Mysteria Lane - Chapter 1

Hello! My name is June Carter. Ever since I moved to Mysteria Lane I've encountered several mysterious happenings that have now started to affect my life! I don't know who to trust anymore and therefore I am going to share my experiences with you. I am trapped in this town and I have been warned to never leave or else... I'll be killed!

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Chapter 1 - The Beginning

This is the last time I am standing here, in my most favorite and "secure" place in the world, Grand Central subway. I am here to embrace its beauty for the last time before I migrate from this town. The noise of the arriving and departing trains, the muttering of people and the stench of the station will always reside in my mind. My strange association with this place goes back to my childhood. As far as my memory serves, I recollect coming here with my father and admire this man-made marvel called train. Trains were the subject of my fascination all throughout the childhood. My daddy would lift me up in his arms as I stupefyingly observe them scampering through the tracks. "I want to ride in that, daddy," I'd plead to him and reluctantly he would comply with my request. The reason of his reluctance was the fact that once I got into the train, he'd have to use all his force to get me out of it.

Oh! How badly I miss my childhood! How I wish my father to be here right now and stop me from leaving my home. Daddy, why did you leave me alone? I don't want to go. I don't want to leave my home. But my wants are inconsiderable now. Nevertheless, I am going to miss coming here. I'll miss the hustling crowd, who have always reminded me of little black ants meandering in search of food, also the noise of the traffic which have gently soothe my ears, the lonely alleys where I was mugged once, and of course, going to the cemetery where my father is peacefully resting.

Walking home, all I can think of is going to Mysteria Lane. The name is enough to spook me out. I belong here, in New York. This is my home. Damn! I wish Irina would understand this and drop the idea of moving to that "sick" place. Are you asking me who Irina is? Well, Irina was married to my father and now she is my guardian as I have no other relative left. She has generously accepted me as her "responsibility".

Ah! I've reached my home, home for now at least. It's only 8.30 pm and all the lights are off? My house is looking like a dungeon or something. Irina must be home. I don't understand why she is attracted to darkness so much. I wonder if she was an Emo or Goth or something. Anyway, I should go inside and rest for a while. I have just climbed up the stairs to my room and I can hear a strange noise. Wow, what is that noise? I think it's coming from Irina's room. Should I knock at her door and ask if she's alright? May be not. I think her lights are on as I can see a faint ray of orange glow emerging from the threshold of the door. I can also hear someone whispering or maybe it's just the TV. Whatever it is, I am too tired to bother. I should proceed to my room and call it a night.

Ugh! I've always hated this alarm clock; I don't need it to wake me up in the morning. The sunlight that's falling onto my face right now compels me every morning to wake up. But today, instead of filling me with passion to welcome the new day, the sweltering rays of the sun are burning my eyes to such an extent that water is flowing out of them, or maybe it's just the tears. Huh! I can just hope that Mysteria Lane is a sunny place.

Irina is already in the kitchen, "Good morning."

"Good morning sweetheart," she said in her husky voice.

Irina and my father, Mr. Benjamin Carter were bound in the bond of matrimony five years ago. "There's something magical about her," I remember my father saying that to me the first time he met her.

I don't fully disagree with him. Irina is certainly a charming woman and she proved it when she charmed my father into marrying her.

Her outward appearance is worthy of mentioning too. Her long black hair which she always lets loose perfectly complements her sparkling dark brown eyes. Even though she is slender but she possess a draconian aura that makes you want to submit to her. Her eyes, for some unknown reason, always sparkle but sometimes I wonder if it's nothing but deception.

"Coffee, June?" She is asking me with a smile. Why wouldn't she smile? After all, if it wasn't for her I wouldn't have to leave my home.

I never give up and therefore I would make a last attempt to convince her into not leaving, "Irina, there's something I need to tell you."

"Go on," she is sitting on the table in front of me, piercing me with her splintery eyes.

As intimidating as she is, I am going to be more firm in my appeal, "Irina, I don't want to go to Mysteria Lane. This has been my home for seventeen years and no way in hell, I am leaving it. You don't have to stay here with me. You can go to your hometown with a clean conscience. I can take care of myself, you know. I am not a kid anymore. I am seventeen now and I can make my own decisions. I don't need a babysitter to watch over me." Phew! I am so good!

Irina has been listening to me very patiently with a grin on her face. Why doesn't she say anything?

"June, I can't agree with you more. You're a grown up now and you don't require a babysitter anymore, but darling how can you expect me to leave you here alone? There's no one here to take care of you, to cook meals for you, to wash your clothes, take care of the house, to pay bills and taxes, running errands and..."

"I'll go get my bags..." You win Irina!

So here I am, in the car, after bidding goodbye to my home of seventeen years. I went into each of the rooms, where the memories of my childhood still persist and where the presence of my father can still be felt, to bid them farewell. As our car is moving ahead, my heart is panging for leaving the city where I grew in behind. Goodbye New York, but I promise that I will be back soon.

"You're going to love your new house," she said to me with a smile. Don't smile at me Irina; I know you're faking it.

"I sure will," even I faked one for her sake.

As I am looking out of the window and the wind is gently brushing my hair, I am wondering what life has in store for me. Maybe it's not going to be that bad there, but something in me is insinuating that I am falling into a trap. Whatever it is, one thing is for sure! I am going to get out from that town as soon as possible.

I can skip the planning and plotting now as the long journey is over and here we are, approaching the border of our destination. I can clearly read on the board, "Welcome to Mysteria Lane," as we're entering into the town's territory.