Chapter Two

I decided that I needed to check the water situation as well as the kitchen. If need be, I could sleep in the living room for the night. I walked through the living area and through a rounded arch doorway into the kitchen. The appliances seemed to also be from the 70s. I went straight over to the sink and lifted the faucet.

A breath of relief left my lips as clear water began to run from the faucet. The metal of the faucet was a beautiful interact design. I made a mental note that I would polish it but keep that as it looked to be an original with the home. I was not trying to tear everything out and modernize it. To be honest, I wanted to keep as much of the original beauty as possible.

However, the kitchen could do with a fresh coat of paint. I was thankful that most of the rooms had wallpaper rather than wood paneling. I turned my attention to the stove and checked to see if it worked. I was thankful again. I saw that it was electric rather than gas. The last thing I wanted to worry about was gas and electricity. I would make sure that I called someone in for those types of issues.

I walked back into the living room. I pulled open a box that I had packed my desk supplies in. Time to start taking notes on the things that need to be done and prioritizing them. I made a note for the kitchen. Then I looked around the living room. Making the same notes. I also needed to find out if there was anywhere that I could donate unwanted furniture, but that could haul it away as well.

As I walked through each room, taking notes, I noticed a slight chill in the air. I did not think that the house had a cooling system. It was too old for that. Unless someone went through the effort but seeing the state of the house and nothing seemed to be touched since the 70s, I would guess that wasn't the case. I shrugged it off as a draft coming from an open window and continued my examination of the house.

Evening came, and I ordered out since there was currently no food in the house. I sat in the living room. The movers had placed my couch across from the one that was already there. I scrolled my phone, looking at boards and ideas for each other, the rooms.

As I was finishing up, I heard a knock from the kitchen. I looked over through the doorway but did not see anything. I needed to dispose of my food anyways, so I got up from the couch and headed towards the kitchen. As I came through the doorway, I noticed that the back door that led out to the backyard was ajar.

I froze. I had not opened that door yet. By the time I had gone through the whole house, it was dark, so I had not even stepped out into the backyard. I slowly walked over to the door. I pulled it open and checked to make sure no one was standing there. All I saw was the trees that surrounded the back fence. I pushed the back door closed and made sure to lock the handle and the dead bolt.

I turned back around and went into the living room. I looked on the couch for my phone. I know that I had set it down before going into the kitchen. However, it was nowhere to be seen. I let out a sigh. Did I take it into the kitchen with me? I went to check but could not find it. When I returned to the living room, I saw that it was sitting on the coffee table in front of where I had been sitting. I must be tired.

I grabbed out my blankets from another box as well as my charge cord for my cell phone. Once I had the phone plugged in, I went in search of my toiletries. I found my small bag I had packed and headed for the bathroom. Once, I brushed my teeth and used the restroom. When I returned to the living room, I turned out the lights and went to lay down.

I woke the next morning by the sun pouring into the living room. I blinked a few times and checked my phone. 7am. I stretched out and was thankful that I had some built-up PTO from my work. I needed to make sure that this place was livable before going back to work. I sat up and swung my legs to the side of the couch. I rubbed my hands over my face quickly. I needed some coffee. I headed back to the restroom to change into different clothes that I unpacked and did my morning routine.

I was out of the door in 20 minutes. I hopped into the driver seat of my Subaru wagon and headed off in the direction of the closest shops. I needed to find a hardware store as well. I assumed it was best to find all the hardware or building stores near me. I was going to become a frequent flier at those stores.

I found a cute little coffee shop on a street corner. I parked in a spot nearby and walked over. I ordered a latte and checked my phone for hardware stores. There was a small one within walking distance. I put my phone away and headed in that direction.

When I got to the store front, I saw that the store was owned by an order man. He seemed pleasant. "Hello. miss. What are we after today?" he asked as I walked through the door.

"Well, a lot actually, but for starters, can you point me in the direction of your cleaning supplies?" I asked the man. He mentioned the far aisle.

"That will be down aisle 2, my dear. Let me know if you have any questions." I nodded a thank you and headed in the direction that he had pointed. I walked halfway down the aisle and found the cleaning supplies. I figure it was better to begin the cleaning process of the house and then go from there. A clean slate, much like me. I chuckled to myself. How corny.

I grabbed an armful and went back to the front of the store. I unloaded my arms onto the counter. "Find everything you needed?" The older man asked me.

"And then some." I smiled at him. He began to scan the items.

"Deep cleaning, I see." He said, making conversation.

"Yes. I just bought the Martin house, and I figure it is best to start cleaning first before I start fixing things." The man's hands stilled from scanning the next item.

"You bought the Martin house?" He asked me. Oh no. I slowly nodded. "Some say that house is haunted."

"So, the movers told me as well. Do you believe that?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"I believe that house has a rich history. Along with some secrets. As far as ghosts?" He just shrugged his response. That did little to help ease my mind.

The man finished scanning my items, and I handed him my card and then made my way back onto the sidewalk. So that was two people now that brought up a haunting in my new home. I silently prayed to myself that I would not see something walking the halls of the house at night.