For those who have been following this story… this is where everything finally comes together.
I held the key in my palm for almost ten minutes.
I didn't want to go.
That house represented the worst years of my life.
But I also knew I couldn't spend another twenty-two years wondering what was behind that door.
So I went.
The house looked exactly the way I remembered it.
Same gate.
Same cracked wall.
Same front door.
I stood outside for a while before finally putting the key into the lock.
It turned.
Inside, everything was covered in dust.