Haunted House

Rain poured for minutes now, the sky was dark with lightning and thunder striking the sky from now and then. Another car passed by me again slowing down then drove on.

What's up with people that live around there? Whoever is in there is figuring out whether to help me or not. But leave me on my own instead.

I was soaking wet but I felt better now that the rain had washed me. I dragged my legs lazily to the gate.

Trailing my fingers on the cold metal gate to the rusty lock, I take out the keys that were sent to me together with house ownership details. Yes, I was mailed the key and the house ownership details. I was urgent so we did everything online, they briefed me on everything and just mailed the necessary things to me.

One last time, if the keys didn't match this house that means it's not my house. But with one attempt, not even a second attempt the house unlocked.

Sigh.

"Welcome new home … yay me."

Sarcastically, I roll my eyes and let out a heavy sigh, my chest leaping up and down. I swung the gate open and I walked in. The gate snapped shut behind me making me jump in my stance, I looked back at the gate, nothing there, just breeze, I sigh in relief but I have this weird feeling about this house.

Something about it does not feel right, from the faded red colored veneer bricks of the two-story house that was mostly covered in moss, to the vine flowers hanging on the wall of the first floor, the shingles on the second story that are stripped off, and the lawn is covered with wild uncut grasses, the flowers are overgrown and giant tall trees surround the house. My eyes wandered around the house, as I carried my box and walked to verender through the blocked pathway that was covered with moss, climbing the stone steps, I kept my box there. And carried all my boxes not forgetting to lock the gate behind me.

***

I unwrapped the furniture in the sitting room and dropped myself on the two-seater couch close to me.

"Lord I'm so tired."

Taking in the sight of the antique sitting room, the house is fully furnished, it was written in the details. Though all the furniture is old, dusty pinewood squeaks when I sit. I hugged myself feeling cold running all the way down my spine. Those boxes are darn heavy, and I have to carry them all the way to the varender if not, they'll be wet by now. Okay even wetter than they already were.

All I need now is a long hot bath, that will make me feel alive again. I get up lazily with Mimi in my hand to search for the bathroom, and nothing can be heard but my footsteps creaking on the old pine woods as I walk, and the squeaking of rats. I flipped open doors in search of a bathroom, switching on bulbs as I entered. But didn't find any. I slammed the doors close as I walked out.

Kitchen.

Dining room.

Library.

And a door I can't open.

"No bathroom downstairs"

I mumbled whining as I climb up the stairs trailing my other hand on the oak handrail, eeww, I quickly take my hand there, as I touch cobweb with my wet hand, I'll have a hard time cleaning, there is a layer of dust and cobwebs everywhere in the house.

There are three doors upstairs. I entered the one closest to me, I was freezing, so I hugged myself to get warmer. Switching on the lights as I entered the room, a bed, a drawer, a door that seems to be a bathroom, I quickly walked and opened the door.

I switched on the lights and it started to glitch, and the bulb went off.

"Urrrgh ... seriously"?

I took out my phone from my pocket, turned on the torchlight, and entered, turning the knob of the shower but no water came from the nozzle. I turned it several times, nothing, but the shower isn't working, so I walked out slamming the door behind me. It sprayed dust on me making me sneeze.

"Stupid house–"

Sneeze.

"Nothing works, all I get is dust, dust, rats squeaking–"

Sneeze.

"Cracking doors and bad shower."

I walked out of the room to search the other bathroom. And I entered all the other rooms, but all the showers were not working, not even the bulbs were, I had to use my phone's touch light. I returned to the room I entered first, curled myself in the bed.

Why did I let myself get wet in the first place? Now I can't even find a shower that's working in this darn house and if I sleep like this I'll catch a cold. I regretted getting soaked in the rain. I have to change from these cold clothes. I get up to get some clothes from my trolley downstairs.

Walking towards the door I saw light in the bathroom, I took a few steps backward to confirm my eyes, the bathroom was well lit. Wait ... the last time I checked this bathroom's bulb was not working right?

I walked into the bathroom, and turn off the switch, then turned it on again. It works perfectly fine without glitching a bit. I walked in further and tried the shower, and water spurt from the faucet. My lips curve into a smile. Now I can have a hot shower.

"Finally we'll be having a bath, Mimi."

"We'll take a hot shower."

I swung Mimi across the bathroom and she meowed in joy.

When I'm done with my happy dance it came to me, the last time I checked this shower was not working either like the rest. I pushed the thought away, maybe I didn't turn it on last time or it's just God doing me a favor. I quickly grab my trolley downstairs and get in the bathroom with Mimi trailing behind me.

I let the hot water drained me from head to toe. Absorbing the heat, and feeling all my muscles relaxed.

After a lifetime of taking a hot shower. I washed Mimi too then changed into my lime green soft pajama that says "Sweet dreams." I hope I can have a sweet dream in this house full of squeaking, and chattering sounds of rats.

I changed the bedsheets from the dusty ones and sprawled on the bed with Mimi by my side. I miss my comfy bed, my black and white library room, and my loving grandad. Life has been hard on me, a roller coaster indeed. I remember that day like it was yesterday, Ye ye left in the morning hugging me goodbye before going off to meet someone very important he said. He took hours without calling me or informing me that he'll go somewhere else before coming back home, for me not to get worried, he told me he won't stay for long. But he wasn't home yet. And he didn't even pick my calls, or call me later.

I became worried, the sun was already sunsetting. After 16 hours of his leave, I reported it to the police, but they told me to wait 24 hours for the missing person. I couldn't sleep the night, searching the neighborhood to see if I'd see him and asking the neighbors for him. But nobody sees him nearby.

I gave up and went back home, but in the morning I saw the most heartbroken thing in my life. His body was lying on the front door of our house. Dead.

His body had turned white, he'd been dead for hours. I reported it to the police, after a few investigations they said they couldn't find any fingerprints on him and no sign of him being drugged, or anything. it's a natural death, maybe he was back and fell dead by the door.

But somehow I didn't believe them, I didn't believe anything they said, but stayed mute because I couldn't do anything about it, his burials were done that day but I till now it felt like he'll come back to me smiling as he always does.

But he never did. He never comes back for four good weeks, tears threatening to fall from my eyes, and I sniffed them back, now I lost everything I hold dear to my heart, first was my parents, then my cousin and his parents disappear, my loving grandpa, and our house, now even the beautiful house I thought I bought isn't as I thought it is.

Mimi and I will live here for a couple of months, maybe before we die too.

I burst into a heart-wrecking cry choking with my saliva as hot tears roll down the apple of my cheeks one following the other. I buried my face in the duvet and cried my heart out. Letting the tears flow and sending dozens of prayers to God to save me from all this trauma. In between silent sobs and prayers, a deep slumber overtakes me.