* A/N I do not own or claim to own anyone other than my own OC and scenarios I make up. I will try to stick to the story timeline as much as I can. *

The rain was coming down like it was trying to flood the world. Driving in the rain was hard normally, but it was even worse during these heavy rains. I was on my way back to my hometown for the funeral of our late mayor. He apparently had a heart attack on Founder's Day. It was sad to hear that he had passed away.

I honestly did not want to head back to my hometown. With my parents gone it was hard to be in our old house by myself for long periods of time. The town just had some weird happenings and there just weren't a lot of explanations. This applied to my family as well and what happened to them. No one wanted to talk about them after they passed, like they weren't even here.

I guess that is just how small towns are. I found similar things when I was in New Orleans doing my research. I guess I picked up the supernatural fascination from those in my hometown. I just couldn't seem to not get away from the so-called supernatural events. It made for great research data. I enjoyed learning about it from a variety of sources. New Orleans especially had a deep history. I had learned so much and was able to finish my research early thanks to all the things I learned in New Orleans. I wanted to share the news with my best friends back home.

As I drove past the welcome sign, the rain seemed to ease up a little bit and driving was easier. I was able to make it to my family's home before it got too late thankfully. I parked in front of the house and grabbed my bag and rushed to the front door. I took a breath and opened the front door. A wave of dust and familiar scents hit me. I was overcome with emotions but wanted to get out of the rain.

I dropped my bag in the entryway and went deeper into the main room. The furniture was covered with clothes as no one had been here in years. I remember the last time I was here. I just stayed in a room at my friend's house. I decided to at least get my room cleaned so I could sleep through the rest of the night. I ascended the stairs and found my old room. I started taking the cloths off all the furniture in my room and cleaning up the dust from around the room. After it was cleaned, I went down and got my bag and took it to my room. I decided to check out the rest of the house in the morning. I changed and got into bed.

*In the morning*

I got up to my alarm, forgetting that I hadn't changed it from when I was studying and working in New Orleans. I decided to see if I could go find someone in town that could help me clean up the house. I quickly changed into some jeans and a t-shirt, grabbed my keys and headed into town. The drive into town was just as I remembered. It seems that nothing has changed as I drive through town. There was a burned down building, from the fire on Founders' Day, but other than that the town square seemed the same as always. I parked in front of The Grill and headed inside. Thankfully there weren't many places open this early in the morning, but I knew The Grill would be.

"We aren't open yet," a voice shouts from the back.

"Well it is a good thing I am not hungry," I shout back.

"Well, well," the owner of the voice says coming out of the back, "if it isn't Aria Lennox." They come over and wrap me in a hug.

"You haven't changed a bit," I say hugging them back. "It is good to see you Roberta."

"Now child you are just too kind," Roberta says.

"No ma'am, I mean it," I say with a smile. "I just got back in town last night. I am here for the funeral."

"It would seem you aren't the only one," she says. "I heard others also coming back in town for the funeral. Many others were already here for Founder's Day."

"Yea," I say sitting down at the bar. "I heard a lot happened that night."

Roberta decided that she was going to update me on all the town gossip that I had missed out on since I was gone. I learned about the Gilberts car crash and wondered why Jenna hadn't told me, I would have been here in a heartbeat for her. She brought up how Mrs. Bennett passing away. This made me cry a little, as she was why I was so engrossed in the supernatural. Her stories were legendary. Then she went on about the mysterious deaths and disappearances over the last few months. Finally, she talked about the fire from Founders' Day. There were apparently several accidents that happened around that time as well.

"Wow," I say a little stunned, "it seems I have missed a lot with my being gone."

"Well, with you back in town," Roberta says, "it is sure to get even more interesting."