Troubling Thoughts
Tina sat still in front of her laptop, her mind occupied by troubling thoughts. For weeks, her son had been adamantly refusing to visit his grandfather, and she couldn’t understand why. That morning, when she dropped him off, she noticed the unease in his eyes, a clear sign something was wrong.
An unsettling feeling washed over her as she drove away, a sense of impending danger lingering in her chest. Lost in her worry, she barely heard the phone ring. Little did she know, the news that would follow would shatter her world in an instant.
Close Knit
Tim's relationship with his grandfather had always been close. He’d eagerly anticipated their visits, cherishing the time spent with the old man. But recently, something had shifted.
Now, Tim avoided being alone at his grandfather’s house. When his mother noticed and inquired about the change, Tim became distant and closed off, refusing to talk about it.
Respectful Mother
Tina had always been a mother who respected her child's autonomy, never pushing him into doing anything against his will. However, the recent shift in his behavior had her worried. She had cherished the bond between her father and son, feeling it was a beautiful connection.
But as the weeks went by, Tina noticed unsettling changes in her son. Each time he came back from his grandfather's house, he appeared disoriented and distant. Unbeknownst to her, something dark had been happening behind the scenes.
Hoping For Reconsideration
Tina desperately hoped her son would reconsider. "Please, just give it another try," she pleaded. "You haven't seen Grandpa in over a month, and he's been asking about you. Can't you do this for me?" She watched him closely, hoping for a change of heart.
Her son hesitated, his gaze fixed on the floor, clearly torn. Tina could sense the unease in him as he avoided eye contact, his mind wrestling with something he wasn’t ready to share.
Something Was Off
Tina sensed something was off, but Tim kept brushing her off. She decided to press him. "Why don’t you want to visit his house anymore? Is there something I should be worried about?" she asked, her concern growing.
Tim sighed, rolling his eyes in annoyance. "I just feel sick every time I go there, and the place smells strange now," he muttered, clearly uncomfortable. But Tina wasn't ready to let it go—she needed more answers.
Kept Pressing
She kept pressing him for an explanation, her concern growing with each question. "What do you mean? How do you feel sick?" Her frown deepened, worry clouding her expression as she struggled to understand her son's distress. He didn’t want to talk about it, but her persistent questioning made him feel cornered.
"Fine, if I agree to go today, will you stop asking?" His voice was tight with irritation, the tension evident. Tina, eager to end the conversation, agreed—unaware that this decision would only complicate matters further.
Sitting still
Tim sat still in the passenger seat, his palms clammy and his heart pounding with anxiety. He couldn’t shake the dread that settled over him, uncertain of what awaited. Beside him, Tina, his mother, sensed the tension and remained quietly aware of her son’s unease.
The drive stretched on endlessly, but soon, they arrived at the old man’s house. As they pulled into the driveway, a sense of foreboding gripped Tina. She couldn’t help but wonder if this was a mistake, if only she hadn’t pushed Tim to make this visit. The day was about to take a tragic turn.
A Tough Life
Tina Mayfair was a loving and devoted single mother to her only son, Tim. Living in Seattle, Washington, life hadn’t been easy for the pair.
Tina worked long hours every day, trying to give her son the future he deserved. Although they were always strapped for cash, they had one person who would help them no matter what.
Grandpa George
George, Tina’s father, would stop at nothing to protect his family. He knew how much his daughter struggled, and he did everything he could to help her.
But Tim was the apple of George’s eyes, and over the years, the two of them had grown rather close. George was the closest thing Tim had to a father, and he’d always sworn to protect the boy. But one day, something terrible would happen.
His Weekends
Since Tim was a little boy, he’d spend every weekend at his grandfather's house. It allowed his mother to relax while he got to spend some time with a male parental figure.
Over the years, Tim had grown extremely attached to his grandfather, and he refused to spend a single weekend away from the old man. But that all changed suddenly one summer.
Something Was Up
Tina could still remember how it all started. It was the last weekend in June, and when Tim returned from George’s house that Sunday evening, she could tell something was up.
Tim was disoriented and exhausted. He complained of nausea and drowsiness. Tina assumed he was getting sick, but she didn’t think much of it.
Not A Big Deal
Two days later, Tim seemed to be back to normal. “It’s just weird. I’ve never felt that way before,” he told his mother that morning. But neither of them thought it was a big deal.
But that following weekend, when the boy returned from his grandfather’s house again, the same thing happened. Tim was sick as a dog. In the weeks that followed, something about the boy changed.
Not Going
The following weekend, when Tina offered to drop her son at George’s house, she was taken aback by his response. “I’m not going this weekend,” he told his mother casually as he sat down in front of the television.
But when Tina asked her son why he wouldn’t visit his grandfather, he said nothing. His eyebrows were tucked together, and Tina could tell something was bothering him.
Bad Mood
She decided to leave it be. She assumed her son just wanted a weekend at home. Perhaps he was just in a bad mood. That weekend, she happily spent her time hanging out with her young son.
They went out to the movies and even went down to the beach. Tim seemed fine from the outside but was fighting an internal battle.
He Refused
The same thing happened the following weekend and then every weekend after that. Tim refused to visit his grandfather, and Tina had no idea why. She tried to speak to her son about it, but he would leave the room every time she did.
Tim had always shared everything with Tina, but now, he was refusing to talk about the matter. She was starting to wonder if something had happened between Tim and George. But one day, she finally learned the truth.
A Dangerous Situation
George had been asking Tina about the boy, but she didn’t know what to tell him. That day, she simply wanted her son to visit his grandfather, but she was putting him in a dangerous situation.
He rolled his eyes, irritated that his mother wouldn’t leave it be. “I just feel weird every time I go, and his house smells weird lately,” Tim huffed. But Tina needed an explanation.
Tired Of Getting Ignored
Tina was pressing her son for answers. She was tired of getting ignored every time she asked him why he didn’t want to visit George. She was worried and didn’t know if something was happening behind closed doors.
“Look, if I agree to go today, will you stop asking me about it?” Tim asked, his voice tense with annoyance. Tina made the mistake of agreeing to this. “Yes, if you go, I’ll stop asking you about it.
On Their Way
Tim was in the passenger seat of Tina’s car, his palms sweaty and his heart racing. He didn’t know what to expect from this visit. He wouldn’t admit it aloud, but he was scared. Tina sat beside him, aware of the tension in the air.
The drive seemed to last a lifetime, but they soon pulled up to the old man’s driveway. That day was about to take a tragic turn. If only Tina had never insisted that he visit the old man.
An Uneasy Feeling
As soon as Tim stepped out of the car, Tina drove off, unaware of what was about to happen. But as Tina made her way home, she couldn’t help the uneasy feeling that bubbled in her stomach.
Tim took a deep breath before stepping into his grandfather’s home. As soon as he stepped inside, he could smell that same strange scent from before. He knew something wasn’t right. What was going on in his grandfather’s house?
Cautious
As Tim cautiously made his way through the house, he noticed an unusual stillness in the air. The smell that had lingered for weeks seemed to grow stronger, sending shivers down his spine.
His unease deepened as he approached his grandfather's study, a room he had visited countless times before. It was like the smell was even stronger as he ventured deeper into the house.
Stepping Inside
His movements caused the deserted hallway to reverberate with every footfall. Despite being a frequent visitor, this visit felt different. Grandpa George was nowhere in sight, and this time, Tim had to let himself in.
As he traversed the winding passageways of the house, he could sense an odd odor permeating through the air
Overpowering
The smell was overpowering and repulsive, like a noxious mixture of decaying flesh and harsh chemicals. He wrinkled his nose in disgust, trying to identify the source of the stench, which seemed to be emanating from a specific area of the house, but he couldn't pinpoint exactly where.
Tim inched hesitantly forward into the dimly lit interior of his grandfather's home, the sound of his footsteps echoing throughout the empty hallway.
A Different Visit
Although he had visited Grandpa George's place many times before, something about this visit felt different. This time, George was nowhere to be found, leaving Tim to let himself in.
As he cautiously made his way through the winding passageways of the house, Tim's senses were assailed by a peculiar scent that hung thick and heavy in the air. The odor was sharp and acrid.
Putrid Mixture
The smell was like a putrid mixture of decaying flesh and harsh chemicals, stinging the inside of his nostrils and making him feel nauseous. He scrunched up his nose in disgust, trying to locate the source of the stench.
It seemed to be emanating from a specific area of the house. However, despite his best efforts, he couldn't seem to pinpoint the exact spot.
Going Upstairs
Silence filled the old house as Tim tiptoed up the stairs, trying his best not to make any noise. However, the ancient wooden steps beneath his feet creaked with every step he took, filling the still air with an eerie sound.
As he reached the top floor, the stench of something rotting invaded his nose, causing him to cover it with his hand in an attempt to block out the foul odor.
Nauseating Smell
Despite the nauseating smell, Tim searched every room on the top floor, carefully opening each door and peering inside, hoping to find his grandfather. However, his search was in vain, as his grandfather was nowhere to be found.
As Tim walked down the hallway, he could smell something strange. It grew stronger as he approached the last room at the end of the corridor.
Never Gone Upstairs
Tim had never gone upstairs much when he visited his grandfather. Generally, he stayed downstairs in the living room when he spent time with George. But today, he was going where he wasn't supposed to.
Even when he was briefly upstairs, his grandfather told him never to go into the last room upstairs. But the door wasn't closed this time.
An Open Door
When he peered through the slightly open door, he was hit by an overpowering stench. Despite his hesitation, Tim gathered his courage and pushed the door open, revealing the source of the smell.
The room was dark, and it took a moment for his eyes to adjust. When they did, he saw a table in the middle of the room. On the table was a large, open jar filled with a strange, thick liquid.
Disgust
Tim recoiled in disgust as he got closer to inspect the jar. The liquid inside was a murky, greenish-brown color, and it seemed to be bubbling slightly. He couldn't identify the contents of the jar, but he knew it was something he had never seen before.
Tim couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over him. He wasn't qualified to know what was inside.
Concoction
The boy felt sick just looking at the swirling concoction. He looked to the right and saw a shelf with a dozen more of the jars. He had no idea what they were; maybe his grandfather would have some answers, but where was he?
He decided it was best to leave the jar alone after he identified that the smell wasn't coming from the jar.
Continuing His Search
Tim decided to leave the strange and mysterious room alone for now. He was bent on finding the smell that had been causing him to be sick every time he went to his grandfather's house.
He felt like no one would listen to him. His grandfather seemed oblivious to it, and his mother pressured him to go there. He wanted to make sure he wasn't crazy. But the boy had no idea what he was about to uncover.
Finding Something Else
Just as Tim made his way to the door back into the hallway, he noticed something odd. Just to the left of the door, there was an old cupboard. Tim knew that he wouldn't get the opportunity to get into the room again. He had to take his chance.
He walked towards the cupboard and slowly opened its doors. But on the shelves, he saw strange ingredients.
Strange Ingredients
Tim looked at the weird ingredients inside of the cupboard. It started to click inside his head as he realized what they were for. There was a bag of yeast, among other things.
He looked back at the bubbling jars and finally made the connection. It was a room for brewing yeast into dough. He had heard of people doing it before, but he had no idea his grandfather was one of them. But one question still lingered on his mind.
Where Was He?
The biggest question on his mind was where the smell was coming from and where George was. He turned around and headed back downstairs. He was sure he'd find his grandfather in the living room.
But he didn't know that he'd be distracted by something on his way. It would be the smell again. He'd get sidetracked again. But it was to George's detriment.
Sidetracked
Tim had spent nearly twenty minutes investigating the smell in the house. But he had no idea that while he was stalling, his grandfather was in danger. He needed him desperately, and he wasn't around.
There was one final place that he would check before finding his grandfather. But would he make it in time?
Rotten Eggs
He couldn’t put his finger on it, but it somehow smelled like rotten eggs. However, he knew that his grandfather hadn’t made any eggs. He peered into the kitchen, and there was no evidence that he had made eggs.
Besides, his grandfather loved cereal for breakfast, just like Tim did, specifically Cheerios. He could see the box standing on the kitchen counter.
Mouse Traps
He was very confused. Why would the house smell like eggs, and no eggs were made in the house? It was a very puzzling situation indeed.
He wondered if there was maybe a dead animal somewhere in the house. He knew that his grandfather had put out mouse traps. But then Tim remembered that they were catch-and-release traps, not intended for the animal to die.
A Quiet House
Tim wondered through the house. It was very quiet, and he guessed that his grandfather was outside in the garden tending to his plants.
However, when he looked through the kitchen window and didn’t see him there, he became slightly worried. His grandfather knew that he was coming over. He was excited when he spoke to him over the phone a few days prior.
Made Plans For Them
He had made plans for them to grill some hot dogs. He planned for them to watch the game together. Maybe he stepped out to the store to get something, Tim thought.
But that was when he heard the sound. It was a faint knocking sound coming from his grandfather’s bedroom. Tim quickly made his way to the bedroom, and when he opened the door, he couldn’t believe what he was looking at.
Where Was He?
“Grandpa?” he called as he walked through the house towards the bedroom. He was confused. Usually, George would be waiting by the door to welcome him in.
He slowly walked through the house, calling for his grandfather, but he was getting no response. He held his breath, his heart pounding in his chest. But as he opened the bedroom door, he finally found George. His heart dropped.
Not Doing Well
George was on a couch in a puddle of sweat. Tim’s heart skipped a beat. His grandfather was not looking well at all. “Grandpa?” he questioned with a shaky voice, but he barely got a response.
George was gasping for breath on the couch. He could barely speak. He was too weak. Suddenly, Tim was reminded of how ill he felt just weeks before.
He Had To Do Something
Tim didn’t know what to do as he walked toward his grandfather. The old man was in and out of consciousness, and Tim knew he had to do something about it. He did the first thing that came to mind.
Tim wasted no time as he dialed the three-digit number, hoping help would arrive before it was too late. “911, what’s your emergency?” a woman spoke on the other end of the line.
The Emergency
Tim told the operator all about his grandfather and his symptoms, and by the end of it, she asked Tim to step outside. “Do you think you can take him with you?” the operator asked.
“No, he can’t stand up, and I’m not strong enough to take him outside by myself,” Tim admitted, tears welling up behind his eyes.
“Okay, honey. Just wait outside for me, alright? Help is on the way.” But back home, Tina was having a tough time, too.
Worried
Tina couldn’t stop thinking about her son on her way home. She couldn’t help but wonder what was going on. Did something happen between Tim and his grandfather? Was there a reason why her son had been feeling ill each time he came home?
She was starting to get worried. As soon as Tina got home, she decided to do something she never thought she’d do.
Unexpected Discoveries
In her anxiety, Tina decided to call her neighbor, Mrs. Jenkins, who had lived next door to George for years. She thought Mrs. Jenkins might have some insight into what was happening. As the phone rang, Tina's mind raced with worry.
Mrs. Jenkins answered, and Tina poured out her concerns about Tim and the strange occurrences at George's house. Mrs. Jenkins hesitated before finally revealing something that sent a chill down Tina's spine.
Sensing Something
Mrs. Jenkins confessed that she had noticed some weird smells coming from George's house but never thought it was her place to interfere. She spoke of late-night disturbances where she once saw George looking for something in the garden.
He had a mask over his nose to mask the smell. She guessed that he was looking for a dead animal because that’s what it smelled like to her as well.
Determined
Tina was now more determined than ever to get to the bottom of things. She felt a mix of fear and determination, her heart pounding in her chest.
Tim had complained of the smell for so long that all she thought was that her father probably hadn’t put the garbage out or something. But now Mrs. Jenkins noticed the smell, too.
Past Hobbies
What was going on, Tina wondered. She hoped that he father wasn’t busy with his collection of roadkill again. She knew that he used to collect roadkill and turn them into taxidermy.
His whole house was filled with it. However, she was sure that Tim would have noticed the dead animals if that was the case. It was one of her father’s hobbies that he had given up on, or so she thought.
Was He Doing It Again?
There was one way she could check if he was doing it again because she warned him that the dead animals could make him ill. Was he deliberately defying her orders?
When she got home, she knew exactly what to do. She had completely forgotten that she could do this without her father knowing about it.
Security Cameras
She sat in front of her laptop and started it up. Years earlier, she had installed security cameras in George’s home. She didn’t want to spy on them, but she wanted to ensure that everything was alright back at George’s home.
After a few clicks on the mouse, she was able to open the footage on her laptop. But she couldn’t believe her eyes.
Nowhere To Be Found
She switched from camera to camera, but she couldn’t spot her son or her father anywhere in the house. She was motionless in her seat, wondering what on earth was going on.
Where was her son? She tried to call him, but there was no answer. Something wasn’t right. She could feel it in her bones. She was lost in her thoughts when her phone started ringing, but she had no idea what tragedy would follow seconds later.
The Call
With shaky hands, she answered the phone, fearing for the worst. “H-hello,” she spoke quietly, her blood running cold.
“Hello, is this Mrs. Tina Mayfair?” An unknown person spoke on the other end of the line.
Tina was preparing herself for the worst as she spoke in a shaky voice, “Yes, this is she.”
A Carbon Monoxide Leakage
That was when they told her the heartbreaking news. “Ma’am, my name is Officer John Adams. We got a call from your son about an hour ago. It seems there was a carbon monoxide leakage in your father’s home,” the man shared the bone-chilling news.
Tina was at a loss for words. How could something like this happen? How long had this been going on for? Was that why Tim always felt sick when he returned from his grandfather’s house? “Are my son and father okay?” she cried.
The Hospital
Tina felt like she couldn’t breathe. “Yes, ma’am. We have your father in the hospital. He suffered severe carbon monoxide poisoning, but he will be alright. He and your son are at the hospital. We have professionals in his home. They’re fixing the issue.“
Tears poured down Tina’s face. She was relieved by the news, but at the same time, she was terrified. She wasted no time before heading for the hospital.
They Were Okay
When Tina arrived at the hospital, she was relieved to find Tim and George in his hospital room. While George was fast asleep, Tim was there to greet his mother with a loving hug. “I thought he was going to die,” Tim told his mother.
“But he didn’t. You saved him,” his mother cried, holding him tightly against her. Tim was relieved. He could finally go back to his grandfather’s house without feeling ill.
The Hospital Room
Both of them looked exhausted, but there was a mix of relief and worry in their eyes. Tim stood up and embraced his mother, their tears mingling in a moment of overwhelming emotion.
George weakly lifted his hand to reassure Tina. "We're going to be okay," he whispered, his voice strained but filled with gratitude. Tina, torn between anger and concern, couldn't help but demand an explanation.
Revelation
In the hushed hospital room, George hesitated before revealing the unsettling truth. He had completely forgotten to call someone to fix the problem, and in the end, the fumes left him confused and delirious.
The guilt etched on George's face mirrored Tina's shock. Tim, still recovering from the ordeal, interjected, "I told Grandpa about the weird smell, but he said not to worry. I didn't know it was making us sick."
Tense Silence
The revelation hung heavy in the air, creating a tense silence in the hospital room. Tina struggled to process the information. Her father's forgetfulness had put both her and her son's lives at risk. The realization of how close they had come to tragedy made her shudder.
Tim, sensing his mother's turmoil, said, "I didn't want to go back because I felt sick every time. I thought it was just me, but I didn't want to risk it anymore." The vulnerability in his voice tugged at Tina's heart.
Rebuilding Trust
In the days that followed, the family faced the aftermath of the incident. The house was declared unsafe until proper ventilation and cleanup took place. George, remorseful and apologetic, vowed to ensure the safety of his family.
As they navigated through the process of rebuilding trust, Tina, Tim, and George attended therapy sessions together. The experience, though harrowing, became a catalyst for open communication within the family.
A New Beginning
With time, the scars of the carbon monoxide incident began to heal. The house was renovated, and safety measures were put in place. George, having learned a valuable lesson. However, Tina gave him the benefit of the doubt because of his age. He was prone to forgetfulness at this stage.
The trio emerged from the ordeal stronger, their bond deepened by the shared trauma. Weekends at Grandpa's house took on a new meaning — a symbol of resilience, forgiveness, and the strength of family.