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**HER DIARY**
Dear Diary
It was uncanny. We shifted to our new house last month. Every thing was quite usual until he shifted beside our house. Yes. The same boy whom I met in the street. The same boy who wore the black hoodie. My house is surrounded by huge mansions and houses. We dwell in Blair street, the most tranquil street in the town. People here used to mind their own business. They don't even care about their neighbors. Last sunday when I was returning home from the store. I saw a family unpacking their stuffs from the van. I observed each one of them. A father, a mother and their tall son. Out of blue I saw him. Yes it was him. I could recognize him. The same boy, the same face, the same guy. He was tall and his eyes as usual blazing. This time he was wearing a red T-shirt and jeans. I stared at him for a minute. Heaps of questions swirled inside me. How could it be possible? I never saw him in Derby except that morning.
Actually I was so disturbed since that night. The most terrible day of my life. I'm still confused I don't know whether it was a nightmare or real. Shenelle,one of my good friends is no more. She died mysteriously. Yet when I shifted here I wanted a fresh start. The new beginning. Forgetting all those ordeal experiences.
Now this is starting all over again. Every night when I try to sleep, I feel someone's presence around me, haunting me through dreams, feeding my energy. I don't know what's happening to me. I joined my new school last month. There is not much difference in the infrastructure. It looks alike my old school. I met a new friend also. Her name is Darcy. She is very gracious and polite. She helped me to cope with my notes and studies. I thought that everything is fine now. But from the past week I am not feeling well. I couldn't concentrate on my studies.
My first abnormal incident in this new house was the sleep paralysis. It was the winter evening of November. I pulled my blanket over my neck to stay warm. That was when I dreamt something bizzare. In my dream I was standing in front of a elevated building. All of a sudden someone clamped my neck with great strength. I couldn't breathe. All I felt was suffocation and vulnerable. My dream was broken when I suddenly opened my eyes. I could see the ceiling, the walls and everything but couldn't move. I was petrified. At that moment I thought this would be my last day. Nevertheless suddenly I sat up. Picked up the water bottle and drank some water. I was gasping. I was scared and didn't have the guts to sleep again. I dialled Serah's number but she didn't respond. Of course she might be sleeping. Every one would be sleeping but I was afraid to sleep again.

Yours Ashley

***THE HAUNTED HOUSE**

'Ashley, if you don't mind. Can I copy your homework' asked darcy
'Sure' Ashley handed her homework to Darcy with a polite grin on her face.

Then miss Eva entered the class. She was the senior teacher in the school. She was attired in a red suit wearing the glasses. She began by saying
'Good morning students. Sorry to inform you all that Mr Vincent is absent today. So your Maths class is dismissed. You all can do your extra curriculum activities. Thank you'

'That sounds good, hey ash will you come to my home today, we will have some fun' Darcy excitedly asked

'Ah.. Um.. I wish I could Darcy but I have to study' Ashley hesitately replied

'Oh.. It's fine Ashley, no big deal' Darcy was dismayed. Her face expressed the melancholy song. Seeing her gloomy Ashley felt sorry for her.

'Well Darcy I think I can come, I will study tomorrow, we should have some fun' Ashley winked at her
'Really ! That's nice, so be on time'
'Wait but I don't know where you dwell'
'Oh yeah, Okay then I will send you my address then. I live in Mavrick street'

'Okay then , let's catch up today evening'
'Sure' Darcy was chuffed and excited.

The school was over. Ashley returned to her home. And Mrs Joe welcomed her warmly.
'Mum I'm running on fumes'
'Oh honey take rest then '
'Yeah mum, well I need a favor from you'
' sure what'
' can you drop me at Darcy's home. She invited me today'
'Sure dear, my pleasure'
'Thanks mum'

'When is your friend coming' asked Darcy's mother
' she will be here in a few minutes mom'
' what about your room, is it tidy and neat'
'Yes mom of course my room is tidy'
Darcy heard the sound of car engine and exclaimed " There she is now! I will get it" Darcy paced towards the door.

Ashley was standing on the doorstep. Her hair tied in pony tail, she was wearing shorts and crop top and a grin on her face. Darcy saw Mrs Joe behind Ashley in the car and waved her.
"Hello, Ashley. Lovely to see you!'
'Hello Mrs Rose"
Darcy dragged Ashley's hand ' come on, let's go up to my room'

As Darcy closed the door of the room, darcy jumped with excitement. Ashley observed the room, the walls were painted pink and she saw the photo frames hanging in the wall. They both settled in the bed. ' your room is nice'
'Thanks buddy'
'Here, have some water'
'Yeah thanks'
Ashley and Darcy gossiped and giggled. This was the first time after the terrible incident when Ashley laughed. ' so where you live Ash'
' Blair street '
' woah! Creepy'
'Wait what is so creepy about it'
' what , you don't know' Darcy surprisingly asked
' WHAT'
' some people say that there is a haunted mansion in Blair street, the name is.. Winston villa'
The moment when Darcy pronounced the name Winston villa, Ashley remembered something
'Wait, Winston villa, oh shit.. I live in house next door of Winston villa'

The same Winston villa where the new family shifted. Ashley couldn't understand anything. She was surprised and shocked to hear that she live next to a haunted villa.
'What, really.. It must be adventurous to reside near a haunted house' Darcy giggled.
'Shut up dude, what's the story tell me'
' Story? '
' every haunted house has a dark and deep story behind it'
'Well I don't know very much, but people used to say that the villa is haunted. Blood cuddling incidents happened there. A Little girl was murdered brutally in the house, later a whole family committed suicide'


After hearing this Ashley was bemused and scared. After this bonechilling conversations Darcy ordered pizza and french fries. They both spent quality time together. They clicked selfies and posted in social media. Ashley posted a selfie with Darcy and wrote a caption "Friends are beautiful flowers in life's garden" Soon she checked her notifications. Plenty of likes and comments popped up. Serah also liked her post and commented ' new friend ah... Great. Happy for you dude'
Ashley smiled when she saw the comment and replied her.

Few hours later, Ashley heard someone knocking the door. Darcy was inside the loo. ' perhaps the pizza is here,'Ashley thought and shot downstairs to get the pizza. She opened the door and saw a boy dressed in blue shirt. He was looking weird. His face was expression less .
'Good evening , your pizza'
'Thanks.'
He was gazing at her continuously and Ashley felt awkward and closed the door. She was about to go upstairs when she again heard the door bell. She turned back and kept the pizza box on the sofa and opened the door. She was perplexed. "Yes"
" Pizza delivery mam"
' but ... Now only you delivered the pizza'
'Sorry mam but I'm late, you must be mistaken'
She took the pizza box and to her surprise the pizza box that she kept on the sofa is disappeared. Ashley couldn't believe her eyes.
'Hey sweet heart I'm sorry I was in the backyard, oh.. The pizza is here.. Enjoy then ' said Mrs Rose

Ashley went upstairs and Darcy was back. They both ate the slices of pizza.
'The pizza is appetizing'
'Yeah' said Ashley with a low sound.

Ashley returned to her home. She was exhausted and went straight to her room. She changed her clothes and washed her face when she received a call.
"Hey ash"
" Hey serah how are you "
" Pretty good, so what are you planning for the winter vacation "
" Nothing, and you "
" I'm planning to visit my bestie's home and stay for a whole week "
" That's great, well please come soon I need to talk with you "
" Sure my bestie "
After few minutes Ashley hung up the call and slept.

The next morning, Ashley woke up late. It was Sunday morning. As she woke up, she freshed up and went downstairs.
'Hey mom. Good morning'
'Good morning honey'
'Honey meet them, this is Mrs Isabella and their son Jasper.

Ashley was surprised to see the same guy. She couldn't not believe her eyes.
'Hello Mrs Isabella. Hi jasper'
'Hello sweety' said Mrs Isabella with a smile on her face
'Hey Ashley' Jasper put forward his hands . Ashley shaked her hands . She was cold and nervoused.
' honey Jasper is new to the school. He joined yesterday only. He asked if you could help him with notes and homework'
' sure mum.'
Mrs Joe and Mrs Isabella went inside the the dining hall. They gossiped and giggled as if they both were best friends.
' so you go to the same school' Ashley asked
'Yeah. Yesterday I joined the school'
'Good. Which section? '
' Grade 9th A '
' you are in my class, but I didn't see you yesterday'
'Actually I didn't attend the class. I was feeling nervous and I forgot to bring my notes.. So you see.. '
'Oh. '
There was dead silence when Jasper broke the clum by saying
' hey if you are free today evening. Can you visit my home and we can study together.only if you are comfortable'
' sure I will'
'Here Jasper have some apple pie' Mrs Joe gave him the Apple Pie.

Ashley was very much excited and chuffed not because of Jasper but she could have a chance to see inside the haunted villa. In the evening Ashley piled her books, put them on the bag and headed towards the Winston villa when labby came and tried to hold her as he don't want her to go. Finally she went to the villa. She pressed the door Bell when Jasper opened the door and welcomed her warmly. When she entered the house she could feel the sudden drop in temperature. She stepped inside. Ashley observed each and every thing in the house. She saw the antique walls and the things. They were embraced by the dust.
'I'm sorry but we didn't unpack our stuff so it's not tidy'
' no it's okay' Ashley smiled. She saw the stairs leading upwards. The house was well designed and the furniture seems to be antique and old but looked very expensive. Ashley and Jasper started to study and Jasper began to complete his notes. Ashley taught him some of the lessons he missed. That's when Mrs Rose came and gave them pastry.
'Thanks Ash. I mean Ashley for coming and helping me'
' you can call me ash. Thanks to you also. It was a nice evening'

** THE CHRISTMAS **
It was Christmas eve and Serah already arrived. Everybody were busy preparing for the Christmas. Serah and Ashley helped Mrs joe for setting up the Christmas tree and other errands. In the evening Serah and Ashley danced and enjoyed a lot. In the night when Ashley and serah were ready for the bed.
' serah. I want to tell you something'
' don't tell you are in love isn't! '
'Shut up! Serah nowadays I am not feeling well. I feel someone's presence around me like something is gazing at me. Night mares and creepy incident'
' ash! It happens when you are in a new place. Don't worry you will get used to it' serah consoled her. Ashley narrated every thing about Jasper that how she met him and all.
' ash! Finally you are in love'
' why you always talk rubbish, it's not like that'
Ashley and Serah slept together.Serah dozed but Ashley couldn't. She was thinking about something. And soon she felt asleep. It was half past one. There was complete silence. Only the Christmas tree lights flickered. Serah woke up. She slowly sat up and headed towards loo. On the way back to bed, she heard some mumbles downstairs. She wanted to ignore it but she couldn't, she went downstairs. All she could saw was nothing but the deep darkness. She then headed back to her room when she was scared to death. Her body turned cold. She was petrified. She saw a black shadow standing at the top of the stairs. She wanted to shout and run but she couldn't. She was helpless. Serah couldn't see except those luminous eyes and black deep shadow.
'What happened honey'
Serah turned back when she heard Mrs Joe. She was relieved to see to her. ' nothing Mrs Joe, actually I came here to drink water' Serah stammered. ' oh! '
Serah went back. She feared to climb upstairs but she gathered up the courage and went. She abruptly went inside her room and slept.

The following Christmas Day, Ashley had invited Darcy to the Christmas party. She introduced them with each other. They enjoyed, danced and ate plenty of snacks. 'Here sweeties , the Christmas cake is ready'
'This smells nice' exclaimed Darcy.
They three gulped the cake at once . The day was really amazing for them. Ashley was happy and Serah forgot what happened yesterday. She considered it as a illusion. Darcy was enjoying herself.

The bell rang and Ashley opened the door. ' hey Jasper' '
'Hey ash. Merry Christmas'.
' Merry Christmas Jasper. Please come in'
' no actually I have to go. Here take this Cake. Mum sent this'
'Oh! So nice of you' Ashley smiled at him.

Story to be continued...
Thank you