1 Chapter 2

Making my way down the steps, I can't help but feel comfortable in this strange place. I've lived all over the country with my other relatives, but no town made me feel the way this one does. As if the earth was welcoming me, offering me a home after not having one for so long.

I stand on the sidewalk trying to decide which way I should go. Left or Right? Towards town square, or towards the other houses and neighborhoods. As I begin to make my way to the towns square, I feel eyes on me.

Turning in each direction, I scan around me and see no one. A few children across the street playing in a large front yard, not paying me any mind. As I turn to look back at my new home, I catch a pair of eyes watching me from the second story window.

The boy looked around my age, with wild jet black hair, and happened to be extremely under dressed. Well if i'm going to try and make a life here, being friendly wouldn't kill me. I raise my hand and make an attempt to wave at him. In return, he gives me a smirk and closes his blinds. Rude. I walk away after giving a good eye roll in his direction, and make my way towards town square.

The minute I got into town I could feel how old this town was. Living in older towns doesn't always work out for me. The voices and things I see tend to be more active due to all of the history. If I'm going to make this work, and build a life here, I would have to get the voices and apparitions under control. Ignoring them and pretending I'm normal is the best option for me if i'm going to lead a normal life. Act normal, and maybe some day i'll be normal.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I walked with no purpose or destination, led by the feeling that i'll know where i'm supposed to go. I made my way to what looked like a park, complete with benches and a marble fountain in the middle. This was as good of a place to stop as any. I made my way to one of the benches and plopped down, enjoying the sunlight and the cool breeze.

"Um hey are you new here?" I hear a small voice say. I realize I had been focusing on the fountain, completely ignoring the fact that a petite girl made her way over to me. The girl was pretty, in a delicate sort of way. Shoulder length brown hair to match her brown eyes, small silver framed glasses sat above her nose, which she continued to push up. She was dressed simply, a blue t-shirt, ripped jeans, and some black converse's that looked older than she did.

"Oh uh hi, i'm sorry. Kinda zoned out." I smiled sheepishly, scolding myself for already making a bad impression. I could feel the air around my body begin to chill, and I knew even with the girl standing in front of me, that we weren't alone.

"Oh it's alright, I didn't mean to bother you." The girl replied, a small blush settling over her cheeks as she began to walk away.

"I am new around here." I called out, causing her to turn around and come back.

"You mind if I sit with you?" She asked, opening up a little.

"Yeah of course." I smiled, gesturing to the seat next to me. The coldness encompassed me and the girl, but if she noticed she made no indication.

"I'm Abigail by the way, you can call me Abi though." She smiled at me, she seemed as comfortable around people as I did.

"I'm Corinne, just moved here today actually." I smiled back at her, ignoring the prickling sensation running down my spine.

I knew it was only a matter of time before the voices began. The only time I told anyone about the voices is right after the accident. I over heard the nurse and doctor talking about putting me on anti-psychotics, but I knew that wasn't the solution I needed. The voices and things I see didn't have anything to do with the psychological, more like the spiritual.

"Yeah, I know who you are. The entire town does really." She gave an embarrassed half-hearted laugh.

"Oh, I see." I sighed, mentally preparing myself for the barrage of "I'm sorry for your loss" and "We will pray for you". I appreciate the sentiment, but after hearing it for the last 6 months, I'd prefer people just didn't know about my situation.

"Yeah, I know how you feel. My mom died a year ago and even now people won't let me forget it." Abi sighs, shaking her head.

"Well, I know how that feels." I laughed.

"Find it"... A voice like ice whispered in my ear.

"Thanks for not telling me how sorry you are for my loss." Abi laughed, finally lowering her guard.

"Find it"... A second voice chimed in sending shivers down my spine.

"Right back at ya." I laughed with her.

"Hurry"...A final voice said, it's words feeling like a knife down my cheek.

"So, what's there to do around here?" I asked, glancing at the kids running around in the grass.

Abi giggled and sighed, "Honestly not much, this town is pretty boring."

"I could use some boring for a change." I shrugged.

"So, when do you start school?" Abi asked, retaining some of the nervousness she had when she approached me.

"I start Monday. I'm going out to lunch with my aunt tomorrow, would you wanna come?" I asked, trying hard to make a friend. Being the new kid at every school I've been to has major downfalls. Most kids aren't looking to make new friends, as they already have their own.

"Yeah that would be awesome!" She laughed looking relieved.

"I actually have to get going, gotta be back for dinner." I stood up and smiled at Abi, hoping she would be my first good friend in a long time.

"Yeah of course! I'll meet you at your aunts around 11?" She asked, her brown eyes wide, as if she thought this entire conversation was an elaborate joke on her.

"Sounds good to me, i'll see you tomorrow!" I smiled at her, as I turned and made my way back to the house, the chilling entity following closely behind me.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I made my way back to the house, zipping my black jacket to try and shield myself from the cold that continued to follow me on my walk home. As I made my way down the sidewalk, I noticed someone standing in front of the steps to my new home. The same boy who was watching me through his window, was now clothed and standing in front of my steps.

"Corinne, right?" The boy asked, his voice deep and rich, sending another smirk my way when I didn't answer.

"That's me." I mumbled, stepping around his large frame.

His jet black hair a mess on his head, his blue eyes tracing over my face and making their way down my body. The way he looked at me instantly made me feel self conscious. My long blonde hair, tangled from the breeze and in desperate need of a brush. My faded ripped jeans and plain white sneakers all stood out in my mind, and did nothing to help the blush that crept across my cheeks.

"Y'know, it's weird to watch people through their window, right?" He asked, his voice sounding almost cold, as he crossed his toned arms over his black t-shirt.

I couldn't help but notice he was barefoot, wearing nothing other than his black t-shirt and dark blue jeans. Nothing about him looked out of place. Something shiny and new, in this old town.

"You were the one watching me." I blurted out, a scowl coming over my face. As far as first impressions go, I had a strong feeling this guy wasn't going to be a friend of mine. My fist clenched and blush deepened when I realized he was trying to make me feel embarrassed, as if he had caught me doing something I shouldn't have.

"If you say so." He shrugged, walking back to his front door.

"You never told me your name." I pointed out stubbornly, causing a low chuckle to come from this mystery boy.

"You're right, I didn't." He laughed as he made his way back inside of his house, the front door slamming behind him.

"Jerk." I mumbled, making my way inside. I suppose not everyone would be so welcoming.

It wasn't until I got inside when I realized the cold entity had left when I approached the boy.