A little house, painted a sea foam white, with light brown shutters stood i the middle of a neighborhood that was friendly. Neighbor and neighbors alike helped one another. Everyone helped everyone until one day. In that very house of white sea foam, a scream pierced the sleepy neighborhood. Ear shattering scream, they multiplied as it echoed through the night. The family that lived there never came out after that. Police examined the outside area for signs of a break in. When there was none they could not see a thing. The house was dark from inside out except for the window light the touched the wood flooring.
The following week the smell of decay filled the house and people complained about it. The police opened the house after many attempts of getting in. The squad examined and looked around the surrounding area. Nothing out of the ordinary, except for the indescribable claw marks on the floor and walls. Trailing up from the stairs, from each rooms, left over blood stains indicating that nails were breaking along with skin on the hardwood floor. The claw marks stopping at the trimmings of the wall. Bewilderment settle upon the investigators of the once happy home of the last family.
One police officer shivered at the wariness around him, "C-Can we leave now? They are gone... someone or something got them... okay?" Fear plastered itself on his shoulders, forcing it weight to make his head bow. "I don't like it in here."
The head of the squadron nodded in agreement. Pointing a finger to the door they follow out the door quietly. The police officer looked back at the house getting goosebumps over his back and shoulders. A cold sweat broke out as he hurriedly follows his team back. 'Something... something happened in that house.'
**Six Months Later**
A family of five, Montague Family consisted of Father, Mother, Julian and Margret with their three kids, Sandy the middle child, Hanson the eldest brother and Tiki being the youngest one. The neighbors around the house were friendly but nervous. Margret heard the story of this house and thought it would be a great ghost story to write about. What better the house was for sell. Thus moving soon as possible.
Margret and Julian were upstairs unpacking their belongings. Hanson and Sandy were setting up their rooms then going to help their little sister.
Now Tiki, sat in her room near the stairs. The once claw markings with dried blood been gone before the move but the remnants remain. The young girl stared down at the grounder with growing curiosity.
"What are you doing?!" A booming voice shouted making the young girl squeak in fright.
"AH!" Blinking at her brother she pouted, "You scared me!" Swatting at him, Tiki looked at the floor. "Aren't these weird. Did the last people have a doggy?"
Tilting his head looking at them curiously he knelt down examining. "I'm not sure." Smiling at her, lifting her up, Hanson grinned, "No need to worry though. Maybe they had to move because of those."
Margret, over heard giggling, "Julian, the kids already found their own mystery."
"Is that right?" Folding clothes and hanging up coats. Eyes glanced around the half empty room, the old Victorian drawer and bed. Sitting down he looked at his wife who was fixing up their curtains. He looked out the window seeing a police officer hanging something the mail box. Getting up he assured his wife that he will be back. Going out doors, Julian stopped the officer. "Hi, excuse me. I'm new here and I was wondering if I was being well fined for..." Getting stopped with a shake of a head by the man in blue.
"No... I am Daniel Tallow. Nice to meet you..."
"OH! Julian. Julian Montague." Shaking his hand the two men smiled.
"I was just leaving you a note and short back log of the house." Hint of fear surfaced as his eyes shifted to the domain the new resident lives in. Julian mouth moved only to be stopped again, "My sergeant told me not bring it up anymore but... that house... your house... has something evil... just be careful at night." He hurried off when his radio blared out needing his assistance with an emergency. Leaving a confused Julian in his lawn.
Taking the paper he read over the accounts of late night screaming coming from this house a few months ago and the report of what he saw and the feeling it gave. Not sure what to do he hid the note in his pocket. 'Something evil... in my house.' Dread spilled over him like a hot rushing shower. Staring at the house he felt wary about going back inside.
Sandy sat in her room doing Tiki's hair before the family went out to celebrate a new home. She loved her mother's writing but was a skeptic. So whatever stories there is about this house would not worry her. Looking around her room, she saw some of the recent painted white paint chip showing a red hue underneath. 'I ought to ask mom if I can repaint it.' Lost in thought about painting she did not notice Tiki was staring blankly at the closet. Her eyes caught something strange in the closet, before she can even say something to her sister the thing was gone.
That evening the family was enjoying a pizza and movie. Tiki couldn't get the thought of something in the closet moving. That it was watching her. Julian felt a nagging feeling against his neck as if something was disturbing was in the house. He held his wife close to his body. His two eldest children were enjoying the movie, but his youngest daughter looked stiffed. Picking her up he looked at her, "Tiki, honey you okay?"
She nodded her pigtails shaking about. "Just... I saw something in Sandy's closet... I got scared."
Julian blinked slightly, "Maybe it was just your imagination."
As he was trying to calm his daughter down, Margret smiled listening to the small conversation between her husband and little girl. 'Cute.' She thought happily.
After the movie the kids were put into bed and the parents were asleep. The house settle in for the night until dead hour struck. Sandy woke with a stir looking at her blurry surroundings. "Hm? Hanson?" Eyes fixated on a white apparition it showed a young man looking at her. One eye was ripped on, dried blood caked the outside of his eye and his mouth hung in dread. Scuffling was heard outside her door as his one eye gazed to it. Sandy petrified just stared not knowing to close her eyes tight or keep them open in fear of him hurting her. The ghostly figure put his finger his mouth letting out a strangled hush sound.
"D-Do...n't... go... d-d-d...own... the...h-alls...aloooone." The scuffling stopped and the boy faded.
Sandy body quaked as she pulled her blanket over her head whimpering. Praying for sleep.
The Silence
Margret awoke grinning, second day in her new spook house and she was inspired to write out her story. Going downstairs in her robe and laptop, the woman started brewing her coffee. Settling in the dining room table she opened her laptop and began her steady typing.
Tiki came downstairs with her father holding his finger in her tiny hands. Then Hanson came racing downstairs grinning. An hour passed and the second eldest still haven't came down.
"Sandy still asleep?" Julian asked sipping his coffee looking at his family.
Margret sighed, "She is usually the first to rise."
"I can go check up on her mom." Hanson swallowed down his milk cleaning face.
"Could you? I don't want her to miss out on making friends today." Still typing Margret gave her son a warm smile.
Hanson nodded smiling. He hopped up the stairs to his sister room. Knocking on her door, he waited a bit. Another knock and he heard rustling on the other side. "Sandy? You alright?"
His little sister peeked out the room, hair in tuffs and her eyes baggy. "Yeah. I am." Rubbing her eyes she yawned in exhaustion. "Just had a bad night sleep. My room... wouldn't settle." Thinking back to what Tiki was staring maybe she was staring at that boy. Shaking her head she gazed at her brother, "I'll be down soon, promise alright?"
Hanson looked at her. He known her to be fully rested and well settle no matter if they stayed for a long time or moved instantly. Looking at her, all he could do just nod. Heading back downstairs he looked at his parents. "She is awake and she will be down soon."
Tiki eating her waffles watched her brother settle back in the chair. "Mommy... why do you write scary stuff?"
Margret giggled slightly looking at her daughter. "It is fun. Being scared is fun honey. Sometimes, Mommy wants to give others a fun scare." Getting a approving nod Margret continue with her typing.
A moment notice Sandy climbed down the stairs of their new house. The boy kept popping in her head. One eye and a empty eye, mouth hung in a silent scream, she couldn't shake it. A dream or not she was debating with herself she could not deny that it terrified her. She watch the scariest of movies and that moment scared her the most. Sitting down she leaned on the table. Julian eyed her frowning slightly, "Sandy, princess... you didn't sleep well?"
Smiling faintly she nodded half awake, "Just a nightmare... that is all."
Margret stopped typing looking at them, "A nightmare? About what?"
"Mom. My nightmare will not be part of your horror short story list." She stood to get a bowl of cereal. 'Eating.' She thought, 'That will help me forget about him.' She numbly fingered the dishes, "Don't go down the halls alone..."
Tiki eyed her sister hearing her mumbling. "Sandy, did you see it?"
"Huh?" Looking at her baby sister, Sandy shook her head no. Getting her cereal and milk in the bowl. "Like I said it was a nightmare little sister. Alright?"
Tiki nods smiling.
The three children were out meeting the neighbors and kids of the neighborhood. One person in particular came out to greet them. An older lady. She had a sweet face but had a fearful look in her eyes. Tiki hid behind her brother and sister. Hanson smiled warmly at the elder. Sandy grinned.
"You must be the new kids." She smiled looking at them. Her kind experssion wore a hint of warning. "You three look really kind."
"Thank you." They said in union.
"And polite too." She inspected their faces then her calm eyes glanced off in the direction of their home. "That house... have a tragic backstory. The family that use to live there vanished... disappeared. The police said they died from the blood but no bodies were found." Looking at the three of them she forgot the youngest one was nearly six or seven. Fear drained the color from her face. "Oh dear, I am sorry." She smiled at them. "I am Petunia. You can call me granny. All the kids do. Even the parents."
The three nodded. Sandy started to follow Hanson and Tiki till a thought bother her again. "Miss Petunia..."
"Hm?"
"Did... did the last family have a son?"
Petunia nodded reading Sandy's body. "You saw him?"
Sandy bit her lip, "I think... I don't know... but his mouth looked like he was screaming before whatever got him... got him."
"My dear," Petunia looked at her. "That house... my son even told me. Have something evil. Very evil in the home of yours. Whatever that ghost of the boy told you, listen to it. Obey it. If it was sign of a warning, abide by it. It may be your way of living." Stepping back, Petunia smiled going back into her home.
Sandy stood there, her heart clenched, and stomach flipped. "Don't go down the halls alone." It made her wonder as she went to catch up with her siblings.
"What held you up?" Hanson asked her.
"I'll tell you later." She gave him a wary stare as her arms came around herself.
Hanson and Sandy sat in his room late that night. "You sure?"
"Yeah Hanson, I am pretty sure it was the boy. I want to know the family who last lived here..." Sandy frowned sadly. "Whatever happened to them it was gruesome and the cops could never figure out what happened."
Hanson sighed crossing his legs staring at his little sister, "I did overhear dad talking to mom about a cop saying be careful of the halls. That something evil is in this house."
Scoffing slightly Sandy laid down on his bed, "I bet. I mean I saw a dead boy in my room..." She stopped mid-sentence hearing scuffling like the night before. Covering Hanson mouth Sandy lips quivered. Her eyes looked for that boy from the night before. Whispering she spoke, "I heard that noise last night..."
"Maybe it is Tiki..."
Shaking her head worriedly, "No no, I don't think so..." Her color drained when she heard silence.
Hands held onto him tight he just held his sister close comforting her. The silence went on till both fallen asleep.
Wary
Siblings awoke to their baby sister waking up their parents. Looking at each other they stretched yawning. Sandy walked to the door opening it. "Hanson."
Hanson walked up to her noticing what she was examining, "Claw markings?"
"Seems like it." She ran to her room seeing the same type of vertical markings the bottom of her door. A ravenous fear went up her spine. Standing up straight she saw her little sister staring at her.
Tiki looked at her worriedly, "Did you see the boy last night?"
Picking her up quickly Sandy frowned whispering, "What did he tell you?"
The younger sibling looked at her nervously, her eyes grow small with fear and worry, "A woman with a silent scream crawls through the halls..."
Sandy looked in the very hall they were in, scanning the claw marks she realized it must been from the last residents. Eyes darted down to the end. Putting Tiki down she went down the hall, the very a little ways from the right hand bathroom and her parents bedroom. Rubbing her hand over she shivered.
"Sandy?"
Screaming Sandy stood up panting seeing her father in only a t-shirt and pajama pants staring at his daughter investigating the wall. "D-Dad! You scared me..." She held her beating heart sighing.
"What on are you doing Sandy?" He knelt down looking at the wall. "See anything interesting?" He joked on slightly. Julian only earned a mild amused chuckle but a nervous eye glances. His worry have grown feeling two other children walk up to the very wall. "Did you get another nightmare?"
Tiki spoke out, "The boy Sandy saw came to me."
The eldest rubbed his neck looking nervous, "There was scuffling at the door last night.
Julian listened to the stories and the retelling of Sandy's tale. He held Tiki ears close in fear of her getting nightmares but he felt the same fear weighing on him. Suddenly he felt a figure creep on them, turning around they screamed hearing his wife laughing.
"M-Margret..."
"Sorry honey," The horror writer smiled at her kids, "What are you guys doing here? I cooked breakfast."
Tiki ran downstairs followed by Sandy then Hanson. Julian looked at the wall then at his wife. The officer words spoke out to him, "Margret... do you think this house is safe for our kids?"
"Of course Julian. What do you think there is a ghost or something?"
Frowning he kissed her lips gently. "Margret, our eldest daughter had a nightmare after just moving in here. A nightmare that is more real than life. And if Tiki had same nightmare like dream... then what if their stories are true?"
He saw his wife eyes gleam with inspiration. He knew where this was headed. Watching the writer go back into their room retrieving her laptop. He loved that she is into what she does but his concern is with their kids.
Downstairs the three siblings spoke calmly about the occurrences going on. Tiki ate her pancakes calmly staring at her older siblings. Sandy sighed, "What did the boy say to you?"
Tiki swallowed her food looking at her siblings unnaturally calm, "He said... well he said... when the lights flickers... get to your rooms and pray to sleep." Tiki sipped her juice staring her eyed wide siblings.
Sandy slouched as if a figure sat on her shoulders. Enjoying her disposition. The older siblings saw their parents walk down. One optimistic and the other pondering. They both sat with them eating and typing away. The silence is even more noticed. Hanson finished his juice looking around their home getting a churning pit. Tiki chatter away to their father about the playground. Their mother typing vigorously away, Sandy stared out the window. 'When the lights flickers...get to your rooms and pray to sleep.' Standing up, her family stared at her going upstairs.
The young teen examined the walls and felt a light switch. Looking at it, she felt her throat go dry. Something in her wanted to scream; forcing the feeling away she turned on the light switch seeing the top view of light wash the once dark walls. No longer lit by the on singular window at the end of the halls she stared it down. Waiting for something to show. Time froze for the moment she stared at those floors and walls down. A orb of white flashed down the halls sinking into her parents room. Turning off the lights she walked to the end of the halls; putting her hand on her the door a push. A push that couldn't budge many things. Yet this door open gently, stepping she stared at a woman eye staring at her. Her voice was a hush whisper, "Don't... Don't open your door to the rattles and knocks... she is wanting in."
A scream echoed through the house.
Flickers
Sandy's family sat around her as she awoke, worry eyes plastered on her. "Sandy honey... are you okay? We heard you scream and you passed out. What happened?" Her mother asked.
Sandy stared at them covering her face, "I-I'm not even sure." A flash of the woman eye and the sound of her voice replayed in her mind. "I saw a woman... a woman in your room." The response gave Julian a shift in his seat and her mother a thrilled tingle. "Mom... please... this might not be good. I am getting scared that the house is haunted and something evil is inside that house. I don't know if they are warning us... but... if they are we should move."
Hanson chimed in, "Mom... if anything, Sandy doesn't lie. We should leave... weird stuff been happening... and I don't want to stay before it gets any worse."
Margret huffed at them all, "Kids... this place is giving me what I need for my story. Please, let not be nervous about a house. I say we give another week or so. When I get done with the book we can move somewhere nicer. Yeah?"
Hanson and Sandy nodded quickly and Tiki smiled at her mother. Julian let out a silent sigh of relief.
At the home, Julian encountered the same police officer who left him a notice. "Oh... it is you." A hint of anger appeared, "What else do you know about this house?"
The officer looked down paling, "My mother she met your kids. And a family... a family of four lived in your house. Before you moved in there... something happened. Remember when I said something evil is in that house... something evil got them as well... I say. But my bosses said it will be in the unsolved cases." His hazel eyes darken with fear, the unbridled terror when he thought back to the search of the house. "Mister please... you and your family need to move out now. Whatever your kids hear or see... move. Take heed to it." With that the officer hurried off to his patrol vehicle and drove off in a storm of fury. Julian watched the car drive into the distance. Eyes darted back to the dwelling his kids reside in.
Night fallen over the household. Hanson in his room staring at the ceiling trying hear the scuffling, at least if hear the scuffling he would feel a little better knowing Sandy wasn't lying and he wasn't insane. Though a part of him wish he was. Tiki, held her doll close looking around her open room and closed door. She remember the words the boy spoke to her. Whimpering slightly she closed her eyes tight hiding under her covers. Sandy sat up in her bed staring at her door, closed tight with a chair in front of it. Every warning and phrase she heard about the halls outside her room door made her all the more frighten about living here. In her last she could always go down the hallway to the stairs to get a glass of water. No big deal. No, not with this house. Staring at the door once more, she watched the underlying crack, where can come in and escape out. Hugging herself close she waited for anything to happen. Anything at all.
Julian watch his wife sleeping, sleeping as calm as ever. Mind at ease by the bliss his wife displayed, he felt himself calming down a little. Paranoia and his kids worries makes him all the more jittery. He was a big man, brave and kind yet, it can leave much to be desire when his kids are scared out of their minds. Remembering that Sandy saw a woman in his room, the fact that the house is possibly or more likely is haunted make things all the more chilly. Blood ran cold when a rattle was heard. Rattle rattle. Father of three looked at the door rattling and shaking. Scuffling then heard after the moments of rattling subsided. He wanted to see if it was Tiki wanting in but couldn't force his body to move. Settling on his side of the bed he watched the door once more.
Hush voice of wind blew around that room in the night, a union of voices, "All you hear is your own scream at the sight of her." The man eyes glued onto three specters... three hauntingly specters. All mouths agape, each eye was missing from their sockets. Dried blood caked around it. Voices came out as strangled gurgle yet it was clear enough to know what each said. "Don't go down the halls alone, a woman with a silent scream crawls through the halls. When the lights flickers... get to your rooms and pray to sleep. Don't open your door to the rattle and knocks... she is wanting in. All hear is your own scream at the sight of her. Leave and live." Julian heart quicken when the rattles started up again and scratching the door. Everything went to a quick blur, his vision dimmed. An echoed of voices faded with a final warning, "The halls are dangerous."
In the halls the lights flickered on and off, as a figured woman with black hair faded down the halls.
Fire House
The Montague family awoke with tired faces and sluggish bodies. Only one with a full nights rest was Margret. Sandy stared out the window fearing she would see something move in her cereal bowl. Hanson sipped coffee trying to awake his brain and remove any memories of this house that affects him negatively. Tiki sat on her father lap hugging her doll tight looking frighten. Julian, sipped his coffee reading a book.
"Um... what are you reading Julian?" Margret asked. Her family tiredness has finally peaked her interest and major concern.
Jumping slightly he held Tiki close to him, "Oh... just about spirits. Haha, you finally got me into your paranormal love affair Marggy."
Frowning slightly, she saw the lie and closing doors in his mind. Nodding though she looked at her kids, "Did you kids sleep well?"
Sandy shrugged laying her head on the table. Hanson forced a nod out finishing his coffee. Tiki squeaked out a yes. Standing Margret frown sadly, shutting off her laptop. "I am going to do some shopping. Okay?" All four nodded seeing her leave for the car.
Once in the vehicle, Margret looked at the house she was so happy to have gotten. A part of her felt guilt spring up in the wood works. Her body felt cold and slippery. Every part of her felt like everything she is doing is selfish. For one fact of the matter she didn't bother learning about the house previous, previous owners. The neighbor hood is nice yet the house is getting to her family. Driving off to the library, she needed to get some research done.
Margret walked inside scanning her surroundings for any help to get what she needs. Seeing an assistant librarian, the writer hurried along before anyone else can get her. "Excuse me."
The mousy woman smiled at her fixing her glasses. "Yes miss?"
"Is there any records on a house, it use to be a called, Grover lane, before the neighbor hood built around it."
The assistant nodded hearing all the stories and rumors about that house, "That house... yes, there is many tales about that house. Many records, new stories. Not the one that is being told currently in the little neighbor hood. That is not the only story." Leading the writer down to the records area, she pulled out a medium size book giving it to her, "I am not sure if you will find anything you are looking for but if you think about moving... then I guess something evil is in that house."
Margret opened her mouth to ask a question but as fast she said that line, the faster she was already assisting a lost child to his parents. Margret sat down opening the book to the very beginning. Her house use to be a boarding home at one point, which explains why is was so massive. Some of the words were etched out or blacked. The horror writer wrote down dates on her notepad and times, the names of the house was given. Then one name struck out to her, "The Halls house." Getting up quickly she found a empty computer and decided to her research on a house that should of been researched from the start. "The Halls, a family of a very rich ancestral background; they lived and passed that house down from generation to generation. Over the years the heir of the family fortune and house was none other *blacked out* Hall. She was a young woman, long brown hair and a light tan complexion." Margret read, on till it just got to blacked out for her to read. The story of the Halls family ended after line forty. Standing up, she closed the records book giving it back to the head librarian.
Night fallen and the four Montague's were in one room, the living-room staring at the stairs. They settle down when Margret didn't return, but none dared tread upstairs. It was more worrisome for them to go up there and get captured by something. Tiki watched her sister roll the dice moving her piece. Hanson eyes periodically peeked at the stairs and front door. Waiting for one of two things to happened. Margret to walk in and say hotel spend a night or something to come down those stairs and grab all of them. Never to be seen again. Julian hair was on end. He wanted to take the kids to a next door neighbor or go to a hotel, at least to get away from their house at night.
"Daddy... will mommy be back?" Tiki squeaked out looking at the board game still.
Julian nodded in reassurance though part of was not to sure of himself. "Yeah. She will be."
Sandy looked at the top stair seeing the light switch barely. Gaze fixated on it she saw a hand flick it on then off. Swallowing, a cold sweat broke out. All three of the Montague's looked at Sandy worriedly then where she was staring at. The light flickered back on then off. The four of them huddled together back into the couch. "I want mom." Hanson spoke. Fear sunk in for all of them. No matter little girl, a young woman, almost grown man and a married man, fear ate away at them.
In silence, a disarray of emotions flew between the four. Tiki eyes swelled up with tears, her throat swelled wanting to find her voice. Sandy silently felt tears trembled down her red cheeks. Hanson occasionally kept his hands over his ears. Julian stared intense. Waiting for something to happen. Anything at all. Till a scuffle was heard upstairs and a scream. The three older Montague saw Tiki running for the back screaming her little heart out and a blur. A blur of a woman, with black hair and pale, charred skin scuffling after the young Montague. Sandy followed quickly after her. Hanson followed with Julian close behind. All shouting out for Tiki.
The young girl screamed and screamed till she felt her body given and throat raw tasting iron. "M-Mommy." Dropping to her knees a piercing black eyes shined from underneath the bushes. White hands pushed their way through. Tiki body trembled underneath her own weight. Tears rolled down her face. She wanted to scream now, louder than before.
The woman poked her head out, hair cover her left eye, mouth hung open blood caking around her chapped lips. A gurgle was heard almost as laughing and she scuffled quickly toward Tiki.
"TIKI!" Sandy pulled her out of the woman line of sight catching a missing eyes with a lonely vein hanging down her cheek. An indescribable gurgle like growl emitted out of the ghastly woman. Sandy choked back her scream hurrying towards the men. The charred woman scuffled towards Sandy running with Tiki in her arms. As fast as Sandy ran the woman arms carried her fast eye focused on her target. "DON'T LOOK AT HER TIKI!" Seeing her other family, "GO BACK!"
Hanson saw the woman running back with Sandy and Julian. Tiki kept her eyes closed tight crying a dry sob.
Crunching of grassing mixing with hard scuffles. Slam of a door and rattling behind it. Julian held the door closed tight, Hanson held his sister close panting quietly. Tiki heaving heavily and Sandy staring at her father trying to keep the charred woman away from them.
Margret walked in the house to see the hall lights flickering and rattling. The rattling her family said was happening. "KIDS! JULIAN!" Dropping her bag she heard scuffling after her shout. The charred appeared from the hall at the top of the stairs. Staring at her. Margret mouth hung open every instinct told her to scream and every part of her wanted to do it. She reached in her pocket observing the white flaked, skin dried woman fingers grip each step of the stair eye trained on her. Marget heard the door open knowing her family was hiding somewhere upstairs. Margret took a stepped back breathing heavily fighting the urge to scream bloody murder. Pulling out a lighter a anger gurgle filled her ears. The woman scuffled towards each hand moving quickly. Margret backed into the kitchen trying to keep the distance between her and the charred woman.
Julian watched with his kids as his wife drew the woman away. Her hurriedly took the kids to the car ignoring their pleas and questions about their mother. He quickly inside again seeing the kitchen set ablaze.
Margret had turned on the gas stove tossing the lighter causing a kitchen fire before being tackled by the woman. Rough, cold and full of malice the charred woman hand wrapped around Margret throat as her other hand traced her face going for her left eye. A thumb press against under the eye lid. Pushing, urging the eye ball to pop out. Margret screamed in pain as she felt tightening. Her vision was burning and fading as the woman was killing her torturing her. Faintly hearing her husband shout out.
**Two weeks later**
Margret woke up in hospital bed her left eyes in contact and her family around her. Confused, she rubbed her throat shivering at the death grip that was around her fragile throat. "I'm alive..."
Julian nodded. "She... she almost killed you. She was distracted by my voice. I am not sure... that night... was a blur."
Margret sighed closing her eyes. "Hall."
She felt her family curiosity peaked. "Hall... she was... was the woman that use live in that house. She died... horrifically. Her spirit never was given rest..." Rubbing her throat she looked out the window seeing her left eye still a bit red. "That house... should of been a cemetery."
A few hours later, the family left with Margret in tow after a few check ups and eye examination. Julian didn't explain to police or doctors what happened, none of them would. Margret confirmed it wasn't spousal abuse and won't say who done it. They would not believe it. The Montague drove back to a burnt house seeing Daniel and Petunia side by side looking the rubble. Stopping the car Julian got out walking up to them.
"At least the house is gone." Daniel bitterly announced. The police officer who talked to Julian so often about this house.
Petunia sighed at the blacken remains of the house that been their for centuries. Some of the wood turned white already. She looked to see the kids father looking at the remains of the house he was once happy to see burned down. "They found the bodies."
Julian nodded to it, "Of the last family?"
"Yes... and a skeleton, a very old skeleton of a woman... her mouth was hung open when they found her." Words that gave Julian a lump in his throat.
"Maybe... they can put her to rest... Miss..."
"Tallow."
Julian hunched was correct about the older woman and the officer being related. "Miss Tallow, was her family rich but abusive?"
"Ask your wife... she asked me for information... my family been living here for centuries... they use to have a connection with that house." She fixed her spectacles looking at the her son. "My son was correct about the house being evil though."
Julian listened to it wishing he took Daniel's advice from the very beginning. "Thank you... for trying to help." Receiving nods from both the father of three made his way back to his vehicle to drive off to a apartment his wife have found and done extensive research on.
Petunia watched them leave then turned back to the house seeing a young like woman with brown hair running into the woods vanishing in the morning light. "Let go have some tea."
The Halls
The Halls, a family of a very rich ancestral background; they lived and passed that house down from generation to generation. Over the years the heir of the family fortune and house was none other Ginger Camille Hall. She was a young woman, long brown hair and a light tan complexion, adopting from her mother of native descent. Her father , of french descent had chosen her husband long before she was sixteen. Her soon to be husband was her childhood friend Abraham Garfield the Third. Of course many men tried to win her heart even a young man named Franklin Tallow.
Ginger, she was to be wed in a few days in the house she would soon inherit and raised a family. She thought of it for a while and with Abraham thinking the same she felt her heart swell.
However before the night of her engagement party and week from her wedding, she heard parents discussing to Franklin that he could not have their daughter hand in marriage; she was to be wed to Abraham as soon as possible and he was back. Franklin lashed out leaving bitter feeling with the Hall's. Ginger felt her stomach clinched, his voice and anger scared her. Running back to her room down the hallway she entered her room pretending to be asleep. Hearing parents give their blessing to her fair rest and love they went back to their room to rest as well.
That was when everything spiral. Ginger awoke to her parents dead in their bedroom. No blood and no one could identify who would of done this. Mouths hung open. Mrs Hall dress was ripped open. Abraham comforted through out the day and weeks. Franklin to tried to comfort her but she repulsed him accusing him of the murder. Threatened with the act of lynching by both her and Abraham, Franklin walked away, malice eating away at him.
The engagement party was a success, Ginger in a white fitted dress and her soon to be husband in a nice suit. They danced the night away till it died down to a few people baring both a good night before the wedding. Franklin stayed though and waited outside. He held a rope and went to work. Woods behind the house, Franklin worked his way in the housing that two soon to be wed lovers were living. Ginger by default inherited the fortune. Franklin grinned hearing Abraham coming down the stairs. He held a shovel in hand waiting for him.
A crack of the skull and blood over him. Abraham unconscious body was dragged out in the back. Ginger heard the commotion and followed the noise to the woods seeing her soon to be husband trying to keep his balance on a stool and struggling to breath. Franklin foot held down the stool from tilting over, he face twisted with lust, hate and revenge. Ginger tears dripped down begging Franklin to release him. That she will give him everything even her hand in marriage. He wanted more and made it clear Abraham need to be forgotten. Letting the stool fall Abraham neck snapped, before her shrill scream Franklin covered her mouth chuckling looking at the lifeless body swaying back and forth. Ginger body was abused after that, Franklin had bigger ideas, tying her down he found the will changing it. Going back to Ginger he held a spoon climbing on top of the defenseless woman, he shove the spoon in her eye pushing, shoving, digging into her socket till it popped out on the bed. Her screams howled through the night. Commands told her to shut up. Stop screaming. Stop shouting. Ginger ties loosen smacking escaping with half vision she focused on the stories hearing the man chasing her down the hall screaming at. She cried stumbling down the stairs breaking her ankle and leg in her redden white dress she looked at the man crawling as fast she could.
Hand grabbed her neck tightening in each second. Her scream reaching new heights. Pleas and demands telling her to shut up. To shut for god sake. He looked into her eye till her body went limp. Mouth hung open, fighting live, everything about her body felt numb, in pain. Her lower half unable to move she felt heat around. Licking reds, yellows and oranges tasted her frame. Fire went up around her. Her hair blackened and burnt away, skin turned black, mouth inhaled the black smoke turning her inside black, her vision turned black, watching her killer walk away. The flooring under her collapsed, her white dress turned a saddening grey in her fall and being engulfed by the flames that followed her down.
The Tallow family had inherited the fortune through the will of forgery because of Franklin. Franklin, lived in the rebuilt house that the Hall's family lived and died end. Ending their heritage. Franklin had a sister, yet she chose not to live with him, she felt a unrest evil in that house. She, when looking around the house she saw Ginger spirit staring at her through the window like she was kneeling. Telling her brother, whatever he done, Ginger is will remind him. Franklin of course did not believe her. He had a wife and kids. They were spared when his death arrived a few months of living in that house. His scream was heard and nothing else was found.
Petunia closed her family history that was involved with the Hall's family and her own. Her great great great grandmother, Franklin Tallow sister left flowers and prayers for Ginger, to keep her blessed and calm for whoever moved in. As time went on the tradition was lost. Looking at her son, he agreed to continue, even though the house was turned into a cemetery dedicated to the Hall's family at last. Every year, the year they all died, the left a flower for each of the family. Praying and hoping they will forgive the town and their family for the sins of one person. A white rose was left for Ginger. The bride of fire, the bride of hate and the bride of the halls.