Dust flies as I set down the last of my boxes. I looked around with an exasperated sigh, taking in the dozens of boxes I had yet to unpack. The couch creaks as I settled in, looking around at my new home. An old colonial house, from the white pillars out front to the balcony overlooking my backyard, it was amazing to have gotten such a deal on this new house. While it was a fixer-upper, I thought, at least it would give you something to pass the time. After all, that was all I had now. I figured I could spend the rest of this lazy Sunday either [[Moving More Boxes]] or maybe [[Exploring My New House]]...I stand up, brushing the dust from my pants, and head over to a partially open box, I remove my radio, fiddle with the buttons for a minute and settle of some classic rock. Creedance Clearwater fills the air as I hum along and head for the moving truck outside. As I start the front door I hear a creak from upstairs. I turn down my radio and pause, seconds later another noise... I take a deep breath and remind myself its an old house. I [[start out the door]] or should I go [[check upstairs]]?I get up from the couch and head upstairs. I had only been in the house twice now and had yet to truly explore my new digs. I peeked through the empty rooms admiring the light that came in through the massive windows. I was heading back downstairs when something caught my eye... I look up and the tiniest bit on a string hangs down from an indented square in the ceiling. Does it look like it could be an entry of sorts for perhaps an attic? I didn't remember any mention of an attic but it made sense for a house this size. I didn't have the motivation to find a way to open the door so I started downstairs. However, curiosity couldn't help my fill my mind... Should I [[Go find a ladder]] or [[leave it for now]]?I head to the door and start for the moving truck. I lug boxes alone for the rest of the day, cursing myself for rejecting my friend's offers to help. Who knew living alone would be so hard?
I head cautiously for the stairs, hand on the old wooden rails, and start for the second floor. I move nervously trying not to make any sound as I tiptoe through the empty rooms... [[check upstairs->Exploring My New House]]I head outside and to the junk-filled garage, the previous owners had left for me. I brush away cobwebs and reach for the short ladder I see. I dust it off and head back across the front yard. The suns slowly setting and I start to feel a chill in the air. I walk a little faster and shut my door behind me, turning on the outside lights as I go. I head back upstairs and set up the ladder directly beneath the ceiling with the rope. I climb up and struggle to reach for the frayed string hanging. I get ahold and pull and almost get knocked off the ladder as another ladder starts to suspend from the ceiling. I move aside and pull the remainder of the ladder down so it reaches the floor. I stare at the hole above and pause before starting to climb up. I hoist myself into the attic and fumble my hands, [[searching for a light]]. I decide to leave this attic space for now- adding it to my ever growing to-do list and head back downstairs. I may as well get around to moving some more boxes before I call it a day... [[leave it for now->start out the door]]I find a switch only to realize whatever light it's connected to is broken. I reach for my phone in my back pocket and turn on the light illuminating only a small circle in front of me. I peer around what seems to be a pretty big sized space. Boxes and cabinets fill the room, making me cringe realizing what a hassle this will all be. Should I [[dig around]] now or [[leave this for another day]]?I start to open boxes, finding nothing but old rags and candles. I peer into the cabinets and find papers and books. It all seemed like junk to me. My stomach started to grumble and I decided to leave the attic for now and head back downstairs. I figured it would be easier to clean in the daylight anyway. I started back down the ladder and [[to the kitchen]]...[[leave this for another day->leave it for now]]After heating one of my favorite two minute microwavable dinners, I settled into the couch and picked up a book from my evergrowing stack by the stairs. I had yet to build my furniture so this is where my temporary library would remain. I sighed and got comfortable, and it wasn't long before [[I fell asleep]]]...I woke up, cold and confused, then remembered I must have fallen asleep on the couch. I got up and walked to the bathroom passing the kitchen clock that read 4:07. I wiped my eyes and poured myself some water. I brushed my teeth and headed for the upstairs bedroom when I noticed the front door was unlocked. I could have sworn I locked it... I started for the door but was stopped by a noise, similar to the one I heard this afternoon. Should I [[investigate]] or [[go back to bed]]?I headed for the attic and after declaring the noise to be that of either my imagonation or an animal, I found myself drawn to the old cabinets. I was already awake and knowing myself, knew I would be awake for awhile. I settled against the walls and [[pulled open]] the closest cabinet...I settled back into the couch and soon found myself [[drifting to sleep]] yet again...I reached for some of the old papers I had breifly glanced at yesterday. They were all tucked into files and I rummaged around. Old bank statements and receipts filled the folders. Total junk. I sighed, and slammed to door of the cabinet, frsutrated with the idea of bringing all this to the dump. This house was turning out to be even more work than anticipated. As the cabinet door slammed, I heard something hit the ground beneath the cabinet. I leaned down and peered under the armoir. I saw a box had shifted and was now loosed from being pressed up behind the furniture. I dusted it off and realized it was locked. I tried to pry it open an embaressing amount of times before I admitted defeat and headed for the [[garage]]....I awoke to the sounds of birds chirping and smiled to myself as I was already looking forward to a new day in this new chapter of my life. I turned on my radio, not used to the unfamilair queit of my new surrondings. I turned on my coffeemaker, one fo the first, most important things I had unpacked the previous day... After coffee and a few hours of unproductive unpacking, I deicded to head upstairs and investugate the old artifxats in my attics. I [[pulled open]] the first cabinet I saw.After a variety of tools, I sucessfully got the lock off of this suspicous box. I took a deep breath and opened up the lid. When it registered what I was looking at, the box fell from my hands and the contents scattered across my floor.
I took a step back
and then another,
then turned and ran...
... To be continued