Page 8 of Lost Echoes

“What are you doing?” Ryker asks from far down the hall.

I don’t answer, mesmerized by the painting.

“Wow, she really looks like you,” Ryker says.

His words make me jump. “What? No, she doesn’t.”

“She really does. I think it’s her eyes.”

A chill runs down my spine. “I don’t see any resemblance.”

“If you were transported into her time period, it’d be impossible to tell the difference between you two.”

“Stop.”

“I wasn’t trying to upset you.”

“Don’t you remember what happened when Kenzi discovered an ancestor she resembles?” I shudder at the thought. In a way, all of that sleepwalking led to what we’re dealing with now. The last thing any of us needs is a long-dead Brannon giving us more grief.

“Let’s focus on the map instead.”

“Good idea.” I pull myself from the painting of the woman who most certainly does not look like me and saunter down the hall with my shoulders squared. I will not let this house or any of its memories get to me.

After making several turns down various corridors, we finally make it to the door leading outside. Part of me wants to run outside and not stop until I reach my cottage.

This is all too much, especially with the creepy painting. The slamming doors helped nothing, even if it was just from a cross breeze.

Ryker takes the journal again and holds up the map at various angles. “Pretty sure we go left from here.”

I shudder. “Lead the way.”

My mind pulls from my body as I trail after Ryker. I barely register the turns or long hallways. In fact, I crash into him when he stops.

He doesn’t seem to notice. “Weird.”

“What?”

“I must’ve been wrong.” He shrugs. “If this was the right path, it wouldn’t have led us to a blank wall.”

Goosebumps form along my arms and down my back. “I don’t think this is a blank wall.”

Ryker gives me a dubious look. “What else would it be?”

“You, of all people, should be able to figure this out.” I study the wall, and sure enough, along the molding is an almost unnoticeable button.

His face pales. “A secret passage?”

I nod. “Another one we missed during the upgrades.”

He turns to me. “You do the honors.”

My heart slams against my ribcage. I kneel. Reach for the little button. Push it.

The wall shakes a little before sliding open.

My childhood map led us here. This means I knew about it all along.

Even though I have no memory of it now.