This book is dedicated to Miko my smallest fan and biggest lover of horror movies. Happy reading Shrimpette!
Prologue One
Amanda had everything the old lady said she needed blood, body and the bond. The last ingredient she was adamant about was the straw. Amanda wanted her to come along but she said the act had to be done alone. Amanda also wanted tell her parents but the old lady said it was forbidden to do so. Alone she kept saying to herself alone…. Her twin brother’s lifeless body was on the barn floor next to the body of straw she had and made from the scarecrow in the cornfield. It was her fault the way he fell and smashed his head. She blamed herself and she would make it right. Th old lady said she could. Swiping a knife from the kitchen while her mother was cleaning, she sliced her hand and let it drip onto the body of straw and then sliced her brother’s hand doing the same. Once that was done she chanted the rhyme the old lady told her to remember over and over until she had burned into her memory.
From the ground the straw grows
Of my heart’s wish the straw knows
Three things to seal the deal
Blood, bond and body
Blood of both lives intertwined
Bond of life and death never denied
Body anew no pain to feel
The straw shows
The knows…
The last part she had to repeat three times as she put more of her blood and her brother’s blood onto the straw. The bright sky outside suddenly turned dark with clouds and rain started to fall Amanda didn’t hear of a cloudy forecast on television. Then rain came pouring down followed by thunder and lightning. When she turned back she saw something twtich and move. It was the straw… it had worked her brother was alive again…
Prologue Two
Big Ma lived in her cabin in the woods called ironically by some natives as Low Level when it was built on very high ground. Scientists and animal lovers came from all around to observe the creatures and plants of the area. Somehow they never started or never finished though. The crows flocked to her screeching and talking their own way. It was time again. It was way past due time again. Someone was showing the old farmhouse to a perspective buyer. This showing was different she could feel it. They would take the house and somehow in her old bones he knew it. Big Ma sat in her rocking chair listening to the crows who were in turn listening to the people at the farmhouse. She knew the old way of the lands and of magic. Some would call it dark magic but she called it nature’s magic. It could be light or dark depending on its use. She looked sixty but she was much older. “The three will be needed again.” she chanted over and over to herself. She was sure the owner this time hadn’t told them of the family before with good reason. As always some young couple from far away being ambitious wanted to continue their family life in a nice quiet place with their children. Yes… Always there must be children for the three things to work and be complete.
Swaying back and forth Big Ma grinned rubbing her dry hands together in front of an imaginary fire. It was cold in here always and always would be. She was used to it even during the winter months because she was a survivor. Her white hair was getting longer and she was getting older but time like her had its ways of catching up. She wondered if this couple could farm or would they hire someone or even let the fields grow over with weeds. In any case it didn’t matter they would fund out the ground was tainted. Nothing would grow because she had made sure of that. The crows spoke more and were even more excited. Behind her in the darkest part of the cabin was something else that was excited. Long had it been since he had chance to be more than he was. Long had it been since she could have the way to bring him back. He was alive but living like he was not much better than death. Big ma waved her hand and the crows started to leave. Today there job was done. Today was the start of a new beginning ….
Chapter One
Over a day and half of driving with a few frequent stops in between of food, gas, and the occasional stretch of the legs for everyone. Two adults and two children moving over a thousand miles from a town of 100,000 to a town of about 2,500 people which was from South Bend ,Indiana to East Dublin, Georgia . The Wilson’s two children, Casey which was short for Cassandra and Ryan were not as excited as their parents for the move or the trip. Eric was mad at his parents because he was leaving their family and friends behind. Their parents didn’t consult with them until the week before the move. By then arguing was futile and fruitless. Their reasoning was that since Dad had been laid off at his job at the car plant which he had worked for years, it was time for a change. He turned in his stock and 401k and searched the internet and found the house they were looking for on Craig list. It was such a good deal that they had plenty left over to put in the bank for savings. Ryan knew their logic was sound but that didn’t mean he had to like it.
“Almost there guys, Yo Joe!” Dad said as he turned off a road with the sign that said welcome to Dublin. His parent’s entire parenting philosophy was based on 70’s and 80’s cartoons and shows with GI Joe being one his favorites. SSome of the newer shows they somehow slipped in to as part of their philosophy. Ryan had goggled the area on his tablet and found out his dad was right, soon they would be at their new home. “Whoopee” he whispered to himself. His sister was playing with her old doll given to her by Mom which was given to her by her mom and so on. One look and you could tell that was the case. It was showing signs of lots of wear and tear. The stuffing was coming out at all sides and one its glass eyes were almost gone. His sister had named the doll Missy, and she was always talking with it and never went anywhere without it which annoyed him sometimes… She was still a kid he knew that but he thought that sometimes her attention to the doll was approaching the outer limits of the weird zone.
At last they turned off the interstate into several with small signs pointing to Dublin, GA. The roads were still paved they driving on but he could tell by the lights outside that some were not. They crossed two bridges one was a big span of a bridge with a view of the river below and the other one was a much smaller one which led them to finally arrive in the city that was to be there new home of East Dublin .Crossing into their new town they traveled another thirty minutes until they turned off the paved road and onto a dirt road. Fields of crops and woods were the only scenery Ryan could see in the darkness. The ride from then on became bumpy and wild. Casey giggled hugging Missy while they were being tossed around. At last they came to the site of their new home. Even at night Ryan could tell the house was not in the best of shape. He could see why it was on Craigslist at such a cheap price. Vines and other vegetation grew everywhere. Some of the windows were broken and paint was peeling. “Yes, guys it’s going to take some work but we can do this of course with some outside hired help.” Dad said to keep their spirits up. “Its really spooky daddy.” Casey said quietly. “What’s there to be spooky about sweetie?” Dad asked. “It’s just dark and creepy.” she replied clutching Missy tightly. “ “ Relax Casey in the morning we’ll get a much better view and things will be much brighter literally” Mom said. Eric had to agree with his sister that it was kind of creepy in the dark with the house and its surroundings. Suddenly he got a tingling sensation down the back of his neck going down his spine as if he were being watched. He looked up to see a few crows on the roof and he could have sworn he heard his sister’s name as they called ‘Cah Cah See See’ and then his tingle turned to a shiver.
Chapter Two
This was his Dad’s second trip to the house and everything was set up for the night until the movers came in the morning with all their furniture and clothing. Mom went about setting up like a picnic with sandwiches and fruit while dad set up the lanterns around them and the sleeping bags and pillows. They were eating their first meal in their new creepy rundown house. Case
y fed Missy some food which she of course she couldn’t eat but then it was wiped off as if she had. Afterwards they all got into their sleeping bags and dozed off to sleep for the long day tomorrow.
Chapter Three
The crows were announcing their arrival and Big Ma was sitting out front in her rocking chair in the dark listening to the words that only she could understand. She knows of the two children, a boy and a girl. The girl’s name is sung by the crows, ‘Cah Cah See See’. Big ma gets up quickly for woman looking her age with no aid whatsoever. She has a cane, a crooked one made of oak but she doesn’t need it today. She is full energy because the cycle will begin again. Inside the cabin something moves excited and impatient. With a wave of her hand the wind starts blowing in the night air as she enters her cabin chanting while her shape melts into the night as the wind blows the door closed.
2
The sun was making its way through the windows when the kids were awakened by Dad. Mom started breakfast which was sandwiches and more fruit with juice. By the time they were done eating the moving trucks showed up and Mom became commander in chief. Delegating to us and the moving men, we were given the tasks of choosing our rooms so the moving men could start unloading in their perspective places. Ryan chose a room on the back side that had a view of the woods. His sister chose a room next to their parents of course because she still occasionally had nightmares. Finishing earlier than he thought he would, Ryan decided to check in on his sister. She wasn’t unpacking or rearranging but playing and talking with Missy. “Do you like it here?” Missy asked to her brother. “I don’t like here. I miss our old home” he whispered to his sister. His sister then bent her head to hear Missy talking and they both laughed. “We both like it here and we are going to stay whether you like it or not!” Eric who couldn’t believe he was just part of this conversation just shrugged his shoulders and went looking for his dad.
3
Eric found his dad in the basement making measurements and checking out the furnace. He figured he was going to make this a man cave because his mom was already going to make one the downstairs room her gal cave. “I think I have it son. Pool table here, refrigerator there .., game system over there. Will need to run some new wiring and maybe add a toilet… It will need some work but this could seriously work!” The basement was full of cobwebs and what looked like mouse /rat droppings. The floor was dirty and the air smelled like moldy laundry. Some work was an understatement and considering his dad’s last man cave was their garage this was a definite downgrade. Eric excused himself while his dad went talking to himself in a corner and making more measurements. Walking outside, the house was basically a wreck he thought to himself. It actually looked better in the dark. Weeds were everywhere and paint was peeling. The roof looked as bad as the rest of the house. He didn’t think it could hold his weight if he were to get on top of it. He noticed a smaller building behind the house and went to take a look. It was barn covered in vines and brambles. Maybe his parents were having a midlife crisis or something similar. To fix this house up was going to take a lot of time and money. He couldn’t see what they saw in the place. Maybe there was oil or gold here or maybe it used to be a famous movie sight. Who knows? But what he did know was that this couldn’t last before they gave up and were on their way back to Indiana.
Chapter Four
Dad went into town and took Ryan with him for supplies and tools. The city of East Dublin was small but quaint town. There was a hardware store, a grocery store and liquor store. Of course there was a hotel and motel but no fast food places they he could see. They were told that more stores and shops were across the bridges in the Dublin part of the city but for today they just needed to get started. Dad got white paint for most of the house per mom’s orders. He decided to wait on his man cave colors and Eric chose a dark green for his room and pink for his sister.
2
Once back home old clothing was put on and the process of painting was started. Everyone chipped in with painting and the bedrooms were started first and then the rest of the house. After two weeks the house was looking habitable at least on the inside. Casey had finally decided in the meantime to unpack and arrange her room after she got her pink walls. She set it up exactly like her old room in Indiana with most of her dolls surrounding her bed and missy of course always beside her when she was sleeping or awake. Eric’s room was bigger than his last so he had room for his weights and movies and gaming systems with plenty of room left over.
Chapter Five
The third week at their new home and Dad had hired contractors to paint and fix the windows and other little things around the house. Mom used this time to do the one thing that both Ryan and Casey were dreading, and that was being put into a new school and trying to make new friends. East Dublin had a primary, middle and high school. The middle and high school were basically in one building separated by long walkways between the schools and separate parking lots. They were told a bus did run in their area and that would do for awhile but Ryan knew his mom would want to take them to school every now and then just to check up on them. Eventually their mom would be get her other vehicle which was a land rover that they had left back home. Their aunt would be driving down with other family members to see how things were and report back to the rest of the family up north. Both schools had one main office for registration and smaller offices in their respective areas. They were headed to the main office which had a large black iron door and inside were potted plants and plastic chairs. A thin black woman was typing on her computer when they walked in. Her hair was pulled up in the air and red highlights streamed down all over. She was chewing gum very loud while humming the tune to some song that Ryan had never heard before. When she saw them she smiled and said. “Hi! I’m Debbie the main office secretary how can I help you?” “I’m Mrs. Wilson here to register my children for school.” Debbie then handed her two sets of forms and she commenced to filling them out while Eric and Casey sat waited. Eric turned on his mp3 player while Casey played with Missy. After about thirty minutes mom handed the forms back with the other necessary paperwork she brought with her. Transcripts, shot records, medical records and any other important documents she thought she might need. Debbie made a phone call and a burly balding man in his mid forties came out of one the offices. “Hi I’m Peter Sellers like the famous actor he said smiling. The kids didn’t know who Peter Sellers was but Mom and did and she just smiled back weakly. Going over to Debbie he grabbed the paperwork looking it over. “Ok Ryan you are in the seventh grade and your teacher will be Miss Davenport and Casey’s Fifth grade teacher will be Mrs. Cliché. You guys can start tomorrow if everything is ready. Hope you like EDS! That’s East Dublin Schools for short.” He said cracking himself up again. Mom thanked him and gathered us up for the ride home. On the way they stopped at grocery store called Foodmax to get tonight’s dinner. We decided on roast beef and potatoes with apple pie for dessert. After dinner was an early bedtime for us both and the start of a new day. A new day at a new school and Eric was sure the fun would begin as soon as he got there.
Chapter Six
Ryan woke up showered and dressed and went downstairs to grab some cereal. Casey wasn’t down yet which meant either she was still sleeping or didn’t want to go. He was sure mom would convince her especially if she said she could take Missy. He ate his cereal in silence until they came downstairs and he poured his sister some cereal. As he figured missy was with her and eating cereal too. “Aren’t you guys so excited first day at new school and ready to make friends?” Mom asked. Ryan and Casey looked at each other and rolled their eyes and moaned in disagreement. After breakfast they go into the car because mom would be driving them for the next few days until they figured out the bus schedule which was fine by Ryan. This way there was less meeting of people even though he knew he would get an overloading share of it today as the new kid.
2
He was dropped off first and went to look for his teacher’s room .Miss davenport was
a short woman in her twenties with a soft voice. She started them off with roll call and told Ryan to just take seat in the back; he had to strain to hear her from just a foot away. The class started off boring with math and ended boring with history. In between classes he was looked at strangely. He admitted his style was not the norm he had noticed but oh well he didn’t think that would make a difference if he dressed liked them. He was bumped into a lot; books were knocked out of his hand, spitballs in the face. All of course not on purpose he just happened to be in the way, or it was a case of mistaken identity, or even the it was their way of saying welcome to him. It was expected and endured even until the moment of his lunch tray getting knocked out of his hands, again a sorry and nice to meet you routine. He wondered how his sister was doing probably not much better especially since she had a doll with her all the time. When the end school bell rang, Eric was so relived that he couldn’t wait to get home to the new old house. Once at home they were of course asked how school was on the first day and liked that morning they both rolled their eyes and moaned with and added, “Just great! Mom.”
After the third day of school the bus schedule was figured out, and they started riding back and forth unless mom had an appointment and she would pick them up or take them to school. Their bus driver was a scruffy old man that all the kids called old timer. He didn’t mind and he seemed like he could be anyone’s grandfather. The bus plowed through the mainly dirt roads up and down winding left and right. Stopping at farms and trailers and even cabin like houses that Ryan had not even noticed before. Ryan and his sister sat in the back where there was only one kid that even tried to talk to them sitting across from them. He was a tall boy maybe younger than Ryan he wasn’t sure and he had red hair and freckles. The boy leaned over and asked, “Did you guys forget your stop?” “No,” Ryan said. “Our stop is the very last one on this bus.”
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