Chapter 1
It was a bright, sunny day over Sleepy Hollow College. It had just been the end of another school week and the students were just about to leave. In the room in which the photography lab was set up, the teacher was dismissing his students. To tell you the truth, he wasn't much older than some of his students. He was tall and not very handsome. He had black hair, wore glasses, and his voice was full of kindness and cheerfulness. His name was Dr. Matthew V. Notrub.
"So students, please read chapter three on the anatomy of the camera. We will have a surprise quiz on Wednesday. Oops! Now I've spoiled the surprise," said Dr. Notrub. The students laughed. "Aw, what the heck. Just take the weekend off to work on your camera technique. In the meantime, I've got to look at your recent photo projects. Class dismissed," said Dr. Notrub.
The students packed up their things and headed out the door. Just before the classroom was empty, Dr. Notrub called out, "Miss Deetz, may I have a word with you?" A very pale skinned girl with black hair tied in a ponytail and dressed in black on black stepped up to Dr. Notrub's desk.
"Yes, Dr. Notrub? Is there something wrong with my work?" asked the girl. "No, there isn't anything wrong, Lydia. I just wanted to say that I'm very impressed with your work," said Dr. Notrub. Dr. Notrub reached into his bag and pulled out a black binder with white letters spelling out "Lydia Deetz".
He opened it up. Inside, imposed on white sheets were pictures of various creepy-crawlies. Praying mantises devouring their mates, spiders attacking insects caught in their webs, maggots squirming through dirt; every one of Lydia's pictures showed some sort of horrible and disgusting image. Most teachers probably wouldn't understand that Lydia wasn't like other people. Ever since she was very young, she had always been interested in the macabre. She didn't have many friends. But she had a secret that no one was to learn. Dr. Notrub had become her favorite teacher since coming to the college.
"These insect pictures are incredible! I've never seen such fantastic imagery," said Dr. Notrub. "Thank you, Dr. Notrub. Not many people back in my hometown of Peaceful Pines really understood my hobbies," said Lydia. "Well, don't give up on what you like. With this kind of talent, you could have great potential as an entomologist. How on earth did you find these insects in these great poses?" asked Dr. Notrub. "Well, I have this friend who has an eye for insects and arachnids. He helped me with this project. Although, I haven't had much time to see him lately. My roommates wouldn't understand him. That's why I've wanted to find a place of my own so we can do things together again. I've looked all over town. But I can't seem to find anything within my price range" said Lydia.
"Well, I hope you do find a place. Why don't you check the bulletin board? I'm sure that there will be something that you can apply for. See you on Monday, Lydia," said Dr. Notrub. "Bye Dr. Notrub," said Lydia as she walked out of the photography lab.
Dr. Notrub started to pack up his stuff. He was anxious to get home. Dr. Notrub wasn't what he seemed to be. "I think I'll be seeing you a lot sooner than Monday, Lydia Deetz," he said to himself.
It was a bright, sunny day over Sleepy Hollow College. It had just been the end of another school week and the students were just about to leave. In the room in which the photography lab was set up, the teacher was dismissing his students. To tell you the truth, he wasn't much older than some of his students. He was tall and not very handsome. He had black hair, wore glasses, and his voice was full of kindness and cheerfulness. His name was Dr. Matthew V. Notrub.
"So students, please read chapter three on the anatomy of the camera. We will have a surprise quiz on Wednesday. Oops! Now I've spoiled the surprise," said Dr. Notrub. The students laughed. "Aw, what the heck. Just take the weekend off to work on your camera technique. In the meantime, I've got to look at your recent photo projects. Class dismissed," said Dr. Notrub.
The students packed up their things and headed out the door. Just before the classroom was empty, Dr. Notrub called out, "Miss Deetz, may I have a word with you?" A very pale skinned girl with black hair tied in a ponytail and dressed in black on black stepped up to Dr. Notrub's desk.
"Yes, Dr. Notrub? Is there something wrong with my work?" asked the girl. "No, there isn't anything wrong, Lydia. I just wanted to say that I'm very impressed with your work," said Dr. Notrub. Dr. Notrub reached into his bag and pulled out a black binder with white letters spelling out "Lydia Deetz".
He opened it up. Inside, imposed on white sheets were pictures of various creepy-crawlies. Praying mantises devouring their mates, spiders attacking insects caught in their webs, maggots squirming through dirt; every one of Lydia's pictures showed some sort of horrible and disgusting image. Most teachers probably wouldn't understand that Lydia wasn't like other people. Ever since she was very young, she had always been interested in the macabre. She didn't have many friends. But she had a secret that no one was to learn. Dr. Notrub had become her favorite teacher since coming to the college.
"These insect pictures are incredible! I've never seen such fantastic imagery," said Dr. Notrub. "Thank you, Dr. Notrub. Not many people back in my hometown of Peaceful Pines really understood my hobbies," said Lydia. "Well, don't give up on what you like. With this kind of talent, you could have great potential as an entomologist. How on earth did you find these insects in these great poses?" asked Dr. Notrub. "Well, I have this friend who has an eye for insects and arachnids. He helped me with this project. Although, I haven't had much time to see him lately. My roommates wouldn't understand him. That's why I've wanted to find a place of my own so we can do things together again. I've looked all over town. But I can't seem to find anything within my price range" said Lydia.
"Well, I hope you do find a place. Why don't you check the bulletin board? I'm sure that there will be something that you can apply for. See you on Monday, Lydia," said Dr. Notrub. "Bye Dr. Notrub," said Lydia as she walked out of the photography lab.
Dr. Notrub started to pack up his stuff. He was anxious to get home. Dr. Notrub wasn't what he seemed to be. "I think I'll be seeing you a lot sooner than Monday, Lydia Deetz," he said to himself.