September 19th, 1941

I was at the McCormic Mansion today. Visiting that boy. The one with the funny eyes. Aspen. I think people just misunderstand him. Alot has been happening to him the past couple days. Three tragic accidents in under a month. All fatal to the workers in the mansion. Maybe he is quiet because it scares him. Maybe I can talk to him. Momma said he's about my age. Older but not by much. I think I can help.

-Jalen Harlon


Jalen's mother, Kora, stood in the rain with Jalen at her side. She was reluctant to go in after the deaths that have occurred. Kora took her daughters hand and smiled as she saw the fear in Jalen's eyes.

"They were just accidents" Her mothers words comforted Jalen. But Kora felt those words were far from the truth.

They walked into the now eerie manor as lightning indistinctly flashed and lit up Jalen's beautiful blond hair.

Aspen was in the corner chair of the foyer. Not giving the guests any welcome, or any acknowledgment at all. But Jalen approached him anyway. She smiled at the boy, in the hopes he'd smile back. Instead he scowled and stood.

"My parents are in the kitchen with the police. Another death happened last night. Alistair the butler died..." Aspen's voice was cold and as he left the room, Kora ran to the kitchen, leaving Jalen to her thoughts.

I wish he would speak to me. Maybe smile more. He's kind of cute. But those eyes... they are almost...unnerving.

Her eyes flashed to a picture of Aspen and his family that was hanging on the wall next to her. Aspen's eyes were both a very pale blue. At first Jalen thought he was blind. But that was when she was younger. She knows now that he isn't. It was just a gene that was passed down from his great grandfather. It must have stayed dormant throughout the bloodline until it reached Aspen.

Jalen wandered to the kitchen. She didn't pay any attention to Aspen's mother or father, niether the policeman. She wanted to know what had happened though. The cold and lifeless body of the butler was laying in a pool of blood on the ground. But it didn't bother her. Not after what happened before...

That was a long time ago...I needn't think of it now.

But flashes of her memories came back. Her brother. The blood. The cloaked figure. Then nothing.

She gasped a sigh of relief as the memories stopped. Alistair- with his black and white suit and black bowtie, dressed to attend the masters of the house -held a knife in his hand, coated with the red liquid that seemed to bring Jalen peace. There was also wounds to his stomach, she could make out about 12. Other than that there was too much blood.

Did he stab himself to death? Why such a brutal way? Suicide could be so much less painful..

"Jalen, do you mind getting Aspen, The police have questions for him." Jalen gazed at the boy's mother. Almost disgusted.
"They think he did it?" Jalen whispered.
"No they do this every time...its mandatory."

Jalen nodded and wandered to Aspen's room that was just up the stairs. She knocked once and got a quick "Go away" from the voice behind the door. From the sound she could tell he was right by the door, he was leaning against it.

"The police want to talk to you." She murmured.
"Jalen? Come in. I thought you were my father."

He's inviting me into his room? He never says more than a few words to me..

She opened the door, Aspen had moved to his dresser which he was closing. He was hiding something. And crossed his arms over his chest. The room was less than what she'd expected. There was almost a cozy feel to the small room. She gave him a small smile.
"They want you down there."

He nodded and left Jalen in his room. Which was exactly what she wanted. There was something in his dresser. Her curiostiy was pushing her across the room to the piece of furniture. She open the drawer and saw nothing out of the ordinary. But after careful examination Jalen found a small razor. She stole it away and put it into her pocket.

I wonder if...

Jalen walked down stairs as her mother called her to tell her they were leaving. As they walked out, all her mother spoke of was the deaths. The accidents and the suicides. But Jalen couldn't push the thought of the razor in her pocket out of her mind...The cold blade almost burned against her thigh in the cool air of Fall.