Our Love's Horror

Crash

Tucked away, deep in the thick lines of trees a house stood, white siding peeling where the kudzu vines overtook it. A porch hugged the house tightly, nestling in a very dark and gruesome history. It was once a home. The house was once tall and proud. But its grounds were tainted by the unspeakable act. The walls and floors of wood were soiled by the blood of the previous occupants and the quiet town knew, even years and years later, that the house was haunted and cursed.

A field stood between the house and a quiet farmhouse, the dark history seeping onto the land and spreading like a parasitic flea to the neighboring home. That's what caused the accident all of those years ago, it's said. That house not only took the innocent lives within, but in it's hunger and rage it sought to destroy the occupants closest to it.

Charlie never believed in curses though. He never believed in ghosts either. That is how he came to own the house. It was cheap and held a secret place deep within his heart. There had only been one person interested in that house since the incident and she now presided next door in the farmhouse. That is how Charlie and Nicole came to meet; a love for something so twisted and dark...

The diner was full of people, the church goers loud with the gossip of the newest resident to the town. His name was Charlie and he had moved into the sullied house but that's as much as anyone knew about him. The town was small, so everyone knew one another. It was one of those places from an old chick flick - close knit, church going, no secrets, and very judgmental. They hadn't had a newcomer for a few years and everyone was dying for even the smallest bit of information.

"So you bought the old house on Kane Hill?" Nicole asked, placing a hand on her hip as she shifted her weight to one leg. Brown eyes narrowed as she brushed black hair from her face. Her thick lips pulled into a tight frown.

"Yes, ma'am, I did." Charlie tipped his squarish head, short brown hair catching the light from the open window. His own full lips pulled into a smile as he watched her cross pale arms over a well endowed chest. "Name's Charlie Stillwell, ma'am." He smiled, perfectly crooked teeth gleaming. He reached out a muscular arm, extending a calloused hand to shake her petite hand. Though unsure, the waitress took his hand.

"Nicole Jade." She nodded, electricity running between them. "And I was saving up for the house you just bought." Nicole had been working as a waitress ever since she arrived in the town and had scrimped and saved every penny she could for the house; though it was certainly cheap for a home.

"Oh?" Charlie cocked an eyebrow at her, grin still on his lips. "Well I'm sorry. If you'd like you're more than welcomed to come over and see it anytime. I'd love to give you a tour."

"I live next door." Nicole admitted, hand going back to her hip. "Now, are you going to order or do you need a minute?" She was normally kind to everyone, but the fact that this new person in town bought the house she had always dreamed of and had worked so hard for angered her.

As Charlie ordered his breakfast and watched her, he couldn't help but feel something for the young woman. If only he had known how connected they really were. If only he knew they both had deep dark pasts that neither one of them were ready to share. Maybe things would have turned out differently. But then again, Charlie was never one to step down from what he wanted.

Charlie sat in the diner that day and watched Nicole carefully. He saw how she laughed, how she paid for someone's meal, how she helped a mother in need of a small break from her screaming child, how she assisted old people, joked with 'regulars,' and took care of anyone she could. Charlie saw how carelessly she gave to others and how easily she gave love. She was the kind of girl others took advantage of. But she had an air about her that made him want to protect her.

Charlie stayed there until the afternoon, watching and waiting. He saw the loud beat up truck pull up and watched as Nicole got in, leaning over to give the driver, shielded by a glare in the dusty windshield, a kiss on what he imagined was the person's cheek before speeding off.

"Son?" A man tore Charlie from his thoughts. He was dressed like a cook and had probably been paying close attention to Charlie. "I'd advise you to look only. Don't go gettin' too friendly with that girl." It was a warning with a threat behind it. Charlie could feel his large biceps tighten and a vein raise in his forehead as his square jaw locked. "That's Billy Ray's girl. She lives with him. He's been lookin' out for her since she first came here and he don't like no one gettin' close."

"That's her husband then? Or boyfriend?" Charlie questioned, dark eyes locking on the man.

"Neither. I think he'd marry her in a New York minute, but she's oblivious."

"Well then, where there's a will, there's a way."

If he had known, he never would have bothered. If only he had listened. If only he had moved on. But like two star-crossed lovers or two star particles beside one another during the Big Bang, their souls were intertwined and they had always been destined to c r a s h.