Forum Thread

Here marks the beginning of a story.

---

*The wind blew through the dead oak tree as the clock began to inch closer to 11 PM. Lucas stood shivering on the moonlit side walk just outside the old Oakdale Manor. He looked at his watch as saw as the hands ticked onto 11 and stopped for a brief moment before beginning again. He looked up and breathed into his hands to warm himself* Where are they?

The car trickled down the street, slowly rolling up to the cobbled walkway of the old building. Time had taken its toll on the place, with wood chipped and rotted, windows shattered. It was a miracle it was even still standing. The car comes to a halt, and the doors open. Out walk two figures, one appearing to be tall and skinny, with light skin and a distant look in his eyes, the other more timid, looking like the wind could take her at any moment, shifting around uncomfortably in the cold weather. "Yo what's up Lucas my man," calls the taller one, Charlie. "I convinced Alex to get her scaredy pants *ss out of the house to come here with us." He motions at the girl. She gives a shy wave at Lucas. She had crushed on him since back in elementary, when they all met. After middle school, he got new friends, slowly fading from their group, and her feelings grew more distant. But when Lucas reached out to the group, her heart couldn't help but skip a beat. He wanted to have one final adventure with his old friends before they all left for college or to seek better for themselves. Naturally they all said yes, though Alex was a little skeptical. She eventually gave in, but now that shes here, looking at the abandoned Victorian ahead of them, she wasnt so sure she should have picked up the phone. They join Lucas on the porch, looking around. "Where is Maya?" she shudders. "I thought she'd be here by now."

*Lucas raised his hand and waved at them both. He walked closer and hugged Charlie* It's been to long, brother. *Lucas then heard Charlie ask about Maya and shook his head* Absolutely no clue, I've been here for the last half an hour and haven't seen any sign of her. *Lucas began to think about Maya. She was the last one to leave the group. She was the one who tried her hardest to keep them together.* Is it possible she inst coming?

While they waited for Maya, they tried to make some small talk. "So what are we doing here anyway?" Alex says against the howl of the wind. The old building wasnt much. No one famous lived there, and as far as they'd known, no one had at all since before they were even born. They had heard the occasional rumor or two about it being haunted by a vengeful spirit, but it was all just a hoax. One year, a group of kids tried to pretend they were ghosts to freak people out, but one of them fell through the floor and the fire department had to come pull him out. Other than that, the old house was, in the end, just that. Old. Charlie taps his foot impatiently as he lights a blunt. "Yeah seriously Lucas. Any reason you wanted to come to the creepiest place in town? It gives me the heebie jeebies."

---

*Lucas shrugged* Nothing really, just been busy with end of the ye- *Lucas was interrupted by Charlie and looked at him* Frankly, I dont know. I just felt like this could be something we could all do together before graduation. *Another gust of wind blew by them and Lucas began to shiver* Maybe we should head inside and wait for Maya

"About time. I'm freezing." Charlie shivers as he walks inside.
"I'll stay and wait for Maya. You two go ahead." Alex sits in the stairs in wait. Nearby, an owl coos. It is a nice house. It could definitely use a lot of work, but maybe she could fix it up. She isnt going to college, gotta stay behind for the family. She already has a pretty good job, so it wont be too bad. Everyone else is leaving, however, and she feels like she'll never be as successful as them.

---

*Lucas and Charlie walked up the stairs and into the house. Every item in the house was covered in a thick layer of dust and cobwebs, as if this was the home's definition of clean. Upon walking in, Lucas began to shiver, as if it was warmer outside then inside. The two of them slowly drifted apart as they looked around but then they heard something. They both looked towards where the noise came from and saw a closet. They heard as more sounds began to eminate from it but then it went silent. For a few moments, Lucas held his breathe, waiting for the silence to break. But after a few more seconds, his muscles became less tense and he let out a sigh of relief. Suddenly, Maya jumped out of the closet, causing both Charlie and Lucas to scream and causing her to laugh* I got you two so good!

Alex hears the screams and rushes inside, ripping herself away from her thoughts. "What happened?" she says, bursting into the room. She sees Maya, laughing her butt off, and then looks to the two boys. She starts laughing herself. "Shut up you *ss," Charlie says. "This place already creeps me out. Maya cheated since I was already on edge." Alex hugs Maya tightly. "Its been too long," she says to her old best friend. "How have you been?"

---

*Maya continued laughing and her eyes began to tear up* I'm fairly sure Charlie almost pissed himself! *Maya embraced Alex back as Alex geld onto her.* I've been alright, and you?

*Lucas smiled and began to chuckle as he looked at them* You know I'm pretty sure your right, Maya! *Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Charlie flip him off*

"F*ck you both. I was scared because I was afraid someone was gonna kill your sorry *ss Lucas. Maya didnt do sh*t to me." Charlie takes out another blunt and lights it. "This place has a seriously creepy atmosphere. What are we even gonna do here anyway?"

Alex walks around the main hall, and sees a small shelf under a silver lined mirror. She sees a picture and picks it up. It shows a man who looked to be in his late 40s, early 50s, holding a woman about the same age. "Hey guys," she calls into the house. "Take a look at this."

---

*Lucas pulled himself. He looked towards where Alex was and passed by Charlie, who he slowed down near* Sure you were worried about me. *Lucas took the blunt out of Charlie's mouth and threw it to the ground, stomping on it to put it out.* And stop killing yourself while we are here. *Lucas began to walk away and Charlie asked why they were here* We are trying to reconnect, Charlie, remember when we use to play "Madison Family"?

*Maya looked at the picture and was shocked. The couple in the picture looked so happy, even though it was rumored the wife's spirit haunted this house* They look so happy

Charlie curses Lucas out when he throws down the blunt. "Sure but like, we were all super young back then. It's a kids game. Did you just wanna come here to play that? Cause if so I'm out."

Alex sets the photo back down. "Who do you think these people are? Noone has lived here since t least when our parents were kids." Just then, the painting. behind them fell to the ground. Alex jumps. "What the heck? Musta been ready to fall the second we got here. We should leave before we screw with anything else."

Charlie laughs at her as he makes it to the hall where the two girls were standing. "What? Not like anyone's coming back for this cr*p."

---

*Lucas shook his head* No we aren't. We are going to spend the night. Just the 4 of us for one last- *Lucas put his hands up and used air quotes* "Hoorah"

*Maya looked at Alex and saw the terror in her eyes* I think thats Mr. and Mrs. Madison. Before... you know *Maya moved her finger across her throat and stuck her tongue out*