The Monstrium

Chapter 1~ The Girl In the Window

"The scariest monsters are the ones that lurk within our souls."~ Edgar Allan Poe.

~ * ~

"Could you not have got a job, in like, Hawaii?", Lucas Hunt inquired.

His father grinned,"Lucas, this move will be for the better."

The barely-sixteen-year-old rolled his eyes playfully,"Oh, yes. My deepest desire is to move to the middle of nowhere, otherwise known as Druid Hills, Vermont."

David Hunt looked at his son,"Druid Hills is a nice place, Luke. Small town. Good people. You can make new friends."

Lucas looked out the window at the flashing autumn trees blurring by,"A fresh start. I know, Dad."

David gave a smile,"Your aunt Emery is so excited to see you."

"Aunt Emery talks to the moon, Dad", Lucas stated dryly.

David shrugged,"She's a bit eccentric, but-", Lucas shuddered,"She still sends me those bedazzled Christmas sweaters with the cats on them. Dad, I'm still known in some parts of California as 'Frisky Kitty'."

David smirked,"A new start, remember?"

Luke tried to remain positive for the one parent he had left,"Yeah, sounds good."

The truck passed by a pretty wooden sign beside the road. Leafy vines curled around the ornate framework, the words Welcome to Druid Hills in swirling lettering.

David got excited,"You pumped? I'm so ready for you to see this house, Buddy." Lucas smiled, happy to see a flicker of happiness return to his father's face. It had been awhile since the happy-go-lucky man had smiled brightly. Lucas guessed a new change could be good for them. Or at least for his dad, he hoped.

The truck drove through the pleasant town square of Druid Hills, the small shops and restaurants featuring much Halloween decor. The trees were fiery and bright, blazing with vibrant reds and oranges that sent swirls of leaves through the air. Lucas breathed in a deep breath of the country air. Lucas missed California, the crashing waves of the beach, but the crispness of the cool air helped lift his spirits. Lucas caught himself from saying something, the words 'Mom would've loved it here' seeming to fall apart before he could say it.

His dad turned down a road lined with pretty trees and antique street lamps. Soon they were pulling into the drive of a two story Victorian, complete with gables and a veranda. Lucas grinned,"I so call the attic."

His father nodded, grabbing his house key,"Have whatever room you want, Buddy."

They got out of the vehicle, and Lucas grabbed a box of his belongings, suddenly realizing he had quite the load of boxes waiting for him in the back. His dad whistled giddily, twirling the keys around his finger.

Lucas glanced around the yard a bit. Beside the massive oak with its towering branches, and a few smaller pines, he had a pretty, spacious lawn. It was definitely large enough to throw a ball with his father or a friend. Then Lucas realized he had exactly #0 number of friends, so his dad would have to do.

Something suddenly caught his eye, halting his walk toward the porch. From the house beside him peered a set of eyes from the one third story window. Once the staring gaze recognized it had been discovered, the blinds quickly shut. Luke made a face. "Nice neighbors", he retorted under his breath.

At that moment, Lucas knew his new home was going to be different.

~ ~ ~

"Almost done?", David inquired, setting down a box of kitchenware. Lucas gave a nod,"I have one more box left. Hey, when do you think Au-".

The front door burst open, and a loud voice beamed,"FAMILY!" David chuckled,"Now, Luke."

Emery Hunt stepped in, armed with scrap books and glitter. She tackled Lucas in a hug, and then attacked her brother with a forceful love-squeeze as well. David laughed,"Hey, Em."

Emery pointed at Lucas,"Lucas Avery Hunt, I made something for you!"

Lucas's face read, 'Oh my gosh! Thanks!' , while his mind said , 'Oh god, so much glitter.'

Emery whipped out a sweater, a bright green, long sleeved nightmare with a panda with googly eyes sitting in a jungle. Lucas's thoughts screamed in horror, but he smiled,"It's...great, Aunt Emery."

She gestured at him,"Try it on, Handsome. I hope I remembered your size right."

Lucas slipped into the sweater, and gave a smile he hoped didn't convey absolute terror. He mustered up a tense smile,"I love it. Thank you so much."

Emery squealed with delight,"I'm so glad. Green is absolutely your color." Yeah, Lucas thought, the color of puke. Or boogers.

"Well, I still got a box to grab from the truck. Let me just slip out of this hotmazing sweater",Lucas began. "No, keep it on! Stretch it out", his aunt prompted,"you're the perfect model for my designs." Lucas nodded,"Okay."

He stepped through the front door, sighing. Any chance he had at being cool here just flew out the window like the winged kitten that haunted him from Christmases past. He sped to the truck, grabbing the box labeled LUKE'S IMPORTANT CRAP before turning on his heels toward the porch. I might have made it, he thought hopefully.

"Hey, so you're so the new guy", a voice spoke. Lucas jumped, fearing who had caught sight of him.

Lucas felt his ears heat up with embarrassment. He sat the box on the porch, and turned to see a girl looking at him from the opened window of the creepy neighboring house. She had stunning crystal blue eyes, and her long dark hair fell in waves down her shoulders.

"Yeah, hi. I'm Hunt, I mean Lucas Hunt", he spoke, desperately trying not to stutter at her beauty.

She lifted a brow,"Like pandas?" Lucas gave a confused look before glancing down at the woven lady repeller he was imprisoned in.

"It was a gift from my aunt", he blurted.

The girl laughed,"Well, Hunt Lucas Hunt, you sure can jump. You get scared pretty easily."

Lucas tried to contain the blush threatening to burn into his cheeks,"I, well, just got caught off guard. I'm a lot braver than that."

The girl propped her elbows on the wind sill,"Oh, yeah. Totally."

"So, what's your name?", Lucas asked good-naturally.

The girl smiled,"Claudia."

David called for Lucas from inside the house, and he turned toward his voice. He turned to face Claudia again when he found the window shut, the curtains closed.

Lucas frowned as he entered the kitchen,"Who lives beside us?"

"Theodora Blackwell", Emery informed,"a very eccentric lady. She never leaves her house. I've seen her outside on the porch only a few times."

"Does she have a daughter?",he inquired.

Emery shook her head,"Theodora has lived alone ever since I can remember. I don't even think she has family. All she does is stare out that attic window every night and day. It's like she's a vampire or something."

Or something? Lucas thought. He couldn't get Claudia's crystal eyes out of his head. He couldn't have just imagined his encounter with the mysterious girl next door, could he? And who was looking at him through the curtains? Claudia, or Theodora?

* *

That night Lucas sat on his bed in his newly roomed attic, looking at his journal. He looked to a page he would cherish forever, a piece of his mother. He hadn't written any of his stories since he had lost her, the walls he had built up seeming to sever him from both other people and his hobbies. He took a shaky breath, tears running down his cheeks. He glanced at the words she had sneaked into it.

I'm so proud of you, Lucas. I love you.

A knock came from the door, and David asked if he was alright. Lucas gave a quick routine 'I'm fine' and got under his covers. He set the journal on the pillow beside him, and fell to sleep.