I SEE YOU

Chapter 2

Florin placed the last box in the room and stretched. Unpacking wasn't difficult and tedious as he expected. The only issue was when he accidentally dropped a box that contained his mother's snow globe and other delicate objects, which warranted a harsh scolding from her. She used a lot of obscene words. As soon as his father, who was outside the house, came to see what the fuss was about, his mother acted like all was well. That was always the issue. She would always act like a dragon when it was two of them alone and then play the angel whenever Joshua was around. Florin did not understand why. He had read books and watched movies. Mothers never behaved like that to their children.

Florin observed his room. It was spacious and comfy. There was a bed gig enough for one person. A door which led to a bathroom  and a big window with blue curtains. He nodded in satisfaction.

He stepped into the living room minutes later to find his father typing away at the laptop. It wasn't twenty-four hours of moving in and Joshua was already busy with work. Florin was disappointed.  He had hoped that his father would spare time to watch sports or play a board game. His mother was in the kitchen and she was out of the question.

Joshua looked away from the screen to him.

"Is something the matter,Flo?" he asked.

"I thought that maybe..." Florin paused. His father understood the look on his face.

"I'm sorry,Flo, but I'm busy at the moment," said Joshua. "Perhaps you could go outside and do some exploring. Maybe get to know the new neighbours."

"Sure." Florin frowned and made his way out of the living room.

"Just don't stay out long and be back in time for dinner." He heard Joshua call out from behind.

"Alright," he replied.

For some time, nothing seemed exciting to Florin as he walked around the neighborhood. The streets looked deserted.  He was about to give up when he spotted a field just down the road. That gave him a ray of hope and walked into it.

There were a few children there. Some girls played with skipping rope, two boys flew kites as they ran around the field. Walking further,Florin spotted a girl in the distance sitting on a small rock. Her back was turned to him,but from her posture,it was obvious she was reading a book. Florin quietly made his way past her and sat on a log. Although he was glad to see children his age, he didn't know what to say. He was sure they didn't even notice him as he walked in.

A few minutes passed and Florin discovered a shadow looming over him. He turned around and discovered it was the girl he saw earlier. She was slim and a bit shorter than him. She had long black hair that made it's way past her shoulders, a round face, pointed nose and grey eyes behind oval spectacles.

"Hello," she said.

Florin took note of her accent. It sounded foreign.

"Hi," he replied.

"You're new to this neighborhood." She made her way to the front and sat a few meters beside him.

"Yes." He rubbed his arm.

"What are you doing here by yourself?" she asked.

"I thought..." Florin couldn't get any more words out. He looked behind them and saw the kids playing and then turned back.

The girl studied him for some seconds before she finally said, "I see. You're an introvert."

"What?" Florin was confused.

"A reserved person who does more thinking than speaking and doesn't like being around much people."

Florin was floored by her words. He doubted if she was the same age as he was.

The girl sat beside him. "It's great to finally meet someone like me. I guess you must have surveyed the neighborhood."

Florin nodded.

"My name is Kiba." The girl stretched out her hand to him. "Kiba Christensen."

"Kiba?" Florin tilted his head sideways, the name sounding strange to him.

"It's short for Kibariye," said the girl, on seeing his expression. "My name means purposeful,or at least,born with a purpose. I have Danish and Russian heritage."

"That's cool," said Florin, a small smile gracing his face. He took her outstretched hand in a soft handshake.

"Well?" She was expectant. Florin was confused until he realised what she meant.

"Sorry," he said. "My name is Florin Meyer."

"Florin?" Kiba repeated,then smiled. "That's a beautiful name. It means flower."

"Yeah,it does." Florin nodded,staring at his feet.

"So, you also have European heritage?"

"I don't think so. My parents are both American. I have no idea why the name came up."

There was silence for a while. Kiba glanced sideways and saw the disturbed look on Florin's face.

"There's something bothering you," she said. "You can ask."

Florin stared at her. Her face was calm.  He knew he could trust her.

"There's a house in my street," he said.
"It's demolished and it looks like no one has lived there for years."

Kiba placed her hands on the book in her lap.

"From what my nana told me.." she said.

"Nana?" Florin interrupted.

"Grandmother. My parents are late. She's my only family."

"Oh...I'm really sorry about that."

"It's alright." Kiba smiled warmly, then the frown was back on her face. "From what nana told me, that house has a very terrible and dark history. A history that started with death. A woman was murdered there ten years ago."

"Murdered?" Florin swallowed the lump he felt in his throat.

"Yes." Kiba nodded. " She was a maid. No one knew who her assailant was. Her employers moved away after that incident. Several plans had been made over the years to rebuild it. They all failed. Strange circumstances always happen. It's either the builders fall ill or encounter violent accidents."

Kiba paused and faced the setting sun, an intense look in her eyes.

"Nobody likes to talk about that house again or want to associate themselves with it. They believe it's now cursed."

Florin felt a tight grip in his heart.

"Are you sure nobody lives there now?" he asked.

Kiba looked at him, amazed at such a question.

"Of course, nobody lives there," she said. "Why would anyone in their right mind want to do so?"

Florin went silent, his worries growing. If nobody lived in that house now, who was the woman at the window?