Chapter 3 The House

Before any of them could step inside the house, the realtor, Mr. Andrews Garland emerged from the front door. He smiled and walked up to Falco-handed him the key, paid his respect to the entire family and said "Its an old house, but I hope it brings you the new beginning you're looking for."

Falco nodded his head and bid him him goodbye.

"Are there any malls around here?" Carmina asked her older brother as they prepared to take out their belongings from the RV. Luke sighed in response to her query. He used to love researching about places and things, but after his twin's death-everything began to change. He feels like a part of him died too. Maybe, the rumors about twins having a deep connection with each other holds some truth after all.

"Quit yapping about things Mina," Samantha scoffed. Her words was enough to shut her daughter's mouth. Silently, the kids continued to remove their belongings from the RV.

Samantha may have agreed to move to Glass Lake, but the reason behind it stings. She threw a scornful look at her husband, she can barely recognize him. She can't believe how easy it was for the man to give up his job in the city. She is not a genius like Falco, but she can tell he is deeply hurt by Avery's death, but she can't find the will to console him, specially because he-she couldn't think of any words to compare what he did actually. How could he have used his pride at such a time?

"Would you like me to help with that ma'am?" Their nanny asked.

Samantha smiled at her and handed the box she recently pulled out of the vehicle.

Samantha couldn't thank the woman hard enough. She is aware of the sufferings the old house maid experienced during the first months of Avery's death, but, she stuck with them, even went as far as joining their family in this crazy quest for self healing.

Falco was the first to enter the house. It smelt of disinfectant. When he first laid eyes on the edifice, he fell in love with it. But the realtor made a couple of changes, just as he asked-and Falco can only smile at the effort the man had given. The walls are newly painted. The carpet on the floor had also been changed. The furniture which came with the house are free of dirt. Even the chandelier is shimmering.

"Well, this looks better than expected." Marvin, his other son whispered. Despite the positive comment though, Falco didn't hear excitement or happiness in his tone.

One after another, his family members stepped inside the house. They commented on the furniture, the stairs and the peaceful atmosphere, but never was their appreciation given to merit him. He didn't voice any complaints and kept his thoughts busy with the words "They need time."

The family took had been bringing their belongings inside the how use for nearly four hours now, but they barely touched half of their things inside the RV.

"Let's continue this tomorrow," Samantha said to her children. The night has fallen and she can see the exhaustion in their faces. Cordellia prepared a light dinner, mainly-mashed potatoes and string beans with a few slices of fried meat.

They ate in silence, then retired for the night.

The second floor of the house held six rooms. Three rooms occupied either side of the wide hallway. The master's and two medium sized room are positioned on the left, while the right, housed one small room and two medium sized room as well.

Carmina took the one closest to her parents room-which is on the right, while Luke and Marvin took the two on the left. Cordellia settled herself in the smallest one.

Tired from the trip, the family fell under a deep slumber, unaware of the changing temperature that suddenly enveloped the entire house. Even the flickering of lights, accompanied by the creaking of the stairs was missed by them.

The once peaceful atmosphere took a menacing aura. The furniture began to move on their own. The curtains danced without aid from the wind.

Mendez... Mendez... Mendez..

Their family name was uttered, over and over, yet the family remained under the spell of their exhausted bodies.

If they had heard it the first time, things could have taken a better turn. But destiny decided to throw them towards a sinister path.

Mendez-they never should have entered the gateway with such fragile hearts and soul, for within the walls of the mansion lay something else. Something that feeds, breeds, and eager to find freedom.

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The entity is dormant, as long as peace reigns inside the house. But the new family that entered its den is full of hate. The heaviness of their grief and loathe is like fire, licking and teasing.

It walked around the house, stopping before each room, feeding on their energy. It smiled and rejoiced.

No family had ever wandered to its territory with the same amount of evil and weakness such as the Mendez. They are the perfect prey to bridge its world to the living.

It will finally live, breathe and take shape. The Mendez will lead it to its long awaited creation.

Pain, hate, grief, revenge and weakness. How perfect they are, the entity thought.

But first, it must test the waters. It will slowly break them. A new beginning-well, it will happen, but not for the Mendez family.

Icicles formed over the door knobs of each room as the entity laid its essence upon it. It shall come to life, it will win this time around-because finally, a bunch of weakened souls fell prey to its claws.