Leo Pewitt's Story

Easing his foot off the accelerator as he slowed to a stop in the leaf strewn gravel drive, Leo rubbed his forehead and took one look at the building in front of him and knew he was in the right place. He sighed and looked around at the half-dead trees surrounding the mansion. They completely circled the building and spread out as far as you could see, the Manor directly in the middle of a forest. He had followed a gravel drive off of the main road for about 15 minutes before arriving in front of the grand Devontic Manor. The Manor was beautiful and about 5 stories tall, the tops of the towering spires meeting in points, artfully crafted masonry decorating the edges of everything. It was a dark, stony gray. Two large pillars hefted the weight of a grand stone awning with a rounded top, extending about 20 feet from the doors. It was covered in browning leaves, though, giving it a creepy feel. Many of the windows were shuttered shut.

Leo drove up into the right side of a circular drive of pavement just in front of the Manor, a long stretch of empty parking spaces to his left. There were two rows of them facing each other, islanded off by the paved drive. There looked to be about 50 on either side stretching all the way down to the beginning of the paved area. The drive looked more Ovular, now that he thought about it. All the spots were empty, save for one which had a very sleek black DeSoto occupying the spot. Leo presumed this was Mr. Devontic's vehicle. He looked at the time on his dashboard. It read 11:48 A.M.. He was fairly surprised he was so early. He was usually the latest one to arrive, or never arrived at all. He pulled into the closest spot to him, about 10 spots from the front door. He parked his old, shaky Taurus, the engine grumbling to silence as Leo turned off the car. He sat back and waited for someone else to arrive because he would feel a little awkward if he were to walk in so early, by himself.

He reached over to his passenger seat and took hold of the envelope in which he'd received the invitation. He pulled out the letter and read it again, trying to be sure he didn't miss anything.... Nope. Still the same old cryptic message. What did he DO? He thought he was an okay guy, but he didn't remember doing anything spectacular. He sighed in discontent and scratched his chin, awaiting another guest to arrive.

"...Just some party, but I think I'm lost? It can't be this far out..."
Chloe's phone was pressed against her ear as she drove, peering out the windows of her Accent. The drive had taken her a while, and now she was driving down a single laned road, with nothing on it.
"...Hello? Hello? Sara?" she pulled it way to see she had lost connection. Tossing her phone to the side she slipped her hand into her purse, taking hold of the old yellowing envelope with directions. "Well this says I'm headed the right way..." she continued down the road.
Soon she approached an old mansion, quite beautiful as it seemed to stand still in time. There were only two cars parked in huge lot, I must be early...
Swooping in she parked and rested her head against the seat, "Finally..." A light lashed on ehr dashboard, 11:51 am
"Looks like I still made it in time." she said as she opened the door, stepping out revealing a simple black dress. It fell just above her knees, and was strapless. The fabric fit snug against her fit body, with the only color being a red rose centered across her bustline. It was the nicest dress she owned, pairing it with a pair of red strappy heels and a red clutch purse. As she shut her car door behind her she once again looked at her phone. Still no service...hmm well I'll just have to let her know how it went afterwords.
An older looking Taurus was parked next to hers, and it looked as if there was someone seated in the driver's seat. Her toned legs stood out a bit, left from years of playing softball in high school, as she made her way to the driver door. She noted his appearance and felt slightly overdressed, but was happy she had a change of clothes in the car just in case. Tapping lightly on the window she asked, "Are you here for the Devontic party?"

Counting the seconds away, Leo had begun to drift off into sleep on accident as he waited, his eyes closing gently while his mind wandered. He rested in that daze for awhile, letting the silence seep into him. He heard a tap on the window and let his eyes open slowly, looking towards the source of the noise. He grunted and sat up when he heard her voice, realizing it was a person. He responded in his mild tone "Yeah, I am. I uhm, assume you are as well?" He looked at the woman from head to as low as he could see past his window subtly, taking in her appearance. He noted that she was dressed up much more than he was, which made him glad he'd stowed a more formal outfit in the trunk just in case. He would much rather be underdressed than overdressed, as so why he arrived in his casual clothing. He also noted that he found the woman visually attractive. He pushed that point to the back of his mind as he opened and closed the door, stepping out and introducing himself.

"So, Hey! My names Leo. And you are...?" He said, leaning back against his car, his keys in his hand. He looked into the girls eyes, trying to derive whatever he could from them, attempting to see if any characteristics were readily apparent. She was VERY pretty, he thought once more. He didn't like that thought creeping up on him like that. He pushed it back again, trying not to let it show on his face, keeping a casual smile.

"Yeah, I am. I uhm, assume you are as well?...So, Hey! My names Leo. And you are...?"
"Yep," she chirped back as he stood across from her. He was pretty cute, even though he had a discoloration of some kind on his face. Chloe shot him her warmest smile. Checking her watch she looked around and wondered if they were the only two coming to the party...
"My name is Chloe, It's a pleasure to meet you." Her stance was a little awkward as she clutched her purse behind her with both of her hands, making little imaginary circles on the ground with the toe of her heel. Reaching up she ran her hand through her fiery red hair and sighed, "I feel a little over dressed...I wasn't sure what to wear..."
With a quick motion she shifted over behind her car and lifted the trunk.
In the back was her softball bag, though she hadn't used it in ages she liked having her bats close to her, and she would never give her glove away. They reminded her of simpler times whenever she opened the trunk, a quick moment of happy nostalgia. Next to her bag was a plethora of shoes, ranging from cleats to pumps. Lastly was a black duffel, which contained a two changes of clothes. Hoisting it out she tossed it over her shoulder and slammed the trunk shut.
"Do you think anyone else is coming?" she asked, as she gazed off toward the old mansion.

Nathan looked at his surroundings, how far out was this place? He didn't even understand why he of all people were invited. What had he done that was so special? Nathan had to get a list from his older brother, who seemed confused about the locations of Devontic Manor. Nathan thought about it for a moment, who would hold such a special party miles away from any place, it must've been a nightmare to get to work or to go shopping. Nathan closed his eyes for a moment, his brother was slowly losing his mind and Nathan just wanted to arrive already.

He was hoping that he wasn't too late, he'd hate to be the last one there. It'd also really make others have a really bad impression of him, were other people even attending this party? He clutched the envelope that the letter came in, he opened it back up and read through it. Part of him was quite excited about it, but the other felt nervous. He really didn't like parties, he rarely talked to people at them, mainly because he was always the type to sit in the corner and just sit there for the whole party, he did that a lot when he was a kid.

Nathan was glad to see the house in the distance, it was big, really big. Remind him again why he had been special enough to come here? When his brother parked his car, Nathan noticed two people. How embarrassing, being dropped off by his older brother...Well, at least he wasn't late. Nathan bid farewell to his brother and climbed out the car, through the window, he could see his brothers cheeky smirk on his face. Nathan frowned at him and he pulled out and began to drive away. No turning back now... he thought to himself.

Nathan glanced over to the people that had already arrived. He felt quite awkward. Nathan didn't say a word and just stood where he was, sort of wishing that he could be back in the car and on his way home. He looked up at Devontic Manor, it seemed much bigger when he was close to it. It looked quite mysterious, yet pretty. Nathan smiled slightly.

When she smiled at him, he felt warm and fuzzy, as if he'd just drank a cup of something warm and homely. He smiled back at her, "Chloe..." he muttered. He spoke up and said "It's a pleasure to meet you as well."

"I feel a little over dressed...I wasn't sure what to wear..."

He almost shuddered when she ran her hand through her hair. He didn't know why, but it really got to him in a good way. He had only just met her, but he still followed her around to the back of her car where she opened up the trunk. "I didn't really know either... I brought a little change too." He said, trying his hardest not to look below the belt as she bent down to get her bag out of the trunk. He spotted what looked like a baseball or softball bag with bats and a glove just before she shut the trunk. That got him wondering.

"Do you think anyone else is coming?"

Leo thought a moment, then headed over to his car, opening the door and pulling the trunk release next to the seat. He walked back to his trunk and said "The letter said seven people were invited, so I hope more people are coming." He took the little plastic bag he'd folded his more formal clothes into out of his trunk, shutting it and setting the bag atop his car. He heard another car and watched as it came around the bend and pulled into the parking area. A guy in the passengers seat got out and bode the driver goodbye. The car pulled out and drove all the way around the circular drive and left the area. The guy who got out just stood there looking awkward, staying where he was dropped off about 20 feet from Chloe and himself. Leo felt obliged and motioned to the guy, saying "Hey, you here for the party?".

Alexanna lean her head against the car window as her sister Katie drove, going on and on about who knows what as she stare at the envelope that the letter came in, how strange that the party was was miles away from where she was from. She doesn't even know why she was invited, she never done anything special in her life. She stare out the window as she listen to the radio play a song that she hardly knew, since it was her sisters favorite station that plays most of her songs.


She was hoping she wasn't the last one to arrive, she would hated if she was the last person there. She rarely liked attention draw on herself. The only reason she is going is because Katie was forcing her to. She wasn't the type of person who attends to parties, she the one who rather stay at home, watching horror movies with her best friend.


Alexanna can see the house in the distance as her eyes widen, it was big, really big. She reminded herself as to why she was so special to come here? When her sister parked her car, she saw people already were here, she was only a little embarrass that her sister was dropping her off, but she didn't care what others think as she said goodbye to her sister before getting out and closing the door. She watch as her sister drove away as she look at the three people already here.


She felt out of place with being here as she bit her lip, she didn't know what to do as she just stand there, feeling uncomfortable as she look over at Devontic Manor, it seem quite bigger up close. It had an weird vibe coming off it as she stare, it was quite mysterious, yet pretty. She liked it as she play with her hair, she was probably the youngest here, except one of the boys look around her age. She barely knew any of these people, what was so special about them? She wonder as she thought she saw something but thinking it was just her mind playing tricks on her like always as she look at the girl, she was very pretty. She reminded Alexanna of her mother. She missed her mother.

"I'm invited to a party?" Dalton asked himself as he had just read the letter. "What kind of spam is this?" he threw the letter away in the trash can before watching his television for a bit. Oddly, his mind kept refocusing onto the letter, and the party. What had he done to be noticed? Why did he even care? It wasn't as if he had a reason to even want to go, besides sating his boredom.

He picked the letter out of the trash and re-read through it, as to make sure he wasn't mis-comprehending it. Sure enough, it invited him to Devontic Manor for some sort of gathering. A party, if you will. "Well, it's a bit aways, but I guess I can check it out..." he convinced himself before locking up his house and getting into his car to set off towards the place.

(A couple hours later)

His car bumped up in down of the dirt path it was taking towards the mansion. At least, that's where he believed he was going until he eventually reached a dead end. "Oh, shit...it said West, not East..." he turned around and backtracked until he was on the right path.

(A bit later)

"I'M NOT INSANE, I'M NOT INSANE..... I'M NOT INSANE, I'M NOT, NOT INSANE!!!!" he yelled along with his music. His MP3 was plugged into his car, providing him with any of his saved tunes, this one being "Almost Easy" by Avenged Sevenfold.

As he followed a road, he ended up at a mansion which he would assume was Devontic Manor, unless there was just another random Manor out in the middle of the woods. He scanned it with his eyes and decided that it looked just like one of the haunted mansions from scary movies he had seen whenever he went to the movies. It had statues, a creepy aura about it and even the occasional bat. Well, not really, but he liked to pretend.

He shut his car down, pulling out his MP3 and shoving it in his pocket along with his keys before opening the door. He looked at a group of people who he assumed were the other partygoers and smiled. "So, you guys are here for the party as well?"

As the group grew larger Chloe dropped swung her bag off of her shoulder, and dropped it on the ground next to her. With a smile she waved. So far two guys, and one girl. Though the girl just stood off from them, never approached, just stared. Tilting her head, she waved for her to come over, "Come on, if you look at me any longer you're going to make me blush," sh laughed. Leo tried talking to the other guy. She desperately hoped someone sane was going to come along. Leo was great so far, at least he spoke. Chloe however, liked to be in groups, and laugh the night away. It wasn't a real party if she danced with the same guy all night.
"So, you guys are here for the party as well?"
"Why yes I am," she smiled, extending her hand, "My name is Chloe." What wonderful timing, she thought.

"I'm glad I wasn't late for once. A party in this place seems to be a once in a lifetime opportunity...So, we still waiting on people or?"
"I'm not sure," she responded to Dalton, looking into the distance for any other cars approaching. She whipped her phone out of her purse, but the battery had died. "Damn thing," she snorted as she tossed it back into the bag. Glancing over the invitation she called out to Leo, "Hey, what time is it?"
The invite seemed stern about the noon deadline, and she didn't want to miss any of the fun.
Looking back at the old mansion she received an intense chill down her spine, as a black crow stared down at her from the rooftop. With a little jump she clutched Dalton arm, "Ah! Crow, I hate crows! Get it away!"

"So, what did you do to get invited?"
Looking back Chloe smiled, slipping out her envelope. "Well It came in the mail a couple of days ago, at first I wasn't going to come...but after some thought...Well I changed my mind. I was curious as to why only seven people were invtied. You?

"I just came here because I was bored. No other reason, really." he laughed a bit. "Actually, I though this was some spam mail to scam you out of something. I'm not completely sure it isn't, yet..." he scratched the back of his head before looking on towards the road he just came from. "I hope the others don't keep us, I do so enjoy a party,".

Smiling she nodded, "Me too, though I wonder what kind of party it is. I hope they have booze," she laughed.

"You and me both. Not really a party if there isn't any beer. Of course, I'll have to tone down on it compared to my last party....getting into fights with coat hangers doesn't really make you popular." he admitted with a sheepish laugh.

His remark made her giggle furiosly, "Wow, really? I only just turned 21...I have only had some mixed drinks, but I know I don't like beer." Tossing her hair to the side she smirked ,"I prefer tking shots to anthing though. I'e only done it once, but it was awesome."
Looking off towards Leo, she wondered how much longer they were going to stand outside...

"In my defene, I could've sworn that coat hanger swung at me first." he grinned. " Anyways, I don't mind beer, it makes me feel happy. Tastes like shit, but nonetheless, it's a good drink if you're out for a good time." he grabbed his elbows with his hands and slightly shivered. "It's a bit cold out here, is it not?"

Looking down at her small, knee length strapless dress, with no stockings or jacket she tilted her head sacracsticly and responded, "You think?" Laughing she nudged him and dropped her bag, bending down to up zip it. It took her a moment but she soon found her green jacket. Placing it next to her she zipped the bag back up and sipped her arms into the sleeves. The word "Chaos" was revealed in yellow as she zipped up the jacket, and tossed the green hood up over her head. Though it did nothing for her legs, she was a a litte warmer.
"Maybe we should start heading up to the door?"

Dalton sighed, as he realized he left his jacket in his car. He dugged into his pocket for a few minutes before producing his keys. "Hold on a minute, I've got to get my jacket, lest I freeze my nuts off." With that, he left towards his car, and by that, he took three steps over to it and slide the key into the door. With a twist, it unlocked and he pulled the door open, revealing his jacket, which had been riding shotgun. He pulled the thing out of the car and locked the vehicle back up before yet again, shoving his keys back into his pocket and turning to face Chloe. "Now, I'm good." he said before sliding the jacket on and zipping it up, showing the words "Even Gods Fall" on his chest, as he had found it a true statement.

Leo looked to his wrist and then back to Chloe, responding with the time. "Its uhm... Its noo--" he said before being interrupted by her scream. He raised his eyebrows in an expression of "Well then." when she screamed. He watched as Dalton and Chloe talked about her reaction and they both became a little dodgy. Leo was feeling pretty complacent at the moment. Although, he WAS getting an odd feeling from the mansion. He looked up at the crow Chloe had been frightened by. He spotted many more around it. He silently hoped she didn't spot any of its friends. He stood in close proximity to the two, letting his eyes scan about while he listened to their conversation. He couldn't help but chuckle when Dalton mentioned a fight with a coat hanger. He noticed Chloe look towards him and he nodded toward the Manor, taking another look over his shoulder to the girl and guy standing behind them a ways. He bit his lip and waited while the two got on their jackets and chatted about the cold. He didn't really feel very cold, even though he could see a slight mist escaping from his lips when he exhaled. The two others returned from their cars and such, grouping up again. Leo lifted the bag he brought his change of clothes in and walked towards the manor, turning towards the others and walking backwards for a few steps, smiling. "Well, lets get this party started! The booze isn't gonna drink itself!" He said, winking an turning back towards the manor and making his way to the front door. As he approached it, he felt the Manor looming over him. It felt like it had eyes, boring into him. He had a sudden gut wrenching dread, freezing cold spreading from his gut. He kept walking, a bead of sweat dripping down his nose, even though it was bitter cold outside. "What's this...?" He thought with slight fear. He kept calm, approaching the door and preparing to knock.