Strangers

Chp 3: Grandfather

Morrowstone Home For The Aged. A lonely building recently built in a forest after many of the residents there complained about the previous area it was set in. Many said they never liked the people who lived there. They probably had bitter feelings of the family members that abondoned them in Morrowstone. One resident, Greg, or 'Pappy' as affectionately called by his friends and family, loved Morrowstone. It was by choice that he decided to live there as he did not want his children to go through any trouble taking care of him. It was soon, however, that Morrowstone was going to renovate again and the place was busy calling the families of the residents and planning on where the others, those who did not have families who cared or simply those with no families, would be staying.

"HELEN!" exclaimed Pappy. "Oh dad! It's been so long... I hope you're not mad at me for not finding time to visit you..." Tears welled up in Helen's eye and the best Jeff could do was to rub her shoulder for comfort. He never really felt comfortable with Helen's father, Jeff always felt that Pappy still had feelings of resentment for taking his baby girl away from him so early. "Don't be silly, Helen. You've called me millions of times to apologize. I know you love me. Wish I could say the same with your brothers." "Oh dad" Helen hugged him tight. Pappy coughed, "Are you alright? Do you need some water?" "Helen, dear, you worry too much, I'm fine." Pappy coughed again. "It's just the changing weather that's all...." "Dad, this is California" "Bah, whatever it is... i'm good.. by the way where's Jonah? I haven't seen that boy in so long." Helen and Jeff looked at each other. Pappy never knew about Jonah's rebelliousness. The last time they saw each other, Jonah was loving towards all especially towards his grandfather. Helen could not bear to tell him that Jonah probably forgot all about him.

It was a long drive to Burkelane. Pappy was fast asleep, both Helen and Jeff sat there in silence. Jeff sighed. "What?" asked Helen. "What do you think your father is going to think once he sees Jonah has become what he's become?" "I don't know, Jeff. It breaks my heart... I remember when Pappy had to go back to the home, Jonah sobbed for days because he never knew when he was going to see him again." Helen couldn't countinue. She hoped that Jonah would try to make things as good as possible for Pappy's sake.

Meanwhile, Jonah sat at home watching TV. He thought about his grandfather. He honestly had very little memory about him. He sort of had conflicting feelings, while he was kind of happy that he was coming home, at the same time he had a feeling that this visit was not going to go well whatsoever. He looked at the grandfather clock. It was seven already. They were late. Jonah checked out the clock. Jonah actually liked it but he couldn't help feeling that the intricate design had some sort of sinister meaning. Jonah ignored it.

Jonah then went to his room and took out his sketchpad. Nobody knew it but Jonah was a great drawer. He did not want anyone to know because he thought that this would be a sign of sensitivity and Jonah did not like exposing that. The only person who knew that he had a talent was his former girlfriend, Dahlia. She actually made Jonah happier and his antics weren't as serious but then Dahlia committed suicide by hanging herself. It completely destroyed Jonah. To that day he never knew the reason why she killed herself as Dahlia's parents wouldn't allow Jonah to the funeral, thinking he was the reason their daughter was gone. It drove Jonah to commit more crimes and get himself expelled. That was the first time that had happened and soon, the rest was history.

Jonah turned the pages of his pad. He liked drawing portraits, most of them were of Dahlia but as of recent, the drawings were much darker. He drew the next door lady, Audrey Langford. Another one of the girl who found blood in her bag, he found out her name was Kelsey. The last one was of Heather. It was slightly terrifying. Jonah wanted to tear it out and throw it away but something about her made him feel funny and he kept it there. Even then, he felt Heather's expertly drawn eyes staring into his soul. The mouth... blood red. Wait... Jonah didn't color the drawing... the whole face soon was stained with blood. Jonah felt his face all wet and checked out his reflection. He was bleeding, blood running like a waterfall. He looked back at the drawing. It was gone, Jonah looked back at the mirror. His face has stopped bleeding... Jonah was wondering what was going on when suddenley Heather appeared behind him. Jonah turned around in fear... he wanted to run but Heather's face placed him in a trance. Her mouth opened and became larger and larger as if she was in some horrifying, permanent scream.... a voice came out and was definitely not human.