AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story takes place one year after Greta left. Word has somehow died down and Brahms have managed to lie low. Although Sam is an original character, her features resemble the readers for a more immersive experience. Also, I stole The Boy II's premise because I didn't like how that standalone looked like lol. Enjoy!
No one can find me now. No one will ever figure out where I've run to. Not even my friends. The cops will never get anything from my friends nor my neighbors. Hell, I'm talking as if I've committed a crime when I just ghosted everyone. It's not like they'll come look for me anyway. I've been away from the world and afk online for a week-yet nobody really noticed. Not even my coworkers.
It feels amazing moving to a new place. I have the freedom to meet people or even not have human interaction without feeling guilty. They don't know me in the first place, anyway.
Free from responsibility. Free from shame. I'm able to start over in England and can do whatever I want. I can even scream at the top of my lungs right now and I wouldn't care if people looked at me.
I take a deep breath and let out a scream right before laughing like an idiot. A bright smile is plastered on my face as I look up at the nice, old house I bought. I look around and notice that I didn't even have neighbors. How lucky. I used to live next door to a bunch of weirdos and nosy old people. But here? I have all the space I need.
Hurriedly, I grabbed my one and only luggage and squeezed myself through the space between the old fence. It was a little stubborn. I had to use both my hand and heel to push the fence to close it again. The weed growing under it got caught at the bottom of the wooden fence. Clearly, the place had to be renovated a bit since it's been a long while since someone lived here.
The owner was a young woman in her 30s who didn't bother to give me a final tour. I don't mind, though, but it would've been nice to help me around. I guess she was too busy trying to sell her parents' old houses as she often brought up. I sure hope it's the only reason why she wanted to sell it so quick and cheap. I hope not because someone had been murdered in it.
I chuckled at the thought. I really should not have watched that Halloween film during the flight. Really not a good idea when you're about to live alone. But come to think of it...if I did find a ghost, that would be single most exciting thing to happen in my life. I shook my head and sneered.
A few steps in and past the bushes, I set my eyes on a beautiful garden that had almost devoured the front door of the house. Flowers and weed had surrounded it. At that point, my fear had disappeared and turned into awe.
How could I judge so quickly? The old, ugly house hid beauty behind the tall bushes. After this realization, excitement churned from the pit of my stomach until I let out a giggle. I had never felt this excited in a long time. I hugged my luggage against my chest and ran towards the front door.
Using the old kettle on the counter top reminded me of my electric kettle back home. It was much more convenient living a life before this. I suddenly became aware of the reality in front of me; I am living alone in the middle of an old town in England.
England! Who would've thought?
Dropping all my responsibilities and people back home is surely a huge decision. But so far, I feel lighter. It's all new to me, but what's important is I feel lighter.
Lighter but...lonelier? No. I can't be thinking this way too fast. I had just spent one day and had not even explored. It's not as if I'm planning to say hi to my neighbors, as if I had any, but it would be nice to know the different spots I'll be staying at. A nice space to read, have a picnic, or listen to music. Anything I can do that I never had the chance to do back home.
I drew the dusty curtain and observed the sky. Then, I unlocked my phone to check the time. It's 5:45 PM and the sun is nearing its descent. I could try walking about even just for a few minutes, I thought to myself. I was too excited to become familiar with the new place I called home. So, I grabbed my jacket and headed out.
After a while, I spotted a nice field. It was too broad for me to roam freely, but I hesitated, scared that I would encounter a new person. I wasn't really in the mood to talk to anyone. I did make the move to ghost friends and I wasn't all that ready to make new ones.
So, I headed back home...or so I thought. One wrong turn and I got lost. But of course, I expected this to happen. Good thing I used a GPS to pin my new house. I was on my way back until I saw a narrow way heading towards another part of the woods.
I did have a neighbor!
—A rich neighbor. I gaped at the sight of the mansion. I didn't take another step, fearing that somebody might see me and think I'm some prying neighbor. I used to hate the Johnsons when I caught them staring whenever I left the house. I wouldn't want to do the same to other people.
So I headed back with the help of my GPS and continued my exploration in my small house. I was happy there was electricity and water running. But I did need to install a few things the next day, I told myself. There was a lot to renovate.
The next day, I headed to town by foot. It was not a good idea. It took me a few minutes to arrive and decided I was going to have to buy a bicycle. So I did.
After paying for the bicycle at the counter, the old man handed my change and smiled. I knew small talk was bound to happen. Although I evaded it at the grocery store, it was impossible to avoid it when the man was obviously talking to me.
"Having a party?"
I started to wonder if small talk with any stranger was normal in this town.
I let out a light chuckle, "Oh no," I loaded the grocery bags in the basket attached to the bicycle. "Just stocking up."
His eyes lit up, "Are you the nice, young lass who just bought Jones' kid's house?"
At such a small town, I really shouldn't have been that surprised people talked.
"Yeah, I did. It's wonderful." I was trying to gesture that I was ready to leave and wasn't planning to stay for a chat. But he went on and asked a few more questions.
He leaned on the counter and grimaced, "You get enough kip in that house?"
"I'm sorry?"
"If you need anything, you can always ring me and the missus." Just in time, his wife had walked out of their little office and into the store with a smile. She must have heard the whole thing.
"Thanks," I managed to say before the old woman began talking as well with a smile so bright her crow's feet showed.
She nodded, "Meryl," she put out her hand for me to shake. Then she added, "We're part of the town watchers. I sure hope we didn't scare ya. I told Jacob not to get too excited meeting new folks."
I realized I warmed up a bit. The thought reminded me of my grandmother. She wanted me to stay with her at her little house since I was 15. She always told me it was because she didn't get to talk to many people. I didn't know that wasn't the only reason why. I brushed the thought away and smiled at the couple awaiting my response.
"No worries, I'm glad to have met you both. It's nice to know someone now."
"Oh we'd gladly tour ya or introduce ya to—"
I shook my head. I really didn't want to. I had to politely decline and they understood. But Jacob offered that they drove me back.
Although I was not in the mood to talk, I did need the help. I was planning on having the new kettle, modem, and sheets delivered to the house. But I would be able to save a few.
They're good people, I convinced myself. Plus, they already know where I live. In case anything, it would be nice to know people who could help me if I ever was in need.
"I really appreciate this a lot, Mr. and Mrs. Martin." I say, nodding since my hands were trying to keep the bicycle balanced which carried everything I bought.
They waved before driving back. I used up all my strength to bring everything inside on my own while my mind was busy thinking of what I had learned from the old couple. I asked about the town and heard nothing but good things except for them not winning the best town award which I found really cute.
It was not as if everyone was jolly and friendly all the time. But it did seem like a humble town. It was nice enough to live in for a long time. I sure hope I could live here for a long time.
I sat at the chair with new sheets I bought to cover the old cushions. I closed my eyes and tried to take a nap but couldn't. It was too early. I thought it would take me the whole day but I had enough time to explore before sundown.
I grabbed my jacket, airpods, and keys then left home. I played my favorite song on full volume and sang along, knowing no one could hear me. By the time chorus hit, I quickly looked around, and sang at the top of my lungs. Hell, I even danced!
Times like this used to be something I enjoyed alone in the dark in my bedroom. Who would have thought I could do the same in an open space in a totally different place? I felt so free not knowing anyone, anything, and felt like myself. I danced, sang, jumped on rocks, logs, and twirled like a weirdo. I couldn't care less.
But as I twirled again, my airpod flew out of my ear, cutting the music. I realized how idiotic I probably looked. But nevermind that! I f*ckin lost my airpod and panicked. I really should not have been so reckless.
I looked around, squinting at the ground, hoping to find a tiny, white object. I tried using my phone's flashlight but it was no help. But I kept looking, constantly glancing at the time on my phone. I had a full hour before night time. I took my time and tried to retrace my steps and where it possibly flew.
But I stopped when I heard leaves crunch behind me. I wanted to think some good neighbor would appear and help but there was no one behind me. "Hello?" I called out just to be sure, but as expected, no one responded. I started looking again and found nothing.
I could buy a new one. It's not like I didn't have time.
As I gave up, I heard a faint voice behind me, saying "Hello."
I quickly turn around. My heart was pounding. Someone definitely was there. But I couldn't see anyone. I looked farther and saw the mansion behind the bushes. I suddenly felt embarrassed. Somebody might have seen me. I hurried back home instead to avoid the humiliation I might have gotten if I stayed and waited for someone to show up. I would rather think no one saw me dancing like an idiot.
But of course, I couldn't wait. I drove the bicycle to the store in the hopes of finding new airpods.
"Back so soon?" Meryl joked. She was at the cash register this time.
I grimaced, "Yeah, I forgot to get myself a pair of airpods."
"Airpods?"
I showed her what I had left and shook her head. "I'm afraid you can find that at the mall."
"Where's the nearest one?"
"I'm afraid that's an hour away from here."
Unfortunately, I had to drive back empty handed. I pushed myself inside and closed the stubborn fence. As I made my way to the porch, I noticed a tiny, white object at the floor.
"What?" I whispered to myself. I looked around then at the floor. Slowly, I picked up the airpod, confusion etched all over my face.
There was one explanation for this. Someone did see me and they...
...they are playing a game on me.
From afar, behind the tall, uncut bushes, hid Brahms in his unwashed cardigan and trousers. He knew he was in no good shape to show up and would therefore scare Sam. That was the last thing he wanted to do to someone he found beautiful.
Brahms did not usually walk out of the house. He never went as far as beyond the garden nor the woods. But once he set his eyes on her through the porcelain mask, he was dumbstruck. He could not look away. He watched her move with a smile on her face. He had never seen a woman with her features. She was different.
Beautiful in her own way; moved in her own way. It was what he admired. In an instant, he found an obsession. But the smile disappeared from both their faces when a small, white object flew at his direction. Quickly, he rushed to the side and away from her sight.
He waited and until he heard her come closer. She was so close that he heard her panting. The bushes were the only thing blocking his view. He wanted to see where she was and attempted to move but made a sound with his thick boots.
Later, when he looked away, he peeked through the branches and saw her worried face. She was even closer this time. She must had been sure that the object she was looking for was where he was but could not tell where.
Just as she stood inches away from her, the bush serving as a barrier, he attempted to speak. But he knew it would be foolish. He fought the voices in his head that told him to leave her alone. But his heart told him to speak. He managed to utter a faint, "Hello," but her shriek had scared him.
He kept hidden. Somehow, hiding from her seemed fun for him. Just like the game he used to play. He always found it amusing how good he was at the game. He liked outsmarting people. It was what he was taught, after all, by his parents. It was not as if he liked hiding. It was the only thing he was good at.
AN: Do you refer the first person POV or the third person POV? Let me know what you think of the first chapter. Would love to do better!
