Chapter 2: Pretty Little Liars Meet the Murder House
"You're moving!" yelled Emily, Spencer, and Hannah at the same time.
"Guys! It's not for sure yet, but apparently we got a house from a distant relative in California or something." Said Aria
"Why?" asked Spencer
"Well, apparently, it belonged to my great-great Aunt and Uncle. The real estate company couldn't sell the place so since we're relatives of the original owners, we're taking the property over." Replied Aria
"That's unusual." Said Spencer "I've never heard of something like that happening. And besides, weren't your parents getting a divorce?"
"Well, look at Jason moving back into that house after everything that happened." Retorted Aria "I'm not looking forward to it either, but despite me leaving Ezra and you guys behind, maybe it'll be a good thing. If my parents can patch things up great. I'd prefer that over having step parents and possible step siblings. And judging from what my dad said the place is huge. You guys could come out and stay."
"Do you know what it looks like?" asked Emily
"No, my dad is supposed to show me pictures tonight after school." Said Aria
"We should check it out anyways." Chimed in Hanna. "Want to?"
"Yeah!" said Aria
Hanna typed in Montgomery mansion California, in a search engine. After a second or two, the girls saw a plethora of links, all about the infamous Murder House.
"Wait, Murder House?" asked Hanna "You guys are moving into some Addams family digs?"
"No way!" said Aria
"Wait guys look at this." Said Spencer "Charles Montgomery the Doctor and Nora the socialite built the house in 1920. Shortly after moving in, the couple experienced money problems after Dr. Montgomery became addicted to drugs. Desperate to keep up their lifestyle, Nora set up a side business, having Charles perform abortions on young women with unwanted pregnancies. In 1926, one of the boyfriends of the women who had an abortion at their little clinic kidnapped their son, Thaddeus. The baby was returned dismembered. Nora took this loss particularly hard, and in her grief she shot her husband in the head, and then herself."
"Whoa, didn't get to hear all that." Said Aria
"There's more." Said Emily "1968, two nurses were tied up, one of them drowned in the bathtub, the other stabbed to death. 1983, Hugo Langdon and Moira O'Hara reported missing after the two were discovered having an affair by Hugo's wife, Constance Langdon. 1994, woman burns herself alive with her two daughters. 1994, Tate Langdon gunned down in the house after killing a group of students at Westfield Highschool. 2010, gay couple murder suicide. 2012, wife dead after giving birth, husband commits suicide, teenage daughter and infant son missing."
"It says also that Constance lives next door to the house." Said Hanna "That seems a little odd."
"Well no wonder they can't sell that house." Said Aria "I don't see my family getting better moving there."
"What I don't understand is how they can force you to take ownership." Said Spencer "I mean it's cool you're getting a free house and all, but you'd think a place that had a bunch of horrible things happen like that would just get torn down. Besides, wouldn't any of the more recent owners want a deal like that anyway?"
"I should tell my parents about this." Said Aria "Maybe they'll change their minds."
Later that night, Aria set out to tell her parents about the information she and the girls found out about the house.
"I'm telling you, there is dozens of websites about that place!" said Aria
"Aria, we know." Said Ella
"We're not going to move in totally." Said Byron "Your mom and I are thinking of just taking a trip out there, and staying in the house. There already is some furniture inside, so we could just pack some clothes, stay there, and see if we like it."
"Still, don't you think it's a little strange? I mean, there just giving it to us? That place must be worth at least a million dollars." Said Aria
"Well, I hear you on that one." Said Ella "But, crazy history aside, I can't put my finger on it but I'm just drawn to it."
"I will say this, with the Ali thing and the drama around here, it wouldn't be so bad to escape." Said Aria "I just would miss so much."
"Well, we all would honey. But that's why we aren't rushing into a decision." Said Byron
"You said, take a trip. When would this be happening?" said Aria
"Well, school doesn't start for another couple of weeks. We're thinking of this weekend. Flying out there and exploring a little, and we'll see what we can do." Said Bryon
"Okay then." Said Aria
At Hanna's house
"We're flying out Friday morning." Said Aria
"For good?" asked Spencer
"No. Just for the weekend." Replied Aria
"Well, hopefully you come back." Said Hanna "You might fall in love with Cali."
"I will." Said Aria "I wish I could take you guys with me."
"Well, let us know if anything freaky happens." Said Emily
"Yeah, I really don't wanna think of about that." Said Aria
Enter Murder House
"Well, it's definitely worth more than we ever could afford." Said Ella
The family was given all the keys and security passcodes from Marcy's office. Walking in, they tried to take it all in. Despite knowing the gruesome history of the home, they forgot about it as they walked through the hallways of the Classic L.A. Victorian with the real Tiffany fixtures and chestnut walls. Aria was drawn to the room that belonged to Tate, Violet and Gabriel before. Mike set his sights on a bedroom that wasn't even used by the Harmons, or the couple of other families prior.
"Well, its got class. I'll say that much." Said Aria
"It's actually pretty awesome." Said Mike
"It is perfect." Said Byron
It was only a few moments of being in the house before the doorbell rang.
Ella opened the door to Constance Langdon.
"Why hello, you must be the new owners?" said Constance
"Yes, that's us? And you are?" asked Ella
"I'm Constance Langdon, you're neighbor. Welcome." She replied
"It's nice to meet you." Said Ella "We're actually not sure if we're staying here. It's kind of a test run."
"Oh is that so?" said Constance "Well I have to say, that's quite smart. If I were you, I'd run."
"Why do you say that?" replied Byron
"I've never been this candid with people who've moved in here. But this place is cursed." Said Constance
Byron and Ella both gave her looks of shock. Aria moved in front of her parents and decided to confront her new neighbor.
"So you're the one who lived here right?" said Aria
"Well, aren't you the pretty little thing?" said Constance "And how does a trite little thing like you know such information?"
"I looked this place up." Said Aria "It's got a nasty history."
"Well well, she's got looks and a little bit of smarts." Said Constance "I would listen to her, she knows what's going to happen if you choose to live here."
Ella started to grow agitated.
"Okay, enough with the polite rudeness. If you want to come over here and harass my family, well don't. We've been through enough. Refer to my daughter as a trite little thing again and I will blow you to pieces!" yelled Ella. When she said that last part, she made the hand gesture Piper Halliwell used to freeze and blow things up.
"I don't know where those words came from. But seriously, I don't appreciate the hidden agenda lady." Said Ella
"Hmmph. Well I'm gone. Enjoy the house." Said Constance
"Ella?" said Byron. "Where did that come from?"
"I have no idea." Said Ella
Aria and Mike looked at their parents in confused curiosity. It was going to be a memorable weekend. One way or another.
