the house is freezing (2)

Her mother’s words echo in her mind: Never go back there. That house is dead. But here she is.The lock resists her at first, as though the house itself is reluctant to let her in. When the door finally swings open, the cold hits her like a slap.

It’s colder inside than it is outside, which shouldn’t be possible. The thermostat on the wall blinks “ERROR” in a faint red glow. The air smells like mildew and something metallic. Ellie steps inside, letting the door creak shut behind her.

The hardwood floors groan under her weight, and the sound seems to stretch into the emptiness, bouncing off walls and ceilings. She flicks the light switch, but nothing happens. Her flashlight will have to do.