Chapter 1

My name is Stephanie Leinmann. Of course that's not my real name, my reason to not tell whoever is reading this my real name, is because I don't want the possibility of anyone going to my family and asking about the mysterious events regarding the Aickman house. I hope this information will be of some use to you my unknown reader, that is if you even bothered to pick up these papers from the gravestone where I left it. This is a story about near impossible things, complete and utter terror, death and surprisingly love and heartbreak. This is my story and a warning to all skeptics of the supernatural.

August 28, 2004

As we drove up the dirt road we came towards a large, old house. I, along with my mom who had the idea to move in the first place, thought it was absolutely beautiful. I loved anything vintage or antique. Everything from the 1920s architecture to the tree outback absolutely entranced me. I was 16 at the time and was considered unusual by other people my age. I had a passion for classical music, especially opera while everyone I knew was listening to the black eyed peas or something like that. I even dressed different, I wore anything vintage that I could find at the thrift shop, antique jewelry from my grandma, boots that I believed looked like they could have come from the Victorian era and once I even wore a corset! I didn't mind the fact that I was an outsider, in fact I actually liked being alone most of the time. That was another reason the house appealed to me so much, it was isolated and quiet. I was listening to Bach's prelude in C minor, when my mom broke my trance by saying " There it is guys ! Isn't it gorgeous?"My 8 year old brother Oliver, shook his head and said glumly " I guess so, but I don't know why you freak out over it so much, I liked our old house better." I laughed a little at his comment. He has a habit of being so stubborn you would think he would never change, but after 5 minutes he changes his mind and loves the thing he originally hated. " It's amazing. It's going to be like living in the 1920s. " I said with a dreamy smile. " See Oliver, me and Stephanie both like it. And I know you will too. Once we get there you will learn to embrace it. " With that Oliver crossed his arms over his chest and pouted.

Once we pulled up to the house I got a good look at it. It was white with pillars and a beautiful porch where I could see myself reading or listening to music. I looked up at once of the windows and for a split second I saw a boy about my age who looked like he was burnt to a crisp. I could see he had wisps of black hair, was wearing the remains of a 1920s suit and had the most stunning soul piercing icy blue eyes. He scared me a bit, but in a way he was strangely beautiful. " Stephanie. Hey Stephanie wake up, snap out of it." My mom said to break me from my trance. "Oh sorry mom I just dazed out for a second. Let me help you bring in the bags." I looked back at the window and the boy was gone.

Once we were in the house mom let us choose our rooms. I found my way to the basement which had plenty of space for me and was isolated, just the way I like it.

I ran up the stairs to tell mom I found a room " hey mom, I found a room I like." My mom turned to face me " yes sweetie which one?" "The basement." My mom got a worried look on her face that she always got when she disagreed. " I don't know sweetheart." I frowned " Mom think about it, it's isolated which I like, has plenty of space and you won't have to listen to my opera music you supposedly hate so much."

My mom started to consider it and finally said " Well if you want the room that badly I guess you can stay there." I hugged my mom with appreciation " Thanks mom." As I turned to walk away my mom suddenly remarked " Sydney I think you should get out more, make some friends, I've noticed you have been so alone. I just think that since your father left you've been a little shaken. Make me a promise, now that we're here make some friends explore the area enjoy life can you do that?" I only wanted to make my mom happy so I agreed. " Thank you Stephanie. I love you." " I love you too." I said as I pecked her on the cheek and went back downstairs to get my things together.

I looked around the room and realized I had my work cut out for me. So I turned on my favourite opera and got to work. By the time I was finished my bed had on its red embroidered comforter and array of vintage pillows, a Victorian bedside table with a 1930s like lamp, a white dresser with a vintage jewelry box and a floor length mirror. I looked at my reflection, what I saw was a tall girl with pale skin, light brown waist length hair, green eyes and one unique sense of fashion. I have been to,Ed that I was pretty but I didn't believe think I was anything special. All of sudden the room went ice cold and I saw someone else standing int the mirror. I froze when I saw the same apparition from before only this time not burned. He was pale like me, had thick black hair,was dressed in 1920s garb and had the same piercing blue eyes. He looked to me and asked " How do you do?"

Thanks for reading I would love it if you left a review and I'm sorry if my writing isn't very good this is my first story. Hope you enjoy and chapter 2 is on its way