This project was originally going to come as a Halloween special for the month of October. However – Since it has been a year since I started writing Huniepop I thought, I'd start it now as a commemorative thing. This one is for all of the horror enthusiasts out there. Like Social Problems, this story will be told from a first person perspective and a character switch will be respresented by their name. It takes place in an alternate universe after the Social Problems bad ending.

For those of you that aren't familiar with the lore of my series I'd recommend reading both Social Problems and Hairdresser before you start. However, I'm sure Nikki and Kyanna fans will enjoy this even if they haven't read them! I'll be updating the timeline on my profile too.

Lastly, my inspiration came from several aspects of mythos and legend on the horror spectrum - including mediums such as novels, folklore, and video games. There's also a new poll going up on my profile. Pick the two characters you think might have what it takes to survive until the end! Cast your vote now – because your opinions are always welcome. Let's begin!


Gallows Hill

Tiffany

Another night sat in the Bar and Lounge with Nikki and Audrey. It's been a really long time since we did anything interesting to break the everyday boredom. I take a sip of my Lemon Drop and look across the table. "So… what do you girls want to do this weekend?"

Nikki shrugs off my words and twiddles her thumbs disinterestedly. "I thought I'd stay home and play some games. After all… there's a new expansion for House of Zombies coming out on Sunday and I've got my pre-order set."

"Ann-Marie," I sigh with frustration. As always, she wants to sit beside her computer instead of going outside, "The three of us promised to do something this weekend… right Audrey?"

I look to my red-haired bestie for a little support in the matter. The most I get from her is a nonchalant frown before she goes back to slamming down drinks, "I can't say I give too many fucks, Tiff…. Let's just go to Lusties and dance some… drag Nikki along too while we're at-"

"But guys," Nikki whines as she glances between the two of us like a puppy in the rain, "I really don't feel like going outside again…. Dragging me out tonight like this… fills my quota for the next month."

"Goodness me… you two drive me loopy sometimes…." I reach out to finish my drink and look back to my closest friends, the woman of blue and my fiery companion of red, "Okay… okay…. If you don't want to do anything then that's fine I suppose… but I was really looking forward to having some fun!"

"I've got a great idea… seriously fucking cool!" Audrey springs into action with red eyes ablaze – her burning rubies filling me with a sense of nervous excitement.

Whenever she plans something, it usually amounts to getting horribly drunk – something I can't afford to do right now since I've not been babysitting a lot these past few weeks. Not just that, but Audrey and I have our final exam coming up soon.

Oh, whatever…. I've been working hard on my essay for Miss Yumi for goodness knows how long. I think I've earned the opportunity to let my hair down!

Nikki however – doesn't seem to thrilled with the idea, "If this involves going out clubbing again then you guys can count me out…. Hangovers are seriously lame….."

"Oh stop whining, Nikk," Audrey barks loudly, quieting the both of us in a single swoop. "Hear me out in this one…."

I pull my chair a little closer with Nikki following suit. We're both beside Audrey as she downs her last drink and smirks sinisterly. That look… I can't say I feel all too comforted by it.

"So," she clasps her hands together as her lips curve with glee, "You two heard the stories, right? You know… the ones about the old house a short drive out of town?"

"Gallows Hill?" Now Nikki seems even more interested. She shuffles in as close as she can get, her glasses tilted with a strange glint of curiosity, "I've read about that place on a bunch of blogs… but it's usually Creepypasta crap…."

I can't say I've heard of the place before. Where are they both going with this? For once, it seems like they have strong flicker of mutual interest.

"They say the guy that originally built it was a serial killer," Audrey slinks her fingers across the length of the table and reaches for her purse, "and… get this shit! The house has been sat on top of a hill all alone, apparently it's like over a hundred years old… but the last owner mysteriously vanished over twenty years ago."

"Why'd they call it Gallows Hill?" Here's hoping either one of them can answer my question.

"Because," Nikki pushes up her glasses with a glint of pride shining in her deep blue eyes. She looks like a college lecturer when she does that, "Back when Glenberry was still a tiny village… they used to take criminals to the hill just outside and hang them there. In the end… I guess the name just stuck."

"Creepy," I feel a little sick, but before it gets to bad I shoot my eyes to Audrey with curiosity, "But why are you bringing this up now?"

"Well duh," she snorts – her laugh belting out with tipsy enjoyment, "We should totally go up there and take a look at the place… one of the rumours said there's still lights on inside…. What ya think the chances are of finding some crazy shit in there?"

"They say teens from the local high school vanish near there all the time… I mean… if you believe the news that is – which I don't." Ann-Marie takes an apprehensive sip of her lukewarm beer, "You know the news is rigged to fit the political inclinations of the government right? They're telling you what they want you to believe."

"Oh for God sakes," Audrey growls, silencing the conspiracy theories of our mutual friend in an instant, "So what? A couple of kids went missing near that place like… five years ago! That doesn't have a dammed thing to do with the fucking government…. There's all sorts of whispers around campus… like the first owner still prowls around… and there's a monster living in there… but you don't think I believe it, do you?"

"Myths and legends start from somewhere, Audrey." Nikki narrows her gaze and looks to me, then back to our redheaded companion, "You'll be sorry if there is something in there… and it comes into town wanting to possess you or something for speaking ill of it…."

"So now you're saying there's ghosts in there, too? Hah!" Audrey bawls in amusement. The look on her face is borderline hysterical. "Alright… if you believe in that shit so much… how about you come up there with me? The only way you'll stop believing is if you see it with your own eyes, right?"

As long as I've known Nikki she's always operated on a strange sense of logic – quick to believe most nutty ideas, but she'll only let them go if she finds solid proof one way or the other.

"I'm in. I wouldn't be against proving the local conspiracy theorists nuts on my blog wrong." No way – Nikki... swayed just like that. Ann-Marie? What's gotten into you?

"Oh my god, yes!" Audrey cheers and jumps up from the table, "Well… if I can get the PC Princess to come… you better be in too, Tiff!" She winks and makes her way across the balcony, "Give me your answer by the time I'm back… gonna grab another drink. You guys want one?"

"I'll pass," Nikki adamantly declares with a shake of the head – a motion I likewise follow her on. If I keep drinking, I'll be in no frame of mind to wake up at a decent time tomorrow.

"Suit yourselves."

I'm left with Nikki – she's glued to her phone madly pressing the screen, "I'll show her who's wrong…. Don't make fun of the powers that govern the world, Audrey…."

I have to find out for myself exactly why Nikki wants to do this, "Hey Ann-Marie," with a tap on the shoulder I lean in to look at her phone, "You're not usually one to do something like this… it's got me a little worried about you…. I mean, you look so driven."

"The house on the hill has bothered me for years," she explains in a matter of fact tone, bringing up a page on screen. The title reads 'Horror at the Old House' and depicts the image of a gruff late thirties man in a sharp suit.

"Read the article." I'm instructed with a surprisingly stern tone of voice. It doesn't look like she intends to give up on this one. With I sigh I take her phone into my hand – it's the same unusual model of cell she picked up about six months ago.


Horror at the Old House - May 22nd 1994

'Police officers responded to a distress call from the mansion atop Gallows Hill – just ten short miles outside of Glenberry today as an emotionally distraught member of the housekeeping staff called with the claim of an assailant running amok across the grounds. However – the brave officers of the GPD were far from prepared for what they found when arriving upon the scene.'

'Rookie Officer Barry Chang told Glenberry Gazette reporters that upon arrival he found several members of the staff brutally killed in the main entrance hall. After an in-depth search, it was also noted that further members of the staff had vanished alongside the owner, Mister Randal Stevens. There are no reported survivors aside the lone caller, and police ask for the cooperation of the local community as investigations continue.'

The house has been a part of local history for almost a century and a half – of which ithe grounds were once used as a place to execute notorious criminals. This practice was very common until officials eventually overturned it at the beginning of the nineteen hundreds. However – many questions remain unanswered. Who or what was responsible for such a loss of life? Furthermore - where are those who have so tragically disappeared without a trace? Needless to say – the well-established history of the mansion atop Gallows Hill lives on even to this day.'


"Oh my… that's terrible!" I nudge back from the screen slightly. "To think… I've seen that house so many times before coming back into town… and I never knew a thing about the history."

"That's why I have to go, Tiffany." Nikki smiles with confidence and places her hand on my shoulder – her usually shy features turning bright and powerful. "Something happened inside that place… something really shitty… and I feel like it's my responsibility to get to the bottom of it…. I don't care if Audrey wants to screw around in there like an idiot… I have my own reasons."

"Like a detective," I chuckle softly – oh Ann-Marie, how sweet you are. "Well… since you put it that way… I guess I could come with you both… and maybe take a look around…."

"Thank you," my gentle, geeky friend smiles softly, her shyness coming back to the front as she brings her eyes down to the LED screen of her phone for a second time, "Don't worry… you know how smart I am… I won't do anything to get us into trouble. I only want to look inside for myself… see if there's anything there worthwhile."

The resounding clank of a glass against the table steals away my attention. Audrey is back with another pair of daquri's set down. There she waits – hands resting against her hips. "Booze…."

Sitting down, she looks me in the eyes, my lights of blue glowing gently against the powerful burning of her own red ones. Her expression, she looks… fired up! "Alright! Let's cut the crap, Tiff," she chuckles between a sip of her next drink, the ice clanging in the glass, "It'll be super fucking awesome to go see that dusty old place… it's like a living relic or something! So… you in, girl? I mean… shit! If I've managed to get Nikki aboard then you better not leave me hanging!"

A shiver pulses up my back in an instant. Strange – it feels like there's a presence of some kind looming over me. I've had this kind of thing since I was a little kid, a bad feeling to warn me whenever there's something dangerous right around the corner.

But… you only live once, right?

"Okay!" I give a fragile smile to Audrey – nodding my head in agreement with her words of encouragement, "I'll come with you! Yep! You can count me in!"

"That settles it," Audrey cheers rowdily and slams back the rest of the liquid in her glass. When she drinks like this I'm sure it doesn't even touch the sides, "We'll go tomorrow… just before sunset. Meet me at the top of the hill… near the big metal gate around the outside of the house… and don't be late! No way in Hell am I going in there without either of you!"

A nod from myself and a grunt from Nikki seal the deal! Looks like we have plans tomorrow night after all… I only hope this doesn't turn out to be a bad idea. There's something in the back of my mind but I just can't place it. After reading, the article Nikki showed me… no... it's my mind playing tricks on me, I'm sure.


Kyanna

"It's been a long time since we walked like this – a very long time. Thank you, Mike… for agreeing to meet with me like this." The sun's going down – I hadn't noticed it until right now. It looks beautiful even with the angry clouds in the sky – a nice ending to a swell day.

Mike – a friend I used to be closer to than anyone since my ex-boyfriend turned into a cheating scumbag. There was a time about a year back when I thought we'd start dating, but it never happened. It was sad, seeing him change so much. I mean, when Mikey and me first met he was sweet, hopeless and naïve – but his heart was always in the right place. Just like my ex, he became so different, threw his life into playing in his band tenfold – his entire attitude and dress sense switched… and I had to sit there and watch as he drifted away from me. Yet I always cared about him… and I don't think he ever noticed… not until it was too late.

His long peroxide hair and those shimmering green eyes of his – dammit… I can't help but feel smitten just by looking at them. Here he is, stood beside me – dressed on point in an unbuttoned dark-blue shirt with his toned torso on show, a pair of flashy black pants and shined shoes to match. Around his neck there hangs a little sliver pendent with smoothed circular edges. Wow – it looks like real silver too, not the fake stuff.

He smiles at me with his rugged features for a moment, brushing a hand across his nine o clock shadow before giving a sad smile, "Don't mention it…. It's the least I could do. After all… you had my back when I first moved out here… and I guess I owe you…."

"Owe me for what?" We've stopped now – taking a moment to breathe at the side of the road back toward town. Damn… looks like we walked further than I thought!

Mikey shakes his head at me. His eyes are as downcast as the clouds in the evening sky. "I broke my promise, remember?" He pauses in solemn reflection – droplets of water splash against the concrete at our feet. "I promised you I'd never change who I was… but in the end it didn't turn out that way…. I became a shadow of the person I used to be."

My heart sinks like a weight. What am I supposed to say when he goes admitting something like that? He backs away from me a little further and looks off in the distance. Is he gazing at the setting sun?

"I still remember the night on the beach, Kyanna… all the things we talked about and the things we said. You put a lot of trust in me… you shared your past… and I gave you my word we'd meet again like that… but we never did."

With a spin of the heels he's looking back to me. I can't tell if it's the gentle pattering of the rainfall or not – but could he be crying? "….Damn you, dude," I smile with pain in my heart, inching forward with hesitant footsteps. I can't leave him looking deflated like that – so I take him into my arms.

"Damn you for bringing it up at a time like this," Yet I'm hugging him close like he means the world to me, "You've always been a best friend to me… that's never changed…." I can't deny my feelings any longer, and thank God the rain is masking the fact that there's tears in my eyes. "I'm happy we can spend time together like we used to. Mikey… I need to tell you something…."

We're face to face – I won't let him escape my hold now I've caught him – the one that got away. All that matters is we're together like this. I'm losing myself in the soft glow of his emerald eyes against the silvery droplets of rain. "What is it? What do you wanna say?" His words draw me even closer.

I have to tell him the truth before I chicken out! Okay, Kyanna. Tell him how you really feel. We're inching nearer with every passing moment – so close now that I can feel his breath against the side of my face. "The truth is," This is it – I have to tell him, "….I never stopped caring ab-"

*BOOM! CRASH!*

A powerful crack of thunder tears through the angry blackened sky. Rain hammers against the ground as violent as ever, and Mike is clinging to me so tight it hurts. Wait... he's shaking!

"I h-hate the thunder…. Shit… can we get out of here? I don't think I can-"

*BANG!*

A vicious growl escapes from Mikey as he clings to me even tighter – his eyes are missing their brightness – the coolness in his demeanour completely washed out. "….There has to be s-somewhere we can take shelter until it stops…."

I look around in a hurry whilst keeping a motherly hold around his middle. There's nothing in immediate sight. We're practically on the open road since we walked so far! No… wait! What's that over there?

"Look, across from us!" I point and Mike pushes away from me gently, "About a half mile over that way… at the top of the hill! Looks like a house!"

"Fuck it… let's go!" He speeds off ahead of me with amazing pace – I'm the more athletic one of us both by far and I'm struggling to keep up. Damn, knuckle head! Slow down!

The two of us pound our way through the rain with incredible quickness – myself moving to keep a pace equal to Mike. Reaching out, he grabs my hand and we're joined, my face's soft redness hidden by the rainfall as we continue toward our destination.

Our feet splash through the quickly forming puddles as we head toward the grassy pathway that leads up the hill. I keep a firm grip on my friend, both for our safety and because I want to. "We're almost there," I call through the thunderous booms of nature's elements, "Just a little further and we should be fine…."


Looks like I called it wrong, because at the top of the hill we're stopped by a towering perimeter fence of half-rusted black metal, "Well shit… What do we do now? The weather's not letting up!"

"Climb over," and before I can ever tell him how stupid the idea sounds, Mike is already halfway toward the top. To say it looks rickety as ever is the understatement of the day. "C'mon, Kyanna! I see a little outhouse in the courtyard… we can get under the canopy until it eases off."

I had better follow the lug to make sure he doesn't end up injuring himself. Call it my motherly instinct, but I'd never forgive myself if a person I held so close got hurt on my watch. "Okay! I'm right behind you! Please, Mikey… be careful! It doesn't look too steady!"

While I focus on climbing up my ears make out the sound of my blond friend hauling over the fence and dropping down to the muddy ground on the other side. "I'm fine!" He calls over to me – much to my relief. "Swing your legs over and I'll catch you…"

"O-okay," I shakily call back whilst holding myself steady. It feels like this old death trap might give at any second, "Don't let me fall on my butt! It's a long way down!"

"Promise... I'm not gonna let you fall," he shouts through the thunder, "Trust me…."

Trust – something I found hard to put in Mike after he turned away from me in the past – but now isn't the time for that. Closing my eyes, my heart fluttering nervously, I put my safety in his hands, "Here I go," and drop from the railings.

"Gotcha," Mike skids in the mud to catch me, his strong arms gripping me tight to his chest as he holds the both of us in place, "Kept my word, didn't I?" Our eyes are connected again, brown flickering against green in the rain – at least until I'm released and find my own two feet.

With that, we make a break for the canopy near an old greyed outhouse half built of wood and finished with bricks. The windows are cracked and broken with mismatched cobwebs flowing in the sheer force of the rainfall. It doesn't look like it's been used in years. Now we're both huddled together, drenched, but at least we're out of the immediate force of the weather.

"Did you see that?" I can hear a voice that isn't one of our own through the booms of thunder, "I swear… I saw it! Two of them! They hopped over the fence!"

"You're imagining it, Audrey. I didn't see anyone!" A second voice – and wow! That one sounds an awful lot like Tiffany, but it couldn't be, surely. What would she be doing here right now?

"Fine! Don't believe me! I'll go check it out!" Footsteps squelch against the ground – their quickness resembling a dash as somebody – an unknown figure nears our place of shelter.

"We're not alone." Mike grips my hand tight for a moment before swinging out from the canopy and taking a step forward, "Stick close, Kyanna."

"YOU FUCKER!" A shrill, girly voice screams - I'm forced to watch as Mike is struck hard by a wisp in the storm. He's sent toppling back but narrowly manages to keep his footing as somebody dressed in dark red with long hair of the same color wrestles against him.

I move in to help, and that's when I see her entirely – an unfortunate acquaintance I've had the displeasure of meeting many times before. "Audrey? The shit? Audrey Belrose! This is loco! What are you doing here?"

She releases Mike at the sound of my voice – glaring daggers back and forth between us both as her skinny hands slink around her hips. "Kyanna Delrio… and Mike fucking Winters! This is just fantastic," she gags in disgust, "You two are the last people I wanna see right now!"

Man – I want to punch the prissy little madam. Just the sight of her gives me a crawly feeling under my skin. She's a nasty piece of work. "You're not the only one," I bite back with anger building in my voice, "I can't believe you're up h-"

"Calm down, the both of you!" Mike steps in between us as a barrier, "It's piss pouring and I don't wanna stand here and listen to grown women bicker like kids. Let's get some place dry!"

"Fine," Audrey snorts, slapping his hand away violently, "Follow me…. We opened up one of the outhouses across the courtyard… if you don't wanna get wet then hurry the Hell up!"

She stomps away like a spoiled child and glares all the more hatefully at Mike as she goes.

I'm left with rage boiling as my blond companion stays rooted to the ground - a hesitant flickers in his eyes. "Should we follow her?" I ask as lean up against his shoulder.

"Better than standing out in the rain like this," and just like that, Mikey takes off in the same direction, "You're coming, aren't you?"

"Not like I have a choice," I utter under my breath – part of me would rather be struck by lightning than sit in the same room as that bitch in the red dress.


Nikki

We're lucky the padlock on the door was half-rusted off, otherwise we'd still be stood outside in the rain like a bunch of idiots. I'd be lying if I said there's anything of note in here – a dust-laden single bed, pressed up against the far left wall, and it's mould encrusted. Near the doorway, there's an aged bookshelf as equally tattered, and across the cracked, damp walls there hangs a couple of web-laden portraits. They're peeling with age - and their once bright color is totally washed out. Thankfully, we've been able to generate a little warmth by starting a miniature fire in the middle of the room with some of the books that weren't waterlogged. The floors are covered in a thin, dirtied brownish-green carpet with the faded pattern of flowers.

Tiffany squeezes the water from her pigtails, frowning, "I'm beginning to wish I hadn't come up here. We should head back once the rain stops. I could use the time way more productively and focus on my studies."

As soon as we got close to the main house it started thundering – we've been shut in here ever since. I'd still like to take a look inside, but not if I'm on my own. If Tiffany goes home then I am t-

"Look who I found wandering around outside!" Oh great – Audrey's back again, standing in the doorway with that grumpy look across her face. Strange, she only looks happy when she's either drunk or high.

My heart thumps hard – someone I've not seen in a long time comes through the door. Be calm Nikki… keep it under control. "Mike?"

It's him… no way. I didn't think I'd see him again, "….Hey…erm… are you okay?" Great – now I bet I sound like an idiot.

"Nikki?" He stiffens up for a moment and averts his eyes from mine. Wow – six months and you don't have more to say than that, "and Tiffany too? All three of you are here?"

The tension in the room is horrible – I feel queasy. Yes, Mike – all three of us are here. The three girls you've dated this past year are all in the same place.

"I didn't think we'd see you here." Tiffany edges closer to me and holds my hand. She's being defensive of me again, and I can understand her sentiment.

"KYANNA!" Just like that my cheerleader friend springs up from her place beside me, sweeping past everyone else and flinging her arms around a curvy Hispanic girl. I've never met her before – she's a little taller than me, and she's wearing denim shorts and a simple striped tank top with sneakers. Shiny looped earrings hang from her ears and holding her hair in place is a red band – she's really pretty.

"Tiffany!" The newly added forth woman hugs her back and looks across the room with a questioning – slightly confused gaze.

"Hold the fucking phone for a second," Audrey erupts as she looks around the small crowd. She's pissed, and her red lips have twisted into a frown. "Let's get shit straight before this soap opera bullshit carries on! What are you doing here, Delrio, and why is this douche with you?"

The tension is back again – I can see this 'Kyanna' girl's fist clenching from all the way over here. "We were out on a walk and it started raining. We ran up here to take shelter." Her response is abrupt and far from friendly, there's some noticeable hostility here.

A growl from Mike. He backs up toward the door with arms held around his chest in defence. His green gaze sweeps across the room before swooping back out toward the pounding storm. "We're out of here as soon as this shit show of a storm backs off."

Still – I wonder if I can get these two to stick around a little longer. After all… I've not seen Mike in such a long time, and while part of me isn't happy… I kinda want him to stay. Call me an idot - but a shred of me really misses the time we spent together. "So… you're not here to check out the old house?"

"I didn't even know this place was here, Nikki – only moved to Glenberry about eighteen months ago, remember? Besides," Mikey flicks his peroxide hair to the side and looks toward the sky, "Seems like the rain might be slowing down. I'd rather hop over the fence and be on my way back home… right Kyanna?"

The dark-haired lady gives a playful smile and moves toward the door. "….Maybe we could take a look… at least until things settle. This is Gallows Hill, Mikey. Rumour has it the place is haunted. Who knows? Might be fun!"

"You're kidding me, aren't you? Please don't tell me you're seriously thinking of staying up here?"

Kyanna chuckles and places a hand on his shoulder – something about that makes my heart twinge. "…Just for fun… then soon as we're done looking around we can go straight back the way we came and head for town…. How about it?"

"Fine," and with that, Mikey heads out into the rain again. He looks as though he's staring off in the direction of the house, "Just a couple of minutes… and only if we can get inside easily. I'm not busting in if the place's locked up."

"AWESOME," Kyanna smiles, "So cool! I've always wanted to come out here!"

Tiffany snoops up behind Kyanna and smiles warmly at her. Wait… I'm sure I've heard Kyanna mentioned before. Isn't she the girl Tiffany babysits for?

"I'll stick with you! Besides," my pigtailed friend reaches into the little knapsack on her back, "I brought a flashlight."


Mike

It's been an hour – the rain has stopped and the five of us are crowded outside the house. Its huge shadow looms over us with an eerie aura. Weird – I feel a chill running down my back. From the outside this place looks massive – a mansion of wooden panelling with solid white shutters banging against the obscured windowpanes. It's painted blue with a red stone staircase leading up to the porch, four stories high, and it's strange, but the top floor window looks narrowed as if a pair of sinister eyes are glaring down at us. All mAnnr of plant life slink across the long since deserted building, and the wide double doors of the front entrance are nailed shut with elongated, jagged planks of wood.

"Well," Audrey chimes – she stands at the front with Tiffany and Kyanna, "We're not getting in this w-"

*BANG!*

Everyone flinches – eyes drawn toward a pair of flapping wooden doors in the wind. "I'll go have a look," so I take the lead and make my way across the muddy pathway to the side. Interesting – I didn't see this before, "Looks like a trapdoor," I call out to the group and yank the doors wide apart, taking a quick glance downward, "I think I see a light down there!"

"A trapdoor," Audrey shoves me aside, "Move," and with little remorse, she climbs halfway down and slides across the side of the wall. With a short grunt she hops down, her feet clacking as they connect with the ground. "Cool," she shouts with an echo, "It's a wine cellar! Dusty as all shit! I bet it leads into the rest of the house!"

Before I can find the words Tiffany has already followed suit and dropped down as well. "Wow... you're right! Amazing… it looks so dated in here…."

Something about this doesn't rub me the right way – a fearful pang in my heart acts as a further warning. "You're coming, aren't you?" Yet a comforting hand on my shoulder and a smile from Kyanna are enough to act as a buffer.

A lightning bolt strikes in my brain – it's warning me to turn back now. However, I couldn't live with the idea of leaving these four women, each whom I've known at various times in my recent life. It doesn't sit right with me.

So – with a nod, I seal the deal, "Of course…. We came here together… we're leaving together."

"Alrighty! See you down there!" Leaning toward the edge, Kyanna climbs down on the rusted wall ladder and slides across the wall, eventually dropping into the cellar with the gentle 'thump' of her sneakers against the ground.

I turn back to find Nikki right behind – standing there in her rain-drenched sweater with a pondering hand rested against her chin. "I see it in your eyes. You have a bad feeling too, Mike."

"That obvious, huh?" It's true – and part of me isn't surprised the lady with blue hair figured it out. One thing – despite her gaming habits she's sharp as a tack.

"I know you… better than Tiffany or Audrey…. That – and let's be straight for a second shall we? This house… it's been derelict for the last twenty-one years. If that's the case… then why is a trapdoor open… and why are there lights turned on?"

We're on the same wavelength, "Something doesn't add up…."

Nikki nods and steps up beside me – looking me in the eyes intently with her sapphires, "Exactly… which is why I brought this."

Sliding her hand into the confines of her shorts pocket, she pulls out a phone. Wait – that shape and design, the circle edges and heart shaped button at the bottom near the power switch. There's no way! "A Huniebee…. How did you manage to-"

"A friend," she answers abruptly as she moves to place her free hand upon my shoulder, holding me with eyes honed intently, "….Did you bring yours?"

This is insane, "How did you even know I have one?"

"A friend," her answer is the same as before, "Now… please, Mikey…. Did you bring your Huniebee with you?"

"Never leave home without it." I pull the device from my pocket and show the LED screen, "Do you really think I'll need it?"

"Precaution." Nikki sweeps past me and makes her way toward the trapdoor. Sliding the phone back into her pocket, she climbs down and slinks across the wall. However, before dropping she turns back with a hint of pain in her gaze, "You hurt me…. You really hurt me…. But that doesn't mean I want anything bad to happen to you. Stay safe in there… and if you get lost… use your Huniebee to find me."

A flushed smile from Miss Ann-Marie, and with that, she drops down into the cellar. Now I'm alone, a shudder crawling up my back for a second time. I look behind in slight panic. It feels like there's something watching me.

"Must be my imagination."

Before climbing down I decide to examine the house once more from where I'm standing. Something about it feels… terrifying to me… cold even. What in the world happened to this place?

"I have a very bad feeling about this…."

To be continued….


Thank you for taking the time to read this – I know it was very long compared to the opening chapters I usually write. Did you like it? Please feel free to leave me some feedback and let me know what you thought – I'm always grateful for support from my readers. I felt like doing something completely different with the series while still keeping the same character interactions from before.

Keep on supporting Huniepop and Huniecam studio! I'll see you in the next chapter!