Chapter One. The first day.

A darker night has never before been seen. The stiff fall breeze gives birth to a symphony of sounds as the moonlight illuminates a sight not seen in centuries. An ancient crypt incredibly old and yet appears as if it was just constructed. There is no sensation other than the sounds of the forest and the brisk breeze, however even knowing this the entrance to the crypt somehow calls to me. Without realizing it I find myself staring down into the crypt right hand firmly grasping the edge of the entrance. As I gaze into the pitch-black abyss I cannot help but feel a wave of fear wash over me. It feels as if its staring back at me taunting me, daring me to uncover its secrets. Before I lose myself, I turn and bolt back towards my house. Where the hell did, that place come from!

The sunlight seeps into my room breaking me free of the few hours of sleep I had. I shift my tired eyes over to the clock “Ugh only another thirty minuets before the bus arrives.” I sink back into a comfy position. “Maybe I can catch a few more minuets.” My eyes just start to close when I hear my mom yell. “William Grayson get down here breakfast is ready!” I bolt upright getting dressed in a flash. How could I not have smelled the intoxicating aroma of moms’ homemade peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before now.

I slide my way down the rail on the last set of stars. “Hey mom where’s dad?” She turns from what she’s doing and with the warmest smile in the world says. “Oh, good morning pumpkin he had to go to work early.” My tired features become even more so. “I thought I told you not to call me that I’m almost seventeen now.” Her face slightly saddens and I feel a wave come over me. “Sorry mom I didn’t get much sleep.” After swallowing the lump in my throat. “Go ahead and call me whatever you want.” Smiling with obvious manipulative victory. “Alright pumpkin.” I slightly smile. “Clever old bat.” Her eyes widen. “What did you just say!” I stammer out as quickly as I can. “I…I said where’s that cat.” I nervously scratch the back of my head. She smiles satisfied as the bus pulls up. “Bye mom!” She shakes her head with a slight laugh. “See you after school……pumpkin.” I leave amused…...what a gloater.

Maybe I’ll get a chance to think about that crypt on the bus. Must have been a dream. It can’t be real I should check when I get home. “Hey William what you thinking about?” I jump in my seat as I find Trish Rosewater looking at me curiously not more then a couple inches from my face. “It’s…it’s nothing.” Is all I manage to get out as my face turns red. “You really shouldn’t sneak up on people.” Still really close she says. “I did not you just wouldn’t snap out of la la land.” Trish Rosewater is the prettiest and probably smartest girl in my class maybe even the school. Why she decided to befriend me I’ll never know. She has silk hair dark as night and ocean blue eyes. “Well why don’t you sit I haven’t seen you sit since you got your permit.” Standing back up strait she smiles. “Sure, and sorry about that I was just so exited to have my own car, but it won’t start so here I am.” She giggles cutely and though I doubt it dare I say flirtingly. Blushing a bit, I manage to summon enough courage to offer to help. “I know a thing or two about cars maybe I can take a look this Friday if you want?” With nervous anticipation, I await her response. “Yeah okay and you could stay overnight like old times if your mom’s okay with that.” With steam practically coming out of my ears I say. “That would be great.” She shines me a bright smile. “It’s set then.” I have to casually shift my attention out the window in an attempt to avoid further embarrassment.

The rest of the bus ride is relatively uneventful. Waiting for class to start I unintentionally drift off thinking about Trish. I’ve known Trish for five years it’s hard to believe she hasn’t noticed yet. Then again being five foot eight with short black hair and gray eyes I’m nothing special. The bell rings snapping me out of my daydreaming. School goes by normally boring class after boring class. Leaving school I find myself somewhat looking forward to the ride home. That is until I see Trish getting into her dads’ car. Her father Victor seems more hostile recently as if he can sense how I feel for her. I don’t understand why. We had been cool and dare I say even friendly until a year ago. Good thing her mom Rebeca still loves me else another sleepover would be out of the question. I release a sigh and get on the bus.

The bus screeches to a stop. He almost missed my house again. “You’ve been our driver for two months you should have this by now!” He looks at me through the mirror without a hint of emotion. “Yeah I’ll get it next time.” After I get off the bus I head strait for the woods. “Don’t even think about it!” My mom yells as I skid to a stop. “What why not.” My dad steps outside. “Your chores William; you know damn well you can’t go off into the woods until they’re done.” I guess checking on that crypt will have to wait until tomorrow it’ll too late by time I reach it after doing chores. “Alright I’m coming.” After chores, I get out my laptop to see if there’s any information on the crypt I found. I found a lot off stuff about the town and surrounding area, but not one thing about the crypt. I guess I’ll turn in and catch up on some much-needed sleep.