A few hours have passed when a knock came on the front door. Aunt Sarah got up from the couch, opening the door. "Why, you must be Hannah," she answered warmly. "Come on in."

"Thank you, Miss..." She waited for a name from her.

"You may call me Sarah. I'm Ezzy's aunt."

"I was told that she has an aunt," she replied, looking at me with a smile. "Although...I wonder about her parents."

Aunt Sarah bit her lip. "Her parents weren't-"

"Look at the time, we better get going," I talked hurriedly, leaping off the couch, grabbing my... friend? No way she's going to know about my parents by my aunt... whenever I want her to know or not. I only told my therapist back at home about...my...parents... And...him... "I'll be back in an hour or so," I guaranteed, pulling my neighbor out of my house. My aunt was about to say something for I slammed the door in her face. "Close one..." I breathed out.

Hannah had a weird look to her face, playing with her long brown hair, I saw. She quit messing with her strands. "What was all that about?" she said, processing what happened there. "You're aunt was going to-"

"No!" Shutting up, she was taken aback by my outburst. "You don't need to know, alright?" I started walking. "Let's go to this...place you go to."

She caught up to me. "Hold on, I'll show you the way."

I took her offer, allowing her to lead the way to what I guess was her secret place.

Besides, it's been a day here in the new state... such a boring place to be...

Our shoes slapped the sidewalk. I began to worry a bit when we got out of the dull neighborhood street, letting a car go by.

"Where are we going?" I asked, about to head back.

"I told you, a place I go to when my dad's in bed," she told me, crossing the street. She stopped at the other side, seeing that I hadn't crossed over to the other side.

I looked both ways. Boy, the streets aren't busy at all.

Crossing the street, I saw we were at the edge by the woods. Tall trees reached upwards, leaves hanging from branches. Bushes scattered on the ground.

I saw twigs on the ground, too, with little flowers dotting everywhere. Insects scattered about, birds chirping.

No...wait... there aren't any birds or insects...

I was about to bail when Hannah stepped into the quiet woods with no hint of worry whatsoever.

I had two options: Leave or go with a stranger I barely knew.

I chose option two, going with a stranger into a forest.

An eerie forest...

My shoes snapped the twigs after I pushed away a bush's branches, avoiding being slapped in the face by them.

I don't want it to happen ever again...

I went on, trying to keep up. "Hannah - wait up." Hold on... did I call out to her? No, she isn't my... "Nice thinking, Ezzy..." I mumbled ever so quietly, slowing my pace down. "Always go with a stranger... especially someone who is your neighbor with a scary dad who won't allow her to go outside..." I halted, looking around... "Hannah...?" I turned, spinning like a toy ballerina. "...Hannah...?" A heavy feeling formed at the pit of my stomach, my pulse going up.

I began to feel scared. I have never been in any kind of woods in my life. I would always stay inside...avoiding everyone...

Back when I was a little kid, I had a few kids my age back then bringing me into the woods, except I got left behind... And it wasn't an accident...

Let's say woods aren't my kind of thing.

I opened my mouth. "Han- AAAAHHHHHH!" I was going to call out for Hannah again when a terrifying scream rang out. I fell on my back, getting little twigs in my hair.

"Chill out, girl, it's me."

Hannah? I was startled by her? Wonderful...

I pointed where I was at. "You-You-You-" I couldn't speak. She stood there, waiting for what I was about to say. "You-" I choked out, trying to get the words out. "You scared the daylights out of me!" I managed to throw out, sitting up.

I was expecting her to laugh and call me names. However I got the opposite. "I didn't mean to scare you." I huffed, not believing her, pulling out the twigs out of my hair. "Ezzy, I'm serious," she insisted, kneeling down, giving me a hand with all the twigs. "You were left behind. I hadn't realized you were far behind. I had to go back to get you."

Her explanation made sense... I honestly thought she did it on purpose.

"Ow!" The last twig was pulled out.

"Sorry." Tossing the twig, she helped me up onto my feet. "Be sure to stay close in order to avoid being left behind."

I nodded, following her, being sure to stay close. A forest is the last place I want to get lost in...

It wasn't as freaky when I'm with her. She seemed to be on the rambunctious side. Nothing seemed to scare her.

Even a spider doesn't freak her out.

She kept glancing over her shoulder, checking to make sure I was there.

Hmm... From the looks of it, she seemed to be loyal... no one was ever like that back in the previous state I lived in.

A branch caught my hair, catching me off guard. This time, instead of keeping on going, Hannah got the branch off of me.

She hadn't left me... I wasn't used to it. Not one bit.

Maybe she's a friend after all... I think...

Too bad her dad treats her like trash, aside for getting her food. Getting your kid food isn't enough.

I grimaced, thinking again how he's similar to someone I know all too well...

It faded away when Hannah spoke. "We're here."

I scan the area, unaware what it is. "...where...?" I stepped a foot forward, seeing what looked to be silhouettes of... something. It's too dark to tell.

I walked a few feet, seeing my neighbor over at what looked to be a lever of some sort. "Watch this." Before I knew it, the lights came on when she moved the lever up, a cranking noise coming from it as it was lifted.

The lights were bright, lighting everywhere. My eyes moved around. "Whoa..." I let out, taking it all in.

Hannah got away from the leverage. "What do you think?" She seemed to be proud, showing all this off.

I didn't answer right away because I was completely stunned. There was a Ferris wheel, a fun house - a creepy fun house for it has the face of a freaky clown - rides, food, everything.

"Are we... Is this an abandoned amusement park?" I responded, catching on what it is.

Hannah giggled. "Correct." She and I began walking.

"It looks... betrayed..." I commented, looking at a popcorn stand. "Was it shut down?" She shook her head with closed eyes. "What happened to it, then?" I was kind of curious.

She shrugged her shoulders. "Well, they built it years ago and then they ran out of money." I was now a little shocked. "Now it just sits here..." Grinning, she looked towards me. "Come on, I'll show you my favorite part."

Favorite part...? I went with her, the both of us going up to the Ferris wheel. I stopped as I saw Hannah, who was about to go climb up when I stopped her.

"Wait, wait, wait." Turning her head in my direction, she gazed down from where she was. "Have you fallen...?" Concern came upon me, like how I'm concerned about how her dad treats her.

"I never fell," she stated, boasting a little. She headed on up before she stopped. "Climb on up." She went back to climbing.

The Ferris wheel structure wasn't rusted or anything, and none of the parts seem to be falling off.

At least it won't break... Sucking in a breath and releasing it, I gripped the structure, placing my foot on the metal part of the un-working ride that has been sitting here for who knows how long.

I felt bad whoever built this place. I bet it would be a fun place to go... like I'd ever have fun.

I put my other foot next, keeping my grip. Slowly, I started climbing.

I dared myself to look up, refusing to look...

"Whatever you do, Ezzy, don't look down."

Fantastic because guess what? I stopped, freezing in place on the wheel part of the ride, my eyes aiming at the dirt ground below me.

It seems to be a hundred feet down... "Hannah!" I hollered, unable to break the gaze at my doom. "I'm looking down!" My hands began to get moist. I had to tighten my grip in order not to fall to avoid breaking a bone...or worse.

Hannah came to the spot I was stuck to. "I told you not to look down."

"Here's a tip for you: Don't say 'don't look down'," I advised her, my hands getting more wet, having the urge to wipe my hands, yet I can't.

"You're afraid of heights... aren't you?" she guessed carefully.

My eyes widened. "No, I'm not," I denied, trying to keep my voice from shaking.

"You're hesitating," she frowned a little.

"I'm not... I..." I paused, then, taking a deep breath, I let it out. "...I guess I'm afraid of heights... never knew until now." I turned away from the ground, waiting for this girl to make fun of me.

"It's no big deal." I faced her, unable to believe what she said. "We can go back down."

I shook my head. "I want to keep going."

She saw how determined I was. "I'll lead the way," she volunteered, and we went back to climb this thing like it was a ladder.

It wasn't easy for my sweaty hands. I thought I'll slip, however, I managed to reach the top of the ride to see Hannah waiting for me on one of the seats, her feet propped up on the handle bar.

"Look who made it," she smiled, glad I hadn't given up. "Sit down." She patted her hand on the space next to her.

I got in the seat, observing the scenery. We were up high, higher than the trees. From a distance, I think I can see the neighborhood street we came from.

I do confess, this area I was taken to is amazing... even though I'm dull and frowny everyday.

I looked at Hannah. "Do you come here all the time?"

"Mhm."

"I see..." I chewed on my tongue, searching for more things to say, until I realized something. "I haven't seen your mom at all." I cringed, feeling extremely stupid.

"Actually, I never knew my mom," Hannah told me, not making me look like an idiot. "It's always my dad and I. We've been with each other for a long time. It's too bad he doesn't allow me to make friends and go outside."

I frowned, knowing how she's being treated by her dad, Mr. Shivers. He has no right to keep his daughter indoors, telling her to not have friends...

Friends... she isn't allowed to have any verses where no one wants to be friends with me... Part of me is grateful because friends will either betray her or... do bad things.

She wouldn't need to worry about it; it's her choice, her life. For her being inside, she doesn't have to worry about anything... Yet, she wanted to have friends.

I debated whether I'm her pal or not. We did have an awkward conversation when I picked up the shirts that fell out from one of the boxes, but it doesn't mean we're buddies, right?

I'm unsure what to think... It's like my mind is split into two halves, fighting each other. Things are confusing throughout the life I lived through.

The friend thing, I...I don't know. I can sense she wants to have a friend... Maybe a boyfriend...? She seems to be fit for a boyfriend, unlike me who doesn't believe her own aunt and her friends saying I'm pretty.

Let's face it, I've been told I wasn't by...them... I was called awful things that I don't risk saying.

I keep my mind away from dating, knowing what will happen.

No, I wasn't in a relationship with a guy. It's better to avoid it as much as possible to keep myself safe. To keep my guard up.

Like how I am with the mysterious man... The locks on those books... two men jumping out from the one I unlocked...

The house next door is bizarre...

I don't like her dad at all, I decided. But I need to know why his daughter isn't allowed to have any friends.

I tapped my fingers. "You're dad shouldn't forbid you to have friends..." I gave my opinion in the long run. "It isn't a right thing for him to do, you know... Keeping you indoors all day long with no fresh air to breathe in." I gave her a serious look. "...I don't like the way he's treating you, Hannah..."

"There's no need to be worried." From her speaking range, I can hardly believe she's hiding the truth on what goes on in the household, like there's nothing going on behind the scenes, acting all fine...all okay... I know the truth. "Enough about myself; I want to know about you." Hannah turned her body to get a better view of me. "Tell me, where were you from?" she threw in.

It took a few seconds to respond. "...Maryland..."

"Sounds like a nice place," she complimented, not realizing how it was a nightmare in the state I used to be in. "I have never been to Maryland..."

"I'd rather you avoid it," I interrupted rather too quickly. "It's..."

"It's what?" Even though I'm facing away from her, I can feel the concern she has for me. "You can tell me."

I shook my head. "...can't..." I barely answered, making sure I don't crack. "All I can say is...it sucks there." Hannah is speechless now, not knowing what to say... "Maryland is a bad place to be at." She was still speechless. "It's not even funny..."

"...I wasn't laughing," she stated the obvious.

"I know..." I looked at her. "How long have you lived here?" I wanted to change the subject of Maryland, hoping it'll ease away for a bit. Like it would help...

"A few years." A few years... "My dad and I would move from one town to the next." Move from one town to the next... I bet she gets tired of moving, unable to be in school for an amount of time. "I hadn't gone to a real school since my dad homeschools me." Mentioned it too soon. "I've never been to a dance, either." Never have I... "I want to go to Madison High School, except he won't allow me." It's like she's wishing to go there badly...

"Well, I used to be in school and I decided to quit."

"Don't tell me you dropped out..." I shook my head, stopping her. "You're homeschooled then?" I shook my head again. "Then you never had an education?" she assumed correctly, receiving a nod. "You do know it'll affect the rest of your life..."

I scoffed at her prediction. "Doesn't matter. School is the last thing I want to go to. In fact, my aunt let me."

"I don't think she'll let you out of school forever," she slightly frowned, though I disagree.

"My aunt wouldn't send me back to school," I mentioned undoubtedly, knowing I'm not going back to the horrid for the rest of my life. "She knows I don't like it."

"There's got to be a reason behind it..." she expressed softly.

"No reason." A new thought came to mind. "Hey, Hannah... How do we get down?"

A short laugh came and she showed me how to get down off the ride. It was much easier going up then down from what I can see by the time our feet hit the dirt. Some of it got on my shoes, letting me care less about it.

We decided to walk around going to different rides, all run down. Weeds poked from the ground, tangling them up like ropes.

Snack carts are scattered, signs broken, battered...unusable... The snacks have been expired for years, ants collecting popcorn chunks for their home.

I saw a shack, though it looked old with age, ready to come down any day. It was all cracked with a few roof boards missing, nails poking out, the blue paint chipping off as if it were snowflakes.

Hannah was ahead, looking back every once in a while to make sure I'm behind her, her hair swaying with each step she took.

A guy would sure like her...

Every once in a while, I'll slow down, having her stop to wait for me before going on, pointing at all the stuff like a tour guide will do at a museum.

It was then we reached the end of the woods, where a large house stood at. It was made out of bricks, the roof all shingles. A few of them were missing, tall hedges halfway tall of the neglected home, bushes scattered along the land which is green and open, looking inviting...

The windows are cracked, one being broken, half the glass missing. The path was made of stone, some of it missing.

The grass was tall, overpassing our ankles.

From a distance, the porch seemed unsafe - unsafe to be on.

A rusty trash can laid on the ground, two glowing circles inside, which out came a raccoon, darting away with a scrap of food in its mouth, disappearing into the brush.

An owl hooted from somewhere. I wasn't paying attention to the noise, I was focused on Hannah who seemed to be estatice at the large house. "We should check it out."

I looked at her like she was nuts in the head. Scratch what I said, she made a wrong decision, and I let her know. "Hannah... it looks dangerous." This is the first time I felt like her safety is better than being devious.

"Dangerous? Ha!" She chortled, placing some of her on my left shoulder. "I laugh at the face of danger," she declared, making sure she wasn't boasting.

"I really-" She took off, running to the house. "Wait - Hannah, you-" I tried to have her retract back where I was at, then gave up. "This girl doesn't seem to be afraid of anything..." I went after her. "Hannah!" She stopped, one foot on the first rickety step. "I seriously think you shouldn't go in there."

She put the other foot on the second step. "You're such a worrywart," she smirked playfully.

I crossed my arms. "Am not."

"Yes you are. Don't deny it, girl." She got up to the porch. "It seems to be sitting here for decades..." she believed, rubbing her hand on the doorknob covered with green stain.

"Or years..." I added, stepping onto the porch.

Studying the door, it was your average everyday door in any house you come across.

Unless it has a creepy knocker. I don't know how to describe it. It looks like some sort of devil mix with a monster...

I shuddered, remembering my dream.

"Let's check it out."

Um...

Hannah grasped the doorknob, twisting it. She used her shoulder to open the door.

The door made a creeeaaaak sound due to the hinges, all old and rusty.

It looks like the door is about to fall off...

Bang!

...never mind.

The sudden fall of the door didn't make this brave neighbor flinch verses where I did. A cloud of dust came from the floor, before clearing away for us to see the inside with beige walls, old furniture ripped and tattered. A coffee table stood on its side, one of the legs snapped in half, the wood all jagged up, threatening to give someone a splinter.

I saw plaster from the ceiling laying discarded on the floor made out of wood like the porch, the boards up, nails poking out, ready to poke someone if they step in the wrong spots. A few of the floorboards are loose or either missing.

Hannah was first to walk inside, taking it all in. "I'm glad we found this. It can be our secret hideout."

"We? Our?" I repeated, seeing where this was going. "I doubt it's safe for a hideout..."

"Quit worrying, it'll be fine." She walked further in, motioning her hand.

I knew she wanted me to go in, except I rather not to. It looks so... dangerous...

I was about to make my leave when she pulled me inside.

Looks like she doesn't want to explore on her own.

I don't blame her; she's been demanded to stay inside at her house.

Makes me want to have a chat with her dad. I wanted to get him to confess on how he treats her, to get to the bottom of it.

I also want to ask about the manuscripts, why they're locked up like secret diaries.

The living room is pretty dusty from what I can tell. I dragged my finger on one of the shelves, dust sticking onto it.

Wiping it off, I followed Hannah. She headed for what I assume to be the kitchen. Everything is all old, dingy, and...green... a gross green.

An old fridge sat by the wall.

There could be rotting food in there... I wouldn't think about opening it.

Hannah was opening up each cabinet. "There's still food boxes and food cans in here." She took out one of the food boxes. "Looks like they expired years ago..." She placed it back, going up to the sink. "The water isn't releasing from the faucet," she said, turning the cold and hot handles to get the clear liquid out of there. "Let's check upstairs."

"Um...sure..." I went with her, us finding a staircase, all old like everything in the house.

We went on up, the stairs squeaking with each step.

I shivered. I hope the house isn't haunted... A ghost is the last thing I wanna see.

We reached the landing, and Hannah went into one of the rooms, switching on the light.

The light flickered before it lit up the room. It wasn't too bright because it's almost dead - dull.

Like I am...

The room had an old bed; mattress worn out. The whiteness of it is stained with whatever was on it.

There wasn't a lot in here, and I thought we were done.

"We should keep exploring," Hannah said excitedly, turning off the light. I stood there, rubbing my head when she began walking away. She stopped to see whether or not I was behind her. "You okay?" The eagerness washed away, wondering why I wasn't following her.

"...I'm fine..." I mumbled.

"It looked like you were getting a headache..."

"No, no. It's... I'm done...exploring."

"It's cool, you can go back downstairs," she understood, gently pushing me to the steps we had used to get to the second floor. "You can hangout on the porch until I get to you."

At first I thought about changing my mind, then decided to go down and wait for her on the porch.

There was a rickety chair I hadn't seen at first. I slowly sat down and it groaned from my weight even though I don't weigh a lot.

The chair wasn't too comfortable. I had to stand back up. Leaning against the wall of the old home, I waited for Hannah.

If I had a phone, I'd know what time it is.

Unfortunately I don't have one... I wish I did.

I may be the only person in the world with no phone. Unless my aunt buys me one.

My arms folded, and I kept on waiting. It felt like an hour when it was only three minutes after stepping out here.

I was about to call out for Hannah when there was a shrill scream coming from the house.

It was loud, piercing my ears. It scared the forest, critters scattering everywhere.

I rushed back in, tripping over the loose floorboards, running up the steps like a bad out of hell.

I got to the top of the second floor. "Hannah!" I yelled out frantically. "Hannah!" I didn't stop calling for her. I listen for another scream, only to hear nothing, assuming the worst. "Hannah, answer me!" There was a groan coming from a room we hadn't gone into. Plaster laid scattered, shifting. At first, I thought it was an animal when I heard a cough. It shifted more, moving out of the way as someone stood up. "...Hannah?" She doesn't answer right away, brushing herself off. "Are you okay...?" Such a stupid question... I should've known she isn't alright. "I mean, I heard you scream..." I should slap myself. Of course I heard her scream. "I mean..." I tried again. "...I was trying to say...are you hurt?" Not too bad...but, oh well...

"I think I'm fine." She took her hair, wiggling it, the plaster dust flying off. She then checked herself to make sure. "Yeah, I'm alright," she confirmed, breathing hard. She looked up. "I cannot believe a part of the ceiling fell on me..."

I am stunned. "It fell on you!?"

She doesn't seem to care. "Look, it may look bad, yet I'm okay."

I wasn't sure what to say. My mind boggled up when she said she's okay. However... It doesn't explain why she was being treated badly at her home.

I need to know the truth... "I'm going to ask you a serious question..." I started off. "...and I want you to answer truthfully..." She lifted an eyebrow, waiting for what I was about to ask. "Is your dad..." My mouth closed as if it ran out of words.

"My dad being what?"

I reopened my lips. "Is he..." It's difficult to get it out. "Is...he..." Defeated on my own self, I let out an exhale. "...forget it... We should be heading back to our homes."

Her eyes widened. "We should get going," she agreed, hurrying out of the room. "I don't want my dad to know that I am out of the house."

"I thought you said your dad is sleeping," I said deeply confused.

"I know." We went out the front door, trotting down off the porch. "Except he's taking a nap. It's getting close to noon." She pointed at the sun, almost at the highest peak.

I can tell she was a bit anxious, her steps getting faster. I was a bit shorter than her, so I had to quicken my pace.

We passed by the old fairground, passing by the trees. Our shoes snapped the twigs until we reached back to the street.

We cross it, heading on to our homes. And when we did, we stood at the end of the walkway of Hannah's house.

She turned to me. "I hope you had a great time." A smile came on her.

I merely shrugged. "It was alright..."

"Maybe we can hang out again," she hoped, the smile still on her.

I thought about it. "Sure..."

She was about to say something else when we heard the front door open. "Hannah, get over here," Shivers behested, keeping the door open.

In a flash, her mien vanished. It's like someone stole it. "Sorry..." She waved at me, sulking back to the house.

Her father shut the door once she was inside, then, with a glare, he came up to me. "She isn't supposed to be out here hanging out with anyone."

I stood my ground. "You have no right to tell her that." I looked him dead in the eye.

"I'm her father; she stays inside."

"Why?" No way I was backing down, no way he'll scare me off.

"I won't tell you why," he growled, sounding like an angry lion ready to fight.

My teeth gritted together, my hands turning into fists. "I know what's going on..."

He got a bit closer, towering over me. His eyes were on fire. "Nothing is going on, she-"

"...dad... I wanna..."

"IN THE HOUSE!" he roared, whipping his entire self around, storming back over to the porch of his home. "Go on, in." He made motions with his hands. He got on the porch, sort of shoving his daughter by placing one of his hands on one of her shoulders. "Come out here again or you're in big trouble." He managed to get her back in, before sending me another glowering stare. He doesn't say anything, him slipping back inside, closing the door.

I didn't go back to my place. No siree. I want answers this instant. I marched to Shivers home, wanting to demand answers from him.

I don't know how, but I guess he saw me and opened up the door. "Get off my yard!"

I refuse to budge. "It doesn't look like you're treating your daughter the way she should be treated," I responded, putting my hands on my hips. "I have to say... you're the worst dad ever."

He doesn't seem to like what I said, grabbing me by the front part of my shirt once he got off the porch, dragging me out of his front yard. "I don't want you on my property, I don't want you near my daughter, and I don't want her near you." He let go of my shirt. "Next time, I'll have the cops come here," he threatened, blocking the walkway.

I shook my head. "You remind me of one of them..." I thought I saw a shift in his eye, but I brushed it off, going straight back to my house.

I headed inside, shutting the door behind me. I let my aunt know I'm home, locating her in the kitchen. She was by the counter, on her phone when she smiled at me.

She set her phone on the counter. "Had a good time with Hannah?" she grinned.

"It was okay, I guess..." I went to the fridge, pulling out a jar of dill pickles. "She took me to a run down amusement park that sat for years after it was built in the forest." I set the jar down, using both hands - one on the base, the other on the lid. I turned the lid, popping it open.

"I didn't know there's an abandoned amusement park," Aunt Sarah said, very amazed. "What else did you girls do?"

I put a pickle in my mouth. "Hung out on a Ferris wheel..."

"A Ferris wheel?"

"...yeah, we climbed it. We hadn't fallen. It seemed like Hannah climbs on it a lot, for it isn't a big deal to her." I took out a bowl, placing some pickles in there. "We also discovered an old house. It, too, is abandoned with stuff still in there."

"You girls went in there?"

"Hannah wanted to go in..." I answered her guess. "...only I told her we shouldn't go in. It looked dangerous." I put the pickle jar back in the fridge. "Hannah is devious...in a..." I searched for the right word, wanting to know what fits with her. "...in a..." Aunt Sarah waited for what I was going to say to the girl next door. "...in a... She's brave for a teenage girl," I gave up, disappointed since I couldn't find anything to say about her.

"Wow." Aunt Sarah was impressed. "None of you got hurt in the old house, I assume." Unlike others, she doesn't mind for people to explore old areas like an abandoned amusement park for example.

I shifted from one foot to another. "...a ceiling fell on Hannah..." My aunt gasped, her hand on her chest. "She isn't hurt. I'm hoping her dad doesn't notice. He did got mad at her for being out of the house. He even threatened to call the police if I went near his daughter. The man is a complete maniac, I tell ya."

"Ezzy!" I flinched when I got snapped at. I will say this, my aunt is a nice lady and raised me well after I got out of a rough household, but she can get mad when I say something I shouldn't say, even though what I said is true. "You need to stop saying everyone is bad."

"He is-" I was a little frustrated, rubbing my eyes, stopping myself. "Forget it. Don't believe me." I sat down at the table with my bowl of pickles, munching away angrily. "Whenever I hear a scream, I'm calling the cops." My anger turned to sadness, like replacing a light bulb that has been burned out. "Like how I wished to call the cops on them..." Shoving the bowl at a good distance from me, my thoughts on...them returned.

Believe what I say, if something bad happens to you...you will be like me... You shouldn't trust anyone, take my word for it.

I learned my lesson from the past, refusing to be around anyone. The exception I have is my aunt and... Hannah? I guess she's an exception...

I got up from the chair, handing the bowl of pickles to my aunt who took it without questioning where I'm going.

The place I'm going is back to the abandoned house.

I got out of the house, heading on over there.

As soon as I stepped out of the house, I heard Hannah and her dad.

"You know, I wish you would let me have a friend or two," I heard Hannah somewhat complain. I saw her shadow from the closed curtains. "Ezzy is great to be with..." I came a bit closer as I began eavesdropping, despite that I have to stay on my side of the fence. "...and I won't tell her your secret." Secret? "Please dad, I-"

"I don't want anyone to know who we are." A few seconds later, Mr. Shivers' shadow came by the curtains, pointing a finger at both him and especially his daughter. "I don't want anyone to be around you, you know what's out there," he said, full of hatred like how I am when it comes to this world. "Having this...Ezzy whatever girl be your friend will bring up questions about us, about me. Do you want anyone to unlock those manuscripts? No! Because it'll turn into a freaking disaster. I also don't want him to be out either after what he has done in the past. He even somehow got out of the manuscript a few years ago." Him? A few years ago? I kept on listening. "I regret creating those monsters... I regret creating him..." Create? Monsters? "...but I will never forgive what those people - the kids - have done to me many years ago." There was a pause, until he spoke again. "I'm lucky no one opened these books..." I felt a bit of guilt since he didn't know I unlocked one of the manuscripts he'd bought... but it doesn't explain why he'd mentioned the words 'create' and 'him'. "...or else disaster will start all over again like what happened a few years back when he released them out of the manuscripts..." At this point, I have no idea what he's talking about. "I have to get to the store. You stay here."

"...yes, dad..." his daughter submitted to his authority. Their shadows made their part ways.

The front door opened, and I went down the fence to see Shivers stepping out of the house to his car.

He doesn't know I'm here, seemingly spying on him.

He got in the car, starting it up.

I watched him go off the driveway to the store. He doesn't allow his daughter to go with him to a store.

Keeping her inside... not allowing her to have friends... yelling at her... ordering her around... I can confirm he's doing bad things to her. I know for a fact...

I know I'll also hear screaming from her, no doubt about it.

Part of me says I should give Shivers a piece of my mind. Another part says I shouldn't...

I have a bad feeling about the man...

A very bad feeling.