Shadows

The smooth and tarred road soon have way to bumpy and pot-hole ridden roads. Keeping her eyes on the map, Carla took twists and turns before finally arriving at her destination. She stood in front of the once famous --still famous-- Harper's Manor. Withered flowers and dried up trees lithered the front yard giving it an eery feeling. And the dark clouds looming above made the house look haunted, just like in the rumors.

For someone like Carla who was afraid of ghosts, she sure was obsessed with anything spooky. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the huge doors and walked into the manor.

Dust, cobwebs and bugs were what greeted her as soon as she stepped in, including furniture that were covered up with white linens. Watching her steps, she made her way to the huge windows and threw it open letting in a stream on sunshine. She stood a little longer by the window and appreciated the view outside, a broken fountain, dusty cars, a dark forest behind the manor, everything was perfect. Later on, she would get the tow truck company to get rid of the cars, and the get som clean up service, everything should be ready in a few days.

Excitment coursed through her veins as the thought of moving in bubbled up in her brain.

"Finally.... Finally it's happening".

Ever since she truned eighteen, she had dreamt of touring round the world, going on adventures and uncovering mysteries. When she heard about the Harpers Manor that was up for sale, she didn't think twice before aquireing it, despite the pleadings of both her mother and her best friend concerning the rumors surrounding the Manor all fell on deaf ears. It was said that The Harpers only son was murdered on his 25th birthday right inside the Manor. They never found out who murdered him but many said it was his father because they had argued before the party. A few days later, both Mr and Mrs Harper were found dead in their bedroom. An ominous message in blood was written on the walls, and it all said the same thing "Revenge". After that incident, many people who tried to buy the Manor usually back out after surveying the place, they all said the same thing. There was a ghost living in the house and it didn't want anyone to come near it.

The last buyer was a bit strong headed and had lasted a week in the house, unfortunately he was found dead with blood streaming out of his eyes and nose, it semed like he had screamed to death.

Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Carla continued to tour the rest of the Manor. The agent who was supposed to show her around, had backed up at the last minute saying he had caught a flu.

She was staring into one of the rooms when she felt a gust of wind flew by. That's weird, all the windows were locked, well except for the one in the living area, but it was impossible for the wind to travel upstairs. She shook her head and continued the rest of the tour. Satisfied with what she saw, she was about leaving when she heard a loung clanging sound in the kitchen. She froze frozen in her steps and looked towards the kitchen.

"Um, maybe it's a.... A rat? " she was about to keep walking when she heard the sound of glass shattering followed by another clang, and a shatter, then came the low rumbling of voices..

"Uh.... Who's.... Who's there? " there was no reply and everything was bqck to quiet. She took a deep breath and ruahed towards her car. Probably because she had read so many rumors she started to wonder if maybe... Just maybe, they really were.... Ghosts? Living inside the house?

Stepping on the accelerator, she drove off after sparing a second glance towards the house and she couod have sworn she saw the silhouette of a person standing by the window.