J. P. Barnaby - The Forbidden Room

THE FORBIDDEN ROOM

The Forbidden Room Book One

J P Barnaby

P. O. BOX 462, Griffith, IN 46319

Http://www.jpbarnaby.com

Table of Contents

The Forbidden Room

Copyright 2009 J. P. Barnaby Edited by: Valerie Waitt

Cover photograph: Copyright 2009 Christopher Helfin Cover model: Casey St. Clair

All rights reserved. Except for the use of brief quotations in any review or critical article, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented including xerography, photocopying, scanning and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval is forbidden without the prior written permission of:

J. P. Barnaby,

P. O. BOX 462, Griffith, IN 46319

http://www.definatelystaying.com

Any similarity to actual persons, events, or existing locations is entirely coincidental.

Acknowledgements:

To PB for covering her eyes with one hand while she patted me on the back with the other.

To JJ for loving me for most of my life, and encouraging me every step of the way.

To PT for teaching me some of lifes most valuable lessons.

To VF for kicking my ass, for keeping me on track, and for being such a great friend.

To KP for being so supportive in my quest to become published.

To LL for being my favorite technical support representative.

Thank you so much to everyone who believed in me, and in this book it is because of you that it now has permanence.

Chapter 1

The Ad: 26 year old SWM seeking disciplined roommate to split 5 BR house. Utilities included. Male pref. Call for appt.

I had been looking for a place to live for weeks. As a senior, I needed to be able to concentrate in order to get through my last year, and I couldnt stand my roommate at the dorm. Ian would bring girls back to the room, scary ones, at all hours and wasnt shy about what he was doing with them. Now, I was no prude, but I didnt need to see that while I was trying to write a ten page dissertation. So, in the middle of the semester, when housing was scarce on campus, I moved out and ended up at my sisters place. Dont get me wrong, I loved my sister, but I was so sick of being camped out on Kimberlys couch. Twins or not, hearing her and her husband Josh go at it at all hours of the night hadnt been fun, especially since I was between girlfriends myself.

With my shaggy blond hair, almost surfer-like in its casual style, and strong, tall build, I generally didnt have a problem finding female companionship. The problem was my relationships never really lasted. I kept telling myself that it was because of my single minded focus on school, but somehow I wasnt entirely sure that was it. I just wasnt ready to settle down and get serious with a girl. With my choices for grad school on the horizon, I needed to keep my options open.

So, when I came across the ad on a campus announcement board, I was thrilled. Would I like to share a five bedroom house? Hell yes, I would. I really just wanted to get off my sisters couch at this point. I picked up my cell phone and dialed the number on the flyer.

Bryant. a terse voice, strong, but pleasant answered on the second ring.

Uhm, hi. I saw your flyer posted on campus and was wondering if youre still looking for a roommate? I inquired in a rush.

I am. What is your name? he asked in that same smooth tone, but it seemed softer now.

Jayden Carter, I answered, my voice hoarse and barely above a whisper. I suddenly felt shy and awkward for a reason I couldnt quite identify.

How old are you?

Im twenty-two.

Do you drink, smoke, or do any kind of illicit drugs? he asked dryly.

Occasionally at social functions, no, and no, I replied, trying not to laugh. The questioning went on for a few minutes as he was curious about my employment status; and my post college plans, which I assumed he wanted to know in order to determine my length of stay.

It was almost like a job interview. But, I guess if someone is going to live in your home with you, youd want to know more about them. In fact, Id probably want to know more about the guy in the next bedroom than the guy in the next cubicle. We made arrangements for me to come by his house the next day to tour the property, and fill out a rental application. I couldnt imagine that I wouldnt like the house, but I wasnt too sure about Ethan. From his demeanor on the phone, he appeared to be a little uptight.

Words nearly failed me as I walked up to the three story house the very next day. My first question to myself was what a single guy with no kids needed with all that space. The perfectly maintained house set off by immaculate landscaping gave the impression of a wealthy family, not a single guy looking for a roommate. Full, dense oaks framed the front porch of the colonial blue home set with a darker dusky trim, it faintly reminded me of a Norman Rockwell painting. It looked warm and inviting; I fell in love with the place almost immediately. I wanted this to be my home.

Climbing the stairs of the large intricately railed porch, I could see myself sitting in one of the wicker basket chairs with my laptop, writing my next great paper. My nervousness grew exponentially as I raised a hand to ring the bell. Immediately, the door opened onto a well lit foyer, and the man I presumed to be Ethan Bryant stood framed like a Rembrandt in the doorway. I was surprised at myself for thinking the word beautiful at first. Im not sure many guys I know would call another guy beautiful, but its the first word that came to mind.

He ran a hand through his short mahogany hair as he opened the screen door to admit me. It was as if he was almost reluctant in the gesture. Had I not made a good impression? Nothing in his deep set, unreadable, brown eyes made me think that I was welcome, but I followed him in anyway. With my eyes on his back, I could discern that he was definitely a guy that took care of himself; I could see clearly defined muscles under his fitted t-shirt. I was willing to bet he had a lot of company of the female persuasion. Girls seemed to like that brooding artsy type, and thats exactly the impression that he gave.

The initial meeting went well. Ethan seemed to be more comfortable talking in person, and I found myself starting to like him. After agreeing on terms, I was grateful when he decided to allow me to move in right away at a prorated rate for the month. I didnt want to spend another two weeks with Kimberly and Josh.

The following weekend, Josh and Ethan helped me move in. Josh had been a linebacker at the University of Southern California before coming back to Seattle and meeting Kim. His short black hair was barely visible over the mattress that he was carrying up the stairs. At six foot four, he was a formidable guy, but thankfully he was also a friendly, jovial guy. There was always a measure of humor dancing in those brown eyes. He and Kimberly made a good match, he kept her grounded. I could have done worse for a soon-to-be brother-in-law.

The room that I had moved into, along with the converted office next door was perfect in every respect. I loved the earthy tones of the room, the amount of light that filtered in through the oversized windows, and most of all, the quiet solitude. It wasnt very long at all before I was settled and feeling at home.

Within the first few weeks, we had established a routine. Even though he was a doctor at the local county hospital, Ethan worked normal banking hours. I had a more flexible schedule, but occasionally, one of us would cook and invite the other to join. Generally, most nights we kept to ourselves, enjoying the quiet.

It seemed like the perfect match.

One thing, however, stuck out in my mind and I just could not get past it. During the tour of the house, Ethan showed me my bedroom and office on the second floor, his bedroom and office were on the third floor. While I loved having so much space, I couldnt help but wonder about the fifth bedroom at the end of the second floor hallway. When I had asked Ethan about it, he seemed to tense up and told me that the room was off-limits. His tone and mannerism suggested that there was no room for discussion on the matter, so I let it drop. Still, I couldnt escape the feeling that the door appeared to grow each time I looked at it as I headed to my room. It seemed impossibly large now, or it was just the feature of the hallway that continually drew my attention. I found myself staring at it for minutes at a time before going to bed at night. What could be in there that would make Ethan consider it forbidden? Was he running a meth lab? Was he counterfeiting hundred dollar bills? He appeared to be fairly well-off, and I hoped that the money wasnt from ill-gotten gains.