Haunted House: A Spooky Back Room

"I've developed a new philosophy....I only dread one day at a time."

-Charlie Brown

Deviant Art found via google images

The summer I turned from a teeny-bopper to a 20 something I chose to stay with my parents at their new house instead of taking the usual summer classes.  Every night around 8:30 I would take my dog, Duke, for a walk around the neighborhood.  On one particular corner, I noticed a house, set far back on the street. The grass was overgrown and the roof was neglected.  At first sight it looked just like any other foreclosure in the area.

Until one day, while walking past, I heard a rustling noise in the grass. I looked over my shoulder. The house was in the same state except, there was a small window near the back side that was lit. For two weeks I had been walking by thinking nothing and then there was a light. Proof that someone did indeed live there. But why were they being so neglectful? And why did they always stay in that one room?

Most of those who know me know that I err on the side of paranoid, always overanalyzing situations, looks, groups of laughter as I am walking past (why are they laughing at me? Do I have something stuck to my pants?) Well my friend, this was no different. For the next month, I walked past the house every night, searching for other lights, for movement. Getting just close enough to see but far enough away so that I could run had the monster come out and try to kidnap me.

What if it was an elderly person, who had passed away and no one noticed? Maybe they went to sleep one night and never got up. Should I call the police? Just then a small, beat up red Toyota Turcel, you know the hatchback ones from the 80’s, sped past me and pulled into the driveway. I started walking faster but kept looking back. Did anyone else in the neighborhood notice what was going on!?!? It was obvious to me what in fact was happening. I was convinced that this middle aged man was holding his elderly grandparents hostage in that back room while he used their house as a squatting ground.  I mean what else could it have been?  More importantly, what was I supposed to do about it?

Creepy Back Room
Wallpaper: Graham & Brown, Chesterfield Sofa: ebay, Side Table and Owl Bookends: Tom Laurus Chandelier: Fey Illumination, 
Candle Stick Holders: Anthropologie, Sea Captain Portrait: Mighty Finds

I chose to stay quiet. I mean this isn’t a Lifetime movie; you need solid proof before you go making accusations!

A few weeks later, on a sunny Saturday afternoon, I was walking past the house again and noticed some pickup trucks parked in the front lawn.  They were working on the roof and replacing the front windows. They had even painted to outside brick a bright white.  It seems as though my first instinct had been correct all along. I laughed to myself, and let out a sigh of releif.  It’s silly actually, how your mind can make something out of absolutely nothing.

The best part is when we choose to believe the horror stories.