Old Windows

Neighbors

Claire Brown. Tashmore Lake's newest resident. An impressionable 28 year old woman who comes from the American dream home family. She was offered a ride from her best friend; a local of Tashmore.

A job transfer is what brought Ms.Brown here, as well as its enthralling forest terrain. Stimulating every sense of inspiration. Unfortunately, houses in Tashmore were scarce, so she had to settle for a small home on the outskirts; near New London.

"I'm surprised you wanted to move out here," the friend Elise commented.

"How come?"

"We don't really get new people that often. I think people assume we have tons of murders or something," she lightly chuckled.

"Have there been murders?"

"Uh- yeah, yeah there have been. The man who they think did it lives around here but he isn't allowed in town. So I have no idea where he is now," setting off a pit of trepidation in her stomach, Claire second guessed her motives for moving here, "You'll be fine though. Just like any other place, don't talk to strangers or walk alone at night," Claire began fidgeting in her seat, completely disregarding Elise's attempt at reassurance.

"Well," she paused, "I'll be sure to look out for murderers then," she sighed in a breathy tone, "Do you know his name?"

"No, I don't right now. I'm sure if I heard it I would remember," Claire nodded her head and sat in silence the rest of the dismal ride to her house.

_

"Here we are," Elise announced as she pulled into the dirty road drive way.

Claire didn't respond, only the cracking sounds of the dirt and rocks beneath the tires filled the car. She couldn't find much to be excited about after the grim disclosure about the town's local murderer.

With Elise's assistance, they hauled in her belongings and waited until the U-haul would come with the rest of her things.

"You want me to stay and help or-?"

"Um," she looked around and ran her hand through her hair, "I think I got it, thanks though," she said through a fake small smile.

"Okay, well if you need anything just give me a call, alright?"

"You got it," although Claire would have appreciated her help, she didn't need anymore fear implanted into her mind.

A little while after Elise has left, Claire dug into her purse to try and retrieve her cigarettes, "Where are they?" she intensified her rummaging. With a deep exhale she took a step back, "Looks like I'll have to go buy some," she snatched her purse and keys off the counter.

She previously had her car transported to the house the day before. She failed attempts of getting the car to start, but to add to her frustration it was out of gas. She pounded her hand against the steering wheel, "Damn it!" she spat.

There was a culmination of crumbling rock noises coming closer and closer. Peering out the rearview mirror, noticing a car was approaching.

"You need help?" A mans muffled voice called from his car window.

Claire peeked her head behind her, outside her window, "I think I just ran out of gas!" she called back.

She watched the man get out of his car and walk in her direction. Frantically, she rolled up the window and locked the car on all sides. Facing forward with hands on the wheel and desperately trying to think of excuses to get him to leave.

He knocked on her window, "Hello?"

"I'm okay," she asserted.

He laughed lightly, "I'm not gonna hurt you ma'am," she looked up at him and only left a small crack open in the window, "I have some gas in my trunk if you'd like?"

She exhaled slowly and considered the risks, but he walked away before she could speak. She checked the rearview mirror once more and saw him draw out a gas can. Expecting him to extract a rifle from his trunk as well, she gripped on to the wheel until her knuckles turned white.

While hearing the crunching footsteps approaching, she shut her eyes as forceful as could, prepared to meet her end in her own car. A sudden knock on the driver's side window caused her body to brace and shot her eyes open. Firstly looking at his face as her eyes quickly dropped to his hands. To her assurance the man was only holding a gas can; just like he said.

He smiled and pointed down, "I have it."

Claire looked back up at his friendly grin and gazed down on the can once more for her own affirmation. Slightly unclenching her hands from the wheel, she unlocked the door and cautiously stepped out.

"Just move in?" He casually asked while filling up her tank.

"Yeah, today actually."

He loosely smiled in response, appearing as if he had a follow up reaction.

"I can show you around if you'd like? I know New London pretty well."

"Do you live around here too?"

"Something like that. I've been here a long time," he smiled as he closed the cap on the can, "You're all set...?" He implied asking for her name.

"Claire," she stuck her hand out, "Claire Brown."

He held her hand in his tight grasp, never breaking eye contact, "Mort Rainey," he flashed his braces.

"Nice to meet you Mr.Rainey," she sighed, hoping he'd get the hint and leave her alone.

"I'll see you around Ms.Brown, you take care okay?"

She nodded her head with a tight smile as he walked back to his car.

She watched him closely until he got in his car. He held up his hand as he drove away and she offered one last weary smile. Claire walked back inside with indecisive opinions about the unusually handsome man. Replaying the events of the last 15 minutes; her perspective was swaying in ways she wasn't even sure of herself.