Beautiful Katherine

The small area of Burbank was located in the suburbs of California and seemed to be a world in its own.  Everything was different than what was normal, although there really was no hint to what is normal anyways.  The houses gave the impression that there was one house and it was pasted in lines on the scenery over and over.  Color, shape and size all were carried over to each house, driving through in your car it looked as though you really weren't‘t going anywhere at all.  The people that resided in the suburbs seemed to keep the uniformity of their houses.  The paper arrived the same time every morning, and was delivered to the same spot.  The neighbors collected their morning news in unison, and wore similar robes.  As the hard workers left for their daily jobs, housewives waved good bye and the lawn ornaments appeared to sigh with boredom.  This was their way of life, the cliche suburban way of living1

* * * * * * * * * * 2

There was a young girl about fifteen who lived on Millbury road in these suburbs.  Her name was Katherine; Katherine was a very beautiful and very smart girl, and very independent.  She knew how to take care of herself and what made her happy.  The suburbs by any means did not make her happy, Katherine didn't’t feel as though she belonged in the suburbs.  Was it something about the sense of consistency?  Was it the silence? Could it be the thought of every thing being perfect?  She didn't’t know; all she wanted to do was get away as quickly as possible.  Katherine got up Six-’o clock that day, and dressed in her uniform for school.  She met her “friend” Beth at the end of her drive and they walked to the bus stop together.  3

Beth really wasn't’t her friend, but that is what Beth thought of herself as.  Beth felt that she was a friend with everyone; she also thought nobody was really worthy of her presence but her.  They walked almost a half a mile to get to the bus stop, and on the way they passed many run of the mill houses, but the last one on the road was different.  It was the largest house in the suburbs and was also the most distinct.  It was Burbank Manor; many that lived around it had complained of strange happenings and most had moved away for fear of their lives.  But despite the rumors Katherine admired the old house and enjoyed and looked forward to walking past the house everyday that she had school. 4

As Katherine and Beth came closer to the house Beth seemed to speed up almost as to get past Burbank Manor as fast as she could.  Katherine did the complete opposite of her; she slowed down in complete awe of the house.  She was utterly obsessed, she found it beautiful and mysterious, and wondered who could possibly live there.  She loved how the lawn looked as though it was jungle, and how the foliage was over grown and wild.  She adored how the house wasn't’t completely state-of-the-art, how the shingles were falling off and how the shutters hung by just a hinge, she even loved how the windows were begrimed and tainted from the dust.5

* * * * * * * * * * 6

Jack was suddenly awakened from his deep slumber.  He opened his eyes and scanned the room; he yawned and rolled over to reach for his watch that sat on the nightstand.  He was still very groggy so he rubbed his eyes.  It was almost seven-‘o clock. Jack suddenly looked very panicked and sprung from his bed and galloped down the stairs.  He skidded to a stop at the front window, and became very quiet as he starred out into the street.  Soon enough he saw two girls walking past the house, one was talking and walking quite quickly.  The other was walking very slowly.  It was the girl that was walking slowly that he jolted out of bed to see, he got up at the same time every morning to see her.  Jack was completely saturated with her; he found her beautiful and loved every aspect of her.  Especially her smile it was bright and inviting.  Jack also adored how she always seemed to stare straight back at him and wish that that moment could last.  He picked up his camera and took a shot. 7

* * * * * * * * * * 8

School got let out at three, but Katherine had a meeting about school yearbook and left the school a little later.  She walked home from the bus stop alone for the first time, well for the first time since Beth moved here.  So she took her time and enjoyed the walk...alone.  In her mind she was thinking how wonderful it would be to know who lived in Burbank Manor.  She stopped in front of the house outside of the gate, and stared the house over.  Then grasped the gate handle and the gate creaked open. 9

She walked across the path that was over grown by weeds, the house seemed to welcome her; it drew her closer.  She stepped on the old porch, the wood acted as though it wanted to give way of as she moved towards the door.  As she reached for the old knocker she brushed away cobwebs and grabbed the dingy brass handle.  Katherine knocked twice and the sound of the knocker echoed through what looked to be abandoned old home.  She opened the door regardless to the fact that there was no answer.  As the door open she coughed.  Opening the door caused the air to stir and brought up the stale smell of dust to her nose.  She looked around; there was not a single piece of furniture in the room.  Just mangled curtains, she tiptoed forward into the house and saw that there was one item in the whole downstairs and that was a table.  The table was cover with pictures that all seemed to be of her.  She gasped and jumped backward.  Fear was sitting in the pit of her stomach making her want to vomit.  She couldn’t hold herself in that one spot any longer; Katherine spun around in hopes of rushing out as quickly as possible, but she saw a young man sitting by the door gawking at her in wonder.  She screamed at the sight of him, then carefully fixed herself. 10

“Wh... Who are you?!”, She managed to blurt out.11

The boy looked as though he was almost exactly her age, he had jet-black hair and dark clothes.  He looked as though he had been locked in the house forever.  He smiled and stepped forward, his voice cracked as he spoke.12

“ I’m sorry if the pictures startled you...”, he started out. “...you are just so beautiful I couldn‘t resist.”.  He gently stroked her face.13

Katherine pulled away roughly.14

“ I see that...”, she said her voice shaking. “ ...but who are you?”15

He smiled gleefully and grabbed for her hand in which he kissed in a romantic way, 16

“I’m Jack.. ”, he whispered17

Katherine jerked her hand away and gave him a look of confusion.18

“Won’t you stay Beautiful Kate? Won’t you stay and live with me?” He questioned19

He made an advance on her as though trying to grab her.20

Kate woke up sitting straight up in her bed.  She looked around for Jack.  She was just there inside Burbank Manor.  What had happened?  Was it just a dream?  Kicking off the blankets Kate swung her feet around and sat on edge of the bed.  She couldn’t stop thinking about the dream.  It felt so real to her, but her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a blood curdling scream followed by an outburst of laughter she heard from downstairs.  She got up not bothering in to put on her robe.21

She slowly slinked down the stairs and found that house was completely empty, she could almost hear herself think it was so lonely and quiet. She searched the house thoroughly then to her worst nightmare there in the front door stood Jack, and in front of him lay both her parents in a heap of blood on the floor. 22

“Won’t you come Beautiful Kate? Won’t you come and live with me?” He questioned with a horrifying smirk on his face.23

She gasped she was consumed with fear, That day it wasn’t a dream, It wasn’t just fantasy. Jack was freaking her out,  she ran through the living room to the kitchen where she flung open the back door and ran to Beth’s house and pounded on the door, there was no answer.  She turned around quickly and screamed. Jack was standing directly behind her. 24

“Please Beautiful Kate, I have watched you forever...” He whispered, “ I can make you happier than you ever were in these suburbs. I know how much you dislike them.”25

Kate was tempted and still completely terrified at the thought. Living with someone who killed everyone she knew, everyone she loved. 26

“Please come live with me Beautiful Kate.” He cried out.27

“Never!!!”, Kate wailed back28

Kate pulled out Beth’s spare key from under the rug and charged into the kitchen of her house. She pulled out a knife from the drawer and held it above her.29

“Death would be better than spending life with you!” She cried out.30

"Please Katherine, don't do it...I love you!!" said Jack, as though it wasn't important.31

"I don't care."Kate said boldly.32

With that Kate pushed the knife through her chest, and fell lifelessly to the ground.33

Jack smiled he didn't seem to care.34

Then he spoke.35

“Oh well Beautiful Kate”, he spoke in her ear, “ This is no obstacle,I still will keep you.”.36