It's Just a Harmless Dream
By: Legal Humor
Chapter 1: Moving In + the Creepy House across the Street
Wordlessly, I stared out the car window not at all admiring the changes and sceneries I wouldn't usually see back in my home town. I didn't welcome the changes positively though, in fact I rolled my eyes, shrugging it off and looked on in complete boredom.
I could feel my Mom's worried gaze on me the whole ride and I knew for sure she was, mile by mile, building up the courage to say something.
"Sam, I hear they have a wonderful High School where were going," she said cheerily.
I slowly turned my head to see my mom's upbeat smile beaming towards me but I, being the negative person I am, shot her buoyant mood down and turned my head back to its previous position, letting out a uninterested grunt.
"Lots of new friends there," she went on.
"Nothing could replace the few friends I made back home," I coldly shot back.
All of a sudden short brown hair popped out in-between us and the first thing I saw were playful hazel eyes and a mischievous grin that could only belong to the bane of my existence: My eight year old brother.
"Oh stop being such a grumpy troll and be happy for once Sammy!" Flaunted the little monster.
I heard my mom snickering in her seat as she tried to cover its trace with her palm. (Jeez! What kind of parent was she!)
"Or," I began turning around and thus facing him. "How about you not worry about me you little snot and put back on your seatbelt," I glowered. "Mom tell him to sit back in his seat and put his seat belt on … that's illegal," I also pointed out flashing him a wicked smirk knowing full well that this little skirmish was my victory.
"Timmy, seatbelt, now," She said sternly without taking her eyes off the road.
He huffed knowing he was fighting a losing battle. He sat back in his seat snapping his seat belt into place and crossed his skinny arms over his slender chest. He stuck out his tongue and so did I before I swiftly turned back around in my seat. Lil' brat, I thought. I leaned back against my seat and closed my eyes finally realizing the lack of sleep I deprived myself from over the past few days on the road. Mom must feel like crap since she's the one doing most of the driving, I thought. I slightly opened my eyes and peaked under my lashes at her. She'll probably drop cold the first chance she gets. Perhaps I'll make her breakfast in bed the following morning.
I have been … well very difficult [Maybe even more challenging then Timmy and trust me now that's saying something] ever since I heard we were moving. I mean it isn't like it is her fault that her company is moving to this particular area thus causing us the hassle of moving. [This job is very important to my mom and the prosperity of our small family. I plan on getting a job or two in the area myself. I usually don't like doing 'stuff' as in 'working' but if that's what it takes to bring in a few extra bucks then I'm willing]
My eyes lids were becoming more and more heavier the greater I tried to fight off the drowsiness. I softly sighed, giving in to them, finally letting the dark abyss of sleep take hold.
My world was shacking and I groggily came to, batting my eye lashes in an attempt to clear my vision. More shaking occurred as my senses slowly but surely began to take action. Soft murmuring was the first thing that I picked up and I slowly turned my head in the direction of the sound. My mom's wide grin was the first thing I saw and I looked on confused, still in quite a haze. Something burst out in front of Mom's form and a loud voice erupted before I had time to comprehend my situation.
"WAKE UP!" Yelled the very recognizable [Yet annoying] voice of my brother directly in my face.
Startled, I jumped hitting the back of my head against the window seal. I bit my bottom lip but showed no sign of pain even though the back of my head was throbbing erratically.
"Honey, were here," I heard my mom say in complete awe and eagerness.
I lifted a brow while rubbing the back of my cranium. My brother was already out the car and running towards the front door yelling to us 'hurry hurry, come on you slow pokes'. My mom now opened the driver's door and jumped out closing it be hide her. Hesitant at first I sat there and watched them as they both made their way to the door and my Mom opened it with a giddy Timmy excitedly jumping up and down beside her. Not even a mille-second after she opened it Timmy darted inside. She looked back at me with a huge smile and waved her arm gesturing me to come over before she too disappeared somewhere inside. With much effort I forced myself to open my door and jump out. The second my feet hit solid ground I couldn't help the urge to stretch and bellow a yawn. [Oh, solid ground how I've missed you so] Once done I stopped to, for once, observe my surroundings. The neighborhood was a little quiet; a major difference from the loud, crazy city but nothing I couldn't adjust to. Yet, still, the thought hadn't registered that this place, this home and this new life was permanent; or at least for a good chunk of my years. I groaned not even liking the thought. I closed the door and walked around the car to the back and opened the back door. I smiled at the sleeping cat in its cage as it slowly came to, lifting her head and giving me a bored look before lying back down in her plush covers.
"I suppose you're not too thrilled about moving here either huh Jinx," I murmured to the solid black cat who seemed to pay no mind when I lifted her cage effortlessly with one arm and closed the back door with the other.
Something to my right seemed to have caught my attention and I looked involuntarily to the house directly across from ours. Something about it had a bad vibe to it; I mean hell! The windows were boarded up, the house was in serious need of some maintenance and the lawn looked like it hasn't been trimmed in awhile. [To the point where weeds and dandelions littered the property] The house was defiantly in need of a miracle. That one house seemed to just stand out so greatly compared to the others. Around the perimeter of the house were black bars for a fence. At the gate there seemed to be chains on the entrance securely locking it up. Not to mention a sign hung up on the fence saying in big red caps 'KEEP OUT'. A hiss snapped me out of my little trance and I looked down to find Jinx still lying down but staring at the house intently; the hair on the nap of her neck standing on end.
Without a word I hastily scurried up the driveway and into the house, not even taking a glimpse back but for some odd reason felt a pair of eyes burning into my back (as if someone was watching).