New York

A car pulled up to the front of infamous murder house and out stepped a blonde women dressed in the current latest fashionable business suit. She pulled her sunglasses up having it stay on her head and walked up to the door. The woman slowly opened the door and looked inside before stepping in. The age on the house was barely showing through but the damage was due to the infamy of it's name, it was because of all the crimes committed there and because it wasn't cared for either. The woman seemed in awe of the place and was simply looking around. She didn't intend to be there but she was off driving to a friend's house when she passed the murder house and decided to take a look.

She had walked up the stair all the while thankful they didn't collapse. "Oh my." the oman had said, breathless. The house was large indeed. It was the largest one in the neighborhood. It was also the most fascinating and frieghtening one of the community and possibly the state. "I'm actually in the murder house." the woman exclaimed. "You are." another woman's voice stated lowly friehgtening the blonde. "Who's there?" she asked searching around and walked backwards into the chest of another woman. Once the blonde fell down she quickly rolled over to meet the eyes of a brunette. "I-I'm sorry. I'm Diane Rivers and I was just looking around." the blonde introduced.

The brunette smiled at her but it was menacingly so. "I'm Anna, the owner." she said and slowly walked behing Diane. "I don't like tresspassers and I-" "This house has been vacant for many years. Theres no way you can own it." Diane stated in disbelief and stood up. Anna simply smirked. "Oh theres much to learn about this house and you shall spend an eternity doing it. " Diane looked at her as if the woman was insane but was suddenly gripped by the hair. Anna gripped her hair tightly once again making her fall. She dragged Diane towards the weak steps making sure not to loosen her grip. Anna pulled her to the fron of the top.

"W-What are you doing?" Diane asked in fear. Anna simply smirked and with a swift kick to the rip she sent Diane tumbling down the stairs. The stairs had collapsed halfway through her fall making her fall down and have the broken wood fall on top of her. She was pinned to the floor for a few moments and managed to get some of the debris off of her only to meet with the eyes of the woman that did this to her. Anna was armed with a rusty and dusty knife from the kitchen. "W-Why? No please don't!" Diane yelled but it was futile as Anna quickly got on top of her, straddling her and started stabbing her. After the thirty-eigth stab Anna stopped, looking over at the body. "Welcome to the murder house."

---

Jayson sighed for the umpteenth time that morning. She was sitting the backseat of her foster family's car. It was a long ride from their previous home in Conneticut. She was tired of the ride and wanted to get to stretch her legs. She didn't want to move but her parents thought it was time for the family to start a new as they all had their problem whether at work, at school, or at home. Jayson wanted a new start as well but so far and by car? She sighed once again changing the song on her ipod to Emergency by Paramore. She wanted to get the move on with already. The truck would be there a little while after them so for first time Jayson and her foster siblings would see the how the house looked. By the end of the song she was glad to see the house her parents pulled up to.

At first she was in awe then disbelief that such a house was theres. She turned to Mrs. Preston and asked her "This is ours?How?" she asked mainly rhetorically but wanted to know how they could afford such a place. "We've been saving up and besides it was surprisingly not that expensive." she answere Jayson whom was now facing the house once again. She was the first to go in and looked into the non-furnished home. It was renovated a few years back and now was a beautiful home for them. Mr. Preston had walked in alongside everyone else and stated loud enough for everyone to hear, "The reason why the price was lowered was because the last owners were murdered." The new information shocked Jayson but it made her even more intrigued by the place. She had hurried up to her room taking the only bag she had with her. The bedrooms weren't furnished yet but she was still happy because she had a place to drop the things she was carrying off.

As scheduled the movers came soon after and it was time for everyone to help bring things in. Jayson had taken the silverware in that was in all three boxes with the good China in it. Once putting all utensils and plates away she grabbed the tings for her room. After about half-an-hour her room was done included with pictures and sheets. The last thing to do was unpack her clothes which she saved later to do. In exhaustion she plopped down on the bed and sighed loudly. "Finally done." she stated.

The long car ride had Whitney Preston on edge, gritting her teeth at the proximity of the people within the car. If her parents weren't around she would be tearing everyone a new one for being so close. But they were so she settles for texting her friends she's left back home. She felt instant relief when they finally pull up - and not because she's anxious to see her new 'home'.

Whitney is pleasantly surprised to find the house actually looks nice. Its large too but that only reminds Whitney that her foster siblings exist. If it were just her and her parents they wouldn't need a house this big. Her annoyance furthers when Jayson marvels at the house. Even her mothers reply to the obvious question gets her nerves riled up again. The second her parents are out of earshot she speaks her mind.

"Actually we can afford it because the state paysmy parents to keep you guys around," she tells the others as they walk in. "The reason why the price was lowered was because the last owners were murdered." Whitneys mouth curls into an immediate smirk. Murdered? Well this is a chance to use the Ouija board I bought. She could only imagine the look on everyone's face if a ghost were to actually show up. There really would be no price put to the glee she would feel.

When the movers arrive she wastes no time with getting her things and putting them in her room. She brought as many bags as she could fit in the car and still have room for the other kid's bags. Honestly she didn't trust the movers with her things. Most of the witch craft stuff she had could only be found in one place or were so rare there were hardly any to be found. Not to mention the tons of jewelry. Whitney barely helps getting anything else. She does help her father with the couch but that's as far as it went. She could see the disappointment in her parents eyes. Did she care? Nope.

After she's finished setting her room out with precise detail she heads back into the living room where she plops down on the couch with her phone in hand.

---------------


Ellie bites back her serious temptation to ask if they are there yet. She doesn't want to be a nuisance but the long car rides got her legs itching to be stretched and her brain foggy from sleeping on and off. Also being confined to this one place has her nearly trying to claw her own brain out. She can't even express her intense joy when they pull up to the very nice large house they will be living in from thennon.

"Woah, this is great!" Ellie says excitedly. Shes never lived in a house this nice or big. If she were still living with her mother and Zachary they would be in an apartment. Or perhaps squatting in someone's home while they are on vacation. Her heart pangs a little thinking of Zach and of the night he died. Face down on someone else's floor in the middle of a robbery while Ellie watched him flounder around like a fish out of water. She snaps out of her thoughts when she hears Whitney snap at them. As usual her words are harsh and unwanted.

Ellie bites her lip to keep from snapping back at her. She instead chooses to follow the others in. When Mr. Preston makes his announcement her blood runs cold. Seriously? They're staying in a house where people have died. Ellie tries to not show her concern or voice them even. She knows there's plenty of ways the people could have died and she really doeant want to know. Instead she runs back to the car and grabs her meager duffel bag and takes it up to her room.

"Anything I can do?" She asks Mrs. Preston later with a wide smile. As often as people overlook her for being a kid she hates it. She would much rather help out with things even if she cant do much. "Um lets see...oh! Here take these into the bathrooms." Mrs. Preston says while handing her a box of towels and rags.

Ellie hops to it immediatley and stocks each bathroom happily. After all she does owe the Prestons for their kindness. Afterwards she goes back to Mrs. Preston and grabs more light boxes.

"Go ahead and rest sweetie." Mr. Preston says after watching her drag in another box. Ellie does so thankfully. First she heads up to her room to fix her things up to her liking. Then heads off to explore the rest of house. Heading first out into the large backyard.

Tyler tapped his fingers to a drumming beat on his knees. His ipod had died fifteen minutes into the car ride, so he had resorted to making his own music, in his head. The ride had been grueling. He was too tall for the seats to be comfortable, his knees and back becoming sore every few minutes. If he was honest with himself, Tyler was kind of excited to move. Yes, he would miss his friends, but a new start was always fun.

As the car came to a slow, and finally to a stop, Tyler was as shocked as his foster sister. Her question didn't surprise him - he knew her well and knew she would ask something like that. He observed the house as they walked in, already liking it. The architecture was gorgeous, and the furniture suited it well. He ignored Whitney's comments, as usual, and gave a little smile to Ellie, knowing she'd be hurt. He slid his backpack on, getting his guitar from the back of the guitar.

He already knew which room was his, and he headed straight up, admiring the whole houses woodwork and wallpaper. The fast that the last owners were murdered here? Yeah, it was a little scary, but not something he couldn't handle. And it'll be great for parties, he thought to himself. That is, if he could convince Whitney to have one. Tyler didn't do much in his room, simply changing out of shorts and into sweatpants, before heading down the hall, and downstairs. Without being asked to, he brought all remaining bags in from the moving truck into the house. They were heavy, but it wasn't too hard, and he liked feeling useful.

After, he went back upstairs, heading to Jayson's room. He knocked on the door, leaning his head in and giving her a cheeky smile, but not entering until she would allow him.

---

Thomas sat on the staircase, awaiting the new family. Not visible, he was prepared to watch the family until he knew everything he could about them. Who they were, what they did, what they were hiding. He was excited, btu also a little annoyed. No matter how many families came and went, everything always ended the same. Someone died, they moved out, and some new poor suckers would move in. But hey, maybe there would be something different about them. Maybe they'll have a hot daughter, he joked to himself, chuckling, before looking around for the other ghosts. Surprisingly, he couldn't find them.

The voices of the new family brought him back into focus. As they entered, he started evaluating them. The first lady was the mom, the next few the kids, then the father. One of the kids said something to the other three, something rude, though he couldn't make out the words. He watched them, split up and each go to their own rooms. It was then that he noticed her. She was gorgeous, the face like an angel. He followed her up the stairs and into her room, standing in the corner, leaning against the wall, and just watching.

Jayson had already put her ipod into the dock and had it playing 3OH!3's We are young lowly before hearing a knock at her door. At first she thought it was Mr. or Mrs Preston o maybe even Ellie but it was Tyler which wasn't surprising. "Hey c'mon in." she stated and sat up. Tyer, Ellie, and Jayson had helped the most and wasn't surprised that Whitney didn't help but it was to be expected. Jayson tended to but heads with Whitney over several things and this was expected by her foster parents as they were close in age. For right now though she was happy to see one of the siblings she did get along with.

When the song stopped she stopped her ipod from playing anymore music as she wanted to be able to pay attention to Tyler. They were more of friends than anything so she didn't mind him coming in to hang out or talk. She felt like she could be his diary or rather his journal and he could tell her anything and she'd keep whatever he was telling her a secret. This would never be the other around as Jayson wasn't that open to well anyone. "What's up?" she asked him smiling back at him.

---

Anna had eyed the new family. Only the children peeked her interest for now and she'd make sure to have fun with some of them later. She was searching for more ghosts when she caught Thomas in one of the daughter's room. The girl was speaking to the only son of the family and she was surprised that Thomas had seemed to be taking interest in a girl so soon. She couldn't be seen of course but she knew Thomas could see her. "You know if you want to introduce yourself theres a way to do so. Annalisia thought that this particular family would prove to ber very interesting.

Anna would make herself seem like the next door neighbor by appearing at their doorstep. Being a ghost she wasn't able to leave the property of the house but she can go to the front door and go as far as the frontyard but no further than that. If Thomas wanted to she'd gladly let him meet the girl whose room he was in secretly. She'd just lie and say he was her son or nephew or something.

Samuel can't help but smile as he watches the new family moving in. Each of them seemed to be interesting in their own way. Though really only one caught his eye. She seems less attached to the family and more her own person. Even her snappish way of talking to her family members suggests deep hate. Samuel likes the fire he can see burning under her skin. Perhapsn if he were a female he would act like her. Though he has a more refined attitude.

He starts examining the others. Following each one and noting how they act. Know thy enemy - and these people are definantly his enemies. He follows the little one last. She goes off on her own and Samuel knows she'll be an easy first target to scare. He waits beside the back door to make an entrance. Its a childish scare but this girl is after all a child so it fits.

It would have been a perfect start if he didn't spot Charlie out of the corner of his eye standing by a tree. He doesnt seem to be paying attention either but Samuel knows the boy isn't going to mask his presence. After all the girl looks about his age and Charlie has a weakness for little girls - in a very innocent way.

"Stupid kid," Samuel sneers angrily and heads back inside where he finds the fiery girl from earlier sitting upon the living room couch. She's using a device hes come to know as a cell phone. Though he never has used one it certainly looks like an interesting device.

--

Charlie could sense something off that day. For hours he paced the house in search of the spiritual interference until finally he spotted them. He had been in onegnome of the larger bedrooms peering out when he spotted them. The new family that would now reside within these acursed walls. He cannot pity them though as he welcomes the change of faces in the house.

He doesn't watch them for long when he spots a girl roughly his age...or rather would have been his age if he weren't a ghost. He examines her from a distance but decides already he'll be introducing himself soon. So he waits in the first obvious place a kid will go first to explore - the backyard and he waits beneath the shade of the tree. He does not mask his presence and simply pretends to not be paying attention as he waits for her.

When she gets outside he smirks at the transparent nature of kids. Always first to explore a new place to its depths. He quirks a smile and waves like he belongs there..

Poor guys, she thought to herself as she watched the next victims arrive. if only they knew everything that happened here. Kelsey always had a soft spot for everyone that lived in the house, but the feeling quickly passed once they settled in. So, basically the second day she was back to being well, Kelsey. She examined each person that came through the door. They seemed like a typical family. A loving set of parents, the bitchy older sister, the neutral sister, the kind brother, and the innocent little child.

She turned her attention to where to ghosts were. It seemed as if every time a family came, each ghost had their claim on one of the living. Thomas had found his way to the one daughters room, Anna followed him, either to talk to Thomas or steal the only male child. Samuel had made his way outside, she guessed to scare the little girl. He turned back and she wondered why. Cocking her head to the side, she saw Charlie. He was outside with the little girl. This caused Kelsey to smile. "How cute," she muttered. With the ghosts scattered, she didn't know where to go. She settled on the one daughter's room, where Thomas and Anna already were.

Kelsey soon joined the two, watching the two kids. The more she looked at the son, the more she took a liking to him. Maybe she would introduce herself later to him. He didn't seem like one to be scared of ghosts, but in this house you never knew. A man once bought this house, and Kelsey decided to say hello. Saying the man ran out of the house at the speed of light would be an understatement. Kelsey turned to Thomas, "She's pretty." She had to admit, the daughter was actually extremely pretty. Thomas made a good choice. She just hoped he wouldn't do anything to scare her off, for his sake.

"Hey Anna," she turned to the female. "If you want to say hello to the new family, I'll come with you. It's been a while and I'm itching to meet new people, no offense." Being stuck in a house for eternity with the same people did get boring, but at least she liked the ones she was stuck with. Each ghost had their own personality and story. Things could get a little heated at times, or they could be completely normal. They were truly a unique group. She smirked and looked at Thomas. "You should come. You can say hello to the little lady. Unless of course, you want to do it on your own time." Kelsey leaned against the wall and examined the room, never really taking her eyes off the son.

Tyler smirked at Jayson's song choice, entering her room, and checking it out. It was pretty nice- scratch that, really nice, and laid out just like Whitney's, from what he had seen. But the fact that it was Jayson's was obvious. Little things that could only belong to her were scattered around the room. He sat down on one of the chairs, sighing, and smiling at her.

When the music stopped, he watched her turn to him. After she spoke, he grinned, leaning back in the chair. "Nothing." He said, looking around at the room, before sitting up eagerly. "You heard what Alice said right?" The fact that this was a murder house - well it was really intriguing. How many people had died? How'd they died? Where did they die? It was all so incredible. He wasn't a huge fan of horror movies or thrillers, and ghosts weren't usually that interesting, but the fact that he was living somewhere where they might be present was cool. Tyler watched her face to see how Jayson would react.

---

Thomas couldn't take his eyes off the girl. He didn't know her name, but in the few minutes he had watched her, he knew he wanted to get to know her. Her music choice was good, but that might've been because he hadn't listened to any current music. Looking at the boy who entered the room, Thomas could already tell he had a good relationship with the girl. He would have to see the extent of it, but by their nature of interaction, he assumed it was a very close friendship.

His eyes were locked on the girl, watching everything she did. In another situation, it may be creepy, but when you're dead, everything you do is creepy. Thomas didn't even look up as the other two ghosts entered, though he could tell who they were without needing to. He could feel their eyes on him, but he didn't care. It's not like he was doing anything wrong, he was just watching her. There was no harm in that. After Kelsey spoke, he broke eye contact for the first time, nodding his head. "Sounds good. I'll come with you two." He took one glance at the girl, before turning back to the two ghosts, starting to usher them out the door. "Better do it sooner than later."

Jayson nodded at Tyler's words. "Yes I did hear that but I'm sure we may be able to look into a bit." she suggested. Jayson was of course surprised by such information but it made the house seem more interesting to her. It was like a puzzle that needed to be put together and have the image revealed. Jayson wanted to see what it was that happened here and who the victims were but for now she'd wait and see how much information she can get from her 'parents'. She rarely would call either of them mom or dad because she did have parents but they were horrible parents that don't deserve to be called parents.

She still respected them and was grateful to them but had yet to ever call either of them mom or dad or any of the other kids her brother or sister. She sighed outwardly. Something was starting to bother her in the pit of her stomach. It felt like something was happening or going to happen but Jayson couldn't pin-point it. She simply just stayed quiet about it thinking the feeling would just pass.

---

Anna was glad she wasn't the only one that wanted to go meet them offcially. She was sure her son was up to something god knows where so she wouldn't bother him and if he wanted to he could always just meet them on his own time. Anna had head downstairs and outside to the fron door. She was ready to meet them as they intrigued her. So as soon as she and the others that had wanted to introduce themselves came she rang the doorbell. The first to answer was the mother. "Oh hello, I'm Alice Preston. Are you the neighbors?" Mrs.Preston had asked and Anna nodded. "Yes. This is my son and my daughter. My other son you might meet later on." Anna stated and was thankful for her acting skills as Alice had believed her. "It's nice to meet you all. Won't you come in?" that was all Anna needed and she walked inside ready to meet the Preston family.

Anna was the first to move to the front door. Kelsey followed her and stood at the front door. She quickly checked herself, brushed off her shirt, and yanked her sleeves down to cover her burnt skin. If her sleeve rose at all to uncover it, she always used the same story. She could hear the lines in her head. There was an accident with the stove when she was a child, nothing major but her hands were burnt. She's insecure about her hands and will ball the fabric of her shirt up in her fists to cover them. It's a habit she has never really gotten out of, but it's getting better overtime. The cover up was nothing compared to the truth, but it was as simple as that. The families always seemed to buy it. Humans were gullible creatures, and the more you fed to them, the easier it was to develop a relationship. However, there were always the few that were more difficult to persuade. Nevertheless, Kelsey always seemed to get the job done.

When she was introduced as Anna's daughter, Kelsey smiled and waved slightly. The woman invited them in and Kelsey gave a small thank you to her. Mrs. Preston seemed like a kind lady. If she went down, which she probably would, she could become a good addition to the house. Kelsey could practically hear her screams of terror as one of the ghosts narrowed in on her and slowly drained the life out of her. The thought caused her to smile, but she looked around the house in awe as a cover up. Kelsey patiently waited for other members of the family to show up. Frankly, she didn't really care about introductions. All she wanted to do was get to know the members of the family individually. However, introductions brought herself and the other ghosts into the families lives officially, and that was the first step in Kelsey's book.

Ellie shivers lightly as she passes through the back door and into the yard. She notices suddenly a boy standing beneath a tree, waving. Ellie is a little startles but pleasantly surprised to see a neighbor so soon. Though its also quite strange for him to be in the backyard. Ellie slowly raises her hand and waves back while walking over to him. "Oh hello there! What are you doing in my backyard?" She asks kindly.

She's smiling like any other kid would but on the inside her brain is working a mile a minute. Who is this boy? Is he nice? Will he even like me? While at the same time her defense mechanism is trying to click into place.



----


Whitney barely realizes there are people in the house until she heara voices. Her head snaps up and she sets aside her phone. It lays with her latest half written text to her friend Casey clearly visible and talking about her serious hatred of this place and her foster siblings. She quickly moves to where her parents are talking with the intruders.

She looks at each person with her lip slightly curled. They are definantly strange and she can feel it deep in her bones. She looks at her parents with a slightly petulant look. "Its dangerous to invite strangers in the house. We don't know anything about them they could be axe murderers for all we know." Whitney crosses her arms and looks at Anna.

"Are you axe murderers?" she asks and really she's only playing at tough here. She could care less but doesn't want these people gettong the wrong idea about her. Including the strange energy she feels from them. "Whitney don't be rude to our guests!" Her mother says sounding shocked that her daughter would be so blatantly rude to strangers.

Whitney roles her eyes and sneers. "Whatever, my name is Whitney if you didn't catch that already. Welcome to our...lovely house." Her sarcasm isnt hidden in any way but her eyes reflect the unease she feels.

Thomas followed to two ghosts downstairs, glancing at the girl one last time, before going. He trotted down, getting ready, and joining the other two at the door. The drill was the same as usual. Thomas grinned a hello to the mother, taking in her features. She was a pretty lady, and obviously a friendly one, he thought, as she invited them in. It would be a shame when she were to be killed, he thought, entering the house.

The first child they were introduced to was the oldest girl, if he had it correct. She moved to the group quickly, the look she gave them each one of petulance. He gave her a kind smile, listening to her speak. She may be pretty, but she was snappy. He held his hand out to her. "My name is Thomas," he said, being polite, and not overly friendly. But he was distracted, he could still hear the other girl upstairs. Perhaps she would come down to introduce herself. That would be nice. He smiled more, blushing lightly at the thought of it.

---

Tyler listened to Jayson, about to reply, before he heard the front door open, then voices, then the door closing again. He strained his ears to hear the words, then deciding it a lost cause. He opened his mouth to speak, before being interrupted by Mrs Preston's voice. "Tyler, Jayson, come down here."

He gave Jayson a quick confused look, before reluctantly standing up and heading towards the door, giving her a light nudge towards it. He stepped lightly down the stairs, going slowly to observe what was going on. It seemed as though three neighbors had come to visit, from the looks of it, a mother, son, and daughter. Tyler went the rest of the way down the stairs, coming to a stop in between Whitney and Mrs Preston. "Say hello to our neighbors," she said, smiling.

Tyler stuck his hand out to the mother first, shaking her hand. "My name's Tyler," he said, grinning kindly. After, when he looked at the two kids, he grinned. They were both about his age, so that was good. "I'm Tyler," he repeated, sticking his hand out to shake the girls hand first. He looked at her face, realizing she was well gorgeous. Extremely gorgeous.

Anna was already annoyed with the first child she met emphasis on child she thought. The girl was rude to them without reason which seemed idiotic and what a child would do. Annalisia thought it would be fun to chase the girl down with a knife and put an end to her personally but then they'd have to deal with her for pretty much eternity. When the boy came up to her she was pleased by his introduction and shook his hand with a smile now ignoring and forgetting about the other girl. Then came in the girl Thomas seemed interested in and the name had made her think there was another boy or it was the father. Another thing she noticed was that this Jayson looked nothing like the mother which led her to the premature conclusion that they weren't biologically related. The son had some similarity more so in the hair but that was pretty much it.

---

Jayson was surprised to see neighbors come by and so soon but she once she descended down the stairs behind Tyler she was intrigued by what seemed to be the son. Another thing Jayson had noticed that the daughter whom was very pretty was wearing a long-sleeved shirt in nice weather. Jayson immediately saw a similarity to her as she was doing the same thing. Scars she'd rather not talk about were covered well enough but she had to be careful and knowing her 'mother' was suspcious of her wardrobe in early fall. Summer had literally just finished so the weather was still nice enough to wear short sleeves during the day. She introduced herself to the daughter coming to several different scenarios in her head about her wardrobe. "I'm Jayson nice to meet you." she stated and turned her gaze to the boy whom she found hard to take her eyes off of. She went over to where he was and introduced herself once again. They were about her age so that was a good think but the daughter seemed as if she could relate to a bit.

Jayson had scars all over her arms whether they were self-inflicted or were inflicted by someone else was forgotten by her as to her they were all the same and she didn't really remember such a horrible childhood anymore and didn't care to as she surpressed the memories. Jayson was insecure about the scars she bore so she'd wear long sleeves whenever she could to cover it up. She wouldn't ask the girl about her arms now as she didn't want to pry into the life of a girl she didn't know but once she met the son she felt even more insecure than usual as she would hate for him to see such a horrifying side of her she'd rather just forget. Jayson wasn't sure if even Tyler knew about the scars on her arm or where they came from she didn't know if Whitney knew either but really she didn't care as they didn't quite get along to begin with and she was sure Ellie was too young to know such a thing. Right now though she'd focus on meeting the very handsome male standing in front of her.

Kelsey examined each child as they came to introduce themselves. The eldest child, she assumed, was named Whitney. Kelsey raised an eyebrow at the female, her smile fading. Whitney was a sassy one, and extremely rude, to put it. If anyone was to be left alive, she hoped it would be her. Spending an eternity with that female would not be pleasant the slightest bit, but messing with her could be. The thought caused her to smile. Her smile came back just as the two teens they had seen earlier came down. The son came down before the daughter, but Kelsey caught the daughter glance at her shirt. They were both wearing long sleeved shirts. She wondered why the girl was wearing a shirt like that in such nice weather. Everyone had their own fashion sense, but in nice weather like so, long sleeves were usually not worn. Kelsey had died in the clothes she was wearing, and she couldn't change. Shrugging the thought off, Kelsey knew she would just find out later.

The male turned to her once he introduced himself to Anna. She grabbed his hand cautiously, making sure her sleeve wouldn't reveal the skin above her fingers, which were only burnt slightly. "It's nice to meet you, Tyler. I'm Kelsey." The closer she was to Tyler, the more she realized how handsome he was. Tyler's sister introduced herself as Jayson before turning her attention to Thomas. Kelsey nodded towards her, "Hello, Jayson. I'm Kelsey." She smiled at her warmly then turned back to Tyler. "Are you excited to be moving in?" Kelsey questioned him, trying to make small talk. It wasn't her strong suit, but she still did it. She was better at jumping right into a full blown conversation, especially when she was alone with someone. Around the other ghosts it was different. She felt at home and had no problem saying what she wanted to. "I think you'll like it here," she stated as she scanned his face. Frankly, it was difficult for her to take her eyes off of the man standing in front of her.

Charlie examines the young girl with a smile. She reminds him of Maria in a way. Not so much that they look alike - after all Maria has blonde hair. But more personality wise. Not mention that familiar gleam in her eyes that one only gets after witnessing bad things. Charlie has it too and never will forget the reason behind it. When she waves he feels a stirring of emotion in His gut. Like butterflies but less pronounced.

"What a guy can't visit his neighbors?" He teases lightly. He shoves his hands in his pockets nonchalantly and shrugs his shoulders lightly. If he didn't say he wanted to see this girl stuck here forever he would be lying. It gets lonely being the only young face in a house full of ghosts.

"I'm Charlie, who might you be madame?" He asks with a lopsided grin.

*****

Samuel frowns a little when the girl gets up to leave. He glances at her forgotten phone and smirks. Even when talking with her friends she's sassy. He follows her direction but turns away when he notices the other ghosts and his mother talking with the family. He can't help but wonder if he's the only one with a sense of self preservation. After all in his eyes the living are bugs beneath his shoes. Just to prove a point he leans against the wall just in view of the others and pushes over a vase sitting upon a side table.

When it shatters the noise nearly makes him jump from how loud it is. He hadnt expected such a racket but it serves a purpose. He ignores the others and examines the living for thier reactions.

Thomas watched the girl come down the stairs, eyes stuck on her. She introduced herself to his "sister", and he saw her eyes snap to her long sleeves for a second, though he didn't think much of it. Next it was his turn. Shaking his nerves, a smile naturally found it's way onto his face, his cheeks warming a little. "I'm Thomas," he said, taking her hand in his. "Real nice house, right?" He shook it lightly, and slowly, taking in her features.

It may seem horrible, but as he looked at her, he thought about what it would be like if she were to die and spend eternity with him. Get to know her first, he thought, don't wish poor things for good people.

When the vase hit the ground, his hand tightened around hers, without thinking, and he protectively stepped slightly closer to her, but when he realized it was just Samuel, his hand loosened. That guy was ridiculous.

---

Tyler smiled warmly to the girl, now introduced as Kelsey. He took her hand as well, holding on to it for a second longer than necessary. When she spoke, he was surprised at how nice and smooth it sounded. He grinned at her comment. "Yeah it's pretty cool. The wood works awesome, the wallpaper is alright, but we could always get rid of it, and I bet the acoustics in my room are cool," He said, stopping himself.

Girls weren't in to things like this. Things like the whole architecture thing. "Although, apparently, it's a-" Tyler was cut off by the shattering of a vase. He turned towards the noise to find a man he didn't recognize, standing in there house. He turned back to Kelsey, giving her a confused look.

Jayson was about to answer the man now known as Thomas about his question from her earier but she was interrupted by the sound of glass shattering. Alice was the first to react to the strang and unknown male suddenly standing there next to the now broken vase. Jayson felt her face suddenly heat up slightly as she felt Thomas hold tighter to her hand and get closer though she couldn't really complain as she like him close to her. Alice wasn't sure if she should actually say somethig to him for knocking it over but didn't have time to speak about it as Anna spoke up first. "Oh I'm so sorry my son seems to have made his way over here on his own. I guess he was able to get in through the back door."

---

Anna was surprised by her Samuel's actions but she was't too surprised by it. "Eveyone this is Samuel. Samuel they are the preston family." Anna stated. She noticed Thomas' actions and Kelsey's looks towards Tyler as well and was amused by the two younger ghosts. It was obvious they had taken a liking to the family. It was when the patriarch of the family walked in that she too found herself intrigued by them. There were many different ways she could mess with them and by the way Mr.Preston had looked her over several times in the few seconds she thought of even more ways to stir up trouble. Oh what fun this would be this time around.

Tyler started talking about the house somewhat, and Kelsey tried to follow along. He started to say something else when something broke. The sound was distinct, and Kelsey peeked her head around Tyler to see Samuel. She squinted her eyes at him. Typical Samuel. He loved to stir up trouble and freak out those living in the house. Frankly, Kelsey didn't mind Samuel all that much. They both liked to do what they wanted, when they wanted. However, he seemed to do it a helluva lot more than she did. She could say they were neutral, never really getting in each other's ways. Anna spoke up, apologizing for his behavior. Before she turned her attention back to Tyler, she caught a glimpse of everyone else. The mother looked a bit surprise, Thomas was close to Jayson, and the father was eyeing Anna. Everything seemed to be normal. Kelsey looked at Tyler, who had a confused expression. She gave him an apologetic smile. "Sorry. That's my brother. You could say he doesn't like new people moving in." What she had said was a lie. From her understanding, Samuel loved when new families moved in. He had new victims and could torture them as he pleased.

"In what you were saying before the vase broke, I heard the word 'acoustics'. So, uh do you play guitar or something?" Her voice was soft, and shy smile worked its way onto her face. She had not the slightest clue when it came to architecture or houses in general. She knew what glass was and what wood was, and that was as technical as she got.

"I'm Ellie." She answers while rubbing her cold shoulders. Her short sleeved shirt let in a lot of the suns rays but the chill still ran through her body. She only hopes she isn't getting sick. She looks up at Charlie with his lopsided grin and finds it in herself to nearly match his expression.

"So do you live around here?" She asks while finding an excuse to look away from him. Somehow he unnerved her. Like he's not really there but obviously that was silly. Ellie can clearly see him and when she turns back to the house after hearing a crashing sound she instinctively grips his hand. Its a reflex that spurred from living in a bad neighborhood where loud sounds were usually gunshots and the difference between life or death would be to get pulled to the ground.

"Oh boy, someone's going to be in trouble." Ellie says while looking back at Charlie. "I bet its Whitney throwing a tantrum." She says with a sigh.

---


Whitney jumps at the loud crash and whirls to face the perpetrator. She's shocked to find a guy around her age who looks far less guilty than she would have thought. His eyes gleam with something dark and Whitney can't help but feel allured. He's different. She realizes it on a basic level.

He's the kind she would like to have as a friend. If only to gain more of a rank among her peers.while everyone else seems appalled or in some cases unsure of how to handle the sitiation she admires his uncaring behaviour. The way he just did what he wanted without caring. Especially with his mother standing right in front of them. Now that obviously took some balls.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Preston I didn't even notice the Vase. I'm also very sorry for barging in like this. I was actually watching over my...little brother." At this Samuel looks pointedly at his mother, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly. Through his entire apology he had stressed most syllables in a more sarcastic way. "Charlies out in the backyard playing with the...er youngest." After explaining himself he looks over to Whitney. Noticing the slight gleam in her eyes.

Obviously they have a level understanding at this point. Samuel may not know much but from her earlier charades they are similar enough to have this kind of shared joy at these reactions. "Like mom said, I'm Samuel." Though his question is directed outward he's looking only at Whitney.



Charlie watches Ellie curiously. She's a lot different than what he expected. And the more she talks the more she reminds him of Maria and her curious nature. When she asks if he lives close he freezes. He isn't sure what the appropriate answer would be or if any of the other ghosts had an answer for him to use. Imstead he shrugs and nods, opting for shrugging the question off.

When the crashing sound comes and Ellie grips his hand he has the near same reaction. However he stops himself from dropping to all fours lile a scared animal. Of course there was no danger.

"Wanna go see what's going on?"

Thomas, now slightly embarrassed, stepped back away from Jayson, trying to seem non-challant. "That's my brother," he said to her, even though it was obvious. He knew this round was going to be interesting, what with such a big family and so many kids. It would either turn out really really well, or horribly. And knowing this houses past, it would be horrible.

For the sake of the new family, he hoped it would turn out well. It was obvious Kelsey had taken a liking to the son, Tyler, and he himself had taken a liking to Jayson. Charlie had probably taken a liking to the youngest, and Samuel even seemed to have taken a liking to Whitney. The only problem was Anna. She would certainly stir up trouble with Mr Preston, but that was unstoppable. And even if he could, Thomas probably wouldn't try to stop her anyways. "So are you all unpacked yet?" He asked, turning back to face Jayson.

---

Tyler turned his attention back to Kelsey. "Yeah, guitar and drums. Do you play anything?" He asked, shrugging off their whole previous conversation. It was obvious she didn't know anything about architecture, but that was alright because he didn't either. He'd used basically all he'd known, and that was what he had learned from watching a video while putting off doing homework before.

Thinking of homework made him wonder what the idea for schooling would be. Not like he wanted to talk about it, but it would be intriguing. Would Kelsey go to his school? He hoped so, he thought, turing his attention back to her.

Jayson was actually a bit disappointed when he stepped away from her though it wasn't a surprise. She was used to it by now but she didn't want to be. In any matter she greeted the newcomer politely and took notice to his look towards Whitney. Finally she answered Thomas' question. "I'm amost unpacked just a few finishing touches." she stated before looking over at Anna whom was now becoming aqcauinted with Mr.Preston. Something came off wrong between those two meeting but she just brushed it off and tuned her gaze back to Thomas. "So do you live close by?" she asked unsure of where they did live. They were going to start school soon and she had hoped to see Thomas there and maybe even get to know him better.

---

Anna was delighted but the look Mr.Preston was givng to her. She had shook his hand and introduced herself. "I'm you neighbor Anna Stridecaster." she stated and knew then that that was the hook and sinker. Anna knew there was more to this seemingly average family. She was sure Mrs.Preston was probably angry with having to clean up the broken shards of the vase because of Samuel but this opened an oppurtunity to 'work he magic' on Mr.Preston who seemed to already be put under her spell. It was only a matter of time before she started to really create trouble and she was sure there was a timer on one of the lives or mabe even several of the lives to the family. Though once learning of a much younger girl to be around Charlie's age she immediately had decided anyone else could die except for the child. She had felt horrible seeing Charlie die and even worse knowing at the time there wasn't much she could do.

Anna had a thing for children and kind of took on this motherly instinct or figure over them despite the fact if they had a mother around. Even to many of the other ghosts she acted like a mother to them it's why it almost came natural to call Sam, Kelsey, and Thomas and maybe even Charlie her children. She was there for them like a mother but when it came to older humans things weren't the same a lot of the time. For instance that Whitney girl would never experience such a side with her attitude but Tyler would as would the young one maybe even Jayson. When it came to adults all bets were off. She had no remorse and would ruin relationships and lives if she felt up to it which now she did.

"Guitar and drums? Wow, you ought to teach me sometime. Unfortunately, I don't. I can sing a little, I guess. I don't really do it in front of others. Mainly just in the shower." She let her last sentence trail off at the end. She wrapped her arms around her mid section. What she said was true. When she was alive and took showers, she would always sing. Kelsey didn't think she was bad, in all honesty. However, she never really sang around anyone. It was something she did in private, not around others. It wasn't that she was scared to, not at all. She could put up with actually singing around others, but she couldn't take the judgement that followed. She was just glad she didn't sing around others. Kelsey could see herself singing in front of Tyler in the future, but that was just a possibility. Nothing in the future was ever definite, especially when it came to this house.

[size=80]Thomas nodded at her words, watching her face as she talked. Jayson was beautiful, but that was besides the point. From what he'd learned so far, she was also nice. "Yeah, we're your neighbors," he said, shrugging it off. He may have had some practice with the whole making up stories thing, but he was nervous as was, and he didn't want to make it any worse. "If you need help finishing unpacking I can help you," he said without thinking, though he didn't regret it after. Any excuse to have more time to hang out with her was one he was willing to make.

Besides, if she were to be killed in the future, by one of the other ghosts, he would want to be on her good side.

---

Tyler blushed at her words. He didn't think of himself as talented, as much as a practicer. He chuckled at her comment about singing in the shower, a grin finding its way onto his lips as he watched her.

He nodded. "I could definitely teach you some time," he said, wanting to ask her to do it now, but not wanting to seem pushy. "I would like that." Tyler wondered if Kelsey would be set up to go to the same school as him, or what. He hoped so, though with his luck, it was probably unlikely. "Not to sound rude or anything," he started, his mind getting a bit jumpy, "but what do people do around here for fun? I mean, I didn't pay too close of attention on the way here, but I didn't see much." He hoped maybe Kelsey would feel like since he was new, she should show him around.

Jayson smiled at his offer. "It's just my clothes is all but we can go hand out in my room anyway." she stated. She was sure the last thing he wanted was to unpack her clothes and sort them into drawers. Besides she'd much rather just hold off until later for that and get to know him better. He seemed like a good person and he was good-looking but that was besides the point. His mother, Anna, seemed to be getting a little too friendly to her foster father. She was sue Alice wasn't thinking much of it but Jayson was more attentive to it and decided as long as Anna was around she'd keep an eye on them.

---

Anna delighted in the way Mr.Preston looked at her. His wife had just finished cleaning up the glass shards and was now throwing them away in the kitchen. "I'd love for you to show me around." Anna whispered to him and he grinned at her and nodded. "Maybe another time." he suggested knowing his wife was near and could hear them. Anna went into the kitchen and striked up a conversation with Alice to seem friendly and reliable to her.