..it has no title as of yet

~ Chapter 1 ~

After moving to this town, I found it quite easy to adapt to my new surroundings. After all the library has always been my sanctuary. A small town filled with many proud people as each street glowed with a sense of honor. Whether there were one person or several the beauty created in colors and sharpness was something out of a garden magazine. So settling in was quite refreshing. I enjoyed the serenity as I walked to the library each day. It allowed me to open my mind to new ideas. I had noticed that I didn't feel as secluded as before. It used to be that my eyes would look down at my feet ever step until I reached my destination. But now, here it was different. It felt good I admitted to myself as I took in the sun's warm rays. When I reached the library today though there was a group of three kids, about my age sitting on the stairs outside. I had heard about these three in passing neighbours on my various walks. Little was actually said, but it was clear they were drawn away from most people of the town. Which in my mind made me more curious about them. So today I introduced myself. Thus began more fun that I could have imagined.
They called themselves “The Mystery Trio”. Which of course explained why they were spoke of in whispers. The elders in town felt anything to do with the “unknown” was evil. Given this information, it made it more exciting to discover exactly what the unknown was all about. Needless to say, it kept us out of trouble and business was steady at the book store.
The trio filled their club time with reading of old tales. Then discussing what it may have been like to have lived it. The idea sometimes was to use as much imagination as possible, and keeping it as near to reality possible.
The most talked about tale, was that of the old condemned house atop Taylor’s hill. Once owned by the family of Taylor’s, handed down to the next generation in hopes of keeping family heirlooms, traditions and the house alive. However, being destroyed many years ago by an obsessed martyr of religion. He had sworn the family’s lifestyle was the utmost evil establishment he had discovered.
None of the townspeople paid much attention to him. The Taylor’s family had a way of telling people things before it happened; not to mention how well it would turn out later. Some people felt it was a special gift. Others felt they were the guardians of the townspeople, and the people who were not sure, often though the martyr’s words were true; but did nothing.
As it went, the martyr poisoned the water flow to the house thus ending the Taylor generation. Having being caught, he spent the rest of his days behind the walls of the state penitentiary for the mentally disturbed. Most people felt that in honor of the friendship of the Taylor’s the house would remain standing. In hopes; and believed soon would return as spirit’s. As it resulted many would enter the house with questions, illness or whatever the problem. Then in some way be answered or healed upon leaving.

Not many people however, could get passed the eerie darkness that set upon the ruin’s of the house in the years upon that passed by. Leaving it to become a variety of tales, superstitions, and a perfect product of night time ghost stories. Which now made it a perfect initiation prank for me to become a part of the club. For the time being, our discussion led us to think of a new club name; if, I should enter the Taylor house.
We had decided that the entry should last at least ten minutes. Giving enough time to explore one floor of the house. Giving some detail to the kind of rooms the floor contained. In keeping to some of the beliefs of the tales, an offering or gift was to be given. We decided a gift made by the four of us; since we were doing it for the benefit of the club, it would be most appropriate.
On my way out of the house, I was to take something small with me. We then thought for this exchange, the item would be our mascot for the club, thus giving it a new name.
So in keeping with our set guide lines, it was confirmed. Tomorrow afternoon was the agreed time. I went home to go over in my head, what exactly I had gotten myself into – and for what reasons.


~ Chapter 2 ~

As I blinked my eye lids many times to shake the fogginess of my sleep to wake to a bright new day I couldn't help but think about my task for this afternoon.
Somehow the thought of it made me shiver. I had feelings of excitement, but on the otherhand, it was hard to ignore the tremendous fear I had for empty and very dark strange houses.
As the tale was told; this house was not to be feared, only to be honored as a fantasia. Where dreams come true, questions are answered; like entering some kind of fantasy house. It was hard to imagine ten minutes of fantasy frolicking with such darkness that stands before me.
I glanced over at my clock to see how much time I had left to prepare "eleven thirty!" I shouted. I bounced out of bed and scrambled for my clothes. I could see my mom outside working in the garden. And dad not seeing him close must be in is office downstairs working. I quickly got dressed snatched up the hand made gift and headed downstairs to have something to eat.
Our gift was a waxed sculpture of a cross with a heart in the middle. It took a bit of time to make, after all none of us really had worked with wax before. The first attempt was quite funny looking and laugh we did. I walked quickly towards the Taylor house as I knew the others would be waiting. As I neared the driveway I could see them waiting. The looks on their faces showed much excitment. I wasn't sure why but it almost looked like they were ready to jump out of their skins! I tried to shake it off as I reached them and together we walked up the drive way to the front steps. I held the sculpture up to eye level and took a deep breath. Gave myself a quick pep talk to ease my nerves. I had to admit I was feeling very terrified by this time. The others stood by looking somewhat concerned and now a little scared. Tom finally spoke up and said that they would all wait on the porch. Sensing my fear was much more intense Chris convinced them otherwise, that waiting inside the door would be equally fair; after all, neither of them had been inside and it would result in a great deal of discussion later.
For the three stairs it took to reach the door seemed like a lifetime to all four of us. With some anticipation, I finally reached for the door handle. Turned it gently to the right and slowly started to push it open. The echoing squeak gave way to startle a cat inside to arch its back, poof up like it came out of the dryer and hiss. Our hearts pounded as we grasped at our chests. As the cat scurried away we each took a deep breath eyeing one another, searching for any agreement to forget the whole thing and run. Only this time I coaxed Peter to take the initiative to lead; after all, I was the one to have to roam the house. It shouldn’t be too bad, the others will be in the house and in sight while I completed this task. I must admit, it sure felt less scary knowing they would be close by.
Very slowly we followed Peter inside, taking small and quite steps – I the last to enter, closing the creaky door behind me until finally the click ended all hopes of turning back. With the silence between us, any noise to come would be amplified with no doubt. Again to have our hearts pound like a fast drum beat.



Peter handed me a flashlight and gave me a look of certainty that no one was moving. So, I then began my quest. My first steps led me down the hallway. The air was filled with dust and I could smell the years of emptiness. On wall was neatly portraying pictures of family descendants. The other side held pots of what at one time most likely grew beautiful plants and flowers.
As I reached the end of the hallway there were two doors. One on either side of me. I decided that since the door on my right would lead me back to where the others were waiting, I could release more tension and gain more courage for the other door. I looked back at the gang and pointed out my direction of venture. Slowly I directed my flashlight in and around the room. Since the room had many windows, there seemed to be enough light to see around. I turned my flashlight off and tucked it away in my jacket pocket. The room was the dining room. There were ten chairs neatly placed around the table. It looked as if it were made of solid oak and the carving design seemed very ancient. A matching china cabinet displayed very elegant glassware. Pieces that were obviously passed along through many generations. Amazing how everything is untouched.
As I walked around the table I let my fingers slide along the top of each chair feeling the carved lines. I couldn’t help thinking what it may have been like to sit at such a table full with family members, since I had no brothers or sisters. I wondered how fun it may have been to participate in conversation of the day and the planning of days to come. As I stood for a moment in my visualization I felt as though someone was standing behind me. Then instantly felt a small whisk of air at the back of my neck, like a feather or something. Spinning around a quick as it happened, I saw nothing. My eyes scanned the room, now I couldn’t move. I stood frozen for seconds, minutes – I couldn’t tell. I looked up, down, to one side and then the other. I eyed a picture on the wall. Then looked around once more and took a deep breath. I decided it was nervousness that took hold of me, and shook it off.


With having my wits about me regained, I couldn't help thinking about that picture. I stood for a moment moving my eyes around, then decided a closer look. I turned to face it, then stepped towards the picture. At first it had seemed like just another part of the room. But now something about it captured my attention. I felt an excitement growing in my chest like I wanted to burst out laughing. As I moved closer to the picture to see a clearer image I became more and more enchanted. My imagination played a story to fit the emotions I was feeling. My skin tingled, my eyes grew bigger to try and capture sight of what I was experiencing. I began to feel like I was floating, an impression of fairy wings came to mind. I wanted to capture all I could and remain in this moment forever. I closed my eyes and tilted my head back, took a deep breath and began to turn in circles. Holding my arms out with my palms up as to feel the air. Very slowly it came, I began to smell the freshness of a spring day morning. Birds started to sing and chirp. I could hear the flowers chiming like bells, each having a different tone. The grass moved in rhythms and created a wave of motion that was felt through my body like the butterflies of excitement.
It became very bright and as I opened my eyes, and before me small glowing stars sparkled. I reached out my open hand to one and slowly it descended and formed there in front of my eyes the most amazing thing I ever saw – a real fairy!

~ Chapter 3 ~


“Allie, Allie” called Chris. Now Chris was my best friend and we had in the short time we knew each other had gained a real sense of what each of us was feeling or thinking. When I heard her call me, I was instantly standing back in front of the picture again. I wasn’t sure if what had just happened actually happened or if I just tapped into a great imagination!
As I stood in awe, I felt almost like it was just a dream. I turned around and answered her, “I’m here”. “What’s going on? It’s so quite in there. Are you ok?”. “Yes, I’m fine. I’m coming back” I replied. I still felt unsure of what just happened, if it happened at all.
I reached into my pocket to retrieve the flashlight that Peter gave me. It wasn’t there ! “I’ve lost the flashlight!” I was suddenly feeling paniced, as the hall was extremely dark, despite it was only noon. “Check the room Allie, did you put in down somewhere?” Tom called out. “No, I put it in my jacket pocket”. As I replied, I stuck my hand in the other pocket, to my surprise I pulled out a tiny figurine of a fairy! I couldn’t believe it. That was not there before.
Just as I was going to tell what I found, I spotted the flashlight on the table. “I found it!” I called out. I could here the others sigh with relief. “Come on Allie, grab something and lets go”, Peter demanded impatiently. Peter wasn’t keen on the whole idea. And getting out sooner than later was beginning to show. I felt the same now.
I flicked the switch on the flashlight and turned to aim the dim light glow against the picture. A shiver passed through my body and I turned quickly to the door. Down the hallway, shining the light against the trio as they waiting anxiously. As I drew closer Tom pulled at the handle. Panic began to rise to a door that would not give way. “Let me try”, as Peter reached for the door knob. He gripped the knob with both hands and gave it one firm turn. Finally giving way and opening.