The Eternal Tenant-Part 1

Part 1

It took me 3 years after the huge bankruptcy to be able to afford a place. I literally sold everything except my broke-ass car. I had to live in it for 3 years in Stonebridge; it was a small town but was cheap enough for me to get by, took showers in the local gym, and used public toilets which gave me the ick. I was working as a waitress in a small diner. The salary was shit but I had no other choice, I needed to save money for the deposit of a rental.

I came out of my car to get a free newspaper from yesterday so I could read the rental ads. It was pouring rain and thunder was cackling with such satisfaction. Took the newspaper and ran back to my car. I was searching through the ads when I saw it. A beautiful gothic house not far from where I was, probably 20 minutes drive, in the woods. I said to myself, the price must have been a mistake, no house would be rented so cheap, but you know what, I was desperate and I had to call! who knows maybe it was my lucky day.

I called the number under the ad, and a nice old gentleman picked up. He was very polite and forthcoming. I asked about the price, I said I thought there had been a mistake in the print, but to my surprise, the owner said that it was right and the house was being rented at that price because it needed care and some work. I was on the fence but I agreed to meet him in town.

It was tomorrow. Henry (the owner) showed up right on time. He was a kind-looking old guy with a soothing smile on his face, as opposed to what I was thinking about him. We talked for an hour, he said that he and his late wife bought the house 40 years ago, and lived in there for 35 years until his wife passed away 5 years ago. He couldn't live there anymore so he bought a small cabin in the other part of the woods and lived there ever since. I asked him why is he renting the house. and he replied that he needed to do some renovation with the new cabin and that required some money.

Everything seemed convincing except the occasional look I was getting from the tables around me, but I was used to this quirky town; nosy people who love to shove their noses in people's business. Probably thought we were on a date, but I didn't care.

I decided to take a look at the house. Henry was driving ahead and I was following him, it was 10 minutes in, that a car almost missed his car by one inch while overtaking, but I guess he was a good driver and a lucky one cause he didn't even flinch.

Ten more minutes and we were there, the road to the house was a shortcut from the main road and a 5-minute drive in the beautiful woods of Stonebridge. I already fell in love with the beautiful colorful trees turning orange in October. After the last turn, the trees went aside and I saw one of the most magnificent houses I have ever seen! Henry got out of the car with some trouble. He was old and couldn't walk fast and I could see why he couldn't take care of the house. He slowly made his way to the door, a black door with a sunset orange glass on top.

He opened the door and I couldn't believe my eyes; inside was a cozy wooden interior with old but almost new furniture, I checked everywhere, the kitchen was a bit outdated but operational, and the 3 bedrooms just needed some retouching and a bit of dusting. On the first floor, there was a beautiful fireplace with two armchairs in front of it. It was like a dream! and for such a price.

I'll take it, that's what I said immediately to Henry after I came down the stairs. Henry gave a subtle laugh and said it's all yours ma'am.

You might think that I was crazy going through with renting this house, but I was a bit bold and also never believed in superstitions, so it was the perfect choice for me. Besides, I always preferred my alone time rather than hanging out with people who are just a big mouth.

I asked Henry when can I move in and he replied you can even move in now if you pay the deposit. For a second my stomach dropped, I thought I didn't have enough money but I remembered that I chose this house because of its fairly low price. I took off to my car and opened my glove box, counted enough money for the deposit and rent, and even got left with some extra.

Henry took a contract out of his truck with a pen, I read the contract, and it was all okay, I signed it and gave him the money, he gave me the keys, congratulated me, and drove away.

I had butterflies in my stomach, I was so happy to finally be able to live inside a house with walls!

I ran to the door, went inside, and breathed the old wood smell with a pinch of dust in. I coughed a bit but it was all fine. loved my new place with my heart and soul.

I immediately started cleaning up with what I had. it took me all day to clean only two rooms and the kitchen. At night I took some canned beans from my car outside, warmed it up in a pan, ate my royal dinner, and went back to sleep.

It was in the middle of the night that I woke up with a loud bang, I sprinted downstair and saw my door swinging with the wind. There was a thunderstorm outside and the wind opened the door. I closed the door and locked it, but I could swear that I locked it when I came back from my car. Maybe the door lock wasn't as strong.

I turned back to go back upstairs. In the dark of the night a thunder hit and in the flash of light I saw someone with a long black robe on the stairs, I screamed and it came charging towards me...