After Dark

Three

Wooding was even more deserted than I'd expected it to be. I knew it was a small rural town but the distance between each house was at least a mile. If it hadn't been for the well kept gardens you'd think the place had been abandoned. We hadn't seen another person or car since passing the 'Welcome to Wooding' twelve miles back.

Our new house was even further out from the main town, located down a winding dirt road that looked like it hadn't been used in a very long time. Rocks and stones crunched underneath the car tyres as we drove along. I could see in the centre mirror that a large dust cloud followed behind us as the car dislodged the surface. I wondered how long it had been since the last time anyone had driven along this road. From the look of it, I'd say a very long time.

"I'd like to pave this road when we have the money," mum said, holding her head out of the window and looking at the floor. "It'll ruin the cars otherwise."

"What do you mean it'll ruin the cars?" Dad asked.

"Well if all these little bits of stone flick up and damage the paint we'll constantly be fixing them up."

Dad shook his head. "We're not in Lake Losque anymore sweetheart. Most of the roads round here are like this."

Mum sighed and wound up the car window. Part of me hoped that she regretted the decision to move here just a little bit, even if it was only down to the inconvenience of repainting her car.

"Look kids, there it is. Home sweet home." Dad pulled the car up outside the house and switched the engine off. All four of us sat there for a moment and stared at it, until we were suddenly startled by the sound of excited barking from the boot. Josie's golden head popped up to look out of the rear window.

"Well at least one of us is excited to be here." I said, unbuckling my seatbelt and stepping out of the car. I opened the boot and Josie practically threw herself out, nose straight to the floor. "What can you smell, Josie?"

I watched her tail spinning furiously as she followed a scent into the bushes. She was happy with this new place. We had a much bigger garden here than in Lake Losque.

"Our stuff is getting dropped off in about an hour, so if you want to have a look around before we fill the place with boxes then now's the time." Mum called from the porch.

I didn't want to go inside and look around. I didn't want to pretend that I was excited to decorate a new room and start a new life here. I wanted to run back to Lake Losque and not look back. I wanted to climb the ladder to the tree house and never come down. But I didn't run. Instead, I called Josie out of the bush and made my way up the porch steps and into the house.

The interior was a stark contrast to our home in Lake Losque. The dark wooden panelling in the hallway seemed to suck all the light that streamed in from the windows. It was colder inside than it was outside, despite it being an October afternoon. I walked down the hall to see the door to the lounge wide open. I stepped inside and immediately noticed that the curtains were drawn. I was about to pull them open when I noticed that the velvet fabric was completely covered with something furry. I studied it closely and that was when the smell of damp and mould hit me. I put my hand to my nose in an attempt to block out the stench of decay and neglect. I quickly excited the room, not even stopping to look into the kitchen or dining room.

I stood back in the entrance hall gulping the fresh air that flowed in from the open front door. I could hear my mum and brother still out on the porch. He was telling her where he wanted his climbing frame to be assembled in the garden. I leant back against the wall and ran my hand along the bannister. A thick layer of dust wrapped itself around my fingers. I grimaced in disgust. Every surface in here seemed to be teeming with filth.