The Boy Next Door

Chapter 2: The House of Death

Chapter 2

My father's words still burn in my thoughts. Someone is going to move in next door. In THE house. Oh God. I can't think straight anymore after knowing what's going to happen. Noone has lived in that house for twenty-two years. Of course the new buyers must know the story right? If not then...well they have the right to know what they're in for! My stomach is in nots just thinking about the past of that house.

Father told me the story when I was thirteen. Apparently thinking I could "handle" it. Which I could, but I don't like to talk about such a horrible story.

The house to our left is known as The House of Death by us and the public. Everyone in town knows what sick things happened there. The house was built in 1922 by Frederick Morgan for his wife Paige. Frederick was a "high class" doctor at the time of the construction,so the house had the finest wood, stained glass windows, and luxury furniture and decorations. When the house was finally finished, the newlywed couple moved in and had a baby boy named Thomas. Everyone knew the family as happy and cheerful; however, that wasn't the case. It turns out Frederick and Paige ended up fighting a lot. Not just with words. It got violent at times, too. Mr. Morgan liked to work at home so he could be close with his family. When patients went in to see him, they said he and his family were just fine and as happy as could be. Even normal visitors said the same. The Morgan family did a splendid job of hiding the truth.

Five years after the house was built everything got much worse. People say Paige even filed for a divorce, but Frederick didn't let her leave. One April 10, 1927, the name The House of Death was born. Paige put Thomas, now at the age of five, to bed and went to bed herself. Frederick was down in the kitchen working on some business files. All of the sudden Frederick lost it. He grabbed the biggest kitchen knife he could find and went upstairs to the bedrooms.

Creak. He opened the door to Thomas' s room. Aahh. Paige heard Thomas's scream and jumped out of bed. When she got to his room it was too late. Thomas was stabbed to death. Paige couldn't believe her eyes. She probably felt pain and agony. Well that's what I would've felt... She ran around the house trying to find Frederick and the murder. When she found Frederick she told him what happened. He replied with these exact words, "I know what happened, because I was the one who did it." Poor Paige was horrified, but before she could get away, Frederick slit her neck. Frederick ended up killing himself right after. The story was all over the news and in the papers for months.

Now previous owners of The House of Death move out because they are terrified of living there. They say they hear noises ,and some even say they have seen Frederick Morgan himself. The place has been vacant for the last twenty-two years untill now, I guess. Goosebumps started rising on my arms, and a cold shiver went down my spine. Enough of that! I have to go do my homework.

~~~~~

Finally done with THAT! Writing an essay is the worst kind of homework to get. I went into my dad's office to have him look over my final draft so I could turn it in. While he was going over it, I asked him for clarification. "Are people really moving in next door?" The tone of my voice went up and down. I couldn't keep it steady. "Yes, darling," he mumbled. "When the new neighbors get here I expect you to be on your best behavior. I mean it! No talking about the past or anything like that!" he exclaimed. "Okay, but what if they ask?" I hesitated to ask that question ,because I knew they wouldn't;however, I needed an excuse to talk about his thoughts on the whole scenario. "If they do,which I don't see why they would, you say you don't know anything about the house,and you'll keep it at that. You're mother and I will do the same," he assured me. I nodded my head slowly and waited impatiently until he was done revising my essay. I decided to tell Mia that I wouldn't be available on Saturday due to "family stuff". She understood which means I'm getting better at lying, because she bought it.

~~~~~

Five days have passed since I heard the news about the new neighbors coming. My thoughts became all jumbled, and my brain turned to oatmeal since then. I feel sorry for the new people, but it can't be helped. I went straight home after school and started my homework. Right as I was finishing up, I heard a truck which seemed to be coming for out in the front. I went outside through the front door where I saw my mom and dad standing. I was right. There was a big truck. On the side of the vehicle I read the words Jacob's Moving Service. Looks like the time has come. The new neighbors have arrived.