Running down the stairs frantically, skipping at least two steps, I didn't care if it's producing such loud noises. I reached the bottom of the stairs and took off to find my mother. She has to know about the dead crows up in the master's bedroom, how filthy it is up there and how foul the stench of blood is.

"Mom? Mom, where are you?" I called out.

Our suitcases are already placed inside, so where is she? Suddenly, my ears picked up voices. I followed the sound, which lead me to the front door. My chapped lips parted in surprise when I saw her standing there, talking with a guy that I haven't seen before.

Questions begin to rotate in my mind.

Who is he? Does my mother know him? If so, why haven't I've seen him before?

They were deep in conversation to notice me, that is when I decided to make myself known.

"Mom?" Both of them snapped their heads to face me. They stared at me like I came from another planet, especially my mother which I found to be odd.

I shifted from left to right at the awkwardness. They just continued to stare at me.

Okay, this is weird.

Deciding to break the ice, I proceeded to tell her what I found upstairs. Not caring if there's a stranger.

"Mom, you have to follow me quickly! There's something inside the master's bedroom, and you won't believe what I found upstairs—"

"Lucinda, what are you talking about?" My mom hissed, it startled me completely. She never talks to me that way, except if I made her angry but I didn't do anything to make her mad today. My mom groaned, palming her face, then gave me a look that says this-better-be-good.

"T-there are dead crows in the master's bedroom!" I stammered, scared that she'll snap at me again. "A-and I think there's something strange up there. I swear, I am not making this up!" She rolls her eyes and turns back to the man whom she was talking to awhile ago.

The man had pale blue eyes, brown hair that's disheveled, and had a fair complexion. His lips were in a tight smile when my mom turned to face him again.

"Kids," Mother laughed, making the man chuckle. Then, I knew what was going on, from the look my mother gave him. She likes him! I glared at her, feeling disgusted by their actions.

Can't he see the wedding ring?

"Yeah, you're right, Louisa. This girl of yours is just like my daughter. So active."

What? He's married too? He took a quick glance at me and back to my mom.

"By the way, I have to go now. I still have a lot of things to do in the house. I also have a daughter to take care of. She likes to stay indoors this summer, not sure why. Welcome to the neighborhood." He flashes Mom a flirty smile then left.

"Bye," Mom waves behind him, smiling sweetly. She started giggling like a school girl who got a toothy grin from her crush. How charming, I thought sarcastically.

"Mom," I groaned, hoping she'll stop giggling. When she did, I sigh in relief. Glad that was over. She turns to face me with an annoyed look on her face.

"Lucinda, what the hell was that?! Do you want our neighbors to think you're crazy?" She asks, more like yell, anger laced in every word she spoke. I was about to apologize, but she

continued.

"And if this is a joke, or a prank, to make us go back to our town, then it's not working! I won't go back and see that two-faced father of yours."

"First of all, I am not joking. Second, even if I want to go back, I can't. I agreed to stay with you and I don't want to leave you here all alone. Especially with that man!" I pointed to where the man headed to.

"And for the record, you just left Dad, Mom. You're not yet divorced. It's just the first time you met the guy and you're now head over heels for him!" I retorted, frowning deeply. Instead of scolding me, Mom sighed.

Rubbing her temples, she relaxed. "I'm sorry Lucy, I'm sorry for acting this way. I'm just stressed out, that's all." My facial expression softened, I just stared at my mother with sympathy.

"And, I am not 'head over heels'." She added. "The man is the first person to greet us in this neighborhood, it isn't nice to just shoo him away."

I nod slightly, feeling guilty. "Okay mom, I get it. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said those things."

She smiled softly. "There's no need to apologize Lucy." She placed her hand on my shoulder, "Now, you said you wanted me to see something?"

Chills ran up my spine when I remembered why I needed her. I nod, swallowing slowly in nervousness.

"Okay then. Let me see if what you say is real." She passes by me and slowly climbs up the stairs, me following behind her. I can tell she's nervous, her hands shaking slightly. She should be because what I told her was the truth, and nothing but the truth.

Something inhuman is up there, I can feel it. What else could eat those crows? I mean, crows can't be eaten by humans, right? When we reach second floor, my heart won't stop pounding. She goes straight to the door of the master's bedroom, my heartbeat thumping loudly in my chest.

Oh, Lord please. Whatever is inside there, make it disappear.

My mom opens the door, it creaked open. I hid behind her back, scared that the creature would pop out, but to my surprise, I hear her laugh and snicker at the scene before her. "Really, Lucinda, there are no dead crows. Only a bunch of pigeons, which are still alive."

I timidly look at the sight in front of her, I gaped like a fish out of water, eyes wide and all. The floor was all clean, no dead crows lying on the floor, no blood or even the smell of it. I

frown in confusion and surprise.

Where did it all go? It was here only a minute ago!

"B-but, there was! I swear!" I defended myself, while Mom just walks pass me, and starts to walk towards the creaky stairs. I eyed the ceilings if there are crows, but none. Just a bunch of pigeons that are pecking on the broken, dirty bed.

"Look, Lucy. I love you, but I have a lot of things to do." She muttered, and began descending down the stairs, swaying her hips as she walks.

I followed her downstairs, trying to catch up to her when she head for the kitchen. "Mom! What I am saying is true!" I exclaimed. She faced me and gave me a disapproving look. Crossing her arms, she shook her head.

"Don't. Lucy, I had enough of your funny games. So why don't you stay here, while I shop for furniture. Hmm? And a few workers will be arriving later to fix some parts of the house and repaint the walls." She got her wallet and car keys from the top of the kitchen counter. "And don't touch anything." She placed a kiss on my forehead before leaving the house through the front door.

Sighing heavily, I sat on the dusty floor, not caring if it'll get me dirty. I drew a house on the dust covered floor, smiling when I placed a small family beside it. I sniffled when I stared at the stick man that is the father. I know I shouldn't blame him for everything, but if it wasn't for him, me and mom wouldn't be here. We would still be at home, where it was nice and comfy. Unlike here.

Where Mom would cook pancakes, while dad drinks his coffee in his favorite orange mug. I would be washing my dishes, laughing along with my mom and dad at the television that is airing Mr. Bean. A tear rolled down my cheek and stained the floor, erasing the male stick man.

That is when my ears picked up unusual sounds. I stood up, alerted. Thud! I jumped at the sound, it seems like someone is wrestling upstairs. Mustering up all my courage, I found myself walking up the stairs.

Each step I took only made the volume increased, making me jittery. When my

foot reached the last step, I squinted to see through the small opening of the door. See if anyone, or anything is inside the master's bedroom.

Calm down, Lucinda. Just go in, find out what made the sound and go.

I slowly made my way towards the door, the sounds stopped.

What happened? Is it over? Did it go away? What was it?

The only thing to know is to go in and see for myself, and I did.

I swung the door open, there was no sign of any dead crow or blood. It was the same scene when I took my mother up here. Except, the pigeons were gone.

I stepped inside the room, making sure nothing was inside. I cringed when I saw my reflection distorted on the broken mirror. I'll remind mom to change that. I was about to exit through the door, when something landed in front of me. I gasped, looking down to see what it was.

"Oh my gosh!"

It was a pigeon, well, what was left of it. It's head to it's body was missing, like it was chewed off. Tears formed at the corner of my eyes, feeling pity for the poor creature. "Who would do such a thing?" I whispered softly.

"Me."

At first, I thought I was going crazy. Thinking someone answered me in my head, or that my mother came back quickly to get something she left. But no, it wasn't. I quickly turned around to see nobody, I began to scan the room around me, praying my mind is playing tricks on me. Who was it? That is, if it's something human and not a dangerous creature.

"W-who's there?"

I held up both of my hands that turned into fists, ready to punch and murder whoever it was that decided to play pranks on me. I felt something landed on my left shoulder, I grimaced in disgust when I touched it with my index finger. It was blood, and mixed with something that's sort of, saliva?

Ew.

Then, something clicked in my mind like someone threw a stone at your head. Praying I was wrong, I slowly look up. I stand corrected. There, in the ceiling, is a man. I don't even know if I could call him human. His eyes were black as night, empty they were. His clothes were tattered, blood staining them. The man's eyes were bleeding, like what happens when a woman who wore thick black eyeliner cries, only his is red and it's not eyeliner. It's blood.

A big evil grin graced his face, scars adorning them. He licked his lips when blood began to drool out of them. He suddenly held out his hand, and there played the pigeon's other half. I almost gagged at the sight of it. His dirty bare feet were hung on the ceiling, and when he swooped down to my level, he handed the dead bird to me with that sick grin on his face,

as I stood there, frozen in my spot. My blood went cold.

"Wanna bite?"

Two things ran in my short circuited mind. Run fast or scream like there's no tomorrow. I did both. I screamed, running as fast as I could. I went out of the scary room and down the stairs.

By the time I reached the last floor, I was panting like crazy. My heart pounding in my chest. That wasn't real. It wasn't real. It couldn't be real.

The next thing I knew, I blacked out due to horror on what I just saw. Horror that I have never seen in my entire life.