Short Story: A Blue/green Hue Over Life

Short Story: A Blue/green Hue Over Life

From the outside, the house seems quaint. A sweet little cottage surrounded by a canopy of trees and a white picket fence.

He follows the cobblestone path to the front door; He has a good feeling about this place, it seems like the ideal home to raise a family in. He's done his research and knows it's close to schools, and town, but he never anticipated the sense of privacy and seclusion the house has. 'This is it!' he thinks excitedly before he follows the agent across the threshold.

He wanders around the property eagerly, the house seems to have a warmth all of it's own. The agent guides him on his tour, however there's one door that remains closed, one area left unseen. 'What's in here?' he asks the agent as he reaches for the handle.

The agent's mood and manner abruptly changes, 'Oh, that's just another room,' he replies in a low whisper, watching apprehensively as Todd pushes open the door.

Todd notices the colored windows at once, and steps in for a closer look. The strange designs upon the windows are set against a blue/green glass; It casts a turquoise hue across the room. The walls are painted a murky green and caught in the light they seem to be covered in a thick moss.

Todd shivers suddenly as he notices the change in the atmosphere in this room. It's not warm like the others; The air seems thick and stifling. Backing from the room anxiously, Todd mutters 'Trick of the light' to the agent, as means of an explanation as he strides quickly to the door.

Out the front of the property Todd considers maybe he overreacted; Looking at the house now, it seems silly that something could have such an effect on him. However, before he opens his mouth, the agent locks eyes with him and states plainly 'I've shown you through the house, that's my job. However, and I assure you I've struggled with this many times, i do not feel comfortable selling you this property without first warning you. Many have lived in this home and all have experienced the same situation; The door to that room remains closed, however it's as if that light has a life of it's own. It creeps through the gaps, it grows in the shadows until the entire house is coated in a turquoise hue and breeding mold. Every single owner has either ended up in the loony bin or disappeared without a trace. I assure you, you do not want this house!'

Todd glances back at the cottage hesitantly, before thanking the agent and walking to his car. However, on the drive home there's only one thought emanating through his mind, over and over, skipping like a scratched record and he finds himself stating out aloud 'Turquoise, turquoise, turquoise.....'

Back at the property, the agent shakes his head in disdain as he remembers Todd's face. He recognized the look, he's seen it so many times. He crosses himself quickly as he thinks of the room, the light and Todd's vacant eyes staring back at him. There's a reason he doesn't cross the threshold to that room, but what can he do? People are curious. They all come back the same though, vacant eyes and little on their mind, except 'Turquoise, turquoise, turquoise....'