A New Beginning (Chapter 1)

"Well, Mr. Johnson, welcome to your new home." 1

"Glad to be here. Thanks" Jeff shakes the woman's hand and watches her drive away. 2

well, this is it. 3

After long periods of paying of his crappy, over priced apartment in Philidelphia, Jeff Johnson decided to buy a cheap home off the coast of Michigan. The rent costed around only 700 dollars per-month, which was a perfect fit for Jeff. 4

He looks up at his new home, watching crows pick at the upper gutters of the house. The shelter had quite a gloomy look, but it was great because of the high view off the cliff of Michigan. Living in the highlands with a great view was a bonus gift waiting for Jeff to find it. He begins to walk up the creaking steps, his loafers making more sound than it should. Turning the brass doorknob, he hears a thump inside and studders to enter. 5

'Kevin and Susie told me this place was haunted...but...no. It's not. I do not believe in ghost!' Fighting the urge to believe in the dark magic, he pushes himself to enter the house. Inside was very bright with artificial lighting and a few windows. Jeff places his boxes and suitcases on the floor and watches the last mover-man leave. 'That was probably the thump on the floor...' Jeff thought to himself. He looks around the house, expecting something or someone would appear. All of a sudden, he sees a cat lying on the floor. It wasn't just any type of cat, but it was dark brown with a hint of red inside its fur. Its eyes were an extreme gray- probably is blind. Jeff bends down and opens his arms in comfort for the animal. It hisses and runs upstairs. 6

'hm. awkward...' Jeff continues to tour around the 1900's built home, fascinated how new the furniture appeared. Mint condition, and smelled fresh. 'Suprised how no one wanted this house...' Suddenly, he hears a scream coming from the basement and abruptly turns his head. Jeff looks for the basement door- there isn't one in the house. 'This is getting weirder and weirder...' He tries to forget all the noises he heard and plops himself down on the victorian couch. Turning on the television, he hears a man screaming, "you whore!" and echoing throughout the house. The television screen turns on. Suprisingly, the shows are all in black and white and only had the very old shows and cowboy movies available. The screen starts to fuzz, and deep, low voices were trying to get through the sounds. Jeff quickly shuts off the tv and cautiously walks up the stairs to see the rooms. The large glass window above his head shined brightly throughout the whole upper level. The oak wood creaked while Jeff quietly tip toed up the stairs. The angry man voices continued to screen throughout the house, and so Jeff started to worry, and ran out of his new home.7

"Kevin? Wanna meet somewhere for dinner? I need to talk to you immediately. It's about my house..." 8

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Jeff reserves a table at Gray's Fish & Chips Grill and waits for Kevin.10

"Hey buddy," Kevin shakes Jeff behind his back. Jeff jumps in shock and punches him in the arm.11

"What the hell, Kevin, you scared me!"12

"Chill man, it was just a joke." Jeff takes deep breathes to calm himself down. Kevin takes a seat next to him. "So...what's up?"13

"It's the new house. I think you were right about it. I heard voices and noise the whole time I was there..."14

"Jay, don't worry! It's just a old joke everyone says about the house. Susie and I only said that to play around with you."15

"Kevin...I'm serious. Listen to me."16

"Why don't you just forget about it tonight, and see what happens, and you can talk to me about it. I gotta go soon, to meet up with Lauren to pick the gifts for the wedding...she's such a pain. jeff, you can always call me, and if you need anything, I'll be there...but I have to go now. Hope things work out for you and the house." Jeff stares at his coffee cup and nods goodbye. Kevin walks away and starts using his cell phone. The sky was getting dark, but Jeff certainly did not want to go back to his new home. He starts to roam around the city streets, watching people enjoying each other's company and laughing together. How he wished he could be one of them. Jeff expected to meet new people when he moved there, but all he got was his best friend too busy to go out to search for women. Walking for hours, he decided it was time to go home and sleep. 17

Jeff drove back in his crappy honda civic, engine popping everytime he drove it. He slammed the car door and glanced at the sudden movement in his house. The pearl colored curtains swayed from the reflection of the street light. Raising his eyebrows in confusion, he unlocks the door and decides to sleep on the couch. There was no noise or voices then, and that calmed Jeff down. His anxiety grew as he tried to fall asleep. 18

Jeff finally slept peacefully with his hand dangling off the couch. He wakes up to a crackling sound from the kitchen, but doesn't dare to open his eyes. A swift feeling of silk ran across his skin and he jolts up. A young woman stood in front of the curtained windows. Her eyes sunk among her cheeks and her lips were plump and dripping blood. The windows and darkness behind brought out her beautifully curled hair, making her look like a dead angel. Her clothes were faded and her pale skin was covered in scars, slicing the words "Death", "Love", and "Commitment". The soft, pearled dress she wore was stained in dried blood- brown. She raises her arms forward and runs towards Jeff, placing a horrified expression on her face.19

"Help me! He's going to get me!" she screams. 20

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