said you fell.
LikeLike
Bonehead!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe you should wear a hard hat and you wouldn’t hurt your head.
LikeLike
Did I hurt that too? No wonder I have a headache! I thought it was talking to you!😲😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can tell your feeling better! 😏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Actually I’m not, sorry, but have to go, another early night. Need my beauty sleep. Thanks for the chat! Have a good night!😁😴
LikeLike
Good Night Sleepy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Doc.
LikeLike
Ah huh!😏
LikeLike
Im swimming for my life!😟
LikeLiked by 1 person
You got the kiddie pool out already?
LikeLike
Yeah and im stuck in the deep end!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And so, in the end we entered in a very narrow and dark tunnel… Another time!🙄😱😵😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was bound to happen! I always end up in some kind of tunnel! And bring others with me.😳😲🙀🙄🕵️♂️🕵️♀️😂😹
LikeLiked by 1 person
Together it’s better!😅😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true, at least there’s someone to talk with.😄😸
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I agree with you!😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s too bad I didn’t bring a shovel this time. Might be hard getting out of there.😳😂😹
LikeLiked by 1 person
Try to look in Muffin’s backpack, maybe she brought it …😸
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm, there’s a thought, it’s amazing what she can get in that backpack! She knows how to pack!😁😸
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really! I will have to ask her for advice for the next holiday, I always carry my house with me!😂😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Muffin has learned I always forget things, so she puts it in her backpack, and still has room for toys.😹😹🙄
LikeLiked by 1 person
And maybe for coffee!😉
Have a good evening, Steve!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by Rossana! Have a good night!😃😺🌙Yes, maybe she has coffee too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor Muffin! I’m glad she’s ok! 😻
And now? Oh my…😼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, she’s not too happy about all that dust in her fur.😾😾Thanks for reading!😁😸🕵️♂️🕵️♀️
LikeLiked by 1 person
More troubling things are happening to you and Muffin ! Hmmm…glad Muffin is okay ! 🕵️♂️🕵️♂️😲😲🙀🙀☕️☕️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Muffin is not too happy getting all that dust in her fur.😾😾 But onward we go…hopefully.😳😲🙀🕵️♂️🕵️♀️🔦🔎🕯
LikeLike
Great, A tunnel, a secret passage, I’m sure Bill and Trish has something else in mind plus they are definitely not dead. You should make it happen, they wish they died, let the wish come true, for everything, muffin and burning the house 🤔 I wonder Steve is tat angry with Bill or Jessica is. But Also, what If Jessica drags you into a trap? How could you believe her 😳? Should’ve had a double thought before entering the tunnel ☺️ Nice story and it’s going awesome 😍 Waiting for next story Steve 🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to see you are really getting into the story Simon! That’s true, can I trust Jessica?😳🤔 Maybe she is leading me into a trap.😲🙀 I don’t think Jessica is telling me everything, but what do I know?🤪 Where does this tunnel go?🙄 Does it go anywhere?🤔 Maybe it’s just a dead end to trap us.😬 What about my coffee?😳☕☕Have a good evening Simon!😃😺🕵️♂️🕵️♀️
LikeLiked by 1 person
😉 Great Steve, Looking forward to your next post with lot of questions in da head🤓 I’m going to post Julia Part 8 ☺️ Have a beautiful morning Steve ✨💐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay Simon, here’s a question for you. Do you have your whole story worked out ahead of time😀 or do you make up just one chapter at a time?🤔
A chilly, cloudy morning but spring is in the air!😃😺☕☕
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so glad to answer this. I decide the story skeleton at the day one. Then I move the coins the way I wanted, the twist, the surprise, Some things I learned from you. I raise questions to myself and I convince myself first then I sit and write each chapter and rewrite it again and again. This part took a week of time. I did changed a lot of scenes from the vomit version. 😀 and today I published. All the one page story I write, is done in a single sitting, Because I don’t want to lose the imagination :D. 🤔 Did I answered your question? Thank for asking the question Steve. Hope the spring is working fine. And you are fine too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, you do better than me. I’m writing this story as I go along, not really knowing where I’m going, just like the last one. My first story I knew what the whole story would be, just fill in the details. But this one, I’m still not sure of the ending. How will things work out?🤔 Just have to wait and see I guess!😂😹🙄
LikeLiked by 1 person
That makes the writing more interesting Steve, I did write like that some time ago and it came out so good. Problem is we will spend more time figuring out what can be next and how it can be, sometime nothing will satisfy us. It happens Steve 😂😹 Thanks for sharing Steve, Just spend some time on how you wanted to end this, then you can fill in the details.😀😊 You are a great writer Steve 😀 Keep writing 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m working on the next chapter now and I think I finally have an idea how I want this to end, just need to get myself there! This story won’t be as long as my last one, probably more like the first story, maybe a bit longer.🤔🙄 Just need to get myself writing more!!🙃✍✍
Thanks Simon, but I think you have me mixed up with another Steve.🤔🙄🤪
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh the Other Steve is doing great Just like you. Helping me dropping stuff and raise questions on everything I do. He is a bit annoying with all his questions 😉☺️ But he is doing good. No I didn’t mixed up 🤔😳 wait did I do that 🙄🤔 Totally fine. It’s Steve ✨ and that is all it matters 🤓. Keep writing Steve and great you figured it out the end. Now fill the details and I’m super excited to read the next part 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s what I like to do, come up with questions, best way to make me think for writing. I think. It works anyway. Yep, writing as fast as I can,😛✍✍ just like running. Huff, huff, puff, puff.🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️
Next chapter coming soon.😃😺 I’ll be over soon to read your next chapter too.😁👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Steve, It works perfectly. All the questions 😉 Great Steve, keep writing but take your time ☺️ I’m sure we can expect another suspense in the next chapter too 😉👌✍️ Happy Writing 😌
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, stopping each chapter at just the right moment is key. Very important. Makes people scream.😂😂😹😹🙄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup, That’s a best thing I learnt from you Steve. I guess I’m putting using it effectively ☺️🤔. Read it and find out. Take your time. No hurry 🐱🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, I actually taught you something? I might faint. Glad to help out though! I will come and read after my walk.😃🌞🚶♂️🚶♂️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy walking! Don’t forget your workouts too ☺️😉 and don’t walk on crowded places. Stay safe ✨💐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just staying on my driveway today for walking. Thanks!😃😺
LikeLike
Interesting
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Haroon!
LikeLike
Both fire fighters, best of luck !! 😂😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading Suni!!😁😸🕵️♂️🕵️♀️
LikeLiked by 1 person