In this story watch for ( ), they will contain songs that are paired with the upcoming scene. It is not a requirement to listen to the song while reading but it does add to the story. Please do let me know if you catch any spelling or grammatical errors while reading. If you are a new reader please do give this story a few chapters, it does start out slow. Enjoy!


Rain patted softly on the ground as a woman in a cranberry blazer opened the door to a large blue house. "We weren't really expecting you until later today, sir? Ma'am?" the woman sighed glancing at the person next to her, not sure whether or not the person was male or female. An orange and white cat perched on their shoulder, its eyes were two different colors watching the woman warily. Reaching up the woman offered a hand to the cat, which in turn hissed and bared its teeth making her instantly recoiled.

"Its Kay. Kay Rayne." Kay reached up to stroke the cats head, calming it. "This is Mary Shelley. She doesn't like people much. I couldn't sleep so I drove most of the night." Kay looked around, giving the harbor a fond smile as a few boats left their docks.
"Well Kay, welcome to Brindleton Bay," the woman smiled and handed the key over to Kay.

The sound of seagulls filled the air and Mary Shelley jumped off Kay's shoulder to chase a small flock of them that had gathered at the edge of the yard. Hearing a man shouting Kay turned to look to the house across the street as an incredibly large shaggy dog chased after a blond haired boy holding a can of spray paint. Another man with shaggy black hair was looking at the side of his house, a word that Kay couldn't quite make out now spray painted across his front door in red paint. He ran a hand through his hair and hung his head making it clear to Kay this likely wasn't the first time this had happened.

"So I take it thats my neighbor?" Kay asked the realtor.

"That's Lucas Harrison, I'd recommend not getting involved with him." The woman pursed her lips. "He's one of those artsy types. Keeps to himself mostly."
Kay watched Lucas go inside as his large dog returned, a piece of what appeared to be denim in its mouth. "Sounds like the perfect neighbor for me," they replied coldly. "Im one of those artsy types that likes to keep to myself."

The realtor didn't comment but nodded. "There are more rumors than that. Im just giving you some advice since you're new to the neighborhood."
"Thank you. I'm rather tired though and I have a lot of unpacking to do." Kay dismissed the woman, hinting for her to leave. "Mary?" Kay called.

The orange and white cat bounded over to Kay carrying a tuft of feathers and dropped them at their feet with a meow. Then together, human and cat stepped into their new home.

The house had a stale scent, like it had been closed up for a few years, and it likely had been. According to the listing Kay had seen it had been on the market for years, the last tenants had left everything behind which worked out well for Kay considering they owned very little. The realtor had seemed surprised that Kay had bought the house without even coming to see it first but it hadn't mattered to them. Anywhere was better than staying in that house. No, they couldn't allow their mind to wander there again. They had worked too hard since then. Sighing Kay slid their backpack off their shoulder and set Mary Shelly's food dish next to the front door and poured some kibble in it.

"Well Mary, this is our new home. What you think?" Kay asked.

Mary Shelley looked around the room then at Kay and tilted her head with an expression that mirrored Kays own. Somewhat skeptical but hopeful in a way.
"Same here cat," Kay sighed flicking on a few lights. At least the house had been kept fairly clean by the realtor company so there was no real work to be done. Kay made their way to the living room and opened up the windows allowing a breeze to fill the room. Mary Shelley instantly decided to take up residence on the fireplace mantle in the sunlight and nap, and much like their cat, Kay agreed. A nap sounded divine. They laid on the couch facing the fireplace and closed their eyes trying to ignore the scent of the couch as they fell asleep.


Kay woke up just before noon to a paw on their cheek, Mary Shelley nudging them awake. Kay pushed the cat away but a meow pulled them from their slumber. Sighing Kay sat up and looked at the cat, the cat staring back with one blue eye and one green.

"What do you have against sleep?"

Another meow.

"Alright fine we will get to work," Kay sighed. Standing they decided to walk around the house, starting at the front door again. To their right was a nicely decorated bathroom, still clean and stocked, and for that kay was thankful. One less thing to worry about. Walking forward they were in an open space, the living room to their left and a dining room to their right. The dining room had a bar to the far side of the room and next to it large french doors leading to a porch on the side of the house. Toward the back of the house was a study and next to it, a room lined entirely with windows. Kay looked at the staircase and realized there might be a bit more house than they could handle, but what was done was done, and there was no backing out now.

Kay spent the day wandering the town rather than unpacking. Mary Shelley accompanied them, that had been the main reason Kay had chosen to move to Brindleton Bay after all. The city was known for being pet friendly and Kay wouldn't go anywhere if Mary Shelley couldn't go too. Walking out of the market Kay looked down at the cat at their side, who jumped behind them hissing up. Kay confused by the cats reaction looked up and ran directly into another person. Looking up it was Lucas Harrison, his shaggy black hair was in his face and he appeared rather distracted, not paying attention or even seeming to care that Kay had run into him. Instead he stepped around them and continued on his way. His dog on the other hand stared at Kay intently until he was called.

Making their way back home Kay put the few groceries they had bought in the fridge, choosing to snack on some animal crackers than make an actual meal. The clock said it was just after nine and it was fairly dark out as the sun set over the bay. Mary Shelley took up her newly claimed space on the mantle and Kay laid on the couch, they had no intentions of going upstairs until tomorrow, knowing that any bedding left likely needed to be washed anyway.