of the vines growing over them. I leaned forward to look at the town. It was nothing like the city I had come from. The

at our car, curious but not unfriendly. Dad smiled and nodded at them. I st

ls, and the streetlights were made of black iron with curly patterns. But somet

re tall and close together, their shadows dark and heavy. They surrounded the tow

uge. The faded paint and ivy made it look old and a little spooky. The roof was steep, with broken

won the lottery. I stayed in my seat, staring at

ink?" Dad asked, grin

ravel as I looked up. The mansion was impressive, but it also felt like

the steps. "Lots of room

ushed the door open, and the sound echoed inside. I stopped, loo

was dark. The room we entered was large, with high ceilings. A big chandelier hung above us, covered in dust. T

s sat near the walls, and an old wooden bar was in the corner. Everything felt lik

erent. There was a dining room with a long table, a library full of dusty

e landing above was dark, and I felt like something was wat

ervous laugh. But even as I said it, I couldn't shake

*

every corner, wiping away the dust. Now, the house smelled warm, like freshly cooked food and lavender candles. The house still felt a little like a dream to me. Shadows moved along

, my first day a

face, swinging my legs off the bed. Every morning since we moved in, the house had been so quiet, almost too quiet, lik

mond-shaped eyes that were a mix of hazel and green, and a small mouth. My black hair fell straight and shiny over my sh

ent downstairs to the kitchen. The smell of pancakes made me feel better

etting a stack of pancakes on th

ing a fork. "It's just a lot to

ured me some juice. "Just be yourself. It's

ing just down the street, its bright yellow color standing out against the gray morning mist. I co

l town, so a new face must be rare. I quickly avoided eye contact and walked do

I could hear pe

the new

the people who boug

ast long? That place i