Ruin

prospect

True to his word, estate agent contacted me and showed me around purchasable place.
"Based on your preference, I got four place that suits you." Said the agent, named Samantha. The first place she brought me was huge, crisp and clean. Though it was too near to strip club that I think I wont profit anything from it. The second place was too small for business, but just enough for a bachelor to live in it comfortably. The third one was just right. The place was divided into three section. The front side enough to house 10-16 tables, a small bar and two billiard table. The second section had two toilets, a small lounge room, and and office. The third section had spacious kitchen. I almost accepted it even though it doesnt have any place left for me to stay in. The whole place was too good except of course, no bedroom. I can't take the staff lounge room can't I?

"Take me to the last one"
Samantha cheerful smile gone frozen and she cleared her throat.
"Of course.. but are you sure you are not interested with this? Its a good place to pass it up."
"I can see that but I need to see all before I can make up my mind." I said. She sigh and nodded.

We entered her car and drive along the way. It wasn't too far away from the whole buzzling place but it was one and only one building standing on a barren land. It look kinda awkward, and mysterious at the same time. Something about this land calls to me...
"As you can see, this place has it own charm. Though its a little bit far from the light and glory, its still good. Good ads and service will surely bring customers here."
"Why I can't see any other building around it?"
Samantha cleared her throat.
"This land is said to be haunted. Nobody could stay here for too long. I want to sell this piece of land really badly, but on my good conscience I can't sell it without telling you the truth."
She look from left to right, the vast piece of land and pass the awkward five storey red brick building.
"You wouldnt believe me if I said long time ago, these place was surrounded by houses and buildings. But one by one met with sudden accidents, or a string of bad luck. Then the grass start to wilts. Nothing can grow on this place and for some reason, the rain always skipped this place out. It hasn't been raining in this land for about 80years. My grandfather said that this land was cursed."
"Oh? How so?"
"It seems the former owner of this land stole this land from the real owner. Initially, everything went smoothly. He started to build a ranch, shops and houses, including this one. He used up all his money and thought it was a good investment until his horses died because of some sickness. One house caught on fire. And another suddenly collapsed, and others just striken by lighting and blew away by storm. That building is the sole survivor of the ordeal. a lot had tried to buy that but only to go crazy or die the next three days."
"So, you are selling a property that might drive people crazy or die?"
Samantha shrugs.
"All ten of them was enough of proof for this cursed land. But my boss won't accept it. That's why I've been trying to get it off my hand for sometime now."
We look around the place and I soon fall in love with it. Truly, it fit my criteria just fine. There's a lot of thing I can do with all these spaces here. it was subtle outside the house, but as we reach the second floor, a swift change in the atmosphere was palpable, charged with something foreign, different yet so familiar that make my blood rush all of the sudden.
"How big is this land?"
"Around 100 hectares"
I raised my eyebrow.
"And all of that are barren?"
She nodded.
"Your price?" My eyes looking around try to find the source of the unusual presence..
"A-are you sure miss?"
"The price."
"50k"
"Nonsense. Nobody will want this land, thats a ripped off. Make that half and I'll take it. No refund." I look over my shoulder, knowing fully well that i had her.
I know from her body language that was more than what she expect to get. The value had to drop from all that rumors and failures to settle the deal.
"I-"
"Its win-win situation, Samantha. I dont have time to dilly dally. Its deal or no deal, your choice."
Samantha took out a file out and gave it to me. I took her pen, skimmed through the contract, nodded and put my signature on it.
I look around and caught something at the corner of my eyes. Then I glance back at Samantha.
"pleasure doing business with you."

*****************************
Samantha left with a dazed and confused face on her. As if she didnt believe that she had finally achieved her long term goal, selling the accursed piece of land. I stay behind to check out the thing I had spot earlier.

Something is behind the large painting the size of a normal door. I wouldn't notice it not if I didnt used my mist to search for it. It dispersed as soon as it came near the painting.

Slowly, I lift the painting and put it down. I bet it was heavy but having extra strength was a bonus and it help me carry it like it weight a feather.

Something was there alright. Blurry with a rippling water effect on it. I look behind it and saw it was 2 inches away from the wall. I'm not dumb enough to enter the thing. But I'm sure it won't take me long enough to get information about this thing. Samantha said that some had claimed monsters and ghosts came and out from this building. Something tells me it had something to do with this.

My parents death had something to do with supernatural world. And I need information. What's the fastest way to get information? A place of gathering where people can loosen up. Like oh i dont know, Open a bar or something. People come to get drunk, find some fun and some might get their lips loosen enough to spill their guts out. I smiled.

I need to renovate this place asap.