THE ESTATE

Displaying no fear of the dark, she proceeded forward calling out to Mr. Tibbs. When she suddenly heard a soft whimper. Her heart sunk, he is trapped somewhere, in need of help. She had been speaking ugly things about him and here he is hurt. She was crushed from her misconception of the situation. Continuing to call his name yet receiving only a faint response from him in return. It was clear he was not moving towards her. They were at an impasse, her eyes were not adjusting to the dark enough to continue down this path, it was time to seek assistance. Leaving the darkness behind, calling out to Mr. Tibbs to reassure him she would return with light, in order to rescue him. Darting back up the stairs in search of a flashlight, knowing that there would be thousands of drawers to look through, it occurred to her it would be best to seek help from Miss Margaret first. But the one she found was Dillon wandering in the kitchen. Out of breath from running through the house, she made her plea known. He became the rescuer. Following her to the spot where she last left the meowing sound from Mr. Tibbs. Calling out his name once again, to reassure him she was back with help. They heard nothing. Darby’s heart sank. Dillon shined the light throughout the space. Asking if she was sure this was the right room? Darby was frustrated as she looked around and stated she thought she made it back to the same spot. Things looked a little different with light shining on them. Overcome with worry and exhaustion, confusion was allowed to set in, tears started to well up in her eyes. The words spoken earlier flew back in her face, she knew better, don’t speak ill over anyone or anything. “The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives (Proverbs 18:6,7 NIV).” Had her words put Mr. Tibbs in danger. “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned (Matthew 12:37 NASB).” Able to keep her emotions in check and her voice steady, yet not able to keep the tears from spilling across her cheeks and down her face. She continued to call Mr. Tibbs name in hopes of getting a response. Neither one of them knew what kind of room they ended up in. Dillon was trying to determine if it was a storge room or some type of utility room. He was backing out of the room leaving the light to shine a path for Darby to follow him out. They both had gotten quiet and suddenly they heard a soft whimper, as if it were echoing from far away. Darby had been correct, this was the same spot, but the mystery remained. Where was Mr. Tibbs? She had wanted a distraction but not one that would fill her with concern and worry. Dillon now directed the light where he thought the sound was coming from. There was nothing visible. Darby moved in the direction of the sound, feeling secure under the beam of light, yet Dillon cautioned Darby to watch her step. There was a creak before she felt the loose board under her foot. Dillon moved swiftly to catch her arm before she would have plummeted below. Danger had lurked in the darkness, and Mr. Tibbs had fallen to its snares. At this point Dillon insisted they were going to need more than the flashlight that he was holding, they needed to flood the room with light to uncover what was beneath them. Having left Mr. Tibbs once already she insisted on staying close to the opening to comfort her companion below. Leaving her with the flashlight, Dillon left to find some lanterns, stating that it may take a while to find what he was needing, for her not to worry. The small light was a comfort to her. As it shown in the direction of the gaping hole in the floor, allowing light to filter down to Mr. Tibbs, she thought of the verse in Psalms 18:28 (NIV). “You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” And then she was reminded of a Scripture by no coincidence and recited it out loud, so that Mr. Tibbs could take comfort in her voice. “‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:3,4 NASB).’” Listening intently for Mr. Tibbs to respond with a meow. “Do you hear my voice sweet kitty; shall I share another verse with you?” Hoping that Mr. Tibbs would stay close to her voice, he may not understand the words being spoken, but they were a comfort to her and hopefully a comfort to her furry companion. There was no response, but Darby recited another verse from Isaiah 41:10 (NASB). “‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” Trying to remain calm, although there were questions that surfaced. Wondering how deep a drop was below her. Had Mr. Tibbs gotten hurt from the fall? It had been a while since she had heard a sound from him. Had he moved deeper, into what kind of abyss? Frustrated by why this area didn’t have lights installed in the first place.