The rest of my time at school went on to be rather uneventful.
I hung out with Simon pretty much all day. Unfortunately, he was often accompanied by Scott, but for the most part it was okay. I met a girl named Esther in my third period class and we seemed to get off on the right foot. So I figure that I was doing pretty damn good on my first day! But still, I couldn't help but feel relieved when I was in my dad's van heading home.
"So, how was the first day?" my dad asked, as our car swung away from the school.
"It was okay!" I told him. I paused for a moment. "I heard a story about our house today…"
My dad stiffened, and his face paled.
"Have you ever heard of a man called Freddy Krueger?" I whispered.
He looked ahead at the road, his mouth firmly pressed shut. It was obvious enough from his reaction that he knew what I was talking about.
"Why didn't you tell me that a murderer used to live in that house!?" I demanded.
"It's not something I wanted you exposed to!" He snapped back.
"Why?" I muttered angrily. "Did you think I'd be scared or something?"
He ignored my question and determinedly watched the road, refusing to make eye contact.
I sighed with frustration. "I don't care about the stories dad! I… I just can't believe you'd go out of your way to hide something from me!"
Now it was my turn to turn away. "You've never done something like this before! … especially not with me." I tried to hide the injury in my voice, but I suppose he heard it anyway.
"Look, I'm sorry Emilie," He murmured. "but even I can have my secrets."
I looked at him doubtfully.
"Emilie…" He sighed wearily. "All I wanted was to never have him brought up. A man who is associated with so much chaos ……. Doesn't need to intrude upon our lives."
I nodded quietly. When had my father become so distant from me? What was it about the house and it's story that seemed to distort and confuse all those affiliated with it?
I sighed, nearly groaning. My head was filled with so many questions! I wished there was a book on the house so it could tell me what to do!
Another sigh escaped my lips.
Why did this always come back to books? I was really beginning to get the feeling that I was slowly spiraling downward into becoming a complete recluse from society. I can image myself as an old lady. Alone in a house completely filled with books …. and cats.
Yep, that was mildly depressing in the least.
"Oh well," I thought, as my dad drove up our drive way. Enough of reflecting on myself and my future! I had some things to figure out…
As soon as my dad was parked I jumped out of the van and headed to the house. Once inside, I went straight for the medicine cabinet.
"Okay Freddy," I mumbled to myself, reaching for the cold meds. "You come to people in there dreams, right?" I popped a few pills in my mouth. "So whether it's drug induced sleep or not shouldn't matter!"