The days seemed to fly by, and it was all too soon, when Jamie was knocking on the neighbour's door again.
   "Be right there!" Ms. Gisela's voice echoed inside, muffled by the thick wood door.
   Jamie's heart sank, as the cold air chilled her to the bone. She shivered.
   After another few minutes, the door swung open, and Ms. Gisela stood before her. Jamie almost gasped.
   For such an early time in the morning, Ms. Gisela looked perfect. Even though she couldn't have been awake for long, her hair was pulled back, and tied in a long braid running over her shoulder. Either her skin just naturally glowed, or she had found time to apply ounces of makeup.
   "Ah, Jamie. You mother told me you might be stopping by. Care to come in?" There was something about her voice. Something Jamie couldn't quite find an adjective for...
   "Um, sure. I think my Mom said that I could hang out with you for awhile."
   "Oh yes, your mother. Isn't she just lovely." Ms. Gisela smiled toothily, revealing spotless pearly white teeth. "Come in, come in," she called, waving Jamie in, who was still standing on the front porch. Timidly, she entered.
   The house was almost exactly the same. Except different.
   The wallpaper was darker, and the chandelier was now made of black stones, that barely let light through, kind of defeating the purpose of a chandelier. All of the artwork was slightly different, as if from a different perspective. The pottery and China was all... the only word that came to Jamie's mind was, darker.
   The house was gloomier.
   "Sit down!" Jamie complied, leaning into the chair Ms. Gisela gestured to. "Is there anything I can get for you? I would imagine you would be hungry. Unless you already ate breakfast."
   "Uh, no, I didn't eat yet. Though I'm fine. I'm not really hungry," Jamie lied for the last part. Her stomach was growling.
   "Oh, nonsense. You must be hungry! Besides, I wouldn't be a very good neighbour if I didn't offer refreshments!" There was something about Ms. Gisela's voice that made Jamie slouch further, and sigh in defeat.
   "I'll be in the kitchen. Just a holler away!"
   "Alright." Jamie sat up in her seat, and grabbed her bag. She reached inside, and pulled out her sketchbook and pencil.
   She had finished the picture of Mr. Forkle the day prior, so she flipped the page again, and set her pencil down, wondering what to draw.
   An idea came to her almost immediately.
   She began carving lines in the page, the pencil dancing in her fingers. Never did she falter, or go back and erase. When the picture came into shape, she smiled. It was just how she intended it to look. She began on the details, letting the pencil do the work, and feeling like she was just its guide. Once more details appeared, the picture really took shape. It became more and more lifelike, to the point that it felt like it was moving.
   After the main focal point of the image was complete, Jamie began working on the background. Her pencil was more harsh now, digging into the page, creating dark lines, matching the scene.
   It almost felt like she was staring out a window onto the scene, rather that looking at a piece of paper.
   Jamie would never admit it, but she was an incredible artist. In school, she had always excelled in art class, to the point that kids started buying paintings and sketches from her. Her class had always won the fundraisers where they sold artwork, because of her skill.
   And though it had never been proven, Jamie had a photographic memory, meaning she could record anything into her brain, and remember it perfectly any time. This helped significantly with her art.
   The background of the picture took shape almost as quickly as the subject, and it was also very lifelike.
   The setting of the piece was a cave, and hanging from the roof were glittering stalagcites of ice. On the ground, were mounds of ice, parallel to the hanging crystals. The scenery was grey, and darkly toned.
   Jamie's pencil began to move even more harshly, leaving sharper and sharper edges on the icicles. She shaded in the shadows, leaving the background even darker.
   She never paused to think, as the picture was glued into her brain. She drew and drew.
   Jamie didn't smell the delicious scents of bread and eggs, nor did she hear the humming coming from the kitchen. She was completely focus on her drawing.
   "Well," an unfamiliar male voice said behind her.
   The lead of Jamie's pencil snapped.

776 Words

That chapter was kinda short, but the last one was longer, so it sorta makes up for it?...
But boy, cliffhanger!
See Ya!
—Wawawa