IDOLS

Chapter 10 - Front Yard

July 4th, 2023
Greyville, New York
6:30 AM
People remaining: Lia

Lia woke up with a gasp.

What the hell happened?

She checked her phone, which finally worked after having no service all night. 6:30 AM.

How was I asleep for six hours?

She stood up.

This is crazy.

She looked around. It looked like she was back in the present day, entirely.

The house looked exactly as it was before her and the others entered it the previous night. Run-down, windows boarded up, front door ajar, the works.

I should probably close that.

Lia walked to the front door and pulled the door shut.

It slammed.

From the door, a faint blue energy seemed to surround the house, pushing Lia back.

The house was now sealed, and no one could enter.

Glad that's over.

Then Lia fully remembered what happened.

Oh my god. Cory! Chloe! Sebastian! Mel!

They're all gone. Forever.

She broke down crying, mourning her lost friends.

Then she remembered that the four that didn't come, Angie, Sarah, Tommy, and Dominic, had no idea what happened because they were at a party last night.

Oh god. How do I tell them?

Oh crap. I should probably call 911.

What do I tell them? A ghost house made me kill my friends and I'm somehow the only person that survived? I could just say we went exploring in the woods and they got lost— NO! I should just tell them what happened and I won't have to deal with the guilt of lying.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A half hour later, a police car showed up. A female officer came out and walked up to Lia.

Officer: "Hello. My name is Officer Kathleen Jensen. You can call me Katie."

Lia: "Hi Katie. We have a lot to talk about."

Katie: "I heard! It seems to me you and your friends went exploring in the Watson house."

Lia: "People know about it?"

Katie: "Everyone does! Well, everyone over the age of 30, I guess. It's a pretty old story."

Lia: "If this place was haunted all these years, how come it isn't blocked off at all?"

Katie: "No one was brave enough to. My parents' generation learned about the Watson murders firsthand and pretty much vowed to keep their kids away from the house. The kids then went on to have kids, and I'm guessing you don't know because your family's either from out of town, or the kids figured this house was so far from the main part of Greyville that they decided their children didn't need to know."

Lia: "What did you tell your kids?"

Katie, joking: "Didn't need to tell them anything! My wife seems to not be able to have kids. Or I'm not trying hard enough!"

Katie and Lia laughed together.

After a few minutes of chatting and Lia explaining what happened, Katie started to leave.

Katie: "Well, it seems you aren't hurt, so I think I'll be on my way. Do you need my phone to call someone to come get you?"

Lia: "No, my mom's on speed dial. Thanks!"

Katie as she gets into her car: "You're welcome! Safe travels, Lia!"

Katie drove off.

I guess I have to call Mom now.

Knowing how her mom would react to the entire ordeal over the phone, Lia decided to just give her the address and talk about it in the car.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lia's mom: "What do you mean your friends all died in a haunted house?!"

Lia was now with her mom, Yolanda Lopez, driving home.

Lia: "It's a long story—"
Yolanda: "Really?! Your friends all dying should be a long story if you witnessed it!"
Lia: "I know, I know. Basically the house was haunted—"
Yolanda: "Say no more. Haunted houses are bad juju. I've always told you that. Lesson learned?"
Lia: "Lesson learned."
Yolanda: "We'll talk with your dad when he gets home. And by the way, make sure you call everyone's parents to make sure they know what happened. A firsthand account is the best account."
Lia: "Could we arrange a dinner with everyone?"
Yolanda: "Sure."
Lia: "Awesome."

We close on Yolanda driving away from the house, thankful her daughter is alive.