Face of Death, Part #3

I avoided Mellinda as much as possible over the next few days. But the glimpse of terror i had seen in her face did not return. I decided that it had been a figment of my imagination, brought on by my lack of sleep and the thought of those paintings. Mr Rodrick returned from a business trip one Saturday morning, and announced that he was going to take his family for a night at the Theater. I dressed Mrs Roderick in a lovely pale pink evening gown and helped her with her hair and make up. Although she did look much improved by the blush on her cheeks and without the white night dress she usually wore, i could not hide the fact that the new beautiful gown sagged from her thin delicate body, and her hair looked rather dry and wiry. Mellinda looked her usual charming self in a light blue lace dress, and Mr Roderick looked dashing in his black tuxedo. They left after dinner, and soon after Miss Penny departed for the day. I was alone in the house for the first time. My fist thought was for a hot bath and a nap before Mrs Roderick returned home for her evening medications. I headed for my room to collect my toiletries and as i passed Mellinda's door i herd the sighing once more. Shocked i stood glued to the spot, my heart pounding in my chest. Surly i had seen Mellinda in the back seat of her fathers town car as i had helped Mrs Roderick with the door. But still i could here it. I was overcome with curiosity as i opened the door. This time the sound continued, like a low melodic wail, soft, sad and heart wrenching. I flicked on the light switch and looked about. The rug was rolled up next to the bed, and the floor it had covered was completely exposed. I gasped covering my mouth in fright at the horror in my voice. So many faces stared back at me, singing their sorrow filled song. I could see clearly now with the light on in the room, in my horror i recognised a small number of the faces. Borris the milk man who had supposedly run off to join the army the week before. Mr Trenton the latest of Mellinda's tutors to disappear in the night only leaving a note. And little kate the butchers daughter who until recently at accompanied her farther on delivers but had vanished, the whole town was up in arms looking for her. And here she was looking at me, a painting on the floor, singing in sadness. Once i convinced my eyes to look away and my feet to move i ran from the room. I flew through my bedroom door and packed away my things. All thoughts of a hot bath had left my mind the instant i had herd that sound outside Mellindas room......