Dodge Mason // Mystery Boy

17

Cool

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Legend has it, that a hundred years ago, there was a man named Samuel Graybill, who was the richest man in Texas. He had a beautiful wife and three happy children and he wanted to build a majestic house in Carp. But the land he chose, was believe to be cursed. Graybill didn't believe in curses and built the house anyway. After they moved in, Graybill and his family played a game every day. When he came home, he'd knock four times and wait ten seconds before he entered. So his perfect wife and children could come greet him at the door.

"Knock four times. Exactly four," Nicole instructs, arms folded and glaring at me and Heather. "Then, close your eyes and count to ten."

"Wh- What happens after ten seconds?" Heather asks.

"Don't worry, everyone around here does it," Nicole reassures with a not so reassuring tone.
Heather and I look at each other unsure, and then we proceed to walk slowly to the door of the house. The stairs to the porch creak as we step with as much caution as a 10 year old can.

However, one day he came home and didn't knock, so he could surprise his wife.

"One..." we count together as I make the first knock.

He snuck into his bedroom...

"Two..." *knock*

And found her in the arms of another man...

"Three..." *knock* Suddenly, I see a dark figure running in the house through the window of the door and I scream. Heather does the same and we run from the door in the most fear we have ever experienced. We run past Nicole and into the street together.

In a fit of rage, he killed his wife and his children and buried them in the walls of the house. In his grief, he hung himself from the bell tower. Now, Graybill's ghost curses all lovers who enter the house, and they will hear the bells ring before their beloved one dies. 

"Wow..." Dodge says with his eyebrows raised. "That's a pretty intense story," he laughs.

"It's not a story!" I roll my eyes and playfully hit his shoulder. "It's very much real and it's as real as the fear Heather and I experienced that night."

"I'm sure that girl got a real kick out of scaring you guys," he laughs at me once again.

"Laugh all you want but it's real," I say crossing my arms. Dodge stares at me from across my bed and I immediately know what he's thinking. He jolts toward me and pins me on the bed and starts tickling me. "NO! STOP!" I scream, laughing. I try to tickle him back but it's no use.

"Now look who's laughing!" He says as I scream begging him to stop. He stops and I catch my breath in relief. I give him a death stare while he's still on top of me and I put my arms around his neck. He leans down and rests forehead against mine before rubbing our noses and then sealing in a kiss. It gets a bit heated as it goes on a for a bit longer and we do it a few more times. He has one arm beside me, holding him up, and the other on my waist. He begins to slowly let his hand creep up my shirt being cautious of any signs of disapproval. Once he sees that I don't give any, he continues. I feel his fingers brush against my side and then I hear the door knob turn. He immediately jumps off of me and we frantically try to sit up as we look over and see Kai open the door.

"Heyyyy..." Kai says with a blank expression. "You guys look busy..." he pauses. "So imma go," he says pointing a thumb behind him. "But before I do..." he continues. "What's for dinner?" he asks awkwardly.

"Pizza," I respond as quickly as possible while trying to ignore the awkwardness that is completely suffocating the air.

"Cool," he says nodding and looking down and around. "So, uh, have fun making out and stuff," he says with a finger gun before leaving and closing the door behind him. I sigh and bury my face in my hands trying to process what just happened. I look at Dodge through my fingers and see him staring at me with a big grin. He sees me peeking at him and we start laughing.

"Hey," Dodge starts while putting a hand on my thigh. "I have a tournament later, do you maybe wanna come and watch me?" He asks.

"Nah, sorry it's not really my scene," I respond.

"Oh..." he says trying to hide his sad eyes. "That's okay I just thought I would at least ask-"

"Dodge, I'm just kidding!" I cut him off laughing. "I would love to go," I say giving him a kiss and watching his face light up.

"Do you wanna come with me to stop by my house before we go so I can get ready?"

"Yeah, lemme see if Kai can stay at a friend's house or something." I say getting up to arrange everything. Dodge grabs my hand and turns me to him.

"Oh and Delilah, you're a jerk and you're not getting away with that," he says before tickling me again. I scream and run out of my room as he chases me.