Ellie hated summer. She remembered saying 3 years ago if she would never return to this town. Yet, here she was, standing in front of an old house with her luggage, exhausted after a seven-hour drive. The house looked nothing like what she had imagined when she rented it over the phone. It was old—too old. Older than I expected. The paint is faded, the wooden panels creak under the weight of time. I let out a sigh. It must have been where he and his family used to live, I think to myself.
As she was lost in thought, an older man approached her.
"Good afternoon, you must be Ellie, right? Nice to meet you," he said with a friendly smile.
Ellie blinked. "Oh… Jamie? Yeah, I'm good, thanks," I reply, flipping my long black hair over my shoulder. The hot air clings to my skin, making me wish I had tied it up before getting out of the car.
"You must be exhausted from the drive. Come inside, I'll show you to your room," Jamie said as he led her in.
The moment Ellie stepped inside, her suspicions were confirmed—this had once been a family home. The walls were covered with old family photos, memories frozen in time.
"Here's your room," Jamie said, opening the door.
Ellie stepped in, expecting a cramped space with outdated furniture. Instead, she was surprised. The room was spacious, with a double bed neatly placed against the wall. A sturdy study desk stood by the window, offering a perfect spot to work. In one corner, a small but cozy sofa sat beside a bookshelf, making it an ideal place to relax. The wooden floors, soft lighting, and warm-toned decor made the space feel unexpectedly homely.
She turned to Jamie, raising an eyebrow. "I didn't expect the inside of this house to be so… cozy," she admitted.
Jamie chuckled. "Yeah, most people don't. The house may look old from the outside, but it's been well taken care of over the years."
Ellie nodded, dropping her bag onto the bed. "It's nice. Thanks, Jamie."
Jamie gave her a small smile. "Well, I'll leave you to settle in. Another tenant will be staying here too, but she's not home yet. You'll probably meet her when she returns from work."
"Alright," Ellie replied, still admiring the unexpected comfort of the room.
Jamie nodded and left, leaving Ellie alone in the quiet house. She wandered into the living room, drawn to the cozy sofa and the soft, warm lighting that made the space feel strangely inviting. Feeling drained, she collapsed onto the couch and turned on the AC, letting the cool air soothe her sunburned skin. Within minutes, she drifted into sleep.
Hours passed. The sun had set, and the room was bathed in darkness.
Suddenly—Creak.
The sound of the front door opening stirred Ellie awake.
BAM!
A loud noise followed as the door slammed shut. It was an old house, after all.
"Who's there?" I call out, my voice slightly hoarse from sleep.
You must be the new tenant," the woman said in a calm, almost indifferent tone.
I sit up, rubbing my eyes, trying to adjust to the dim lighting. That's when I see her.