Chapter One

After working all night Roman pulled into his driveway shortly after 8am. When he saw the moving trucks next door he blinked and rubbed his eyes, feeling quite sure his mind was playing tricks on him. "I can't believe someone is moving into the old O'Malley house again. No one ever lasts for more than a few months in that place. Someone should have warned that poor sap, I wonder what's going to happen this time." Roman shook his head, "They should just tear that place down."

He stepped out of the car and stretched, yawning loudly. He watched as two men carried a couch into the house, "I'm so tired but I really should go over there, maybe I can talk them out of moving in, maybe I should warn them before it's too late." Roman sighed, "How many times have I tried that in the past? No one ever listens to me anyway." He shrugged his shoulders, "Forget it, I'm not going to bother this time, let them find out on their own."

He was just about to step inside when he glanced over at the O'Malley house and saw the new owner. Roman suddenly felt sick to his stomach, "Oh no what has she done. Dammit," he cursed loudly. He pulled the door shut and trudged across the lawn, "Kate, Kate," he hollered loudly.

She turned and waved at Roman then gave the movers some instructions before walking towards him. Before she could say a thing Roman blurted out, "Kate, we need to talk."

Kate glared at him "What no 'welcome to the neighbourhood'" she replied defensively.

"Kate don't start with me, this is serious." Roman glanced over at the men lugging more furniture into the house. He dug a $50 bill out of his pocket and walked over to them. "Excuse me would you guys mind taking a break for half an hour or so. There's a donut shop just down the street." He handed them the money, which they gladly accepted.

Kate stood with her mouth gaping as she watched the men walking away. Her eyes blazed with anger as she focused them on Roman. "What was that? Who the hell do you think you are Roman Brady?" she sputtered. "You are acting like a chauvinistic pig. What gives you the right to send my employees off like that?"

Roman cut her off, "Would you just shut up for a minute and listen to me Kate. You can't move in that house. When the guys get back have them pack your stuff back up and find somewhere else to live."

"You hate me that much Roman that you can't even stand to have me for a neighbour? Well you better get used to it because I am moving in here and there is nothing you can do to stop me," Kate shouted.

Roman grabbed her arms and looked her straight in the eye, "Please Kate, this has nothing to do with me hating you. I'm doing this because I care about you Kate, I'm doing this out of concern."

"What the hell are you talking about Roman? Just because we decided to put aside our differences for Will's sake doesn't mean you have to be concerned about me all of a sudden. Besides what's there to be concerned about? Unless of course you sun bathe in the nude in your back yard and you're worried I might see you because that could be very damaging to my mental state."

"If you would just be quiet for a minute I'll tell you exactly why I'm concerned." Roman said angrily.

She folded her arms across her chest and raised her eyebrows waiting for him to continue. "Kate that house is cursed, not to mention haunted. Did you not wonder why so many people have moved in and out of there?"

"I just assumed it was because no one wanted Mr. Dudley Doright Cop for a neighbour," she shot back with a smirk.

Roman groaned in frustration, "Would you quit trying to be funny! This is serious lady! I'm going to tell you the whole story and then you'll see exactly why you can't move in here."

Kate clapped her hands in feigned delight, "Oh goody, Roman's gonna tell me a story. This should be good," she muttered.

Roman ignored her and begun the story, "This house was built for a young couple, James and Karen O'Malley, many, many years ago. One day Karen came home early from work and found James in bed with her best friend Marg. Karen went absolutely crazy. She found a shot gun and killed James then shot Marg. Apparently Marg was into witchcraft or Voodoo and as she was lying on the floor bleeding to death Marg told Karen that she had cast a spell on James. James thought it was Karen he was making love to. Marg's final words were a curse, a curse on the house and on Karen. Karen was so grief stricken and guilt ridden she hugged her husbands dead body and ran from the house into the street covered in blood. She disappeared into the woods and no one seen or heard from her ever again." Roman paused and looked at Kate before continuing, "Kate every person that has moved into that house has seen Karen's ghost. She haunts that place. Some have even seen her committing the murder. No one ever stays in there for more than a few months. The worst part is that some sort of misfortune always seems to follow these people after they move out. Horrible things have happened Kate, who ever moves in that house is cursed."

"Stop right now!" Kate said in any icy tone. "I don't know why you are trying to scare me like this Roman but it's not going to work! No go away and leave me alone before I get very angry!"

"Fine Kate if that's what you want, I'm out of here." Roman shouted, "But don't you come knocking on my door in the middle of the night when you're scared shitless because I warned you Kate." He held up his hands and started to back away, "I warned you," he said again before turning and heading in to his house.

Kate watched him walk away, she was furious. She took a deep breath, "Calm down," she told herself. "You just bought a beautiful home. You finally have a place of your own. Don't let Roman ruin it for you."

She put the adrenaline rush the anger had brought on to good use and went in the house to begin unpacking.