Hide and Seek - Chapter 1：The beginning

In a small town where everyone lived peacefully, if you mention the family name Lee people would happily say that they are a one of a kind family. The townspeople would chat of how the first head of the family helped made the town of how it is now. Bakeries, Clothing shop, Toy stores and almost other shops in the town were owned by the Lee family. With that kind of power, foreigners may think that the Lee family were prideful and arrogant however it is quite the opposite of it. The Lee family lives away in a big ebony mansion surrounded by black steel gates at the outskirts of town covered by pine trees, they own 3 different cars and the townspeople only saw the family members whenever one of them goes to town once a month. The head of the family, Mr Lee is always out of town because of business and his wife Mrs Lee sometimes accompanies him. While their daughter is only seen whenever there are events on town and is being homeschooled.

It is October 31 and the town is celebrating Halloween, dark heavy clouds covering the skies threatened the townspeople but everyone continued with the celebration. The Lee couple went to another country for business and left their 14 year old only daughter to try the event at the town, meanwhile the butlers and maids from the Lee house all went back to their hometown. Stacy was left alone at the big ebony house, she did everything she could do but got bored. She decided to play Hide and Seek before going to the celebration so she can go back and sleep afterwards. She tried playing it alone but knew she needs another person to play it with, so she searched from their computer a method on how to play it alone.

The grandfathers clock chimed when it striked 6 in the evening, the rain began to pour heavily and thunders flashed while lightning was heard. Stacy tiptoed as she walked in the dark hallways of their house, she didn’t speak as she continued searching the house. A loud thud was heard as an empty bottle fell from somewhere. Gotcha! She thought as she walked faster maintaining her footsteps in a quiet manner so it wouldn’t be heard. As she walked pass the bathroom, she saw the empty bottle of shampoo that fell. Stacy stepped back and went to the bathroom to search the place, readying herself to spill the salt water on her mouth if she met Sue. She searched but with no luck, the television on her room suddenly made a loud noise which caught her attention. Stacy hurriedly ran towards her room but slipped on a pool of water inside her bathroom. The little girl fell on the floor, her blonde hair sprawling on the wet tiles and her pajamas were now soaked on the back. Stacy slowly sat and touched the back of her head, she winced in pain upon feeling the bump that formed on it.

“Ow, that hurts…” she said as she massages the area slowly. She then gasped upon realizing something, the salt water on her mouth was now spilled when she fell.

“Great! Now I need to go back to the room to refill and search Sue. I need to end this game fast and go to the celebration” Stacy mumbled and slowly got up. She then went into her room and her television went static, she remained quiet as she heard a small voice coming from the television.

“Where. Are. You?” Stacy didn’t mind it at first and went to the circle of salt she placed inside her closet, she then refilled her mouth with a salt water and brought the remaining fill in the cup. As she got out of closet, the door slammed which surprised her. Stacy could feel her heart beating fast and her blue eyes dilated in fear. As she opened the door, the television noise got louder and a little girl’s laughter echoed on the whole mansion.

The noise on the television then said “I.Found.You!” Before Stacy could even react, an unknown force suddenly pulled her feet. The little girl cried as she realized it was too late, Stacy was dragged under her bed as her scream echoed on the whole mansion but no one heard her. The television then said “Game Over” before it went off.

4 years later~

Tina Sy and her family moved in town because her father was hired for a job, the town was still peaceful but the shops that were named Lee were changed into new names. “So what do you think of this town sweetie?” Mrs Sy asked with a smile.

The red haired girl sigh, she looked around and looked at her mom with no expression. “Fine, Mom. Where is our house? I want to rest already” Tina said and walked faster ahead of her parents, her green eyes scanning the whole place.

Mrs Sy replied, “comeback here sweetie!”

A hand then tapped her on the shoulder and Mrs Sy turned around to see her husband, Mr Sy smiling. “It is fine honey, she just need time to get accustomed to this town. I know she hates the idea of moving here because of my work and I think a small rest would help her” Mr Sy said with a smile and his wife sigh as they both cuddled.

It took 45 minutes for the Sy family to get into their new house by their family car. Upon arriving, Tina got out of the car and looked at the big ebony house in front of her. “Well…home sweet home! Bring your things inside Tina while me and your mother finish unpacking our other things” Mr Sy said and went inside the house followed by his wife.

Tina on the other hand looked at the surroundings and noticed that crows are resting on the roof of the big ebony house, the cold wind blew and the pine trees swayed with it, the clouds covered the skies making everything covered into darkness. Tina shrugged and mumbled, “I don’t like this feeling” as she went inside the house.

“Ok sweetie, your room is upstairs. There are a lot of rooms there but just pick what you want, your Father and I will need to clean this house. It’s so big but dusty!” Mrs Sy said as she covered her nose and mouth with a mask and put gloves on her hands.

“Ok, mom” Tina replied as she went upstairs and dragged her trolley and backpack.

When she arrived, Tina walked along the 2nd floor as the floors creaked with every footstep she makes. She touched every door and stopped at the balcony facing the gate, Tina looked at the gate and found a blonde girl dressed in dirty clothes staring at her. Tina was surprised and backed away, she looked at the gate again but the blonde girl was already gone. Tina was confused but went back to get her belongings and picked a room for herself, she choose the room on the right closest to the balcony. As she turned the knob, the door didn’t open. Tina sighed, and tried opening the door again but it won’t budge. She kicked the door feeling frustrated and left her belongings as she came downstairs.

“Mom, I need the keys to the rooms upstairs” Tina said with a slight tone of anger.

Mrs Sy was busy cleaning the sofa as she stopped and looked at her daughter, “I’m sorry sweetie…your Father had the keys. Ask him, he is at the kitchen checking the faucet and stuff.”

Tina rolled her eyes and went to the kitchen area, she scanned the place and found her dad fixing the pipe under the sink. “Dad…I need the keys to the rooms upstairs,” Tina said.

“Ok sweetie, just get the keys on that bag over there…Sorry, I need to fix this pipes or else the water will leak here” Mr Sy said as he continue what he was doing.

Tina gave a long sigh and searched the bag on the countertop for the keys. When she saw it, she grabbed it and run fast upstairs, her red hair bouncing along. When she arrived, she went immediately towards the room she picked and opened it. As she came in, Tina dragged her trolley near her bed and dropped her backpack along. Tina gave another sighed and looked around, “well…home sweet home I guess.”

Tina opened the windows to let the wind and sunlight come in the room. Although the clouds were covering the skies a while ago, the sun is out and shined through the sky. She smiled as she breath in the fresh air from outside, she then put on a mask and gloves that she hid in her pocket and started cleaning the dusty room. The room looked so old and dark but it is big and the furnitures left by the previous owner are still in good shape, it just needs some cleaning and everything will be fine! Tina thought. However, she knew cleaning the entire room might take more than a day to do so she decided to clean only the closet and bed that she will need to use immediately.

“I wonder if mom and dad decided which area they will need to clean first, we can’t finish cleaning this whole house for a week” Tina mumbled to herself as she continued to clean the bed and remove the old sheets on it.

Suddenly the closet door opened and Tina’s attention was caught, she glanced on it and felt her heart beat faster. She continued cleaning but a shadow just passed on her peripheral view, Tina turned back to look if she saw something or she was just imagining it. When she did, she found nothing. She continued cleaning but then she felt something grabbed her right foot which made her fell on the floor. Tina was surprised that her breathing got faster, she scanned the room again if there was someone playing tricks on her but nothing was there. She was just alone. Then suddenly, she heard a girl’s laughter and a voice whispered on her right ear “Let’s us play.” Tina flinched and turned back, she didn’t see anyone and this time it scared her. She run out of the room and went immediately to her mom.

“Mom! There’s something in my room!” Tina shouted with fear.

Mrs Sy was busy dusting off the living room as she turned to look at her daughter, she took off her mask and put down the feather duster. “Calm down, sweetie. Why don’t you sit in the sofa? I will get the food your father cooked just now as we talk about it” Mrs Sy said with a smile and went towards the kitchen area.

Tina followed what her mother said and sat in the sofa in front of the fireplace, the living area was half cleaned already. Tina wasn’t surprised though since she knew her mother was a clean freak and likes to maintain things in order whenever she is around. Mrs Sy arrived back with a tray of cookies and a pitcher of lemon juice, she placed them on the fine wood table and sat beside her daughter. “So, what is it that you want to talk about?” the older lady asked with a smile.

Tina was hesitant for a bit, “Well…you see, mom. I was cleaning my room when I saw a shadow passed by and…um, don’t laugh ok but I think I heard a girl’s laughter afterwards.”

Mrs Sy stared at her daughter without changing her expression and a smile was still plastered on her face, she patted the little girl’s head and stood up. “Finish eating those cookies sweetie ok? I will just go to your father to ask him to eat” Mrs Sy said as she began walking towards the kitchen.

Tina couldn’t believe it, she stood in surprise and felt her body boil in anger afterwards. She shook her head, “is this how you treat my problems always mom?! By actually ignoring it?! I get it! You are thinking this is funny right? You think I am lying to you?! Well fuck it!”

Mrs Sy turned around and looked at her daughter with an angry expression as well, “don’t you dare say those words Tina! I listened to your problem.”

“Yeah? But why are you ignoring it? Come on mom, I always get this kind of treatment from you” Tina replied.

Mrs Sy took a deep breath then looked at her daughter with a calm expression, “it’s not like that sweetie. It is just that those things you were talking about are not real. Shadows? A girl’s laughter? Sweetie, you are just scaring yourself. We are just alone here in the house so how can that happen?”

Tina argued, “but mom…I swear I did hear it and I saw that shadow.”

“Maybe you are just tired from the long trip, and you just need to adjust at this place. Why don’t you sleep for a bit and I will wake you up when its dinner time?” Mrs Sy said with a smile.

Tina didn’t argue anymore, she knew that her mother would insist that what she was saying was a lie. She nodded and sat down to finish the remaining cookies while her mother went towards the kitchen, she was eating the last cookie when something caught her peripheral view again. She ignored it at first but it bothered her, she looked towards her right and there in the dark portion of the stairs stood a blonde girl wearing dirty clothes. Tina gasped, it’s the same girl from outside the gates! She thought as stared at her. The blonde girl smiled, a weak but creepy smile. She was saying something towards Tina but she couldn’t hear it, Tina stood and slowly walked towards the blonde girl.

“I couldn’t hear you, what is it?” she said as she was walking closer to the girl.

The blonde girl continued saying something but Tina couldn’t hear it. As she was near the girl, her mother called her out. “Tina! Did you finish eating already? Your father needs some help here” Mrs Sy shouted from the kitchen and Tina’s attention was caught.

“I-I did mom, I’m coming!” Tina replied and looked back at the girl again but saw that the blonde girl wasn’t there anymore. Tina gasped and slowly backed away from the stairs, she walked back still looking at the spot where she last saw the blonde girl. Suddenly a voice whispered to her ear again, “Let us play Tina, you will enjoy it.”

Tina turned around to see no one there, she shook her head and run towards the kitchen. “Mom! There’s a-” she stopped when she saw her mother smiling at her while she cleans the countertops.

“What is it sweetie?” Mrs Sy asked. Tina shook her head, she then walked towards the kitchen door going to the garden. Her father was there busy at getting rid of the dead plants. When Mr Sy heard her footsteps, he looked back and wiped his sweat.

“Thank goodness, you are here Tina. Have you finished unpacking your things at your room? I need help here, these dead plants make this house look creepy but after we get this out it will all be fine. Tomorrow I will build a greenhouse so that we can plant vegetables and fruits, and if I take my salary for tomorrow’s work…I will buy your favourite strawberries and a pot of red roses!” Mr Sy said with a smile and Tina raised a brow to him with a smile.

“Sure Dad, I will help you but are we really staying here forever?” Tina asked as she put on her gloves and started removing the other dead plants as well.

“What do you mean sweetie? We just bought this big house for a cheap price and we just arrived here…are you saying you don’t want it here?” Mr Sy asked.

Tina looked at her father, the face of a once young man now changed into someone that aged with years. Even though he always said he is still young at heart, Tina knew his father is growing old and sometimes see him in pain everyday after work. She doesn’t want to let all the money her parents spend to this house be gone for her reasons. Tina replied, “no dad…it is just…I guess I still need to adjust in here, that’s all. But dad, didn’t the previous owner of this house or the real estate agent tell you something…about this house I mean?”

Mr Sy stopped what he was doing and looked at his daughter with a confused look, “what do you mean sweetie?”

“I don’t know dad, things like there was someone who died here or was killed or-“Tina explained but was interrupted by her father.

“Stop that Tina! What are you saying? That we brought a haunted house? Do you know what nonsense you are talking about?” Mr Sy asked in anger.

His angry, Tina thought and stopped what she was doing as well. “I’m sorry dad, I was just asking…afterall this house is so big but they let us bought this for a cheaper price. That’s all” Tina lied and continued getting all the dead plants.

“Well it maybe because no one is interested in this place for too long so the agent made the price lower, anyway…it’s not our problem. Just finish those remaining plants on your side and get inside, I will just clean up and help your mother for dinner. You should take your bath after this and rest, you must be tired” Mr Sy said and went inside.

Tina nodded and continued removing the remaining dead plants when she saw a dirty rag doll along the one she was removing, the doll was torn in the center and rice is getting out of it. “Creepy! Ugh, I will tell dad to burn this tomorrow” Tina said and tossed the dirty doll into the pile of dead plants. As she came inside, the blonde girl who was hiding behind one of the trees smiled as she watched Tina.

It was 6 pm when the Sy family was eating their dinner, the area hasn’t been finished cleaning so they used candles to lit the dining area and covered the dusty light above. The kitchen was just adjacent to it so they also used candles to light it, Tina’s parents hadn’t cleaned the room they choose which was near the stairs so they decided to sleep on the living room. Tina tried objecting but decided not to as she imagined her parents sleeping into the floor at her room, instead she decided to open her lights upstairs. The lights on the living room and stairs were also turned on, but they were full of cobwebs so the lighting is a bit dimmer. After eating, Mr and Mrs Sy talked about what they will need to buy at town tomorrow. Since Mr Sy has work, he will buy the other things needed after he finished working and will arrive late at home. Mrs Sy decided to buy groceries and will take a cab going back while Tina continues to clean and guard the house. Tina went upstairs and let herself fell into her bed, as soon as she did dust flew from the sides. Tina cough and covered her nose, she then scanned the room and sigh.

“Looks like I need to finish cleaning this tomorrow but I need help, I should tell my parents that I will go with them” Tina mumbled.

A sudden cold air entered her room which made Tina to shiver. She turned towards her window and found it open, she decided to close it and as she did she found the blonde girl outside holding the dirty doll. The blonde girl slowly turned back to look at Tina but she hid immediately, her heart began to beat fast and she took a deep breath. Tina decided to look at the window again but the blonde girl was gone and the dirty doll was back at the pile of dead plants, she sighed in relief and went downstairs to tell her plan for tomorrow.

“Hey mom and dad, can you bring me tomorrow morning to town?” Tina asked.

“Why sweetie? No one would guard this house and I will buy your favourite food” Mrs Sy replied.

Tina explained as she looked at the kitchen area, “well I guess I wanted to see the town more and meet new friends…plus I will clean the house when I go back.”

Mr and Mrs Sy looked at each other as they pondered on it, while Tina was busy looking at the kitchen area. She doesn’t know why her attention was drawn there but it’s as if she was expecting something or someone there, suddenly the blonde girl passed on one of the kitchen windows and Tina gasped. Then as if teasing her, the blonde girl went back and stood just in front of the kitchen window smiling. The kitchen and dining room was only lighted by candles so it makes things much scarier, Tina shook her head and tried to turn towards her parents.

“So…what is it now mom and dad?” she asked in between her crooked voice.

“What is wrong sweetie? Well we decided to let you go with us but promise us to return home early ok? And never bring strangers here” Mr Sy replied with a stern voice.

Tina smiled and nodded, “Thanks.”

She then went upstairs acting as if she saw nothing and locked her door, then rushed to covering the window with the dusty red curtain. Tina then decided to sleep or forced herself, as she wore a holy rosary on her neck just in case and prayed that nothing bad will happen tonight.

(to be continued…)