Raven at the Boundary [Sally x OC, Larry x OC]

Chapter 1

We moved to the Addison's Apartment when I had just turned thirteen years old.

My mom wanted a new start. It was rough when Dad left after all and a fresh life at a new State seemed like a good idea at the time. The apartment would be smaller than our house but it would be more affordable. I wouldn't have to see Mom struggle to pay bills. And selling the house to get a smaller one with lesser upkeep is much smarter.

I remember shrinking away from the view of the building when I first saw it but Mom promised that looks can be deceiving.

"It'll be better once we're inside," she said.

I was skeptical, but later that day, I found that she was right. The people I initially met were nice. They were... weird, but they're nice. Of course, there was a few that weren't fond of me but that couldn't be helped.

To be honest, I was just happy to talk and meet new people.

Then, after two years, I was now fifteen and had just finished my first semester in high school.

And for the first time in all those years, Addison's Apartment has new tenants.

---

I was on the verge of falling asleep on the couch, a show about two cups earning a debt with the devil vaguely playing in the t.v. I was barely listening, and my eyes were already closed when a loud rumble of an engine startled me awake.

"Wha-" I looked around blearily, wiping off the drool on the corner of my mouth and propping myself up on my elbows. Mom peeked at the window of our apartment, wiping her hands dry as the noise continued and came even closer.

"Oh, sweetie. I think we have a new neighbor." She called out and all of a sudden, all sleepiness from my body evaporated. In an instant, my face was pressed up against the window glass. And yes, I looked weird to whoever was outside.

But this was what I have been waiting for in a long while. The people here in the apartments are cool and all but I wanted to see a new face. This was my chance for my wish to come true.

My eyes sparkled as I tried to get a glimpse of whoever it was that was to be our new neighbors. "Really!?" I didn't get to see much, though. My breath fogged up the window too fast.

Mom rolled her eyes at me and ushered me away from the window. When she spoke, it was laced with sarcasm. Good ol' Mom. "It's exciting, I know. But we'll meet them later. Take a shower first then clean up your blanket from the couch and bring it to your room."

Grinning, I was off to skip towards my room to prepare (also grabbed the blanket, mustn't forget that).

After I closed my door, my mom watched the people outside with a hand in her waist. She was a little interested in these new neighbors of theirs. It was announced last Saturday at the mandatory meeting that some people would be moving in two doors down from theirs.

They moved in at the wrong time. She looked at the wall that separated our apartment from the one on the other side. There was a rosary hanging from a nail, the sole decoration in the otherwise big empty space.

Poor Mrs. Sanderson.

---

I set down the brush and pulled the top part of my hair into a ponytail. Then after pulling on my hooded jacket, I was set to go.

Standing up and petting my Mr. Clover on the way, I poked my head out of my room. "Mom! I'm ready!"

There were clanging in the kitchen and I can see the top of her hair from behind the island. "H-Hold on. There's a problem with the lasagna. I think it's undercooked still." She stood up and took off her kitchen mitts. "You should go first. I'll make my way there later."