Diaries of the Dead

1 | Strange Beginnings

1 | S t r a n g e B e g i n n i n g s

Aiden pulled his car into the driveway of his new house. He looked up at the modern Victorian home and smiled at the sight of it. The beige colored building with wooden planks was surrounded by a layer of green on all four sides. The path leading to the front door had an even layer of gravel, topped with cement stepping stones. The white porch railing rose from the base of the house and lined the edges. A sign stating to keep off the grass was posted near the path connecting the garage to the house.

This was exactly what he wanted, a big high-rise house that would allow him to remain in solitude. It eased his heart that he didn't need to share an apartment with a roommate anymore.

New York City was nice. It was a busy place with lots of people. Perhaps, he would have loved it if he was the outgoing type.

But he wasn't.

Albany, Georgia was nicer. The rural setting and lack of people aided his creative juices. At least in this quiet place, he would be able to let loose and focus on his new novel without an obnoxious roommate hovering over his shoulder.

That was what he hated. He never liked to share his work until it was finished. He was superstitious that way.

Suddenly, he heard a tap on his car window and turned his attention to the source. He slowly rolled down the window and flashed a friendly smile to the person on the other side. "Hello..."

"You must be the new guy," a young man with curly, brown hair greeted. He tapped the roof of the car and pulled his lips into an uneasy smile. "I was hoping for a girl but you don't look too bad yourself."

Aiden knitted his brows together. "I'm straight," he said quickly, before the boy could get any ideas.

He burst into hysterics. "I'm just messing with you!" A grin was soon plastered on his slightly tanned skin. "I'm Nate, your next door neighbor."

"Aiden," he introduced, attempting to hold out his hand but soon realized that the window was blocking his way. His lips folded together in a line as he tried to find the right words to say. "D-do you think you can help me get some boxes inside?"

Nate nodded and made his way over to the trunk of the dark Nissan, waiting for Aiden to pop it open. Aiden stepped out of the driver's seat and met up with Nate in the back. He lifted the trunk up and reached for a box. Nate did the same.

"I'm glad you bought this house. It was starting to give me chills."

Aiden's brows furrowed as he gave Nate a questioning look, not being able to voice his confusion. He began to walk up to the front door alongside Nate.

"A girl lived here," Nate explained. "She had problems with the whole neighborhood and one day she just left. People say she went to Utah or something."

"Utah?" Aiden asked as he balanced the cardboard boxes in one hand and fished in his pocket for his keys. Finally locating them, he pulled them free and jiggled them into the lock. Bumping the door open with his foot, he stepped over the threshold.

Nate shrugged loosely as he followed behind. "Who knows?"

"Interesting."

"Well, you know. Just plain ol' neighborhood gossip."

Aiden looked up at the house and gaped. If he thought the outside was great, then the inside was even better. The foyer was connected to three different sections of the house. Ahead of him was the staircase, to the left was the family room and to the right was an office. Just past the staircase was a narrow hallway that led to the kitchen. This house was definitely ready to move in as it was already equipped with all the necessities.