Desolate

unexpected knock on the door

The storm has ripped everything apart. Diah was worried about Jamie. The lines were down due to the storm damaging everything. Jamie notices the lights are all out in the street.

The trash is scattered all over the road. It is all-new the surroundings. In Indonesia, they have never seen anything like this. Walking up the street back home, Jamie sees the house on the corner is still in one piece. She heads over the road to the corner house as she opens the door!

"Mom, are you there"? Raphael? There is no response from anyone as she heads up to the room where she met Lilah. Their space is dark and empty, and there is no one, just a dark open room; she now heads over to the window, looking out. Walking over to the mirror, she removes the cloth from the mirror.

The storm has ripped everything apart. Diah was worried about Jamie. The lines were down due to the storm damaging everything. Jamie notices the lights are all out in the street.

The trash is scattered all over the road. In Indonesia, they have never seen anything like this. Walking up the street back home, Jamie sees the house on the corner is still in one piece. She heads over the road to the corner house as she opens the door!

"Mom, are you there"? Raphael? There is no response from anyone as she heads up to the room where she met Lilah. Their space is dark and empty, and there is no one, just a dark open room; she now heads over to the window, looking out. Walking over to the mirror, she removes the cloth from the mirror.

She now places the ring back onto her finger as she starts turning it around her index finger. When will you be back, she says. There is no response. She puts the cloth back over the mirror as she turns the ring on her finger." I better head home."

Walking back home, she notices a group of guys walking in her direction; the one guy is pointing to her. They look slightly older than what she is.

As she is about to pass them, the one guy grabs her arm, "Hey, are you from around here"?

Jamie pulls her arm away, " who gives you the right to grab my arm"? The one guy is light in complexion, short black hair 5.4ft. He laughs as he looks at his friends "look at the stubborn b***h" Jamie grabs him by the balls, "what did you just call me"? The guy is red in the face looking at her in pain " I am sorry," I thought, so now keep walking before I report you all for harassment and lay a charge.

Her index finger is itchy from the ring as she turns it and walks back home. At the house, she finds her mother holding the cordless phone.

"Honey, I was worried sick about you; she holds Jamie tight; are you OK"?

Yes, I am fine, she says, taking her backpack off her back,

Why do you not get you some lunch and I will fix you something?

Jamie heads to her room. It has been a long day. She whispers to herself as she lays down on the bed and buries her head into the pillow.

Jamie now picks up her phone and scrolls down to Nick, number.

And delete it she the search for the contact Jamie"odd I never saved her contact."

She now looks out by the window. As she looks across the road, it has trash cans tipped over scattered paper all over the road. Jamie, honey, are you done? "I am coming downstairs." Jamie's phone starts ringing. It is Justin. "I knew I had to delete one more number" she rejects the call and heads downstairs.

After finishing the meal, she goes outside. "Jamie, it is cold outside. Where are you going"?" Just a walk around the block, mom, OK, honey. "Jamie walks around the block and sees Trish standing there with Nick; Nick sees her as he runs up to her. "How have you been"? How about you, Nick, how have you been? Good thanks. Trish and I were planning on going to the house on the corner. Would you like to come?

"The empty house"? Says Jamie? Yes, there is death in that house, and rumor has it whenever it gets dark like this voice is coming from there. The house is haunted. There is a lot said about the house says, Jamie. There lived a family there, and they were murder in that house. "Trish walks over" hey, are you joining us?

Jamie looks over at Trish, Sure why not. That is the spirit, says Nick. As they head off to the house, Nick grabs his torch as they enter the house. Jamie walks bored and casually through the house "she looks like she is not afraid, and she has been here before," yes, Nick, I noticed. Jamie, have you been here before? A few times, say, Jamie. What is upstairs? They trek up the staircase as she tries to spook them. "there is a ghost up here," she says.

"Funny', says Nick; as he walks up the stairs, he enters the room where the covered mirror is.

"What is that smell"? It is dead rats Jamie Jokes. Trish screams, what is it Trish says Nick, Trish is pointing to the corner. Nick flashes to the corner. There is nothing but a poll with a coat hanging over it. Trish, there is nothing over there. Trish laughs, sorry I thought there was someone over there.

Jamie spots a shadow in the corner, which she did not see earlier but says nothing about it and continues to show them around the house. "This is boring says, Trish. Let us go home.

I agree, Nick. As they head downstairs on the right corner of the staircase in the middle, there is a human bone. Jamie kicks it aside as she heads downstairs. I think I am going to stay here for a while says, Jamie. Why? Says Nick, Just I want to see a bit more of the house. OK, enjoy your stay in this dull house says Nick as they head out. Jamie runs up the stairs. Walking into the room they have just exited, she says, "who is there"? 

There is no response. I am not afraid of you, she says, turning the ring on her finger." I use to live here," still no response. Jamie now heads over to the corner but can,t see the shadow she saw earlier. My name is Lilah, she says, turning the ring on her finger. Whoever you are, come out, and  I will not harm you. Jamie now walks over to the mirror. OK, stay stuck here forever as she bends down, "grins," traps the plank on the ground as the other end lifts.

Do not be scared. She says as she slowly bends down and takes out a blood-stained knife. She looks at it and sees her reflection in the knife as she Grins and licks the dry bloodstain on the knife. She then throws it to the corner where she saw the shadow as she grins."I told you I would not hurt you."Jamie now walks across the room, removing the knife from Trish's chest. As Trish's mouth is tied up, she is in tears trying to get loose, all b****y bleeding down as she walks over to the mirror and says, "who is there? Come out, whoever you are. "She then turns her back to the corner, looking into the mirror. "You are fine," she says, brushing hair out her face looking down at her hands.

See what you have done now. My hands are all blood. As she turns and throws the knife to the corner, there is a scream as Jamie walks over to the corner grinning, "he will be fine," she says, looking over at Trish. Jamie looks over at Trish and points the tip of the knife to her throat."Will you tell anyone what you just saw"? No, says Trish is shaking her head hysterically. Well, the thing is, I do not trust you. But you can,t blame me. I mean, I was practically invisible to you all. "Jamie's eyes darken. "You have disregarded my family and me. Do you remember when we were killed, you never felt even came to our funeral?

I said I would get everyone in this town back, and that will all be on you! Jamie now smiles as she walks over to the window, looking out the window. Remember that day in the cafeteria when I was walking across to the table, and you and your friends tripped me, letting me spill food all over Nick. 

Trish is confused about what Jamie is saying nut she cannot say anything because her mouth is gagged with a cloth. Jamie grins. Well, I got some good news and bad news; the good news is I forgive you. The bad news is you must die because the voices told me so.No Trish shakes her head as she cries. The voice also said, you would pretend to cry and to laugh when I leave here. 

Well, Trish, it has been nice having this conversation. We should catch up again, or maybe not. as she Jamie push the knife through Trish's heart."This is a mess" Jamie now drags the bodies under the wooden floor and places the knife there, cleaning up.

She now hops home whistling. "Jamie, is that you? "Yes, Diah! Who is your Diah? It is Mom for you! Sorry, that is what I meant. Diah is in the kitchen cooking dinner. Scott will be home soon, clean up and come downstairs. OK, Jamie heads upstairs as she goes to the bathroom and washes the bloodstains out of her clothes, whistling looking in the mirror, her eyes darkens. " she looks down at her ring and turns it on her finger." She takes it off as she rubs the itch on her index finger. The ring on the inside is turning black as she tries to wash the black stain out using soap.

Jamie walks n***d to the room as she leaves her room door open, staring into the mirror. She hears someone is coming up the stairs as she places the ring back onto her finger and continues brushing her hair in the mirror. She looks over as she sees Scott.

Scott glances into her room as she stares at him with her n***d body grinning and then winking. Scott covers his eyes as he walks past the room. Jamie looks in the mirror and brushes her long hair. "He is so  into you" Jamie now stands up n***d, walking to the bathroom, and gets her wet dress hanging over her wardrobe." Honey, how far are you? says her mother. She was coming downstairs in a few minutes.

Jamie puts on her flowery dress and heads downstairs. Scott is looking at her as Jamie grins," Hey Scott, how was work today"? Diah takes Scott's hand and squeezes it, and smiles. She is happy to see Jamie and Scott are getting along. 

So how was your day, honey? Productive with this storm, I was helping clean the streets, says Jamie after this storm messed up everything. "Scott sips his tea. That is great. Did you see Trish and Nick, by the way, because their parents stopped me and said they still were not home? "No, I have not seen them Scott says Jamie slicing through the meat with her fork" You sure says, Scott? "Honey, she said she had not seen them. Why are you persisting in asking her?" Nothing honey says Scott smiling."

I thought she might have seen them over the house she was at. Jamie looks up at Scott as if she has seen a ghost. NO, Scott, I have said I had not seen them! Lower your tone, says Diah. Their parents are just out looking for them, and what house is this Scott talking about? "Oh honey, do not worry about it, it's a house where most kids go to. A few years ago, there lived a family where they have murdered. There is still no conclusion about what happened, but the mother and father and two kids were killed.

Jamie is squeezing the fork as she bites her teeth think of what happened. Her hand starts shaking as she lets out a scream. She is grabbing her hair and pulling it. Scott quickly gains control of the situation and holds her arms as her mother rushes to inject her to calm down.

"We cannot do this anymore, dammit" how much longer do I have to put up with it? She is out of control, and we need to get control of her before it is too late". "We had it under control until you said something that had this reaction," " she is a time bomb waiting to go off, and you know it we need to do something or put her in some sort of institute." "you are not putting my daughter in an institute." Do you think this is what I want? 

I am mentioning this to you for her own safety. If we continue like this, she might end up killing someone someday. "Jamie, who they thought was asleep, heard the whole conversation" She walks back to the room, sitting on the point of the bed in the darkroom " Did you hear that? Hear what? "I think she is awake" Scott goes up the stairs to her room and opens the door, and see Jamie sitting on the point of her bed in the dark brushing her hair" She turns to him as she grips the brush tighter he can barely see her."  

Hey, you awake? He says to her, yes, she smiles. I am awake. When did you wake up? He says. Jamie smiles walks over to the light switching it on. Long enough, she says.

Scott leaves the room. As Jamie's phone rings, it is Justin. Hey, how have you been? Good, says Jamie. It is late why are you calling me at this hour. Have you heard? Heard what? Nick and Trish have disappeared? "disappeared?" Be more specific. Well, they are reported missing, and the whole neighborhood is out looking for them. I am sure they will be back tomorrow. Maybe they needed a break from this crazy place. "The cops are searching the haunted house in the morning says, my dad. They wanted to do it tonight, but they assume too many things are blocking the doorway due to the storm. Ok, if you hear anything, let me know. "Jamie?HELLO JAMIE?"

She hung up the phone. Jamie locks her room door and sneaks out by the back of the window, walking down the corner house. As she opens the door, it is pitch dark, darker than earlier. She slowly walks up the stairs to the room. The house is so quiet you can hear a pin falling Jamie immediately and down, taking the knife and the b****y cloth out und the floor. 

Jamie now paces back and forth, thinking what to do " I saw you earlier by the corner house" Jamie quickly rushes home and take rinse the blood-stained knife and rinse the b****y cloth then, take Scott's knife that is in the bathroom cabinet holding it with a tissue and put the wet cloth and the knife that was used to kill Nick and Trish behind her drawer. She then heads back into the house as she feels a cold breeze. As she enters, she heads upstairs and lifts the planks where the bodies hold the knife with the tissue and stab both the bodies multiple times.

Jamie now looks around and sees a dark shadow appearing from the corner. "I am not afraid of you. I can kill you here or where ever the world between us lies" No response as Jamie turns around and heads downstairs. She hears a sound upstairs like footsteps, as she steps out, she looks up there is a light flashing through the window as she remembers she touched the torch after they were killed she heads upstairs as she hears a whisper this time, not from any other tale she heard before it was more demonic and scary. 

"No innocent death will go unpunished" Jamie looks around but see nothing, but the cloth that was on the mirror is now off the mirror. Can you not be serious? Jamie's eyes darken as she smiles. I will be waiting for you. She stares into the mirror and turns the ring on her finger. For now, Scott must be put away for these kids. There is no way I am being put in an institute.

Jamie looks up in the mirror, picks up the cloth, and hangs it over the mirror.

Jamie picks up the flash and wipes it off, tossing it over on the other side of the road.

Enjoy your last week around us, Scott, and your welcoming, warm meals, she says as she heads back home, climbing through the window hearing her mother and Scott by the door. You better open this door, Scott demands. Jamie now opens the door. Why did you take so long to open? Scott storms over to the window. Who was here? Why is this window open, and why are your clothes all full of dirt.

Diah now pacifies Scott to calm down. Honey, was anyone here? No, says Jamie looking into the mirror, turning the ring on her finger. I had it Scott storms out. I am booking her into an institute, and not your or your mother is going to stop me" Scott, please says Diah, pleading she is a kid does not do that. "Jamie now stands bare feet and walks across the hallway to the spare room where Diah and Scott are. 

Why do you suddenly want me away from here? Is it because of the other night, Jamie says? Diah, nothing happened. 'Diah has confusion looking around. What are you talking about? Go on, Scott, tell my mom what you did earlier, and the other night the television was on. "Diah looks at Scott with tears in her eyes, No Scott, you did not" I did not know what? Nothing happened. She came downstairs to get milk, and he pauses," and what? Scott Diah screams and starts hitting him. What did you do to my daughter?"I grabbed her because she always has this attitude towards me, and then she had an alter-personality. It was as if something possessed her. She threatened me with s****l harassment.

Why are you grabbing her, Scott? She is a minor! Scott, why are you lying says Diah with her arms folded. You touched me inappropriately. Diah is hysterical. What about earlier Scott says, Jamie? What about earlier? You heard me coming out of the bathroom, and the room door was closed, and you pushed it open and saw me n***d? You what! No, you did not Scott, please tell me you did not do that. I did not do that, Diah. You have to believe me. Your daughter Jamie is lying. So you did not see me n***d, Scott? I did, but "You did?" This is too much, Scott. You stay away from my daughter!

But honey, you are listening to me the most of the stuff she made up. She is fourteen, Scott why would she make up all this stuff? Because she hated me from day one, Honey, "Uncle Scott, I do not hate you. I have no reason to hate you just, please do not touch me inappropriately again" Jamie turns around, folding her arms. "MOM, I am going back to my room. Maybe I will be safer from uncle Scott if he sends me away".

No one is sending you away. Honey, "Diah looks at Scott with tears in her eyes. I hate you for everything in you, and I want you to get us back home" Scott does not answer as Diah leaves the spare room heading to her own room.

Jamie puts her ear against the door and smiles. I warned you, she whispers to herself, closing the room door. "Honey, you going to be late for school says Diah knocking on her room door. I am up, mom getting dressed. Jamie stands up, stretching, and opens the curtains. Hearing sirens, she sees ambulances and police cars at the corner house, looking out by the window. Jamie smiles, turning round looking into the mirror. This is going to be a good day. She heads downstairs, and her mom is making waffles.

Hey Mom, that smells delicious. Her mother's eyes are watery. Mom, what is wrong? Nothing honey, your breakfast is getting cold. Mom, whatever it is, it will be OK. Diah smiles. Where is Scott's Mom? He left early to work, Ok did you guys work things out? No, Diah laughs. You sound so grown up. You need to give him a second chance. Mom, he never meant it. Maybe his hand hit by accident against my bum when he grabbed me. Some things in this life are unforgivable, honey. 

Mom, we cannot go back to my schooling, and my friends are here. We won't go back. Honey, stop worrying about everything. That is why I am here. Have you heard about those missing kids? Which missing kids, Mom? Nick and Trish? No, Mom, what about them? Their bodies were found in that house Scott saw you in yesterday. I was not in the house. I walked around the house. Why would you walk around the house, honey? Because I heard a scream, that is when I saw Scott inside. Scott inside where? Inside the house, mom, but honey, why would you see Scott inside the house and not say anything at dinner?

I never thought much of it, mom, because it's just some old stupid house. How did you see Scott? Through the broken back window, I never saw anyone was with Scott. That is when I thought maybe the scream came from the back house.

Honey, is there any more you can tell me? What is wrong, Mom? Those kid's bodies were found in the house. The same house as uncle Scott was in Mom? Yes, honey, the same house Scott was in. Was there any other noise you heard? "Jamie plays with the fork in her waffles" Not that I can think of, mom. Why are you asking all these questions? Are our lives in danger, Mom? Are our lives in danger?

Do you think it is uncle Scott's Mom? No honey Diah wipes her eyes. Get your backpack and let me pack in your lunch. Jamie puts the lunch in her backpack as she looks back at her Mom. Mom, are you going to be OK? Yes, honey, I am fine your bus is on the way. Get ready, honey."Ok, mom, see you later, love you" love you to honey Diah starts crying as she watches Jamie run up to the bus.

Justin is sitting in the front of the bus, the football seniors are in the back, and they are all talking about the two bodies found.

"Hey, I take it by now you heard what happened? Yes, my Mom told me this morning, they found the murder weapon. Apparently, they were stabbed multiple times and then shoved under the wooden floor of the house. There are so many murders in that house it gives me shivers just thinking of that place. Apparently, the police say a third friend was with them, but no one knows it. Are they sure?

Sure about what? About the third person? Yes, Mrs. Wills said she saw three kids entering, and she saw the one coming out, but she could not recognize the face because of the tree in front of the house, but they saw the girl head up your way like in the direction of your house.

I hope they find that person, anyway. What are you doing later says Jamie to Justin? Nothing why? Perhaps we can sneak out and smoke some w**d? Justin laughs. Since when do you smoke w**d, "well, it is my first time, just like you were my first time, she grins."I am not sure, says Justin, well you're boring; I will smoke with someone else then. No, you do not need to. I will smoke with you.

Great, meet me behind the stadium after school. Justin smiles as he climbs off the bus waiting for Jamie. So this death story will probably carry on for the whole day, says Jamie. We might as well make the most of our day. Since when have you become do selfless and have no empathy or remorse for those hurt by this? Are you hurt? No, I am not, so stop moping like a little kid and grow up, Justin are we going to class, or should I leave without you. I am coming, the school bell rings as everyone heads to their class, and everyone is so distracted by what happened to Nick and Trish.

There is an announcement on the intercom for everyone to go to the assembly area. Jamie and Justin walk to the assembly. What now says, Jamie? They probably want to say a prayer say, Justin. So dramatic, says Jamie taking out a candy bar and eating it. Justin is surprised at how unremorseful Jamie is. She shows no empathy or sympathy.

"Everyone quiets down, please says the principal on the stage" no one is listening, " I said, silence please the principal raises his voice as everyone goes quiet."By now, everyone has heard about the death of Nick and Trish. We would like everyone could close their eyes and bow their heads so w can say a short prayer." 

Jamie rolls her eyes as she closes her eyes, and the principal says a prayer," With me, I have detective Mike and Officer Jone they would like to say a few words. Everyone listens attentively."

"Hi everyone, firstly, my deepest condolences to all of you who knew Nick and Trish. I hope to catch the person who did this to them by you fully cooperating in the course of the week myself, and officer Jones would be coming around to your classes, do not be alarmed. We are hoping you saw something that can lead us to the person who did this to them. Justice will be served to the person who did this to them, and with your help and assistance, we can bring closure to the family. Thank you for your time."

"Before everyone goes back to your classrooms, please note that every detail to this incident is significant. If it is found that you were withholding information, there could be serious consequences. You may now all leave."

"What a day these cops were like literally making everyone cooperate. The teaches never even gave us homework because of what is happening."

I know, says Jamie; let us go to the stadium so we can light this joint. Justin follows Jamie to the stadium, so do you think anyone saw anything? Maybe Jamie shrugs her shoulder. So what do you want to do after this? I do not know Justin. How about we go over to my place and ask the voodoo board which killed them. That is boring. I think I rather want to go home. OK, this joint I good, though, says Justin. This Is my first time also. As he leans in to kiss her, she turns her face. Maybe next time, this whole death story is too much for one day.

Sure says, Justin. As Jamie walks back home, she notices the police are still outside the house since this morning. She then remembers the bone she kicked to the side of the staircase" If only these two had not seen that bone, they would still be alive, but they had to go all hysterical about wanting to report it. I did what I had to do to cover my mess, but now I forgot that one piece of evidence, "I hope they do not find it. Actually, they are going to find it, it is in open site view, and anyone will be able to see it, that is why they are still by the house. Jamie arrives at home and finds her mother is in the lounge watching the news.

"Hey, Mom, anything new"  What would be new, honey? Never mind, oh, by the way, they found remains of a human skeleton. That explains why they are still out there. You need to be extra safe. I am safe. Mom Jamie now heads upstairs and looks out of the room window,  looking down at the police cars. Then she changes into something comfortable and heads back downstairs. "So Mom, how are things between you and Scott. It is OK, honey, he promised to treat you better. We agreed to get surveillance in the house till trust can be rebuilt."

Grat mom, would you like a sandwich? No, thank you, honey, I am good, thank you. Scott's parents have visitors tonight, so I expect you to be on your best behavior. Do not let me repeat what happened last time," I will be on my best behavior, Mom" It is nighttime as Scott's parents arrive. They warmly welcomed while at the Dinner table, the doorbell rings. Who is it, honey? Police? Scott opens the door. You're under arrest for the murder of Trish and Nick" What is happening? I did not kill them; turn around."