CHAPTER 2

Hello Proser, I give you the next chapter. Hope you guys like it.

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It took us roughly 11 hours to reach Mississippi. I can feel all my muscles starting to ache from sitting down for too long.

We did stop once in a while for pit stops and the opportunity to stretch our muscles. It was still mentally and physically exhausting, though. It was almost dark when we reach our house. The sun an orange red was slowly setting down the horizon taking with it whatever few rays of light left, leaving the sky cold and gray.

Dad parked the car directly in front of the house. As I got out of the car, it was hard to not notice that the house was big. Too big for only the two of us to live in.

"This is our house?" I asked in disbelieve. "It's huge" I emphasized while making a gesture as if I was making a big circle, to make my point. "And it looks ancient." I continued.

"Whats wrong with it?" My dad asked while he took out the boxes from the trunk. "It's ancient in a good kind of way. It has that regal atmosphere to it."

I helped my dad carry out the lighter boxes into the house. The front door was made of a pure hard oak tree which was rarely used nowadays. The inside of the house to my surprise was not a disappointment. To put it simply, the place basically looked like a rundown mansion but it still looked awesome.

"How on earth did you manage to afford this place, dad!? This must cost you a fortune!" I exclaimed feeling excited to explore the rooms.

My dad laughed seeing my excited reaction. "The boss mention this house. He said I might get a good offer for this place because it has been a long time since anyone stayed here." He said and set down the last box from the car. "So no worries. It's nothing that I can't afford." I looked at him and frown. "How long exactly?"

"Hmm...." my dad wrinkle his eyebrows together. "I think he said it was vacant for over 30 years."

"What!?" My dad jumped at my reaction. "Dad, don't you think it's weird that nobody wanted this house for so long?" I placed my hands on my hips looking at him as if I was scolding a little child. "Someone must have been murdered in this house, or worst." I looked at him in horror. "This place could be haunted!"

Hearing that, my dad laughed out loud. I rarely heard him laugh like that since my mother passed away. He bent over clutching his stomach as if it was in pain. It actually looked like he was in pain from that much laughing. Well, serves him right for making fun of me. I frowned.

After a moment, he stood straight wiping a tear from his eyes. "Sweetie, I never pegged you for a person who believes in superstitious nonsense." He said and started ruining my hair. "Daaaaaaad. Stop that. Then what other explanation could it be?"

"Being further from town could be a reason. This place is secluded after all." He said and took out his phone. "Our nearest neighbor is 20 miles from here. Hello. Yes, I would--" Dad divert his attention to his phone and I started exploring upstairs. I found a room where the bed was position near the window and that when you lay down it gave you a full view of the sky. I decided that this room would be my room and started carrying my boxes inside.

I started to unpack everything and when I was almost done, dad came knocking on my door telling me to come down and have dinner. He ordered pizzas and we ate while talking about the house. After we finished eating I left my dad to his own devices and went to my room. Oh, and did I mention there's a bathroom in my room? Well, I do. It seemed like the person who builds this house was filthy rich. Most of the rooms have a bathroom of its own, the rooms are probably the guest room. But I wonder, why would any person need so many guest rooms for.

I went and took a shower since it's so late already. Surprisingly the bathroom doesn't look creepy or disgusting. In fact, it looked clean and new, dad probably sends someone to repair this place before we came here I thought to myself. After I finished showering, I lay on my bed feeling my muscles relax and I released a sigh. A few seconds later I was sleeping like a log. Trust me when I said that even if there's a massive earthquake wrecking havoc right now, it won't wake me. I'm that tired.

It felt like I was only sleeping for 5 minutes when someone was shaking me quite furiously.

"Ellie! Wake up! Wake up! El!"

I barely heard what was being said to me. I slowly tried lifting my head without opening my eyes then flop it back on the pillow again.

"You're going to be late for school!"

Schoooooool I thought dreamily, wait. I stop myself, did he said school?

"Ellie! If you don't wake up now you're going to be late for school! We're both going to be late! Wake up!"

He definitely said school.

My eyes open wide then I sat up straight, feeling wide awake. "Why didn't you tell me this yesterday? I asked rushing off of my bed to the shower.

"I forgot, now hurry up" Dad said. Ugh! Him and his forgetful memory I thought to myself feeling annoyed at him.

I freshen up and wore a casual t-shirt with a sweater which I matched with jeans and sneakers, all in 15 minutes my best record yet.

Before I went downstairs, I checked myself in the mirror. I'm a brunette with wavy shoulder length hair that matches with my brown eyes. I tied my hair and adjusted my sweater. Which resulted in me looking like a boyish girl. I sigh, even in a boyish attire I managed to look so damn plain.

I ran down the stairs and grab a plain bread on the kitchen table. Dad doesn't cook. Even if he wanted to, the food won't come out edible. Every single time, he'll burn it beyond recognition. After my mOm died I have no choice but to learn how to cook so both of us won't have to starve to death or be poison with my dad's cooking.

I climbed in the car and dad drove us to town which is 7 miles from here. When I reached the school compound, the bell rang indicating the first period was about to start. Dad let me down at the gate telling me to have a good day and to make new friends before rushing to his work. Easier said than done, I thought to myself. I turn facing the school, its called Ruvoun High. It's weird, I know. What moron would name this school with weird names like that?

I let out a big sighed before stepping into the battleground called high school.

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How is it? A penny for your thoughts?