Ghost•l.h.

"lying's a sin"

I woke up the next morning, rolling over to check the clock that blinked brightly in the darkness. 2:30. I shot up, bewildered at the fact that I slept in for 14 hours.

Rubbing my eyes, I hurriedly slipped on my clothes and ran downstairs. I was really going to have to start getting my body used to a pattern for school, which starts in two days. Because my body was still dazed with sleep, I decided against eating breakfast, and checked my text messages before going outside instead. My aunt told me she had already left for work, and to not wait up for her because she wouldn't be home until 8 tonight.

I scoffed and shook my head. Of course.

I didn't know why they put me under an adult's care if all they are going to do is not be home. I didn't know what the difference was between living in a practically empty house and living on your own.

I took a step out of the door, pulling my jacket closer to my body when I felt the wind pick up. I didn't know exactly where I was going, but I wanted to get out, maybe walk around the small block to see what this town had to offer. Staring down the road, I made my way past a couple of small stores, that I didn't have much interest in. One was a bakery, but there wasn't a soul in sight. I wondered to myself how they could afford to stay in business.

I continued to wander aimlessly, moving wherever my feet would take me. After a while, there were no more shops. No more anything, actually. I kept walking, believing that there would be a path for me to take back to the area I had just visited, but the road seemed to go on forever.

Before I knew it, I stood at the house that plagued my thoughts, and even my dreams. I shivered, feeling small as I looked up at the huge building alone. Once I learned about its history, real or not, I didn't want to come back. I hadn't even realized I was heading towards it.

The strange pull I felt toward this place disappeared, and I instantly felt more relieved. I could feel the panic rising in my chest; of all places in the word, why would I feel safer here? A place where a husband cheated on his true love? A place where a mother killed her three children, and hung herself from the guilt?

Because maybe you're just as screwed up as them. Something ominous whispered in my ear, and I wanted to run. But then I realized, it came from my own head. I wanted to scream, get as far away from this crazy house and town as much as possible, but there was something in me that made me walk forward, open the door, and walk right in.

Nothing had changed, much to my surprise. I didn't know exactly what I was expecting, though. I peered up at the stairs, silently questioning if the man from yesterday was here yet. Maybe he would be the ones who could put my mind to rest.

All of a sudden, I heard a the faint sound of music playing, something you'd expect to hear from a toy box. My muscles tensed, and I clenched down on my jaw in terror. It was coming from the dance hall.

"Luke, is that you?" I called out, but it came out more as a hushed scream.

I didn't receive an answer, so I started moving toward the sound. The music got stronger, but barely, as I stepped into the room, and scanned it for any signs of a radio, or something. What was even stranger was that the melody was familiar, even though it had no words attached to it.

I cautiously walked into the center of the room, where the sound seemed to be the strongest.

"Boo."