A Happening On Morjue Lane | 5 Minute Freewrite ( Day 1957) | Prompt: ghost of another woman

Chills covered Cynthia's body reading the brochure for their new home. She couldn't believe her parents chose the 2-story, with an bonus room in the attic. Perfect for hanging out with her best friend, Lydia. The home had recently returned to the market. If it wasn't for Lydia, she wouldn't have heard about it and recommended her parents check it out. Excitement bubbled over as the location was in the school district Lydia attended.

From middle school, Lydia was her best friend. She couldn't wait to tell her that the house was now sold, and they'd be moving in over summer break. Expecting her to ride along and tour the new house, Cynthia hoped personal insight would help promote the neighborhood.

Arriving that afternoon, the brochure description matched the home perfectly.

Cynthia gushed with pride as she beckoned Lydia to explore the top floor. She noticed Lydia was fidgety and seemed a bit distracted. Alone in the attic, Lydia started to speak, then stopped.

"What's wrong, girlfriend?" Cynthia shouted! You look pale.

"You know, I don't believe in that stuff, and certainly don't want to alarm you, but..." Hesitating, Lydia grabbed Cynthia and hugged her close, crying. "I should have told you. I'm so ashamed."

"If you don't tell me immediately, I'm going to unfriend you!." A strange throbbing rose in the pit of Cynthia's stomach. Please don't tell me anything negative about the neighborhood, she prayed.

"A gruesome double murder happened in this house two years ago. Rumors of a ghost haunting it ever since started circulating. Probably why the house was taken off the market, then the price recently reduced. My parents refused to talk about it. Don't know much else."

Lydia pressed her hands over Cynthia's, waiting for her response.

Color fled from Cynthia's face. An unsettled and vengeful afterlife was part of her beliefs. But she never confided this to Lydia for fear she'd laugh.

Her alarming thoughts flew in several directions as hopes of moving slipped away. But more disturbing was learning of a haunting by possibly a vengeful spirit.

Cynthia knew that if the real estate agent divulged this to her parents, they never would have purchased the home.

Horrified, she broke free of Lydia and ran downstairs. Equally horrified were her parents.

Shaking, with a thousand questions flowing among them, all were silent as they returned home to investigate what happened in that house.

There it was in black and white: "Double Murder at 6697 Morjue Lane"

Heading straight to her computer, Cynthia and Lydia devoured the story in numbed horror.

A romantic affair ended in tragedy as a couple was murdered following the husband's attempted break-up with his mistress. After several years involvement with his now estranged lover, he deceived her into believing he'd finally tell his wife, after which, he'd ask for divorce. He planned to buy out her half of their home, then give the home to the girlfriend. Apparently, that didn't happen either. Enraged, witnesses reported the estranged woman drove by the home over the years. Finally confessing to his lover that he had no intentions of leaving his wife, the girlfriend took matters into her own hands. Authorities were unable to determine how the woman gained access to the home. Some speculated she'd been invited there in the past. The girlfriend's plan to kill only the wife with the help of an accomplice, went awry, as the husband was present.

The color drained from Cynthia's face, but nervous anticipation prodded her to continue.

According to the accomplice, who later confessed, the girlfriend killed the wife. Defending her, a struggle ensued as he restrained the husband, who was also killed, but not before killing the girlfriend. The accomplice escaped. A tragic ending for an innocent wife entangled in the deceit of an unfaithful spouse. Neighbors rumor that the wife's ghost haunts the home defending her territory. She'll allow no one to live there. Others argue that it's the ghost of another woman...the vindictive blonde mistress, as she will kill anyone who lives in the home that was promised her.

Trembling, Armetrice slams the book shut and jumps out of bed. Hugging herself in a grip of worry, she paces back and forth remembering her nightmare from last week. The same one she's endured for the past several months.

Running downstairs, she parents laughter directs her to the living room.

She screams, "Mom, Dad, I have to tell you this. I won't go if you decide to move into that house on Lyndalle Avenue. I mean, none of us should go."

"Nonsense, Sweetie, what's wrong now?. We know you don't want to leave your best friend, but we have to downsize." Puzzled, they glance at each other, then both offer a sympathetic smile.

Armetrice grabs the remote control.

"Sweetie, what's upsetting you?"

Slowly now, she reiterates, "If we move into that house, WE Will All DIE! I saw it...our murders! And my dreams never fail me!"

"CUT!" The director yelled. "Amy and Duncan, nice job. See you tomorrow."

He led Charlene to the side. "You've almost there. After you close the book, show more eye and body expression while hugging yourself and pacing. I need to feel why it's important you've decided to tell your parents before you go downstairs."

Charlene nodded in agreement. "I was thinking I could've done that better. Thanks. See you tomorrow."